The Dreadbox Taff 2 Scientific Tremolo is a tremolo pedal with its roots in the standard form of tremolo pedals, but it goes well past simple amplitude wobble. Dreadbox's Taff 2 will do simple tremolo effects, but also bit crush and a variety of detune style effects, which makes it closer to a small patchable modulation instrument than a one-trick tremolo box1.
What it does and how it is controlled
The Taff 2's controls cover both the LFO that shapes the effect and the VCA mixer that sets how much of it you hear1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Rate | Controlling the LFO speed1 |
| LFO Wave Selector | Adjusts the overall sounds the Taff 2 produces1 |
| Pulse Width Selector (PWM) | Adjusts the overall sounds the Taff 2 produces1 |
| VCA Mixer Initial | Direct level1 |
| VCA Mixer LFO | Amount of LFO applied1 |
| LFO Output Level | A volume/mix control1 |
A flashing LFO rate LED lets you know the exact pulse the pedal is functioning at, which is handy for syncing the effect by eye when you are dialing in a rate1.
Pedal of the Day's reviewer summed the pedal up this way:
"A truly unique and intriguing piece of musical equipment, the Taff2 Scientific Tremolo must be played in person to really get how innovative and creative it is."
CV inputs, LFO output and power
The "scientific" part of the name comes from the patching. The Taff 2 has a Rate Input and a VCA CV input, both specified at plus or minus 5 volts optimal with a maximum of plus or minus 9 volts, and an LFO output with a 7.5 Vpp maximum level. That means the pedal can be driven by external control voltage and can itself act as an LFO source for other CV-equipped gear1.
For power, the Taff 2 works with any Boss style 9 Volt power supply and has no battery option1.
The Taff 2's inputs and outputs are mono, and its CV ranges top out at plus or minus 9 volts, so check what you patch into it if you are coming from modular levels.
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Questions
Does the Dreadbox Taff 2 take a battery?
No. The Taff 2 runs from a Boss style 9 Volt power supply and has no battery option, so plan for a power supply on your board rather than running it portable without one.
Is the Taff 2 true bypass?
Yes. Pedal of the Day lists the Taff 2 as true bypass, so when it is switched off your guitar signal passes through without the circuit loading it.
Can the Taff 2 be used with a modular synth?
Yes, that is a big part of its design. It has a Rate Input and a VCA CV input, both at plus or minus 5 volts optimal with a maximum of plus or minus 9 volts, plus an LFO output at a 7.5 Vpp maximum level, so it can send and receive control voltage with modular equipment.
Is the Dreadbox Taff 2 stereo?
No. The Taff 2 has mono inputs and outputs, so it is a mono pedal rather than a stereo one.
Where is the Dreadbox Taff 2 made?
The Taff 2 is made in Greece.
Sources (1)
- Dreadbox Taff 2 Scientific Tremolo, Pedal of the Day, 2016-02-29