The Cosmic Trigger is a preamp and overdrive in one pedal from Moose Electronics, a boutique builder based in Dublin. RockBoard's PedalPedia describes it as "a versatile preamp-drive pedal," and it covers three jobs on a board: a clean boost, a gritty drive, or a full preamp run direct into an amp or an effects return1. For players browsing overdrive pedals or preamp pedals, it sits in the overlap between the two.
What it does
The pedal's three roles cover a lot of ground. As a clean boost it lifts your signal without changing its character. As a drive it adds grit of its own. And as a preamp it can be the last pedal on the board, feeding an amp's effects return or a power amp directly, which suits players who run a pedal-based rig instead of a conventional preamp1.
A footswitchable gain/boost option is built in, so you can move between settings on the fly during a set1.
Where the design comes from
RockBoard's PedalPedia says the circuit blends design elements inspired by classic preamp circuits, naming the Traynor TS50 and the Acoustic 360, worked into a custom gain stage with active EQ1. Both named circuits are bass and acoustic preamp designs, which lines up with the pedal's ability to run direct into an effects return. The active EQ is what lets the pedal shape tone on its own rather than only cutting or boosting what the guitar sends it.
"It blends design elements inspired by classic preamp circuits, including the Traynor TS50 and the Acoustic 360, into a custom gain stage with active EQ."
Power
The Cosmic Trigger runs on 9V DC with a center negative plug, the standard polarity for compact pedals, so it works with ordinary pedalboard power supplies without an adapter1.
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Questions
Is the Moose Electronics Cosmic Trigger analog?
Yes. The Cosmic Trigger is an analog circuit, according to its maker's product listing. That matters for players who want their signal to stay in the analog domain, whether the pedal is used as a boost or drive in front of an amp or as a preamp running direct.
What power supply does the Cosmic Trigger need?
The Cosmic Trigger runs on a 9V DC supply with a center negative plug, the same standard used by most compact pedals. A standard isolated pedal power supply or a daisy chain output that provides 9V DC center negative will suit it.
Is the Cosmic Trigger center negative?
Yes. The maker specifies 9V DC, center negative, which is the common polarity for guitar pedals, so it works with typical pedalboard power supplies without an adapter.
Can the Cosmic Trigger run directly into an effects return?
Yes. The maker describes it as capable of functioning as a full preamp run direct into an amp or effects return, alongside its clean boost and gritty drive roles. Its design draws on classic preamp circuits with active EQ, which is what makes that direct use possible.
What is the difference between its clean boost and drive modes?
In clean boost mode the pedal raises your signal level without adding grit, useful for pushing an amp or lifting a solo. In gritty drive mode it adds overdrive of its own. The maker also describes a full preamp role, running the pedal direct into an amp or effects return, with a footswitchable gain and boost option to move between settings.
Sources (1)
- Cosmic Trigger by Moose Electronics, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026