The Aqueous Chorus is an analog chorus pedal from J. Rockett Audio Designs, built around a bucket brigade (BBD) core, the delay-line circuit that gave the classic chorus pedals of the late 1970s and 1980s their sound1. What sets it apart from most chorus pedals is a Tilt EQ that shapes only the wet, modulated signal, so you can push the effect toward a vintage, rolled-off bucket brigade character or a brighter, more modern watery sheen without touching your dry tone21.
J. Rockett announced the pedal in December 2025, and it became available December 15, 2025 through select dealers at a launch price of $249.993. The maker's product page lists it at $229.992.
What it does and how it sounds
J. Rockett describes the Aqueous Chorus as "a modern take on multiple chorus sounds," with the tilt EQ letting you "dial in the past... to match the vintage bucket brigade sounds or dial it the opposite to achieve the watery Eric Johnson sounds"2. In the launch announcement, the company framed it as "our take on creating a chorus that truly can recreate vintage bucket brigade and modern watery tones in one unit"3.
Delicious Audio's review found the pedal covers a wide range: "the pedal covers expected ground, from classic chorus and vibrato to more experimental, phase-shifter-like textures, with a high degree of tonal specificity"1. The press release also notes that rotary-style sounds and lush modulation effects are available with creative settings3.
Controls
The pedal carries five controls: Preamp, Tilt EQ, Speed, Dry-Wet Mix, and Depth4.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Preamp | Gain makeup, or limits the input; modulation pedals can drop volume, so J. Rockett built in a preamp section2 |
| Tilt EQ | Shapes the wet signal only: right adds treble and cuts bass, left adds bass and cuts treble3 |
| Speed | Sets the modulation rate4 |
| Dry-Wet Mix | Blends wet and dry; past the 3/4 mark it changes function (see below)1 |
| Depth | Sets modulation depth4 |
The Mix control works differently from a standard blend knob. For most of its range it blends the wet and dry chorus signal, but past the 3/4 mark it routes a dry signal to the vibrato output while the wet, modulated signal remains under full Tilt EQ control1. That second output is what lets the pedal do chorus and vibrato duties at once, and Guitar Pedal X categorizes it under both chorus and vibrato4.
The Tilt EQ is the defining feature. Because it acts only on the wet signal, Delicious Audio notes it lets you "shape the modulated tone from a vintage, rolled-off character to a brighter, more modern sheen"1.
Power
There is no internal battery option. The pedal requires a 9V DC supply with a negative tip (center negative) plug, drawing 28mA3.
That is the standard arrangement for most modern pedals, so a typical isolated power brick output will run it without issue3.
Where it came from
J. Rockett Audio Designs made the Aqueous Chorus available on December 15, 2025 via select dealers at a launch price of $249.993. The company's listed price for the pedal is $229.992. The pedal joins the company's modulation line, which includes the Uni-Verb chorus/vibrato/reverb pedal.
What reviewers and players said
Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson called it "another of the really great ones, with lots of shaping ability courtesy of its extensive control topology and Tilt EQ in particular"4. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio found it "a thoughtfully designed modulation pedal built around a bucket-brigade (BBD) core" whose Tilt EQ is its defining feature1.
The pedal also appeared on That Pedal Show in "Simple Pedals For Incredible Sounds," published May 29, 2026, alongside the Thorpy Kudu, Jam Tubedreamer 2, and Boss DD-85.
Videos
J. Rockett Audio Designs
J. Rockett Audio Designs
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Questions
Is the J. Rockett Aqueous Chorus analog?
Yes. It is an analog chorus built around a bucket brigade (BBD) core, the same delay-line circuit family as the vintage chorus pedals it is designed to evoke. Guitar Pedal X describes it as an analog BBD chorus with an extensive control topology, including the Tilt EQ and five controls.
Does the Aqueous Chorus take a battery?
No. The pedal runs on external 9V DC power only, with no internal battery option. You will need a power supply or an isolated output on your pedalboard power brick to run it.
What power supply does the Aqueous Chorus need?
It needs a 9V DC supply with a negative tip (center negative) plug, the standard arrangement for most modern effects pedals. Because there is no battery option, a supply is required rather than optional.
How much current does the Aqueous Chorus draw?
It draws 28mA, which is modest by modern standards. A typical isolated power brick output will run it comfortably, and it leaves plenty of headroom on a shared supply for other pedals on the board.
What does the tilt EQ on the Aqueous Chorus do?
The Tilt EQ works on the wet, modulated signal only. Turned right it adds treble and reduces bass for a brighter, more modern sheen; turned left it adds bass and reduces treble for a vintage, rolled-off bucket brigade character. Your dry tone stays untouched either way.
Sources (5)
- J. Rockett Aqueous Chorus, Delicious Audio, 2026-08-18
- Aqueous Chorus, J. Rockett Audio Designs, 2025-11-17
- J. Rockett Audio Designs Releases New Aqueous Chorus, Premier Guitar, 2025-12-15
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-01-09
- Simple Pedals For Incredible Sounds Thorpy Kudu, Jam Tubedreamer 2, J Rockett Chorus, Boss DD-8, That Pedal Show, 2026-05-29
