The Moog Minifooger Trem is a tremolo pedal from Moog's Minifooger range of compact pedals. MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen described it as no simple tremolo pedal: it covers classic optical tremolo sounds but also harder "gated" on/off percussive trem, and with the speed knob set to full it reaches even ring mod-style effects1. In other words, it aims to do far more than the tremolo circuit built into an amp.
What it does
MusicRadar's review sums up the range of sounds this way: "You can get those classic optical tremolo sounds, but also harder 'gated' on/off percussive trem"1. The overall effect, the reviewer wrote, is a pedal "capable of many more sounds than a standard tremolo pedal, or an amp's built-in"1. For a player, that spans the gentle amp-style throb familiar from classic recordings through to choppy, percussive pulses and beyond into modulator-style territory.
The controls
The pedal keeps a familiar knob layout, but the knobs do more than their names suggest1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Speed | Dials in the trem speed; set to full, it enables ring mod-style effects1 |
| Depth | Increases depth for most of its travel, but doubles the trem speed when at its max position1 |
| Shape | Alters the waveform for a more lopsided throb1 |
| Tone | Rolls back the treble content1 |
The knobs interact: MusicRadar's reviewer found "there's a lot of interaction between them and the other two knobs", so dialling in a sound is less straightforward than on a basic tremolo1.
Expression pedal control
An expression pedal can be connected for more options, and it is assigned to speed1. That opens up two moves worth knowing: rocking the pedal gives rotary speaker-like ramps, and with the speed knob set high it sweeps into ring mod-style effects1. Players already using an expression pedal with wah-wah pedals or volume pedals can add it to the same setup.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's verdict was positive on capability and build, with a caveat on price. The reviewer listed the pros as "Lots of versatility. Solid build. Can connect expression pedal for more options," and the con as "One of the more expensive in the Minifooger range"1. The overall verdict: "A versatile tremolo for all seasons"1.
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Questions
Can the Moog Minifooger Trem do ring modulation?
Yes, according to MusicRadar's review. With the speed knob set to full, the pedal produces ring mod-style effects, and the expression pedal, which is assigned to speed, can sweep into that territory as well. It is not a dedicated ring modulator, but the speed control reaches far enough past ordinary tremolo rates that those sounds are available on the same pedal.
Can the Minifooger Trem sound like a rotary speaker?
MusicRadar's reviewer found that it can get close in feel. Because the expression pedal is assigned to speed, rocking the pedal produces rotary speaker-like ramps, the kind of speed swells a rotating speaker cabinet is known for. That makes the pedal usable for leslie-style moves as well as straight tremolo.
Is the Moog Minifooger Trem hard to dial in?
MusicRadar's reviewer noted that the knobs are not so straightforward, with a lot of interaction between them and the other two knobs. In practice that means changing one control affects how the others behave, so expect to spend a little longer finding a sound than on a basic speed-and-depth tremolo.
Who makes the Minifooger Trem?
The Minifooger Trem is made by Moog, as part of the company's Minifooger range of compact pedals. MusicRadar's review refers to it as Moog's MF Trem and notes it is one of the more expensive pedals in that range.
Sources (1)
- Moog Minifooger Trem review, MusicRadar, 2014-07-11