The Screen Violence is a stereo pedal from Old Blood Noise Endeavors that puts two effects in one box: a tube-inspired overdrive called Violence, and a one-knob effect called Screen that can be modulation, delay, reverb, or a mix of all three1. It was designed by OBNE together with the Glasgow synth-pop band CHVRCHES, and it is named after and inspired by the band's 2022 album of the same name1. Guitar.com described it as "a 'stereo saturated modulated reverb' inspired by the album of the same name"2.
The pedal is currently listed as sold out on the maker's site1. It was priced at $279.00 and was available from the OBNE website and at CHVRCHES gigs12.
A modulated reverb and overdrive in one pedal
The two halves cover a lot of ground. On the Violence side, the maker describes a tube-inspired overdrive with Gain, Voice, and Volume controls that reach "gritty boosts through heavy overdrive"1. On the Screen side, a single knob selects an effect that can be modulation, delay, reverb, or a blend of all three1. MusicRadar summed it up as "a pedal of two halves, 'Screen' incorporates chorus, reverb and delay, while the 'Violence' half tackles stackable fuzzy, distortion/drive tones"4.
The collaboration came out of the band's own use of the brand's pedals. As quoted by Delicious Audio, "both Iain and I used so many of their pedals during the making of Screen Violence, the album"3. Guitar.com's reviewer noted the pairing: "Together, they've designed a pedal with modulated reverb on one side and a whole lot of gain on the other"2. Gearnews reported it was, as far as that author was aware, the first time OBNE had worked directly with a band on an effect pedal5.
The first 200 pedals purchased came with a signed card of authenticity35.
The controls: the Screen and Violence sides
Each side has its own control set, and two toggles shape how they interact.
| Control | Side | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Screen knob | Screen | One-knob effect: modulation, delay, reverb, or a mix of all1 |
| Mix knob | Screen | Sets the wet/dry mix of the Screen side1 |
| Mode toggle | Screen | Two different voices on the Screen side1 |
| Violence knob | Violence | Sets input volume (input level) for the overdrive13 |
| Gain knob | Violence | Drive amount, from gritty boost to heavy overdrive1 |
| Voice knob | Violence | Shapes the overdrive's character1 |
| Volume knob | Violence | Output level for the overdrive1 |
| First toggle | Both | Sets whether Screen runs into Violence or Violence runs into Screen1 |
The Screen side's mode switch changes its voice. With the switch down, Guitar.com's review explains, "you can move between three different reverb types - short, medium and long"2. Delicious Audio describes the other position: "Mode 1 (up position) doesn't support stereo in and feeds multiple delay stages into a chorus"3. The same source describes Mode 2 as true stereo, blending three different reverbs, though the maker's own page does not break the modes down this way3.
An expression jack allows external control of the Screen knob, so the whole modulated side can be swept with an expression pedal13.
Stereo, expression and power
The pedal runs mono, stereo, or mono-to-stereo through its top-mounted jacks1. There is a wrinkle worth knowing for single-input setups: in mono-to-mono or mono-to-stereo operation, the pedal automatically activates Stacked Violence Mode, where the left and right distortion circuits are stacked on top of each other3.
Power comes from a 9V DC center negative supply with a 2.1mm jack, and the maker specifies it must be capable of 110mA1. Delicious Audio states it requires at least 100mA of 9V DC center negative power3. No battery option exists; Guitar.com's review notes it is "powered by nine-volt mains supply only (100mA)"2.
The power supply is not included, and there is no battery compartment, so the pedal needs a dedicated 9V DC center negative supply from day one12.
What reviewers said
Guitar.com reviewed the pedal and awarded it 9 out of 106. MusicRadar named it among the best new stompboxes of 2022, calling it "a versatile multi-fx pedal that provides a short-cut" to the dark, cinematic synth and guitar tones of the CHVRCHES album4.
Where it fits
For a player comparing circuits, the Violence side sits in overdrive and distortion territory, with MusicRadar noting stackable fuzzy drive tones as well4, while the Screen side overlaps reverb, delay and chorus ground in a single control. The order toggle and independent footswitches mean it can serve as a drive pedal, an ambient effect, or both at once.
Videos
Old Blood Noise Endeavors
Old Blood Noise Endeavors
The Pedal Zone
Questions
Is Screen Violence a CHVRCHES signature pedal?
It is a collaboration rather than a straightforward signature model. Old Blood Noise Endeavors designed it together with CHVRCHES, and it is named after and inspired by the band's 2022 album Screen Violence. Iain Cook and Martin Doherty both used many OBNE pedals while making that album, and the pedal aims to capture effects from the record.
What is Stacked Violence Mode?
When the pedal runs mono to mono or mono to stereo, it automatically activates Stacked Violence Mode, where the left and right distortion circuits are stacked on top of each other. This gives a single-input setup the fuller drive character of both sides of the stereo circuit.
Can the Screen Violence run in stereo?
Yes. It supports mono, stereo, and mono-to-stereo operation through its top-mounted jacks. Note that Mode 1, the up position of the Screen side mode switch, does not support stereo input, so stereo use requires the other mode.
Can the two sections be switched on separately?
Yes. The Screen and Violence sides each have their own soft-touch bypass footswitch with relay bypass, so you can run either side alone or both together. A toggle also sets the order, whether Screen feeds into Violence or Violence feeds into Screen.
Is the Old Blood Noise Screen Violence sold out?
Yes. The maker's product page lists the pedal as sold out. It was priced at $279.00 when available, and the first 200 pedals came with a signed card of authenticity. It was sold through the OBNE website and at CHVRCHES gigs.
Sources (6)
- Old Blood Noise Endeavors, Old Blood Noise Endeavors
- Old Blood Noise Endeavors Screen Violence review: This CHVRCHES signature pedal is a magnificent mashup of reverb and overdrive, Guitar.com, 2022-05-31
- Old Blood Noise Screen Violence Modulated Reverb, Delicious Audio, 2025-07-07
- The essential new stompboxes of 2022, MusicRadar, 2022-06-07
- Old Blood Noise Endeavors & CHVRCHES Screen Violence, gearnews.com, 2022-05-26
- Old Blood Noise Endeavors unveils its first digitally-controlled analogue pedal: Float, Guitar.com, 2022-07-28
