The Mr. Black Mod.One is a compact analog pedal that puts three time-modulation effects in one box: chorus, flanger, and high-band flanger. Mr. Black describes it as "a single time-modulation powerhouse," built around a 100% pure-analog signal path with 100% pure-analog BBD modulation, the bucket-brigade circuitry behind classic chorus and flanger sounds1. It is a Jack Deville original design, and Premier Guitar's press release notes that it is handmade, one at a time, in Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.2.
The three modes
The Mod.One's three modes cover the main time-modulation effects a player reaches for. Mr. Black lists them as Analog Chorus, Analog Flanging, and Analog Hi-band flanging1. The chorus mode gives the familiar doubled, detuned sound, the flanger adds the sweeping jet-like effect, and the hi-band flanger applies flanging to the upper part of the signal for a brighter, more pronounced sweep. Premier Guitar's press release describes the pedal as combining "six waveforms and precision tap-tempo"2, giving it more modulation shapes than a standard single-mode chorus or flanger.
Controls and speed range
The Mod.One's controls cover speed, modulation shape, and intensity:
- Speed knob: roughly 0.16Hz to 8Hz, which Mr. Black notes as about 6 seconds down to 125mS1
- Tap tempo: 0.05Hz (20 seconds) to 83Hz (12mS), a wider range than the Speed knob alone1
- Tap-tempo indicator: a dedicated, real-time LED waveform/rate indicator, so you can see the modulation shape and speed as you set it1
- Enhance control: Mr. Black describes this as "a clever and novel control, aptly titled Enhance," which dramatically intensifies the modulated tones1
The tap-tempo range is notably wider than the Speed knob's, reaching from a very slow 20-second sweep up to 83Hz, well beyond what the Speed knob covers on its own1.
Power and bypass
The Mod.One runs on 9VDC through a 2.1mm negative center-pin connector and draws 53mA at 9VDC1. That is a modest draw by modern pedal standards, low enough for most multi-output supplies, though a dedicated output on an isolated supply is always the cleanest setup for a modulation pedal. Bypass is handled by a 2nd generation Click-Less relay true-bypass circuit, which Mr. Black says switches without the mechanical click of a traditional footswitch1.
Where it sits in the Mr. Black line
Mr. Black has built a range of analog modulation pedals around BBD circuitry. The Mini Vintage Chorus is a compact three-knob chorus modeled on late-1970s Ensemble-style designs, and the Analog Chorus/Vibrato Deluxe expanded that idea into a five-knob chorus and vibrato with tap tempo and four waveforms. The Vintage Ensemble Stereo Professional takes the same CE-1-style chorus into true stereo. The Mod.One differs from all of these by combining chorus and flanging in a single pedal rather than dedicating itself to one effect, and by adding the hi-band flanger mode and the Enhance control12.
Availability and price
Mr. Black lists the Mod.One at a regular price of $309.95, currently reduced to $249.951. Premier Guitar's press release states that it is available at www.mrblackpedals.com and retailers worldwide2.
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Questions
Is the Mr. Black Mod.One analog?
Yes. Mr. Black describes the Mod.One as having a 100% pure-analog signal path built around 100% pure-analog BBD modulation, the bucket-brigade device circuitry used in classic chorus and flanger designs. The three modes, Analog Chorus, Analog Flanging, and Analog Hi-band flanging, all run through that analog path rather than digital processing.
What power supply does the Mod.One use?
The Mod.One runs on 9VDC through a 2.1mm negative center-pin connector and draws 53mA at 9VDC, according to Mr. Black. A standard 9V center-negative supply works, and the modest current draw means it can share a supply with other pedals on most boards, though a dedicated output is always the cleanest option.
Does the Mr. Black Mod.One have tap tempo?
Yes. The Mod.One has tap tempo with a dedicated, real-time LED waveform and rate indicator, so you can see the modulation shape and speed as you tap. Mr. Black lists the tap-tempo range as 0.05Hz (20 seconds) to 83Hz (12mS), which is wider than the Speed knob's range of roughly 0.16Hz to 8Hz.
Who designed the Mr. Black Mod.One?
The Mod.One is a Jack Deville original design, according to Mr. Black's product page. Deville is the designer behind the Mr. Black pedal line, which includes the Vintage Ensemble, the Mini Vintage Chorus, and the Analog Chorus/Vibrato Deluxe.
Where is the Mr. Black Mod.One made?
Premier Guitar's press release states that the Mod.One is handmade, one at a time, in Portland, Oregon, U.S.A. Mr. Black builds its pedals in the United States, and the Mod.One follows that approach as a hand-built compact pedal.
Sources (2)
- Mod.One - Mr. Black, Mr. Black
- Mr. Black Creates a Powerful Analog Time-Modulator, Premier Guitar, 2025-09-04
