The Old Blood Noise Endeavors Mondegreen is a digital modulated delay pedal released in August 20161. Where a standard modulated delay adds a light chorus or vibrato to the repeats, the Mondegreen runs delay into modulation as its whole design, with three distinct modulation modes chosen by a three-way toggle switch2. JHS Pedals summed up the concept plainly:
"It's delay. Into modulation. And it's weird."1
The maker's product page currently lists the Mondegreen as Sold Out, so it is no longer available new2.
What it does: delay into modulation
The Mondegreen's three modes each treat the repeats differently2:
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Whirl | A modulated delay adding chorus on the wet signal2 |
| Sheer | A delay with increasing octaves on the repeats2 |
| Stutter | A delay with a percussive tremolo on the trails2 |
Whirl is the closest of the three to a conventional modulated delay: chorus applied only to the wet signal, leaving the dry path untouched2. Sheer is the more unusual one, with octaves stacking up as the repeats continue, so each echo climbs higher than the last2. Stutter puts a percussive tremolo on the delay trails, and the Time and Morph knobs interact in this mode: at the lowest setting the delay time is short and the tremolo rate slow, while at the highest setting the delay time is long and the tremolo rate fast3.
JHS Pedals describes the overall architecture as a delay into modulation, which creates what they call "truly unique (read: bizarre) shifting effects"1.
Controls, expression and internal options
The pedal carries Time and Morph knobs, and an expression input lets you take control over either of them on the fly via an external expression pedal, with the choice between Time and Morph set by internal DIP switches3. Inside the enclosure there is also an internal trim-pot for the output level, which can be set for a boost, a slight drop, or unity gain3.
The Mondegreen draws 110 mA at 9V DC center negative2. That is a substantial draw for a single pedal, so a dedicated spot on an isolated power supply is the safer arrangement.
Where it came from
Old Blood Noise Endeavors released the Mondegreen Delay in August 20161. The enclosure art was designed by Jake Blanchard, and the maker credits the artwork to "the illustrative ends of Jake Blanchard's mind"2. The pedal carried a list price of $209.00 USD2.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day reviewed the Mondegreen in November 2024 and came away impressed by how far it pushes the format3:
"it is one of the crazier, more inspiring delays I've played in quite a while"3
Their review describes the circuit as delay into modulation, and walks through the same three modes: Whirl's chorus on the wet signal, Sheer's rising octaves on the repeats, and Stutter's tremolo trails3.
Videos
Old Blood Noise Endeavors
Old Blood Noise Endeavors
Old Blood Noise Endeavors
Questions
Is the Mondegreen analog or digital?
It is a digital delay. Old Blood Noise Endeavors describes it as a digital delay built to give you something different from a standard delay unit, with modulation applied to the repeats in three selectable modes.
Does the Mondegreen have an expression input?
Yes. An expression input lets you control either the Time or Morph knob from an external expression pedal, with the choice between the two set by internal DIP switches inside the enclosure.
How much current does the Mondegreen draw?
It draws 110 mA from a 9V DC center negative power supply. That draw is high enough that a typical daisy chain shared with other pedals may not be ideal.
Is the Old Blood Noise Mondegreen discontinued?
The maker's product page lists it as Sold Out, so it is no longer available new from Old Blood Noise Endeavors. It was released in August 2016 and secondhand units are the realistic route now.
Who did the artwork on the Mondegreen?
The enclosure art was designed by Jake Blanchard. Old Blood Noise Endeavors credits the artwork to the illustrative ends of Jake Blanchard's mind.
Sources (3)
- EVERTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OLD BLOOD NOISE PEDALS, JHS Pedals
- Old Blood Noise Endeavors, Old Blood Noise Endeavors
- Old Blood Noise Endeavors Mondegreen Modulated Delay, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2024-11-12
