The Farm Pedals Fly Agaric is a phaser pedal built around a four-stage phase-shifting circuit driven by two independent LFOs (low frequency oscillators, the moving engines behind any phaser). Each LFO has its own dedicated speed knob, and the pedal carries two footswitches: one to engage it, and one that flips the direction of the first LFO mid-performance. Delicious Audio described it as "Designed with the vibe of the classiest vintage phasers," and Guitar World called it "A vintage, vibe voiced, four-stage" phaser12.
The pedal had been through several versions before its wide release. Farm Pedals had sold it in small-batch hand-wired versions and various "beta" builds, and in July 2019 the company announced the first production run1. gearnews.com's Jef wrote that the company "seems to have arrived" at a final incarnation after those beta versions3. Delicious Audio noted that the larger box version is 100% hand soldered2.
The controls: two speed knobs and a mirror footswitch
The Fly Agaric keeps its panel simple: two knobs and two footswitches. The knobs each control one LFO, and the footswitches split the jobs of turning the pedal on and reshaping the phase movement while it plays12.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Left knob | Controls the speed of the first LFO3 |
| Right knob | Controls the speed of the second LFO2 |
| Right footswitch | Engages the pedal2 |
| Left footswitch (heart) | Mirror switches the speed of the first LFO; when engaged (light on) the speed of the first LFO immediately flips2 |
The mirror switch is the pedal's distinguishing control. Guitar World described it as mirror switching "the speed of the first LFO, creating textural cross-phasing on the fly"1. Because the two LFOs run independently, each with its own speed knob, the interaction between them shapes the sweep, and the mirror switch lets a player reverse that movement without bending down to turn a knob.
What it sounds like and what reviewers said
Reactions from the press were positive on the tones and the twin-LFO design. gearnews.com's reviewer wrote3:
"As a lover of phase pedals, I was impressed by its organic sounding tones, plus that interaction between the two LFOs3."
Jef, gearnews.com3
The same reviewer also praised the build, describing "a powder coated casing that looks built to last" alongside the true-bypass switching3.
Price and availability
The Fly Agaric Phaser was available for $185 when the first production run was announced in July 20191. gearnews.com listed the same price as a UK-facing RRP of GBP 152.72 plus GBP 12.38 shipping3.
The jack layout is reversed from most pedals: In on the right, Out on the left2. Plan your pedalboard cabling accordingly.
Farm Pedals also makes the related Farm Agaric Phaser, an earlier double phaser.
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Questions
Is the Farm Pedals Fly Agaric true bypass?
Yes. The Fly Agaric uses true-bypass switching, so when the pedal is off your guitar's signal passes through it without the phaser circuit in the way. It also runs on a 9-volt center negative power supply and comes in a powder coated casing, which gearnews.com's reviewer described as looking built to last.
What power supply does the Fly Agaric need?
The Fly Agaric runs on a 9-volt center negative power supply, the same standard used by most compact pedals, so it will work with a typical pedalboard power supply or a dedicated 9V adapter.
What does the mirror footswitch on the Fly Agaric do?
The left footswitch, marked with a heart, mirror switches the speed of the first LFO. When it is engaged and its light is on, the speed of the first LFO immediately flips, which the maker describes as handy for creating textural cross-phasing on the fly.
Are the Fly Agaric's input and output jacks reversed from other pedals?
Yes. On the Fly Agaric the input jack is on the right and the output jack is on the left, which is the opposite of most pedals, where the input sits on the right side of the enclosure and the output on the left. Worth knowing before you plan your pedalboard layout.
How much does the Farm Pedals Fly Agaric cost?
The Fly Agaric was priced at $185 when its first production run was announced in July 2019. gearnews.com also listed a UK price of GBP 152.72 plus GBP 12.38 shipping at the same time.
Sources (3)
- Farm Pedals Releases New Fly Agaric Phaser, Guitar World, 2019-07-17
- Farm Pedals, Delicious Audio, 2020-02-27
- Farm Pedals' Fly Agaric is a vintage-voiced, four-stage phaser pedal with twin LFOs, gearnews.com, 2019-07-15
