The EAE x Benson Amps Halberd + Germanium Boost is a 2-in-1 combo pedal from Electronic Audio Experiments built with Benson Amps, putting the Halberd overdrive and a Germanium Boost in a single enclosure. EAE made it to commemorate Benson Fest 2024 and, in the maker's words, "our camaraderie" with Benson. Both sides are individually switchable, so each circuit can be used on its own or stacked.1
The pedal is listed as Temporarily Unavailable on the maker's product page as of 26 October 2026, and it was a limited commemorative release rather than a standard catalog item.1
The controls
The Halberd side carries five controls, and the Germanium Boost side adds one unlabeled knob of its own.1
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Pre | Sets the overall signal gain of the Halberd; lower settings impart light compression, then increasing amounts of clipping up to a fuzzy overdrive depending on Voice and Depth settings |
| Voice | 3-position switch to set the Halberd's overall drive character |
| Depth | Adjustable low frequency shelving filter at the Halberd's input, interactive with Pre; can be thought of as a second gain control affecting low frequencies only |
| Tone | Adjustable high shelf cut at the Halberd's output, helpful for taming harsher frequencies especially at high gain settings |
| Post | Sets the Halberd's overall output level, buffered for full transparency at all signal levels |
| Boost (unlabeled) | Sets the output level of the Germanium Boost |
The Voice switch offers three distinct drive characters:1
- Clang (up): increases gain in the upper midrange, for an aggressive sound and a sharp attack
- Standard (middle): moderate gain with a gentle mid push; identical to Halberd V1
- Deep (down): a full range gain boost with woolly saturation and a fuzzy note attack
Because the Standard position matches the original Halberd V1 circuit, players who know the standalone pedal will find the same response in the middle of the switch, while the two outer positions extend the range toward a sharper, more aggressive voice and a woollier, fuzz-tinged one. The Halberd side sits in overdrive territory, and the Germanium Boost side is a straight level push in the boost tradition1.
Power and switching
The pedal runs on 9V DC through a 2.1 mm center negative barrel connector and draws 85 mA. EAE recommends a regulated, isolated power supply rated for 100 mA minimum, and warns that an incorrect power supply may cause permanent damage. Batteries are not accepted: the maker states plainly that "Our pedals do not accept batteries."1
At 85 mA the pedal exceeds what many daisy-chain outputs deliver, so plan a dedicated isolated outlet on your power supply rated for at least 100 mA.1
Switching is handled by relay switching with true bypass, and the two circuits are individually switchable, so the Halberd and the Germanium Boost each get their own footswitch on the shared enclosure.1
Availability and versions
The V1 release came in Fall 2024 as the initial version, made to commemorate Benson Fest 2024. Enclosure finishes listed by the maker are Vellum, Gray Texture, and Raw Aluminum. As of 26 October 2026 the product page marks the pedal Temporarily Unavailable.1
Questions
Can I switch the Halberd and the Germanium Boost separately?
Yes. Electronic Audio Experiments states that both sides of the combo are individually switchable, so you can run the Germanium Boost alone, the Halberd alone, or both together in any order of engagement. Each side has its own footswitch on the shared enclosure.
Does the EAE x Benson Amps Halberd + Germanium Boost take a battery?
No. The maker says its pedals do not accept batteries. Power it from a regulated, isolated 9V DC supply rated for at least 100 mA, using the 2.1 mm center negative barrel connector. The pedal draws 85 mA.
What is the input impedance of the Halberd + Germanium Boost?
At 1 kHz the input impedance is 500kΩ with the Boost side active and 1MΩ otherwise. The output impedance at 1 kHz is under 1kΩ.
What enclosure colors does it come in?
The maker lists three enclosure finishes: Vellum, Gray Texture, and Raw Aluminum.
How big is the Halberd + Germanium Boost?
It measures 5.7 by 4.77 by 1.55 inches, or 145 by 121 by 39 millimeters, so it takes the footprint of a larger enclosure to house both circuits.
Is the Halberd + Germanium Boost still available?
As of 26 October 2026 the maker's product page lists it as Temporarily Unavailable. It was a limited release made to commemorate Benson Fest 2024, with an initial V1 release in Fall 2024.
Sources (1)
- EAE x Benson Amps Presents: Halberd + Germanium Boost, Electronic Audio Experiments
