The Horrothia FX Type One is a stereo analog chorus ensemble pedal, and the first pedal from British builder Horrothia FX1. It is loosely modeled on the Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble from the mid-1970s, and like that pedal it covers both chorus and vibrato territory through a single control23. Where most chorus pedals give you rate and depth knobs, the Type One gives you one dial and a circuit that does the rest.
The heart of the design is its LFO, the low frequency oscillator that sweeps the modulation. RockBoard's PedalPedia says the Type One and the CE-1 "both use a very unique LFO waveform unlike any other chorus or vibrato pedal"2. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio describes the pedal as "loosely modeled after the BOSS CE-1," sharing that pedal's LFO shape but fine-tuned for maximum clean headroom, minimal noise, and flawless bass response1.
What it does to your sound
The Type One is a one-knob modulation machine: the lone knob controls the speed of the modulation, while the effect keeps a stereo frequency spread even at the zero setting, with no modulation at zero1. Pedal of the Day found "a ton of range in this lone dial," and the maker describes the sound quality as "ethereal and encompassing, especially when listened to in stereo"32. Delicious Audio adds that it "also does that John Frusciante thing," a reference to the CE-1's association with that player's chorus sound1.
The pedal has been finely tuned for maximum clean headroom, so RockBoard's PedalPedia says even a strummed bass, a synth, or a humbuckered guitar passes through without the effect breaking up2. That headroom is what makes it usable beyond guitar, and Delicious Audio notes the same fine-tuning covered minimal noise and flawless bass response1.
Outputs and running it in mono or stereo
The Type One has dual outputs, one wet and one dry, which Pedal of the Day says gives "the perfect mix of subtlety and sparkle"3. The stereo output sockets can drive two amplifiers, dry and wet, for what Delicious Audio calls true "mid-air" chorusing, or you can run it in mono into a single amp1. Pedal of the Day found the stereo quality especially noticeable when running it from the dual outputs3.
The footswitch
The arcade-style footswitch is described as military grade, and it can be set up to work in either latching or momentary mode1. Pedal of the Day confirms the same: the footswitch can be configured to work in either a latching or momentary setting3. Momentary mode means the effect engages only while you hold the switch down, which suits quick stabs of modulation.
Power
The Type One wants 12V DC, center negative, at 85mA2. Pedal of the Day notes it is ideally run at 12V, although 9V works just fine too3. A standard 9V-only supply is not the intended feed, and the 12V requirement rules out a typical 9V battery-style daisy chain setup.
Where it came from and what reviewers said
The Type One is Horrothia FX's first pedal1. The maker frames its lineage plainly: "It is loosely modelled around the DNA of the true sultan of chorus, the Boss CE-1 from the mid-1970s"2. The original CE-1 was a mains powered unit featuring both chorus and vibrato modes, the template the Type One follows in pedal form4.
In July 2024, Delicious Audio added the Type One to its list of Best Stereo Chorus Pedals1. Pedal of the Day reviewed it in February 2021 and concluded:
"A well-rounded, chorus-laden powerhouse, the Type One Stereo Analogue Chorus Ensemble is a one-knob wonder we’ll never get tired of investigating."3
The same review called it a one-knob wonder with surprising versatility, and described its sound as adding a blanket of modulation to your tone3.
Videos
Ponderer Sounds
Pedal of the Day
Hondo Felder Music
Questions
What power supply does the Horrothia FX Type One need?
The Type One runs on 12V DC with a center negative plug, drawing 85mA. Pedal of the Day notes it is ideally run at 12V, although 9V works just fine too. Because of the 12V requirement, a standard 9V-only power supply is not the intended feed for it.
Can the Horrothia FX Type One run in mono?
Yes. The stereo output sockets can drive two amplifiers, one dry and one wet, for true stereo chorusing, or you can run it in mono into a single amp. In mono you still get the chorus effect, just without the two-amp spread.
Is the Horrothia FX Type One analog?
Yes. Both the maker's listing and press coverage describe the Type One as an analog chorus ensemble effect. Its circuit is loosely modeled on the Boss CE-1 from the mid-1970s and shares that pedal's unusual LFO waveform.
Does the Horrothia FX Type One work with bass and synth?
Yes. The maker says the Type One has been finely tuned for maximum clean headroom, so even a strummed bass, a synth, or a humbuckered guitar stays clean through the effect. Delicious Audio also notes it was fine-tuned for flawless bass response.
Can the footswitches be set to momentary?
Yes. The arcade-style, military grade footswitch can be configured to work in either latching or momentary mode, so you can hold the effect only while the switch is pressed if you prefer.
Sources (4)
- Horrothia FX Type One Analogue Ensemble/Chorus, Delicious Audio, 2024-07-08
- Type One by Horrothia Effects, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Horrothia FX Type One Stereo Analog Chorus Ensemble, Pedal of the Day, 2021-02-03
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME (www.tonehome.de)
