The Loud Button Morphine Dream is a hand-built pedal from Loud Button Electronics that combines an eight-stage phaser with a fuzzy vintage distortion up front. Announced in December 2012, it is a take-off on the vintage Roland AP-7 Jet Phaser, the 1970s pedal that packed a fuzz and phase circuit into one box and could produce thick swirling phase and faux Leslie rotary speaker effects. Loud Button described the Morphine Dream as "a dreamy, psychedelic eight-stage phaser with fuzzy vintage distortion up-front" that "sounds almost 40-years-old!"12
From the Roland AP-7 Jet Phaser to a hand-built pedal
The original Roland AP-7 Jet Phaser was a distinctive pedal in its day. It offered six modes, four of which were called "Jet," making it one of the first multi-mode pedals ever released3. PastFx notes that "The AP-7 was unique for its time, incorporating a fuzz and phase circuit within one pedal," capable of thick swirling phase and faux Leslie rotary speaker effects2. The pedal was also a favorite of Sly and the Family Stone bassist Larry Graham, according to Christopher Scapelliti at GuitarPlayer.com4.
The Morphine Dream keeps that fuzz-plus-phaser formula but rethinks how the player controls it. The AP-7 used a six-position preset switch; the Morphine Dream replaces it with four foot switches, which Loud Button said gives the user total hands-free control over the modes1.
| Roland AP-7 Jet Phaser | Loud Button Morphine Dream | |
|---|---|---|
| Circuits | Fuzz and phase in one pedal2 | Fuzz and eight-stage phaser in one pedal1 |
| Mode selection | Six-position preset switch1 | Four foot switches1 |
| Bypass | Electronic true bypass1 | Electronic true bypass, just like the original, with LED indicator1 |
| Build | Mass-produced vintage unit | Hand-built, three circuit boards, over 200 parts1 |
Controls and switching
The pedal's Normal/Effect switch handles bypassing. Loud Button's description: "Electronic true bypass, just like the original with LED Indicator"1. Electronic true bypass means the switching is done with circuitry rather than a mechanical switch, while still removing the effect from the signal path when off.
The four foot switches stand in for the AP-7's six-position preset selector, so mode changes happen underfoot rather than by reaching down to turn a knob or dial1.
Power and construction
The Morphine Dream runs an 18V circuit internally from a standard external 9VDC supply, and there is no provision for batteries1. That means a 9V adapter or pedalboard supply output is required; the internal 18V rail is handled by the pedal itself.
The Morphine Dream has no battery compartment. Plan for a dedicated 9VDC supply output on your board.
Construction is where Loud Button made a point of distinction. Designer Shawn Schoenberger is credited with the build; Premier Guitar's announcement opened with "Loud Button's Shawn Schoenberger has done it again"1.
- Hand-built and designed in the United States1
- Three circuit boards and over 200 parts per pedal1
- Hand-wired by its creator with aerospace-grade Teflon-jacketed, silver plated wire1
What it costs
At announcement in December 2012, the Morphine Dream carried a street price of $4291.
Videos
Spotted Cat
effectsdatabase
Spacebeast
Questions
Does the Morphine Dream take a battery?
No. According to Loud Button Electronics, there is no provision for batteries in the Morphine Dream. The pedal runs on a standard external 9VDC supply, which powers an 18V circuit internally. Players who rely on battery power will need to use an external supply instead.
Is the Morphine Dream true bypass?
Yes. The Morphine Dream uses electronic true bypass, which Loud Button describes as being just like the original Roland AP-7, with an LED indicator. The Normal/Effect switch handles the bypassing, so the pedal can be switched in and out of the signal path without a buffer loading the guitar signal.
Who designed the Loud Button Morphine Dream?
The Morphine Dream was designed by Shawn Schoenberger of Loud Button Electronics, who also hand-wired each pedal himself using aerospace-grade Teflon-jacketed, silver plated wire.
Where is the Loud Button Morphine Dream made?
The Morphine Dream is hand-built and designed in the United States. Each pedal contains three circuit boards and over 200 parts, according to the announcement from Loud Button Electronics.
What power supply does the Morphine Dream need?
The Morphine Dream needs a standard external 9VDC supply. Internally the circuit runs at 18V, and the pedal has no battery compartment, so a center-negative 9VDC adapter or an isolated supply output is required.
Sources (4)
- Morphine Dream Pedal: Loud Button's Latest Release, Premier Guitar, 2012-12-07
- JFet Fuzz Phaser, PastFx, 1970
- Warm Audio Jet Phaser, Delicious Audio, 2021-07-29
- Warm Audio Jet Phaser Review, GuitarPlayer.com, 2021-01-18
