OTA stands for operational transconductance amplifier, the chip type at the heart of the phase-shifting circuit. Delicious Audio called the Lethargy "an OTA based Phase Shifter effect pedal" and noted that this configuration "allows the Dreadbox Lethargy to produce a wide range of phase sounds"1. Dreadbox also lists it as "Great for Vibrato Effect", which its unusually wide LFO range makes possible2.
Controls and how it shapes the sound
The Lethargy keeps its control set small, but each control does a lot of work:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Manual knob | Sets the degree of the initial phase shift, the static position of the sweep1 |
| Amount knob | Controls the balance between the static "phased" sound and the one affected by the LFO1 |
| LFO wave toggle | Selects between two LFO wave shapes, triangle and square1 |
The Manual and Amount knobs work together: Manual parks the phase shift where you want it, and Amount decides how much the LFO moves it around that point. Set Amount low and you get a fairly static, filtered phase character; set it high and the sweep becomes deep and pronounced. The toggle between triangle and square LFO waves changes the motion itself, from a smooth rise and fall to a stepped jump between extremes1.
Dreadbox describes the LFO as a "Wide Range LFO from several sec up to 110Hz"2. That top end is far faster than most guitar phasers go, which is what makes the vibrato use practical: at high rates the phase modulation reads as pitch wobble rather than a sweep.
Eurorack and synth integration
The Lethargy's 3.5mm mini jack connections are where it earns its synth credentials. There are three patch points: Manual, Rate and LFO Out3. That means a modular system can control the pedal's phase position and speed with control voltage, and the pedal can output its own LFO to drive other gear.
The audio path is mono, with a TS unbalanced 6.4mm input that expects up to 2Vpp input levels, and a matching TS unbalanced output3. That 2Vpp figure matters for modular players: Eurorack audio levels run hotter than guitar levels, and the Lethargy is built to accept them.
Delicious Audio found this combination compelling enough that they "added it to our list of the Best Modulation Pedals for Synths with CV In"1.
Power and practical notes
The Lethargy draws 90mA at 9V DC, center pin negative, on a 2.1mm BOSS style connector, and the power supply is not included3. That current draw is on the high side for an analog pedal, so plan a dedicated outlet on a power supply rather than a daisy chain shared with low-draw pedals.
The bypass is CMOS switching with a soft touch footswitch rather than true bypass3. The enclosure is purple, which Delicious Audio singled out as "This purple beauty represents a very peculiar approach to the phaser effect"1.
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Questions
What does the name Lethargy mean?
According to Pedal of the Day, the name derives from the Greek word for forgetfulness, "Lethe". Dreadbox is based in Athens, Greece, and the names across its pedal series follow a Greek theme.
Is the Dreadbox Lethargy true bypass?
Dreadbox specifies a CMOS bypass with a soft touch switch rather than true bypass. CMOS switching uses an analog switch chip to route the signal, and the soft touch footswitch engages it without the mechanical click of a standard bypass switch.
Can the Dreadbox Lethargy do vibrato?
Yes. Dreadbox lists the pedal as "great for vibrato effect". Its LFO range runs from several seconds per cycle up to 110Hz, so at fast rates with the Amount control set high it can reach pitch-wobble territory rather than classic slow sweep phasing.
Does the Lethargy work with Eurorack?
Yes. Dreadbox describes it as an OTA-based phase shifter designed for fretted instruments and synthesizers, with Eurorack compatibility for modular setups. It has 3.5mm mini jack connections for Manual, Rate and LFO Out, so it can send and receive control voltage with a modular system.
Sources (3)
- Dreadbox Lethargy 8 Stage Phase Filter, Delicious Audio, 2021-03-31
- Lethargy, Dreadbox Synthesizers
- Lethargy Effect Pedal, Dreadbox Synthesizers, 2024-06-09