The Magnetic Effects White Atom is a fuzz pedal that mixes two transistor types most builders keep apart: silicon and germanium. Premier Guitar described it as "a hybrid silicon/germanium fuzz," with tested and selected transistors of both kinds generating the gain1. The result, according to the same review, is a pedal that covers ground from vintage fuzz to stranger, buzzier territory while staying focused and balanced across the frequency spectrum.
What makes the circuit unusual is its gain structure. Rather than an all transistor gain stage like a vintage fuzz, the White Atom uses an opamp to boost the signal from two transistors1. That design choice has a practical side effect players care about: the pedal has a high input impedance and a low output impedance, so it plays well with buffers, switchers and wireless systems, something many germanium fuzzes cannot claim2.
What it does: a hybrid silicon and germanium fuzz
Most fuzz pedals lean on one transistor type. Germanium gives a warmer, softer clipping character but is sensitive to temperature and loading; silicon is stabler and more aggressive. The White Atom uses both, with tested and selected silicon and germanium transistors in the gain path2. Pedal of the Day called this combination "a bit of an anomaly in the fuzz world"3.
The opamp in the circuit is the other half of the story. Premier Guitar's reviewer explained that "rather than use an all-transistor gain-generating section like you'd see in a vintage fuzz, the White Atom uses an OpAmp to boost the signal from two transistors"1. For a player, that means the fuzz does not depend on the fragile input conditions vintage circuits need. The high input impedance and low output impedance let it sit anywhere in a chain, and Magnetic Effects states plainly that this makes the pedal, unlike many fuzzes, compatible with buffered bypass pedals, pedal switchers and wireless systems2.
On sound, the maker says the range runs wide: "a wealth of tones from vintage style overdrive to velcro like saturated fuzz are available" with the controls combined2. Premier Guitar's reviewer heard a basic voice "perhaps most akin to a less midrange-y, three-knob Tone Bender Mk III"1.
The controls
The control set grew over the pedal's life. The MKII shipped with four knobs; the V3 added an active Bass control, making five246.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets output level; Pedal of the Day found it "has all the power you need" for any venue3 |
| Gain | Sets the amount of fuzz; uses both silicon and germanium transistors3 |
| Tone (MKII) / Treble and Bass (V3) | Tone was "tweaked for a superior response" in the MKII; the V3 split it into Treble plus an active Bass control4 |
| Texture | Changes the feel and response of the fuzz2 |
The Texture control is the White Atom's signature knob. Magnetic Effects says it "changes the feel and response of the fuzz," and that used with the Tone and Gain controls it spans vintage style overdrive to velcro like saturated fuzz4. Pedal of the Day's Mike B went further: "The Texture control is very unique to the White Atom as well, and it works to change the feel of the fuzz, creating a multitude of buzzy, driving tones"3. He also found that with the controls dialed back, the pedal produced a fuzz tone "almost tremolo-like in nature, with a sort-of echo quality that accentuates the low-end buzz"3.
History and versions
Magnetic Effects is a London based builder whose other fuzzes include the Tone Bender style Solar Bender, the Buzzaround based Buzzer UVB-76 and the limited edition Fuzz Face inspired Black Moon. The White Atom itself has gone through three versions.
| Version | Released | What changed | UK price at launch |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Atom (original) | earlier | The pedal the later versions update4 | not stated |
| MKII | October 13, 2015 | Updated circuit design, tweaked Tone control, jacks and DC socket moved to the top | £105 plus shipping4 |
| V3 | July 9, 2018 | Updated circuit, tweaked EQ response, added active Bass control, five knobs | £125 plus shipping2 |
The MKII press release described it as "an updated version of our popular White Atom fuzz," with the input, output jacks and DC socket now top mounted for tighter pedalboards4. The V3, announced on July 9, 2018, kept the tested and selected silicon and germanium transistors and true bypass switching, and added the active Bass control alongside a redesigned EQ2. Gearnews reported that the V3 pedals are "hand built in the UK and designed to be as pedalboard friendly as possible"7.
Prices differ by version and date: the MKII launched at £105 plus shipping in 2015, the V3 at £125 plus shipping in 2018, and Premier Guitar listed a $145 street price in its 2023 review. The UK prices are in pounds sterling as the maker stated them.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's 2023 review was enthusiastic about the pedal's range and build. The reviewer praised "a dazzling, dizzying array of fuzz colors, from Tone Bender to tortured Ampeg Scrambler," along with "rangy and highly interactive tone, gain, and bias controls," punchy behavior at high volume and a sturdy enclosure1. On construction, the reviewer noted that "the sturdy enclosure-mounted jacks and pots make the circuit board more isolated from the blows that come with life on the road"1.
"It's very focused and balanced across the frequency spectrum, with scads of cool fuzz colors that pop, cut, record well, and evoke the most expressive '60s units."
Pedal of the Day's 2015 review of the MKII focused on its output and versatility, concluding that "whatever kind of venue you're playing, you're not going to ever have to worry about" volume, and highlighting the low impedance output that "really lets it play nice with modulation pedals, wireless systems and more"3. Delicious Audio covered the V3 launch, noting that the V3 had just been unveiled5.
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Questions
Is the Magnetic Effects White Atom true bypass?
Yes. Both the MKII and the V3 use true bypass switching, so the pedal is out of the signal path entirely when disengaged. The circuit also has a high input impedance and a low output impedance, which is what lets it sit anywhere on a pedalboard without loading down other effects.
Does the White Atom work with a buffer or wireless system?
Yes. Magnetic Effects says the White Atom, unlike many fuzz pedals, is compatible with buffered bypass pedals, pedal switchers and wireless systems. Its high input impedance and low output impedance mean it also interacts well with modulation and time based effects placed before or after it.
What does the Texture knob do on the White Atom?
The Texture control changes the feel and response of the fuzz. Magnetic Effects says that combined with the Tone and Gain controls it opens up tones from vintage style overdrive to velcro like saturated fuzz. Reviewers found it creates a multitude of buzzy, driving textures.
Where is the White Atom made?
The White Atom is hand built in the UK by Magnetic Effects, a London based builder. The company also makes other vintage style fuzzes including the Solar Bender, the Buzzer UVB-76 and the limited edition Black Moon.
Can the White Atom run on a battery?
Yes. The pedal runs on a 9V DC adapter or a 9V battery, and Premier Guitar's reviewer noted there is plenty of room for a battery inside the enclosure. The MKII also includes reverse polarity protection.
Sources (7)
- Magnetic Effects White Atom Fuzz Review, Premier Guitar, 2016-03-14
- Magnetic Effects Introduces the White Atom V3, Premier Guitar, 2018-07-09
- Magnetic Effects White Atom Fuzz MkII, Pedal of the Day, 2015-11-06
- Magnetic Effects Unveils the White Atom MKII, Premier Guitar, 2015-10-13
- Magnetic Effects White Atom Fuzz V3, Delicious Audio, 2018-07-05
- Magnetic Effects Introduce the White Atom MKII Effects Pedal, Guitar Interactive Magazine
- Magnetic Effects refines its White Atom V3 fuzz circuit for 2018, gearnews.com, 2018-07-05
