The GUP Tech Voodoo Doll Vibe is a fully analog photocell tremolo-vibe pedal, built by hand in Saguenay, Québec, Canada1. GUP Tech describes it as "a real analog photocell Tremolo-Vibe Machine," meaning it uses a light-based photocell circuit, the same general approach as the vintage uni-vibe designs, rather than a digital emulation1. For a player, that means one box covers both tremolo and vibrato territory: a pulsing volume wobble and a pitch-modulated, chorus-like sweep, both driven by the same light-and-photocell engine.
The Voodoo Doll Vibe and the Voodoo Doll Vibe Tremolo are both built by GUP Tech in Saguenay, Québec, Canada, with the Vibe priced at £93.00 GBP and the Vibe Tremolo at £77.00 GBP12.
A photocell tremolo-vibe
Photocell circuits work by driving a light source against a light-dependent resistor, so the modulation comes from an actual lamp-and-eye pair sweeping the signal rather than from a chip modeling the effect. GUP Tech emphasizes the point twice on its product page: "Did we say that it's fully analog Photocell/light?"1. The Voodoo Doll Vibe Tremolo version is described the same way, as "a real 100% analog photocell Vibe-Tremolo Machine"2.
The practical difference for a player is in the feel of the sweep. Photocell designs, the family the original uni-vibe belongs to, are known for a smooth, breathing modulation, and the Voodoo Doll puts that circuit in a small pedalboard-friendly box with full control over Depth, Speed, level and tone1.
The Voodoo Doll Vibe Tremolo comes in Yellow or Green, and GUP Tech says its V2 version has also been tested on bass2. The V2 is the four-knob version, which GUP Tech describes as a simpler design than the V1 with its Lo-Hi knobs, with nothing widely different between them2. Both pedals are made by GUP Tech in Saguenay, Québec, Canada12.
Controls, versions and power
The two current versions of the pedal lay out their controls slightly differently2:
| Version | Controls | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Voodoo Doll Vibe | Depth, Speed, level, tone | Fully analog photocell/light circuit1 |
| Voodoo Doll Vibe Tremolo V2 | Depth, Speed, level, Low/High frequencies | Tested on bass2 |
| Voodoo Doll Vibe Tremolo V1 | Depth, Speed, level, Lo-Hi knobs | Earlier version2 |
GUP Tech describes the V2, the 4-knob version, as "a simpler design, easier to build with us. Nothing widely different than the V1 (with the Lo-Hi knobs)"2. In other words, the two versions sound the same to the maker's ear; the change is in how the low and high frequency shaping is laid out on the enclosure. The V2 is also now tested on bass, which matters for bass players shopping the bass pedals aisle2.
The Voodoo Doll Vibe Tremolo comes in yellow and green color options2.
There is also a Gold Rush Edition of the Voodoo Doll Vibe Tremolo, which GUP Tech says uses "exactly the same circuit as the original GUPtech VD" in a different finish; it is sold out3.
Power
The Voodoo Doll Vibe runs on 9V DC, center negative only. GUP Tech warns that "anything higher will blow some stuffs," so it should never be fed more than 9V12.
The pedal draws around 100mA, which is high for a small analog pedal, and GUP Tech highly recommends an isolated power supply: "the high power draw can cause some weird squealing with other pedal circuits" when it shares a daisy chain with other pedals2. A player running a multi-pedal board should plan a dedicated isolated output for it.
Who the Voodoo Doll Vibe is named after
The "VD" in the name is not a reference to the vintage uni-vibe it descends from. GUP Tech explains: "Our VD Vibe is named with the initials of one of our dear friend and also long time GUP Tech follower Vincent Desautels," a local radio host12.
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Questions
Does the Voodoo Doll Vibe work on bass?
GUP Tech says the V2 version is now tested on bass. The V2 also gives control over low and high frequencies, which lets a bass player shape how the effect sits against the low end. The V1's Lo-Hi knobs cover similar ground in a different layout.
Does the Voodoo Doll Vibe need an isolated power supply?
GUP Tech highly recommends one. The pedal draws around 100mA, and the maker says that high power draw can cause weird squealing when it shares power with other pedal circuits. An isolated supply avoids that.
What is the difference between the V1 and V2 Voodoo Doll Vibe?
The V2 is the 4-knob version, a simpler design that GUP Tech says is easier for them to build, with nothing widely different from the V1. The V1 carries the Lo-Hi knobs for low and high frequency control instead of the V2's layout.
Who is the Voodoo Doll Vibe named after?
The VD in the name comes from the initials of Vincent Desautels, a local radio host and long time GUP Tech follower whom the maker calls a dear friend.
Sources (3)
- Voodoo Doll Vibe Douche, GUP Tech (guptech.ca)
- Voodoo Doll Vibe Tremolo, GUP Tech
- Voodoo Doll Vibe Tremolo, GUPtech (guptech.ca)
