The Heptode Deep Crunch is an analog preamp pedal from the French builder Heptode, designed to put the crunch channel of the Soldano SLO-100 on a pedalboard. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes it as inspired by the famous Soldano SLO-100 Crunch channel, carrying the typical crunch sound found in 1980s tube amps1. It was released in 2012 together with a sibling pedal, the Heavy Tone, both paying homage to the Soldano SLO-100 preamp channels2.
What it does and how it works
The Deep Crunch sits in the preamp pedal family: rather than a simple boost or overdrive stacked in front of an amp, it aims to reproduce the preamp section of a specific amplifier. RockBoard's PedalPedia says the circuit is based on an innovative fully analog technology that emulates the warm sound of tubes and preserves their dynamic characteristics1. Guitar Interactive Magazine described the pair of pedals as emulating the distortion characteristics and dynamics of a well known and much revered two channel amplifier2.
A cabinet simulator switch is built in, intended for direct input to a mixer or computer2. That means the pedal can serve as a compact amp-and-cab substitute for recording or silent playing, not only as a drive pedal into an amplifier.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's 2012 review found the pedal effective at lower gain settings:
"At gain levels below 1 o'clock, the Deep Crunch is a solid-sounding overdrive pedal, not necessarily spectacular or especially distinctive but certainly effective."
The same review also framed it as a fine-sounding, much lighter alternative to lugging a 4x12 cabinet for making a clean amp sound like a cranked stack3.
Availability and power
Guitar Interactive Magazine reported in June 2012 that the Deep Crunch and Heavy Tone were available to American guitarists at selected dealers for $2652. The pedal runs on 9V DC, center negative, drawing 20mA1, a modest draw that fits a standard pedalboard power supply.
Videos
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Questions
Does the Heptode Deep Crunch have a cab sim?
Yes. The Deep Crunch includes a cabinet simulator switch, which Heptode announced alongside its release in 2012. With the cab sim engaged, the pedal is meant to be run directly into a mixer or computer without a guitar amp, taking the place of the speaker portion of the signal chain.
Can the Heptode Deep Crunch go direct to a mixer or computer?
Yes. Guitar Interactive Magazine reported at the pedal's 2012 release that both it and its sibling, the Heavy Tone, include a cabinet simulator switch for direct input to a mixer or computer. That makes it usable as a compact amp-and-cab replacement for silent practice or recording.
Is the Heptode Deep Crunch analog?
Yes. Heptode lists the Deep Crunch as a fully analog circuit. The maker says the design emulates the warm sound of tubes while preserving their dynamic characteristics, rather than using digital modeling.
Sources (3)
- Deep Crunch by Heptode, RockBoard (rockboard.de PedalPedia), 2026
- Heptode Deep Crunch and Heavy Tone Pedals Now Available in t, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2012-06-26
- Heptode Deep Crunch Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2012-12-10
