The Mission Engineering VM-1 is a passive volume pedal made by Mission Engineering, and it is built specifically for instruments with passive pickups1. Because it is passive, it does not require batteries or an adapter to operate: the rocker simply attenuates your instrument's signal the old-fashioned way, with no circuitry in the path drawing power1.
Alongside its main output (OUT 1), the pedal has an additional output (OUT 2) for connecting a tuner, and a Mute switch located under the rocker that lets you tune silently1. Awkward Sound's reviewer found that it "adds dynamics and dimension, and smoothly transitions between higher and lower volumes" without stealing qualities from your sound1.
How it works and how you control it
The VM-1 is hand-wired, and its whole body is built with high-quality material, in the reviewer's words1. The potentiometer inside is sealed, requires no maintenance, and is rated to last through at least a million operations1. You can also adjust the tension of the rocker and the sensitivity of the switch beneath it, so the pedal can be set up to feel right under your foot1.
The Mute function is the one control that takes practice. The switch sits right under the rocker, and the reviewer notes you have to press the taper quite hard to trigger it. When you activate Mute mode, OUT 1 is disengaged from the circuitry and the signal passes through OUT 2 only, which is what makes silent tuning possible1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Rocker | Volume sweep, from quiet to full32 |
| Rocker tension | Adjustable to suit your foot1 |
| Switch sensitivity | Adjustable beneath the rocker1 |
| Mute switch (under rocker) | Disengages OUT 1, routes signal to OUT 2 for silent tuning1 |
Passive pickups, mono, and what that means for you
The VM-1 is specifically for instruments that have passive pickups1. A passive volume pedal works by loading the signal from your instrument, and it is designed around the output of passive electronics, so a guitar or bass with an active preamp is outside what the pedal was built for.
It is also mono: you can only use one instrument with it1. The second output is not a stereo channel but a tuner connection1. Players running stereo rigs would need a different pedal, and the Lehle Stereo Volume is one alternative built for that job.
What reviewers said
Awkward Sound reviewed the VM-1 and came away positive about how it behaves in a rig, finding that it transitions smoothly between higher and lower volumes and does not steal qualities from your sound1. The review's criticisms were practical rather than sonic: the pedal is "a bit heavy," and it is "quite pricey," though the reviewer thought it might be worth it1.
"It is quite pricey, but I think it might be worth it"
Colors and related Mission Engineering pedals
The VM-1 comes in four different colors; the unit Awkward Sound reviewed was bright red1. Mission Engineering also makes a related line of volume pedals, including the VM-1 Aero, which adds LED illumination of the base (9V battery or 9VDC 2.1mm center pin negative supply, for the LEDs only, with volume controls functioning as normal without power)2, and the VM-PRO Carbon Print. Passive alternatives from other makers include the Ernie Ball Mono Volume Pedal and the Morley M2 Passive Volume.
Videos
James Lebihan
Questions
Does the Mission Engineering VM-1 need power?
No. The VM-1 is a passive pedal and its volume control works without batteries or an adapter. Some models carry LED indicators, and those need a battery to light up, but the LEDs are the only thing that draws power. The volume function itself runs on nothing.
How do you engage the mute on the Mission VM-1?
The Mute switch sits under the rocker, and you press the taper of the rocker quite hard to trigger it. In Mute mode the main output (OUT 1) is disengaged from the circuit and the signal passes through OUT 2 only, which is meant for a tuner, so you can tune silently.
Can I use the VM-1 with active pickups?
The VM-1 is specifically intended for instruments with passive pickups. Mission Engineering's design assumes a passive signal, so players with active electronics would be stepping outside what the pedal was built for.
Is the Mission Engineering VM-1 stereo?
No. The VM-1 is mono, meaning you can only use one instrument with it. It does have a second output, but that is a dedicated tuner output rather than a second channel for a stereo rig.
What colors does the Mission VM-1 come in?
The VM-1 comes in four different colors. The unit reviewed by Awkward Sound was bright red. No color option costs more than another according to the published review, which simply notes the range of finishes.
Sources (3)
- Mission Engineering VM-1 Volume Pedal Review (2024), www.awkwardsound.com, 2025-01-23
- Mission Engineering VM-1 Aero Volume Pedal Black, Vision Guitar
- Mission Engineering VM-1 Aero, Pedal Empire
