The Nanolog Audio Orbital Fuzz is a dual-mode fuzz pedal from Nanolog Audio, a Canadian maker, built around an unusual clipping idea: instead of ordinary diodes alone, it uses carbon molecular junctions, clipping elements that Nanolog makes under the name Nanolog Devices. Each of the pedal's two gain stages can be switched between a molecular junction and traditional silicon clipping, which gives four possible clipping pairings and a wide spread of fuzz voices from one box12.
The circuit takes its cue from a familiar landmark. Delicious Audio's product page describes the Orbital Fuzz as "a two gain stages fuzz inspired by the Big Muff Pi but... kind of completely different," designed to "unleash a crushing amount of fuzz for an out-of-this-world tone"2. Premier Guitar's review reports that Nanolog itself says the Big Muff was a primary source of inspiration for the design1. For more on the wider family, see the site's guide to Fuzz Pedals.
Two gain stages and four clipping pairings
The core of the pedal is its clipping arrangement. Premier Guitar explains that "in the new Nanolog Orbital Fuzz you can choose molecular junction or silicon clipping for each of the two gain stages"1. Delicious Audio adds the detail behind that: the pedal houses four potential clipping pairings, drawn from two carbon N2 molecular junctions and two traditional silicon diodes2.
The pairings give the pedal its dual character. Premier Guitar's reviewer found the dual nano-diode settings warm and round with Big Muff-scale mass, while the dual silicon-diode settings are feral and toppy, with hints of the silicon Fuzzrite and silicon Fuzz Face. The two settings that mix diode types range from heated and huge to a more focused, relatively low-output fuzz1. Delicious Audio describes the carbon side similarly, saying the carbon settings deliver an enhanced touch sensitivity that lets the player dive deeper into the fuzz2.
Controls
Guitar.com's review lists the controls as volume, fuzz, tone, gate, and carbon/silicon switches for each gain stage3.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets output level3 |
| Fuzz | Sets the amount of fuzz3 |
| Tone | Premier Guitar found it has enough range to recast any of these sounds in significant ways1 |
| Gate | Premier Guitar found it most drastically reshapes the voices, turning each into a more chaotic, sputtering and trashy version of itself1 |
| Carbon/silicon switches | One per gain stage, selecting molecular junction or silicon clipping13 |
The pedal is true bypass and runs on a 9V mains supply that is not included, so a player will need their own 9V adapter or pedalboard power3.
Where it came from
The Orbital Fuzz appeared under the Nanolog Audio name in January 2019, when Guitar.com reviewed it alongside the Classic Overdrive as new Nanolog-branded pedals3. Delicious Audio covered the pedal in November 2018, describing its two gain stages, its Big Muff Pi inspiration and its carbon and silicon clipping options2.
What reviewers said
Reception was broadly positive across the three published reviews.
- Premier Guitar's reviewer wrote: "I loved these sounds. And when you add in the fatter, singing, and sustaining voices, the Orbital Fuzz adds up to a most versatile and unique buzz machine." The review's pros list unique smooth to fractured fuzz tones and excellent build quality; the cons note that esoteric clipping technology adds up to a little extra cost1.
- Guitar.com's Richard Purvis rated the pedal 7/103.
- Delicious Audio noted that good things were being said about the pedal, including by Henning of EytschPi42, who is normally not a fan of fuzz2.
Premier Guitar's reviewer tested the pedal with a Fender Telecaster Deluxe with Curtis Novak Wide Range-style humbuckers, a Rickenbacker 330 and a '67 Fender Vibrolux Reverb1.
Videos
Eirik Stordrange
EytschPi42
shnobel
Questions
What is a molecular junction in the Nanolog Orbital Fuzz?
The Orbital Fuzz uses Nanolog Devices, clipping elements built around carbon molecular junctions rather than ordinary diodes. Delicious Audio describes the pedal as producing a heavy and thick fuzz driven by a process called quantum tunneling, and says the carbon settings deliver enhanced touch sensitivity that lets the player dig deeper into the fuzz. Each of the pedal's two gain stages can be switched between carbon and silicon.
Is the Nanolog Orbital Fuzz based on a Big Muff?
It is inspired by, not a copy of, the Big Muff. Delicious Audio calls it a two gain stage fuzz inspired by the Big Muff Pi but kind of completely different, and Premier Guitar reports that Nanolog says the Big Muff was a primary source of inspiration for the design. The clipping options and controls set it apart from the original circuit.
Is the Nanolog Orbital Fuzz true bypass?
Yes. Guitar.com's review lists true bypass among the pedal's features, along with power from a 9V mains supply that is not included with the pedal.
Where is the Nanolog Orbital Fuzz made?
Guitar.com's review of the pedal lists it as made in Canada. The review appeared in January 2019, when Nanolog Audio launched the Orbital Fuzz and the Classic Overdrive under its own name.
What does the gate control do on the Orbital Fuzz?
Premier Guitar's reviewer found that the gate control most drastically reshapes the voices, turning each into a more chaotic, sputtering and trashy version of itself. It works alongside the fuzz, tone and volume controls and the carbon/silicon switches for each gain stage.
Sources (3)
- Quick Hit: Nanolog Orbital Fuzz Review, Premier Guitar, 2019-10-20
- Nanolog Audio Orbital Fuzz, Delicious Audio, 2018-11-16
- Review: Nanolog Audio Classic Overdrive & Orbital Fuzz, Guitar.com, 2019-01-09
