The Minotaur Sonic Terrors Swamp Lord Cyclopean Tone Wizard is a fuzz pedal that sits somewhere between fuzz, distortion and overdrive depending on how you set it. Pedal of the Day described it as a fuzz/drive/distortion that "can easily cover all of your dirt needs"1. It is a redesigned version of the Electro-Harmonix V2 Big Muff Pi "Ram's Head", the version built from 1973 to 1977, with two additions the original never had: a Mids control and a three-position Grit switch that changes how the circuit clips12.
According to Delicious Audio, the pedal can go from ultra heavy, sludgy tones to 70s overdriven tones and everything in between: you can make it sound as a fuzz, or tighten it up for more of a distortion or overdrive character2. Pedal of the Day found it delivers clear tone, no hiss and high articulation1.
Where the circuit comes from
The Swamp Lord is a variant of the Electro-Harmonix V2 Big Muff Pi "Ram's Head", a circuit Pedal of the Day calls highly sought-after1. Delicious Audio describes it as a redesigned version of that first-version Ram's Head rather than a straight copy2. The maker kept the parts philosophy of the original: carbon composition resistors and four gain selected NOS BC239C transistors, the same type found in the vintage units12. All Minotaur pedals are built with high-quality parts, including the switches and pots, carbon composition resistors and die-cast aluminum enclosures1.
The controls
The pedal carries the three controls any Big Muff player already knows, plus one the original lacks12.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Controls the volume of the effect2 |
| Tone | The classic Big Muff tone control: increases low frequencies counterclockwise, treble response clockwise2 |
| Sustain | Controls the gain2 |
| Mids | Increases or scoops the midrange to taste or recording needs12 |
Volume, Tone and Sustain are, as Pedal of the Day put it, "standard fare, and do exactly what you'd expect them to do"1. The Mids control is the meaningful departure. The original Big Muff circuit is known for its scooped midrange, which can bury a guitar in a band mix, and Minotaur addressed this directly. In the maker's words, quoted by Delicious Audio:
"We overcame this by adding a 'MIDS' control where you can increase or scoop the midrange according to your liking or recording needs"2
The three Grit switch positions
The Grit switch is a three-position toggle that alters the clipping method of the circuit1. Each position changes the diode arrangement, which changes the gain, compression and overall character.
| Position | Clipping | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom | Silicon clipping, as in the original2 | The original Ram's Head tones12 |
| Middle | Not specified | The bassier of the three settings, with more sustain2 |
| Upper | Asymmetrical, using both silicon and germanium diodes12 | More open tone, a bit less gain and compression, a more overdrive-ish character1 |
The bottom position is the reference point: silicon clipping like the original Ram's Head, so players chasing those vintage tones start there2. The middle position is the bassier setting and the one with more sustain, and Pedal of the Day predicted it "will probably become a bass player's favorite, as the tone and bass response become huge"1. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio agreed, calling it likely to become a bass player's favorite2, which makes it worth a look for anyone building a bass board.
The upper position is the most different from the original: asymmetrical clipping using both silicon and germanium diodes, producing a more open tone with less gain and compression and a more overdrive-ish character12. That is the setting that pulls the pedal furthest away from Big Muff fuzz and closest to overdrive.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day reviewed the Swamp Lord on 23 February 2022 and found it provides clear tone, no hiss and high articulation1. The review's overall verdict covered the whole Minotaur Sonic Terrors lineup:
"Bold sounds, a wide sonic spectrum and countless sonic options make this lineup of effects a must-have for any players that like it nice and heavy, but with a versatile options package for tones of all flavors"1
Delicious Audio's coverage, updated 28 March 2022, described the Swamp Lord as providing clear tone, no hiss and high articulation, and summed up the lineup in the reviewer's own words: "Bold sounds, a wide sonic spectrum and countless sonic options make this lineup of effects a must-have for any players that like it nice and heavy, but with a versatile options package for tones of all flavors"21.
Videos
Minotaur Sonic Terrors
Minotaur Sonic Terrors
Eric Merrow
Questions
Which Big Muff is the Swamp Lord based on?
It is a redesigned version of the Electro-Harmonix V2 Big Muff Pi Ram's Head, the version made from 1973 to 1977. Minotaur Sonic Terrors kept the circuit's basic layout, including carbon composition resistors and four gain selected NOS BC239C transistors, while adding a Mids control and a three-position Grit switch.
What does the Grit switch do on the Swamp Lord?
The Grit switch is a three-position toggle that alters the clipping method of the circuit. The bottom position gives silicon clipping with the original Ram's Head tones, the middle position is the bassier setting with more sustain, and the upper position gives asymmetrical clipping using both silicon and germanium diodes for a more open, lower-gain, overdrive-like character.
Does the Swamp Lord use germanium diodes?
Yes, but only in one setting. In the upper Grit switch position the pedal uses asymmetrical clipping with both silicon and germanium diodes. The bottom position uses silicon clipping only, matching the original Ram's Head circuit.
What transistors are in the Swamp Lord?
The pedal uses four gain selected NOS BC239C transistors, along with carbon composition resistors, matching the parts approach of the original Electro-Harmonix V2 Big Muff Pi Ram's Head it is based on.
Can the Swamp Lord scoop the mids?
Yes. The pedal adds a Mids control that the original Big Muff circuit does not have, so you can increase or scoop the midrange to suit your taste or recording needs. This addresses the classic Big Muff complaint that the circuit cuts through a mix poorly.
What is the Swamp Lord's enclosure made of?
Minotaur Sonic Terrors builds its pedals in die-cast aluminum enclosures, using high-quality parts throughout, including the switches and pots, along with carbon composition resistors. A smaller 120mm x 95mm enclosure version was offered as of March 2022.
Sources (2)
- Minotaur Sonic Terrors Swamp Lord Cyclopean Tone Wizard, Pedal of the Day, 2022-02-23
- Minotaur Sonic Terrors Swamp Lord Fuzz, Delicious Audio, 2022-03-28
