The Old Blood Noise Endeavors Whitecap Asynchronous Dual Tremolo is a tremolo pedal with two tremolo circuits in one box: one analog and one digital. Unveiled in June 2019, it gets its name from the fact that the two circuits do not have to run in sync with each other, which is where the pedal's character comes from1.
What it does: two tremolos, out of step
Each circuit can be used on its own, but the Whitecap is built around running both at once. Because the circuits are asynchronous, they can drift against each other rather than lock together. Old Blood Noise Endeavors describes the result as either a "complementary counter-rhythm or a touch of un-synced trippy madness"1.
The two circuits can be used independently or combined in series or parallel for complex modulations. Guitar.com's report notes that using them independently is fairly straightforward, but that the Whitecap truly starts to shine when both circuits are running1.
Controls, footswitches and routing
The digital circuit is the more elaborate of the two. It is tap tempo-equipped and offers five selectable wave shapes: sine, triangle, square, saw and reverse saw, chosen with an additional knob on the digital side1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Rate, depth, volume (analog side) | Standard tremolo controls for the analog circuit1 |
| Rate, depth, volume (digital side) | Same three-control format; the rate knob also governs ramp speed1 |
| Waveshape knob (digital side) | Cycles through sine, triangle, square, saw and reverse saw1 |
| Series/parallel toggle | Selects how the two circuits are routed when both are active1 |
| Bypass footswitch | Relay bypass switching1 |
| Tap tempo footswitch | Sets the digital tremolo's tempo; compatible with external tap controllers1 |
The tap tempo footswitch can be configured to quarter note, eighth note or triplet subdivisions. Holding it down engages the ramp function, which shifts the digital tremolo into different rhythmic gears1.
The Whitecap was announced as a new product in June 2019, and the price reported at that time was $199 USD. The pedal's current availability and street price may differ today.
Related pedals
Old Blood Noise Endeavors also makes the Blackcap, and the Whitecap sits in the company's line of modulation effects alongside its chorus, phaser and vibrato designs.
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Questions
Can the Whitecap run both tremolos at the same time?
Yes. The Whitecap carries two tremolo circuits, one analog and one digital, and they can be used independently or combined. When both run together, a series/parallel toggle switch selects how they are routed. Old Blood Noise Endeavors says the combination produces either a complementary counter-rhythm or a touch of un-synced trippy madness, since the two circuits do not have to stay in time with each other.
Does the Old Blood Noise Whitecap have tap tempo?
The digital half of the Whitecap is tap tempo-equipped. It has a dedicated tap tempo footswitch alongside the bypass footswitch, and the tap footswitch is compatible with external tap controllers. It can be configured to quarter note, eighth note or triplet subdivisions. The analog circuit is not described as having tap tempo.
How much does the Whitecap cost?
At its June 2019 unveiling, Guitar.com reported that the Whitecap retails at $199 in the United States and £199 in the UK. Prices may have changed since, so the current street price is worth checking with dealers.
Is the Whitecap true bypass?
The Whitecap uses a relay bypass switch, according to Guitar.com's report on the pedal. Relay bypass switching uses a relay to route the signal, which players generally treat as the equivalent of true bypass in practice.
Can I use an external tap tempo switch with the Whitecap?
Yes. Guitar.com reports that the Whitecap's tap tempo footswitch is compatible with external tap controllers, and it can be configured to quarter note, eighth note or triplet subdivisions. Holding the tap footswitch down also engages the ramp function, which shifts the digital tremolo into different rhythmic gears.
Sources (1)
- Old Blood Noise Endeavors’ Whitecap Asynchronous Dual Tremolo is a warbly behemoth, Guitar.com, 2019-06-06
