The Oneder Effects HW-2 is a two-channel pedal built as a collaboration between Oneder Effects and Bo Lueders of Harms Way. The right side is a boost with a chainsaw-style EQ blend, and the left side is a distortion that Oneder describes as very amp-like and built for high gain, sculptable with four bands of EQ. The two channels are independent and can be used separately, or run together with the boost feeding the distortion.1
The HW-2 runs on 9V DC center negative isolated power only. It needs its own isolated output from a power supply, so a battery or a shared daisy-chain output is not an option here.1
The two channels
The pedal is laid out as a boost on the right and a distortion on the left. The boost side comes first in the chain and the distortion side comes second, so when both are engaged the boosted signal drives the distortion. Because the channels are independent, either side can be used on its own.1
Oneder describes the distortion side as voiced to sound and feel like a mix of the heaviest hitting amps in metal, punk, and hardcore. Bo Lueders uses his HW-2 live through the dirty channel of his amp for gain on gain on gain.1
Controls
Boost side (right, first in the chain):
- Saw knob: increases both the gain and the EQ blend of the boost. Fully counterclockwise it is unity with no real tonal change; as it is turned up, more level and chainsaw-style EQ are blended in.1
- Internal trimpot: inside the pedal, adjustable carefully with a small screwdriver. It affects the highs and high mids of the saw sound and comes from the factory set at 3:00.1
Distortion side (left, second in the chain):
- Sliders: Volume, Gain, Bass, Mids, and Treble. Oneder suggests setting these like you would your favorite heavy amp. They light up when the left footswitch is engaged.1
- Presence knob: fine tunes the top end to find the sweet spot or reduce any harsh noise. It works on the distortion side only.1
Background and the memorial fund
The HW-2 is a collaboration between Oneder Effects and Bo Lueders of Harms Way. Proceeds from HW-2 orders go to a fund set up by Bo's family and friends to memorialize Bo and help prevent this from ever happening again.1
Videos
Oneder Effects
Kyle Bull
Anthonie Gonzalez
Questions
Can the two sides of the Oneder Effects HW-2 be used separately?
Yes. The two channels are independent, so you can run the boost on its own, the distortion on its own, or both together. When both are engaged, the boost side (on the right) comes first in the chain and feeds the distortion side (on the left), which comes second.
Which side of the HW-2 comes first in the signal chain?
The boost side is on the right of the pedal and comes first in the chain. The distortion side is on the left and comes second, so the boosted signal drives the distortion.
Why do the sliders on the HW-2 light up?
The five sliders on the distortion side, for Volume, Gain, Bass, Mids, and Treble, light up when the left footswitch is engaged. Oneder Effects lists the light-up sliders as a feature of the pedal.
What does the internal trimpot on the HW-2 do?
Inside the pedal there is a trimpot that affects the highs and high mids of the saw sound. It comes from the factory set at 3:00, and Oneder Effects says it should be adjusted carefully with a small screwdriver.
Does the HW-2 run on a battery?
No. Oneder Effects specifies 9V DC center negative isolated power only, so the pedal needs its own isolated output from a power supply rather than a battery or a shared daisy-chain output.
What is the Presence knob on the HW-2 for?
The Presence knob fine tunes the top end to find what Oneder Effects calls the sweet spot, or reduces any harsh noise. It works on the distortion side only.
Sources (1)
- HW-2 - Oneder Effects, Oneder Effects