The Lichtlaerm Audio Nostalgia is a modulation pedal built around chorus and vibrato, with LoFi textures and what the maker calls magnetic imperfections layered on top. Lichtlaerm describes it as "a chorus/vibrato modulator soaked in LoFi textures and magnetic imperfections," and in chorus mode as "Warm, lush, and glowing. Think late-'80s film scores on VHS or a long-lost shoegaze EP."1 Pedal of the Day covered the pedal on its release date of 28 May 2025.2
What it does and where it came from
The Nostalgia sits in the chorus and vibrato territory, but it is built to go beyond the traditional sounds. Its "Sonic Identities" modes cover Chorus, Vibrato, LoFi Filter, Vinyl Simulation, Double Tracking and Slapback Delay.1
The circuit carries forward the spirit of an earlier Lichtlaerm pedal, the Trugbild, which the maker describes as "a digitally controlled analog chorus with a few delightful LoFi twists." The Nostalgia follows the same idea with a hybrid signal path: analog audio under digital control.1
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| RPM | Rate of the LFO, from 0.05Hz to 25Hz (20 seconds down to 40 milliseconds)2 |
| Depth | Sets the swing of the LFO control voltage and how much the chorus delay is modulated, with approximately 30% more swing than usual chorus LFOs2 |
| Warp | Sets the actual delay time; traditional sounds up to around 12 o'clock, LoFi artifacts past it2 |
| Mix | Balances the dry and wet signal, or as Lichtlaerm puts it, "the balance between what's real and what's remembered"1 |
| Waveform switch | Triangle and Sine for traditional chorus and vibrato sounds, plus Random Slopes for very natural modulation2 |
The Warp control is where the pedal's character changes most. Pedal of the Day's review explains that past 12 o'clock it drives the delay chip outside its recommended parameters, "causing nice LoFi-artifacts and a pleasant noise floor, so everything past noon is already meant for ambient / LoFi / disintegration-loop sounds."2
"Depth sets the swing of the LFO-control voltage and defines how much the delay of the chorus is modulated."
LFO, waveforms and tap tempo
The Nostalgia's modulation engine is a digital LFO sweeping from 40 milliseconds to 20 seconds, with five waveforms: "lush sine and triangle waves meet ramp, square, and random modulation."1 The pedal also includes Lichtlaerm Audio Smart Relay technology and tap tempo.1
Availability and power
The Nostalgia is a pedal, and Lichtlaerm Audio builds every pedal to order: the maker states pedals "may take 14-20 days for production."1 The Dreadbox shop listing for the Nostalgia says it "Ships in 2-3 working days," so the two listings give different lead times.3
The Nostalgia draws 60mA at 9V DC center negative.1 Check that your power supply can deliver that per output before adding it to a daisy chain.
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Questions
Does the Lichtlaerm Audio Nostalgia have tap tempo?
Yes. Lichtlaerm Audio lists tap tempo among the Nostalgia's features on its product page, alongside the Smart Relay technology and the digital LFO. That is unusual for a chorus-style pedal and suits the pedal's long rate range, which runs from 40 milliseconds to 20 seconds.
What power supply does the Lichtlaerm Audio Nostalgia need?
The Nostalgia runs on 9V DC center negative and draws 60mA, according to Lichtlaerm Audio's product page. That current draw is higher than many compact pedals, so a supply with enough spare capacity per output is worth having.
What waveforms does the Nostalgia offer?
Five: sine, triangle, ramp, square and random modulation. Lichtlaerm Audio describes lush sine and triangle waves meeting ramp, square and random modulation, and Pedal of the Day notes that the Random Slopes wave shape works well for very natural-sounding modulation.
Is the Lichtlaerm Audio Nostalgia analog or digital?
Both, in a hybrid signal path. Lichtlaerm Audio describes the Nostalgia as carrying forward the spirit of the Trugbild, a digitally controlled analog chorus with LoFi twists, and the Nostalgia uses a hybrid signal path with a digital LFO.
How long does a made-to-order Nostalgia take to ship?
Lichtlaerm Audio states that all its pedals are made to order and may take 14 to 20 days for production. The Dreadbox shop listing for the Nostalgia says it ships in 2 to 3 working days, so the two listings differ on timing.
Sources (3)
- Nostalgia, Lichtlaerm Audio
- Lichtlaerm Audio Nostalgia Chorus Vibrato Ring Modulator, Pedal of the Day, 2025-05-28
- Nostalgia, Dreadbox Synthesizers, 2026-10-07
