The Flamma Innovation FS05 Multi Modulation is a compact pedal that puts 11 stereo modulation effects in one box, covering what the maker calls everything from classic to experimental1. Pedal of the Day described it as cramming "elements of chorus, flanger, phaser and more into its bright, shiny yellow box"2. For a player, it is a way to cover a wide range of modulation sounds, from chorus to phaser to flanger territory, without dedicating a separate pedal to each one.
The 11 effects and how it is controlled
The FS05's 11 modulation effect types run from familiar territory into more experimental modes12. The core layout is straightforward: Rate and Depth knobs set the speed and intensity of whichever effect is selected, and two further knobs, CTRL 1 and CTRL 2, change function from mode to mode. Pedal of the Day explains that "CTRL 1 and CTRL 2 offer new settings for each mode. These two knob control things like Mix, Pitch, Tone, Feedback and more"2. Delicious Audio, which added the FS05 to its list of Best Multi-Modulation Pedals in August 2021, describes the same pair as "two extra controls whose function varies according to the selected mode"3.
Because the second pair of knobs does something different in every mode, Flamma prints "helpful diagrams on either side of the pedal, for quick reference" of each mode's control functions2. That is a practical touch on a crowded stage or a dark pedalboard.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Rate | Speed of the effect2 |
| Depth | Intensity of the effect2 |
| CTRL 1 | Mode-dependent setting, such as Mix, Pitch, Tone or Feedback2 |
| CTRL 2 | Mode-dependent setting, such as Mix, Pitch, Tone or Feedback2 |
Stereo, presets and bypass
The FS05 is a stereo pedal throughout: it has stereo inputs and stereo outputs. Pedal of the Day found that this "lets you enjoy all of these modes in gorgeous, enveloping sound as well"2, which matters if you run a stereo rig or place the pedal last in the chain before stereo delay or reverb pedals.
For saving sounds, the pedal offers 7 preset slots for storing your favorite settings1. That is a step up from a plain stompbox, where every knob turn is the setting.
On bypass, the maker's product page specifies a low-noise buffer bypass to reduce signal loss1, while Pedal of the Day's review lists the pedal as true bypass2. The two descriptions do not agree, and both are given here as stated.
The maker's page and the Pedal of the Day review describe the bypass differently: buffer bypass versus true bypass. If your board is sensitive to buffering, that is the one specification to weigh carefully.
How it compares and what reviewers said
Flamma also makes a smaller sibling, the FC05 Modulation, and Pedal of the Day's review of that pedal framed the difference plainly: "No Stereo connectivity, no presets and only one CRTL knob" on the FC05, with those being "about the only differences" between the two4. In other words, the FS05 is the fuller-featured version of the pair, trading a little simplicity for stereo operation, saved presets and a second mode-specific control.
For players weighing the FS05 against other approaches, the wider field is covered on the Multi-effects Pedals page.
Videos
Flamma Innovation
Brett Kingman
Mike Hermans
Questions
How many presets can the Flamma FS05 store?
The FS05 has 7 preset slots for saving your favorite settings, according to Flamma Innovation's product page. Pedal of the Day's review likewise describes the pedal as having 7 storable slots alongside its 11 modulation effects, which means you can keep a handful of your most-used sounds ready to recall rather than dialing them in fresh each time.
Is the Flamma FS05 true bypass?
Flamma Innovation's own product page describes the FS05 as having a low-noise buffer bypass to reduce signal loss, while Pedal of the Day's review lists it as true bypass. If bypass style matters to your setup, that difference between the maker's specification and the reviewer's listing is worth knowing before you place it on a board.
Does the Flamma FS05 work in stereo?
Yes. The FS05 has stereo inputs and outputs, and Pedal of the Day noted that the stereo connectivity lets you enjoy the pedal's modes in what the reviewer called gorgeous, enveloping sound. That makes it usable at the end of a stereo rig as well as in a simple mono chain.
What do CTRL 1 and CTRL 2 do on the FS05?
CTRL 1 and CTRL 2 are two extra knobs whose function changes depending on the selected mode. Pedal of the Day explains that they control things like Mix, Pitch, Tone and Feedback depending on the effect, while the Rate and Depth knobs handle speed and intensity for each effect. Diagrams printed on either side of the pedal give a quick reference for each mode.
Is the Flamma FS05 still available?
Flamma Innovation's own product page for the FS05 currently shows it as sold out, so the pedal appears to be unavailable direct from the maker at the moment. It was reviewed in 2021 and was priced at $68 at that time, so used and remaining retail stock are the likely routes for players looking for one now.
Sources (4)
- FLAMMA FS05 Multi Modulation 11 Modulation Effects from Classic to Exp, Flamma Innovation
- Flamma Innovation FS05 Multi Modulation, Pedal of the Day, 2021-09-03
- Flamma FS05 Stereo Multi-Modulation, Delicious Audio, 2021-08-23
- Flamma Innovation FC05 Modulation, Pedal of the Day, 2021-09-10
