The Jackson Audio New Wave is a stereo chorus and vibrato pedal that aims at the modulation sounds of the late 70s and 80s. Jackson Audio describes it as a "100% analog, stereo chorus/vibrato pedal" that "delivers the classic sounds with added modern precision and all new sounds"12. MusicRadar reported the pedal's announcement in February 2023, describing it as a chorus/vibrato design that combines analog BBD chips with digital control3. It sits in the chorus family but also covers vibrato and a rotary-cabinet effect.
How it works
The heart of the pedal is a pair of authentic MN3007 bucket-brigade (BBD) chips, the delay chips that gave 80's chorus units their character. Jackson Audio runs them at 15V, "like the 80's units did"2. The pedal draws 300mA2.
Modes
The New Wave organizes its sounds into five modes, each a different take on pitch modulation1:
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| 70'S | A simple, warm mono chorus; the pedal's only mono mode, with a single LFO moving the left channel against a stationary signal1 |
| 80'S | Wide stereo chorus, with two LFOs moving simultaneously to create a spacious effect1 |
| VIB | Pure analog pitch movement with the dry signal removed, for a classic analog vibrato1 |
| ROT | Pitch modulation and ratio control that recreate a rotary cabinet's independent horn and lower rotor1 |
| USER | Access to the complete control set, to build anything from subtle movement to more extreme modulation1 |
The 80's and USER modes are where the stereo design shows: the two-LFO arrangement spreads the effect across both outputs rather than doubling a mono signal12.
Power and setup
The pedal needs 18V DC, center negative, and draws 300mA2. That voltage is higher than what most compact pedals use, so it needs an 18V output on the power supply rather than a standard outlet.
At 300mA and 18V, the New Wave should have a dedicated supply output. Sharing a lower-current output with other pedals will not meet its draw2.
The English manual is published as a PDF by Jackson Audio, linked from the pedal's product listings2.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's report on the announcement highlighted the pedal's use of authentic MN3007 BBD chips operating at 15V, "like the 80's units did"3.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
Jackson Audio
Jackson Audio
Questions
Does the Jackson Audio New Wave run on a battery?
No. The New Wave is designed to run from an 18V DC, center negative power supply drawing 300mA, so battery power is not part of how the pedal operates. Plan a supply that can deliver 18V at that current, and avoid sharing it on a daisy chain with lower-current pedals.
What power supply does the Jackson Audio New Wave need?
An 18V DC supply with a center negative plug, drawing 300mA of current. That voltage is higher than the 9V many pedals use, so it needs its own output on most power supplies rather than a standard 9V outlet.
Is the New Wave chorus stereo?
Yes. Jackson Audio describes it as an authentic stereo chorus and vibrato, and in the 80's mode two LFOs move at the same time to create a spacious stereo effect. The 70's mode is the pedal's only mono mode.
What BBD chips does the Jackson Audio New Wave use?
The New Wave uses authentic MN3007 bucket-brigade chips, the same type of chip associated with 80's chorus units, and Jackson Audio runs them at 15V like those units did.
Where can I find the New Wave manual?
The English manual is available as a PDF from Jackson Audio, linked from the pedal's product listings, covering the full control set across the pedal's modes.
Sources (3)
- New Wave Analog Chorus/Vibrato, Jackson Audio
- New Wave Stereo Analog Chorus/Vibrato by Jackson Audio, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Take tone back to the '80s with Jackson Audio's New Weave chorus / vibrato pedal that combines analog and digital design, MusicRadar, 2023-02-22
