The Effectrode Phaseomatic Deluxe is a tube phaser pedal built around valve circuitry and a photo-optical phasing design. It was originally released in 2009, and Effectrode has since revamped it, adding a fourth knob labeled Shape for adjusting waveform shape. The pedal's main building blocks are twin LFOs, which MusicRadar's reviewer said present the feeling of having two phasers in one box1.
How it works and what it does
The Phaseomatic uses all-tube circuitry, including the same one- and two-stage "Cathodyne" tube circuitry used in vintage Magnatone amps, plus two additional Cathodyne phase inverters2. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes the range of sounds this produces as spanning two poles: on subtle settings, natural sounding vibrato and shimmering phasing, and at the other end, richer, deeper vibrato and intense, deep "tunnel" phasing, plus cosmic and spacious sound effects the maker compares to 1950s "B" science fiction movie soundtracks2.
MusicRadar's reviewer, Trevor Curwen, heard that range in similar terms:
"From the gradually changing tonality engendered by extremely low sweep rate, through to fast bubbling rotary speaker-style sounds"
He added that these are delivered with clarity and warmth1.
Controls and modes
The revamped version carries the original Width, Speed and Blend trio plus the new Shape knob, which adjusts waveform shape, selected from three toggle-switched banks of 161.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Width | Carried over from the original unit1 |
| Speed | Carried over from the original unit1 |
| Blend | Carried over from the original unit1 |
| Shape | Adjusts waveform shape, from three toggle-switched banks of 16, new in the revamped version1 |
| Color switch | Introduces resonance (feedback) from either the fourth phase shift stage or the subtler-sounding second stage1 |
The waveform banks, selected by a toggle switch, are:
- Normal: symmetrical linear sweep waveforms
- Skewed: lopsided waveforms
- Scattered: harder transition, stepped and pulse waveforms1
The twin LFOs can run in two ways. In sync mode, an internal jumper sets them to run at the same modulation sweep rate (Speed), and the knobs work on both LFOs simultaneously, which the reviewer found made it easy to conjure up a wide range of sounds1. In standard mode, the LFOs run independently, and you hold down the Tap/Sync footswitch to access LFO B's Speed, Shape and Width knobs. The reviewer found standard mode a little trickier to master for that reason1.
With the Color switch engaged, the phasing can get more chewy, with a more pronounced 'wow/wah', and even get you into analog synth realms, according to MusicRadar's review1.
Tap tempo and expression
Keeping in time with a specific tempo is no problem with the always-active tap tempo footswitch, which the reviewer listed among the pedal's reasons to buy1. There is also provision for a couple of expression pedals to control speed and width, which the reviewer described as offering "more onstage artistry"1.
Versions: the added Shape knob
The Phaseomatic Deluxe was originally released in 2009 with a control trio of Width, Speed and Blend. The revamped latest incarnation, reviewed by MusicRadar in 2019, adds the fourth Shape knob for waveform shape1. Effectrode also makes the Phaseomatic Vacuum Tube Phaser, the pedal's sibling in the range2.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's 2019 review by Trevor Curwen weighed the pedal as follows. Among its reasons to buy, he counted natural sonic enhancement via valve circuitry, the tap tempo footswitch, and a massive range of phasing sounds1. His verdict:
"If you want intricate subtlety in shaping bespoke phasing sounds, then Effectrode's offering may just be the one for you"
The main caveat was recall: without presets and with so many options, recalling favorite sounds might be difficult, and the reviewer noted that old-school note taking is required1.
For players comparing phasers, the Phaseomatic Deluxe sits among the tube-driven designs covered on the site's Phaser Pedals page.
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Questions
What does the Shape knob do on the Phaseomatic Deluxe?
The Shape knob adjusts the waveform shape of the modulation, selecting from three toggle-switched banks of 16 waveforms. It was added in the revamped latest incarnation of the pedal, joining the original Width, Speed and Blend controls. The three banks are Normal symmetrical linear sweep waveforms, Skewed lopsided waveforms, and Scattered, with harder transition, stepped and pulse waveforms.
Does the Effectrode Phaseomatic Deluxe have tap tempo?
Yes. The pedal has an always-active tap tempo footswitch, which MusicRadar's reviewer counted as a reason to buy, noting that keeping in time with a specific tempo is no problem with it. The same Tap/Sync footswitch is also used to access LFO B's Speed, Shape and Width knobs in standard mode.
Is the Phaseomatic Deluxe a tube phaser?
Yes. Effectrode's Phaseomatic is a vacuum tube phaser pedal using all-tube circuitry, including one- and two-stage Cathodyne tube circuitry and two additional Cathodyne phase inverters of the kind used in vintage Magnatone amps. MusicRadar's review described natural sonic enhancement via valve circuitry and counted that as a reason to buy.
What does the Colour switch do on the Phaseomatic Deluxe?
The Colour switch introduces resonance, or feedback, from either the fourth phase shift stage or the subtler-sounding second stage. With Colour engaged, MusicRadar found the phasing can get more chewy, with a more pronounced 'wow/wah', and even reach analogue synth realms.
Can you use expression pedals with the Phaseomatic Deluxe?
Yes. There is provision for a couple of expression pedals to control speed and width, which MusicRadar's reviewer described as opening up more onstage artistry.
Does the Phaseomatic Deluxe have presets?
No. MusicRadar's reviewer noted that without presets and with so many options, recalling favourite sounds might be difficult, and that old-school note taking is required to get back to a sound you liked.
Sources (2)
- Effectrode Phaseomatic Deluxe 2019 review, MusicRadar, 2019-10-03
- Phaseomatic Vacuum Tube Phaser by Effectrode, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
