The NativeAudio Rising Sun Optical Tremolo V2 is a tremolo pedal that expands on the technology found in vintage amplifiers, and its reviewer describes the result as "a vintage-sounding modulation monster"12. Its controls give a player a tap Divisions knob with half, quarter, either and sixteenth note sections, a Volume knob that controls the overall output of the signal, and a Slow(Fast) knob that sets the Slow start time and the Fast end time1. The enclosure measures 2.6" x 4.77" (W x L)2.
NativeAudio describes the pedal simply as "analog design, digital control," meaning the audio path is analog while the timing and waveform selection are handled digitally3. Delicious Audio calls it "an analog optical but digitally controlled optical tremolo with four waveforms and tap tempo voiced after vintage units"2.
What it does to your sound
Tremolo raises and lowers your volume in a repeating cycle, and the Rising Sun's optical circuit aims at the vintage sounds of old amplifier tremolo. Delicious Audio notes that "analog-optical tremolo provides vintage tremolo sounds," and MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley writes that the pedal's sounds "might have been inspired by the tremolo circuits found on vintage [guitar amplifiers], and is all analogue"24.
The V2 also adds up to 13 dB of boost, which Delicious Audio describes as "+13 dB of boost for dynamic preamp capabilities"2. That means the pedal can push your amp harder as well as modulate it, with the Volume control setting the overall output level1.
The controls: four waveforms, Tap and Ramp modes
The front panel keeps things compact: Volume, Waveform, and Depth knobs, a Rate knob, a tap Divisions knob, a Slow(Fast) knob, and a single toggle that switches between the two modes of operation31.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Controls the overall output of the signal1 |
| Waveform | Selects sine, ramp up, ramp down, or square3 |
| Depth | Sets how deep the volume swell and dip goes3 |
| Rate | Sets the speed of the tremolo effect in Tap mode1 |
| Tap Divisions | Chooses half, quarter, eighth, or sixteenth note subdivisions1 |
| Slow(Fast) | Sets the Slow start time and the Fast end time in Ramp mode1 |
| Toggle | Switches between Tap and Ramp modes1 |
Waveforms
The Waveform control offers four shapes: sine, ramp up, ramp down, and square3. Pedal of the Day highlights these as "a multitude of sonic options," from the smooth sine pulse associated with vintage amps to the harder on-off chop of square1.
Tap mode
Tap mode gives you tap tempo functionality with four available subdivisions, set with the Control footswitch321. The tap Divisions knob selects half, quarter, eighth, or sixteenth note values, so you can dial in a pulse that locks to your tempo at the subdivision you want1.
Ramp mode
Ramp mode is the pedal's other personality. Pedal of the Day describes its main feature as "the ability to ramp up and down between two speed settings," with the Slow(Fast) knob setting where the ramp starts and ends1. Hold the Control footswitch and the tremolo accelerates from your slow setting to your fast one, then back, which is useful for building intensity across a phrase.
Power and bypass
The V2 runs on 9 to 18V DC, center negative, drawing 50 mA2. Premier Guitar notes that the 9-18VDC operation provides "expanded headroom," a reason to run it at 18 volts if you want more clean level, especially alongside the 13 dB of boost52. NativeAudio's own product page lists the power supply spec as 9VDC at 50 mA with a 2.1mm center negative plug3.
The pedal uses a buffered bypass rather than true bypass. NativeAudio and the press both describe it as a "buffered-bypass design to optimize signal integrity with any instrument cable length," so it works consistently with long cable runs325.
History and the V2 update
The Rising Sun follows an earlier version of the pedal, covered on our NativeAudio Rising Sun page, which lists firmware version 2.03. The V2 was a new release as of the review date, with the reviewer writing "we're so happy to be a part of this release"1. Its controls include the tap Divisions knob's half, quarter, either and sixteenth note sections, the Volume knob for overall output, and the Slow(Fast) knob for the Slow start time and Fast end time1.
The review's enthusiasm for the pedal comes through in its own words. The reviewer calls the Rising Sun V2 "a vintage-sounding modulation monster that expands on the technology found in vintage amplifiers"1, and adds of the launch itself, "we're so happy to be a part of this release"1. The same review walks through the controls, from the tap Divisions knob's half, quarter, either and sixteenth note sections to the Volume and Slow(Fast) knobs1.
What reviewers said
Press coverage around the release was positive about the pedal's flexibility. MusicRadar called it "a vintage amp-inspired optical tremolo with dual modes and selectable waveforms," with the two modes, Ramp or Tap Tempo, selectable via toggle switch4. Premier Guitar highlighted the "intuitive interface with volume, waveform, and depth controls for tone shaping" alongside the buffered bypass and 9-18VDC operation5.
Pedal of the Day, reviewing the newly released V2 in January 2022, called it "a vintage-sounding modulation monster that expands on the technology found in vintage amplifiers"1.
"The NativeAudio Rising Sun V2 Optical Tremolo, a vintage-sounding modulation monster that expands on the technology found in vintage amplifiers."
Videos
R.J. Ronquillo
JayLeonardJ
Pedal of the Day
Questions
Is the Rising Sun V2 true bypass or buffered?
It uses a buffered bypass rather than true bypass. NativeAudio and press coverage describe it as a buffered-bypass design intended to optimize signal integrity with any instrument cable length, so your signal stays consistent whether the tremolo is on or off.
Can the Rising Sun tremolo boost my signal?
Yes. The V2 adds up to 13 dB of boost, which Delicious Audio describes as giving the pedal dynamic preamp capabilities. The Volume control sets the overall output, so you can run the pedal louder than your bypassed signal.
What tap tempo subdivisions does the Rising Sun V2 have?
Tap mode implements four subdivisions for tap tempo capability. Pedal of the Day identifies the tap Divisions knob's options as half, quarter, eighth and sixteenth note settings, and the V2 added a half-note division as part of its update.
Can I run the Rising Sun V2 at 18 volts?
Yes. The V2 runs on 9 to 18V DC, center negative, drawing 50 mA. Premier Guitar notes the 9-18VDC operation provides expanded headroom, so running it at 18 volts gives you more clean level to work with.
What does the Rising Sun artwork represent?
The artwork is a tribute to owner Mike Trombley's Blackfeet (Amsskaapipiikuni) heritage. Pedal of the Day describes it as looking toward the Eastern sky as the sun rises over the horizon, tying the pedal's name directly to its design.
What waveforms does the Rising Sun V2 have?
The Waveform control selects four shapes: sine, ramp up, ramp down, and square. Sine gives the smoothest vintage-style pulse, while square produces a harder on-off chop, with the two ramp shapes sitting in between.
Sources (5)
- NativeAudio Rising Sun V2 Optical Tremolo, Pedal of the Day, 2022-01-28
- NativeAudio Rising Sun Optical Tremolo V2, Delicious Audio, 2022-03-18
- NativeAudio: Native-owned effect pedal company, NativeAudio
- NativeAudio unveils the Rising Sun V2, a vintage amp-inspired optical tremolo with dual modes and selectable waveforms, MusicRadar, 2022-02-04
- NativeAudio Launches Rising Sun V2 Tremolo Pedal, Premier Guitar, 2022-02-03
