The EMMA Electronic Discumbobulator DB-2 is an analog envelope filter, the effect type players usually call an autowah: instead of rocking a treadle like a wah pedal, it sweeps a filter automatically in response to how hard you pick. The maker describes it as covering a wide range of old-school auto-wah tones and modern filter sweeps, everything from full-on funk tones and old-school cocked wah sounds through spacey, synth-like filter sweeps1. gearnews.com called the original a renowned Danish autowah and envelope filter, and the DB-2 is its second incarnation2.
The DB-2 v2 is listed as sold out on the maker's page1. The pedal carries a 3-year limited warranty1, and version two of the classic orange-colored pedal comes with four main controls for Boost, Width, Attack and Sense that set how the filter reacts2.
Controls and how it works
Version two of the classic orange-colored pedal carries four main controls: Boost, Width, Attack and Sense, which set how the filter reacts to your playing2. Alongside them are two footswitches: one turns the effect on, while the other engages an independent 10dB boost that the maker says will make funky solos instantly take flight12.
| Control or switch | What it does |
|---|---|
| Boost | One of four main controls, setting the boost level2 |
| Width | One of four main controls, shaping how the filter reacts2 |
| Attack | One of four main controls, shaping how the filter reacts2 |
| Sense | One of four main controls, shaping how the filter reacts2 |
| Footswitch 1 | Turns the effect on and off2 |
| Footswitch 2 | Engages the independent 10dB boost12 |
The pedal's proprietary all-analog circuit and true-bypass switching come from the maker's product page1. gearnews.com's reviewer agreed on the bypass, writing "It's also true bypass (as you'd expect)."2
Guitar, bass and beyond
For the v2, EMMA extended the frequency range, and the maker says the pedal works not only on guitar but also on bass, keys, or even "flutes or violins"2. That makes it a candidate beyond six-string use, including for players looking at filter pedals for bass setups.
History and versions
The original Discumbobulator was an autowah and envelope filter pedal; version two arrived in 2017 with the four main controls, the boost footswitch and an extended frequency range2. At launch, EMMA dropped the price from USD $249 to $199, giving it an RRP of USD 1992. The maker's current page lists a regular price of £153.00 GBP1.
gearnews.com's reviewer looked at the added controls and concluded: "The new extra controls should manage to add more control without making the pedal a pain to use."2
Version two of the DiscumBOBulator is described by the maker as a classic orange-colored pedal, now with four main controls for Boost, Width, Attack and Sense that set how the filter reacts2. Alongside those controls, EMMA dropped the price from USD $249 to $199, with an RRP of USD 1992. Guitar Pedal X's reviewer took the view that "The new extra controls should manage to add more control without making the pedal a pain to use."2
Videos
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Questions
Is the EMMA Discumbobulator DB-2 true bypass?
Yes. The maker's product page lists True-Bypass switching for the DB-2 v2, and gearnews.com's 2017 report on the pedal noted the same, calling it true bypass as you'd expect. That means the pedal's circuit is removed from the signal path entirely when it is off.
Does the DB-2 work with bass?
Yes. EMMA extended the frequency range on the v2, and the maker says the pedal works not only on guitar but also on bass, keys, or even flutes and violins, according to gearnews.com's 2017 coverage of the release.
Is the DB-2 an analog or digital pedal?
The DB-2 v2 uses what the maker calls a proprietary all-analog circuit. It is an envelope filter, sometimes called an autowah, which sweeps a filter in response to how hard you play rather than using digital processing.
What does the Boost footswitch on the DB-2 do?
The second footswitch engages an independent 10dB boost, separate from the filter effect. The maker describes it as something that will make funky solos instantly take flight, and gearnews.com noted that one footswitch turns the effect on while the other engages the boost.
Where is the EMMA DiscumBOBulator made?
The DiscumBOBulator DB-2 v2 is handmade in Denmark, according to the maker's product page. EMMA Electronic is a Danish pedal builder, and gearnews.com described the original as a renowned Danish autowah and envelope filter.
Is the DiscumBOBulator v2 still in production?
No. The maker's product page marks the DB-2 v2 as discontinued and sold out, and points players toward the new and improved DB-3 v3 envelope filter, which EMMA released as new for 2023.
Sources (2)
- Emma Electronic DISCUMBOBULATOR DB-2-discontinued (see new v3), Godlyke, Inc.
- EMMA Discumbobulator DB-2 effect pedal: A reboot for some cool filtered funk, gearnews.com, 2017-06-27
