The Nobels CHO-mini is a compact digital stereo chorus pedal from Nobels, released in 2025 as part of the company's Mini Pedal series. It packs three modulation modes, Chorus 1, Chorus 2 and Flanging, into a small solid metal housing, and runs on a high-resolution 32-bit processor123. Nobels lists it at $99, while Guitar World reported it available for $102 at Thomann, so the two sources disagree on the street price45.
What it does
The CHO-mini is a stereo chorus in a mini format. Nobels positions it as delivering "classic sounds" in a compact stereo chorus, and the three modes cover a range of modulation textures rather than one fixed chorus voice101112. Because the inputs and outputs are stereo TRS jacks, the pedal can run in mono or stereo, and in stereo the two outputs carry the modulated left and right signals for a wide chorus spread2.
The controls and three modes
The three modes are selected with a mode switch located on top of the pedal, and the knobs are glow-in-the-dark pointer knobs, a practical touch for dark stages12.
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Chorus 1 | Emulates the bucket-brigade style of chorus pedal sounds from the 1970s2 |
| Chorus 2 | Based on a different type of stereo chorus, with a higher rate at the end of the control range for vibrato-like textures2 |
| Flanging | Not a traditional flanger tone; emulates another extremely popular 1970s pedal, rare and expensive in its original form, in its subtle flanging mode213 |
Nobels does not name the vintage pedals behind Chorus 1 and the Flanging mode, but the descriptions point at well-known 1970s bucket-brigade designs. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson noted of the flanger mode that "this mode emulates another extremely popular (and rare and expensive in its original form) chorus pedal from the 70s, in its subtle flanging mode"13.
The pedal also has full tap tempo functionality built into its single footswitch. Hold the footswitch for about two seconds and the pedal enters tap tempo mode, after which rhythmic pressing changes the modulation speed. An LED flashes in time with the beat to indicate the speed12.
Power and connections
The CHO-mini requires a stabilized and filtered 9V DC power supply, and the supply is not included, so you need to add one2.
In stereo mode, Nobels says the buffered bypass setting (BF) is optimal. If you run the CHO-mini in stereo, switch the bypass from true bypass to buffered14.
The bypass itself is selectable between true bypass and buffered bypass, so mono players who want a fully disconnected signal path when the pedal is off can have it, while stereo users get the setting Nobels recommends for that wiring214.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day reviewed the CHO-mini in August 2025, covering its three modes, mono and stereo operation, and the true or buffered bypass options3.
"The pocket-sized and featured packed Nobels CHO-mini delivers an outstanding selection of chorus tones at a budget-frien"
Guitar Pedal X included the CHO-mini in its roundup of the best new modulation pedals of 2025, listing it at €99 / $99 / £855.
Videos
Nobels Official
Nobels Official
Nobels Official
Questions
Does the Nobels CHO-mini have tap tempo?
Yes. The pedal has full tap tempo functionality on its single footswitch. Hold the footswitch for about two seconds to enter tap tempo mode, then press rhythmically and the modulation speed follows your timing. An LED flashes in time with the beat to show the current speed.
Is the CHO-mini true bypass or buffered?
Both, and you choose. The bypass is selectable between true bypass and buffered bypass. Nobels notes that in stereo operation the buffered setting is optimal, so players running the pedal in stereo should switch it to buffered.
Is the CHO-mini analog or digital?
It is digital. Nobels builds the CHO-mini around a high-resolution 32-bit processor, which is what allows the three emulated modes and the tap tempo function in such a small enclosure.
Does the Nobels CHO-mini come with a power supply?
No. The power supply is not included. The pedal requires a stabilized and filtered 9V DC power supply, which you supply separately.
Which classic pedals do the CHO-mini modes emulate?
Chorus 1 emulates the bucket-brigade style of chorus pedal sounds from the 1970s. The Flanging mode emulates another extremely popular 1970s pedal, one that is rare and expensive in its original form, in its subtle flanging mode. Nobels does not name either pedal.
Sources (14)
- CHO-mini, Nobels, 2026-08-17
- CHO-mini, Nobels (nobels.de), 2026-08-14
- Nobels CHO-Mini Stereo Chorus, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2025-08-10
- Nobels debuts CHO-mini chorus pedal, Guitar World, 2025-01-21
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-12-09
- Nobels MOD-mini Tremolo Phase U-Vibe Modulation, Pedal of the Day, 2025-12-17
- Nobels - die Kultmarke unter den Overdrive Pedalen, Nobels, 2015-10-15
- Nobels - die Kultmarke unter den Overdrive Pedalen, Nobels, 2015-10-15
- Die Nobels Geschichte zeigt viele Innovationen, nobels.de, 2017-02-16
- Nobels - die Kultmarke unter den Overdrive Pedalen, Nobels (nobels.de), 2015-10-15
- Nobels - die Kultmarke unter den Overdrive Pedalen, Nobels (nobels.de), 2015-10-15
- Nobels - die Kultmarke unter den Overdrive Pedalen, Nobels (nobels.de), 2015-10-15
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2025-01-20
- Example of Mono/Stereo signal wiring and switch position for CHO-mini and DEL-mini, Nobels, 2025-04-28