The Botanist is a compact multi-modulation pedal from Matthews Effects that puts three modulation types in one enclosure: a phaser, a chorus, and a harmonic tremolo. Matthews Effects describes it as "the definitive modulation pedal for musicians of all kinds," with a trio of distinct algorithms you select with a single switch rather than by swapping pedals on your board1.
It was introduced in October 2023, when Delicious Audio reported on the new multi-modulation pedal and added it to its roundup of multi-modulation pedals2. Both the standard Botanist and a limited Black Friday Edition are currently listed as sold out on the maker's site13.
Three modulation types in one pedal
The Botanist's three algorithms cover the main families of modulation, and each is described by the maker in its own terms1:
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Phaser | "Classic analog-style modulation with modern control," from subtle movement to deep, resonant sweeps1 |
| Chorus | "Thickens your tone by duplicating your signal and modulating the pitch for rich, swirling textures"1 |
| Harmonic Tremolo | "Modulates your volume with a smooth classic square wave"1 |
A 3-way switch selects the type of modulation, so you move between the three algorithms by hand rather than through a menu2. Delicious Audio noted that what the pedal does is "not immediately apparent from the (gorgeous) case," with the three modes, the preset and MIDI capabilities, and the knobs for Mix, Rate and Depth revealed only on closer inspection2.
For a player, the appeal is board space: one compact enclosure covers the three modulation effects most players reach for, and Matthews Effects says its compact design makes it "the ideal companion for gigging musicians"1.
Controls
The Botanist keeps its control set small, with three knobs and a mode switch12:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Rate | Governs the effect's tempo1 |
| Depth | Sets the effect's intensity1 |
| Mix | Blends the wet signal smoothly against your dry signal1 |
| 3-way switch | Selects the type of modulation2 |
The Mix knob matters for players who want subtle modulation under clean tones: because you can blend the wet signal rather than being stuck at full strength, the same pedal can sit quietly in the background or run as a full, wet modulation effect1.
The Hold function
The Botanist has a Bypass/Hold footswitch that does double duty. Holding it down engages the Hold function, which instantly maxes out the Depth control and then restores your setting the moment you release the switch1.
In practice this gives you a momentary "full depth" burst: you can be sitting at a gentle chorus or tremolo depth for a verse, then lean on the switch for a deep, resonant swell of modulation and let it snap back when you lift your foot. It works the same way on the Black Friday Edition3.
MIDI control and presets
The Botanist is equipped with MIDI capabilities, which Matthews Effects says grant you remote control over bypass, presets, algorithms, and features1. Connecting is simple on the hardware side: the pedal uses a Type A TRS connection for MIDI1. On the Black Friday Edition this is a 3.5mm jack, with presets recalled through MIDI Program Change messages and parameter control through CC messages3.
The pedal stores up to six presets1. On the standard version these are accessed via MIDI, with everything controllable through CC messages1. The Black Friday Edition adds a second way in: you can also reach the presets by holding the bypass switch, so players running the pedal standalone, without a MIDI controller, can still move between saved sounds3.
Delicious Audio highlighted the preset and MIDI capabilities as one of the pedal's key features when it introduced the Botanist in 20232.
Power and bypass
The Botanist runs on 9V and draws 150mA1. That current draw is higher than a simple analog pedal, which reflects the digital control layer behind the three algorithms, and it is worth checking against a small isolated power supply's per-output budget before building it into a compact board.
The pedal is true bypass, so your dry signal passes through unbuffered when the effect is off1. Both figures are the same on the Black Friday Edition3.
The Black Friday Edition
Alongside the standard pedal, Matthews Effects released a limited Black Friday Edition of the Botanist, listed as "Chorus/Phaser/Tremolo/Vibrato"3. It shares the standard version's core: the same three-algorithm structure, the same Mix, Rate and Depth knobs, the same Hold function, true bypass, and the same 9V, 150mA power requirement3.
The differences are in the details:
- A new square wave tremolo replaces the standard version's harmonic tremolo3
- Presets can be recalled by holding the bypass switch as well as through MIDI PC messages3
- The MIDI jack is specified as a 3.5mm Type A TRS connection3
Like the standard Botanist, the Black Friday Edition is listed as sold out3.
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Questions
Is the Matthews Effects Botanist true bypass?
Yes. Matthews Effects lists the Botanist as a true bypass pedal, so with the effect disengaged your signal passes through without buffering or coloration. The same applies to the Black Friday Edition of the pedal.
How many presets can the Botanist store?
Up to six. On the standard Botanist you access the presets via MIDI. On the Black Friday Edition you can reach them either by holding the bypass switch or through MIDI Program Change messages, and every parameter can be controlled with MIDI CC messages.
What MIDI connection does the Botanist use?
The Botanist uses a Type A TRS MIDI connection. On the Black Friday Edition this is a 3.5mm jack, and connecting it gives you remote control over bypass, presets, algorithms and features through MIDI PC and CC messages.
What does the Hold switch do on the Botanist?
Holding down the Bypass/Hold switch engages the Hold function, which instantly maxes out the Depth control for a full-strength burst of modulation, then restores your previous depth setting the moment you release the switch.
Sources (3)
- The Botanist, Matthews Effects
- New Pedal: Matthews Effects The Botanist, Delicious Audio, 2023-10-30
- Limited Run The Botanist, Matthews Effects
