The Poison Noises Tractor Beam Optical Tremolo V2 is a tremolo pedal built around an optical circuit, the approach where an internal light and sensor shape the volume of the signal rather than a mechanical or digital process. Pedal of the Day described it as "a versatile and expansive optical [tremolo]", and noted that its range runs from slow, traditional swells to fast signal chopping: "Slow your roll for some subtle hints of that classic tremolo sound, or ramp up the speed and chop up your signal in a mo"1.
What it does
The Tractor Beam V2 shapes the tremolo wave itself, not just its speed and depth. Its two wave shaping controls, Symmetry and Ratio, are described by Pedal of the Day as "the two all new wave shaping controls (Symmetry & Ratio)", giving the player a hand in how the pulse of the effect is formed rather than only how fast it runs1.
The pedal also carries a second circuit alongside the tremolo. Invade is a clean boost included, in Poison Noises' framing, "to make up for that infamous volume dip normally found in other trem pedal" designs, the level drop players hear when a tremolo is engaged1.
Where it came from
The V2 arrived as part of a wider refresh: Pedal of the Day reported Poison Noises "releasing new versions of their entire lineup of effects pedals" in 2022, and closed its review with "Cheers to Poison Noises on this newly released lineup"1. That same overhauled lineup included The Vacuum Optical Compressor V2, an optical compressor with Velocity (attack), Collapse (threshold) and Drift (release) controls plus a Sparkle control for added high end2, and The Seesaw Pitch Shifter V3, a pitch shifter2.
For players comparing optical tremolos, another pedal in the same family is the Matthews Effects Conductor V2 Optical Tremolo, which Delicious Audio lists as an optical tremolo pedal3.
Videos
Poison Noises
Pedal of the Day
Questions
What is the Invade control on the Tractor Beam Optical Tremolo V2?
Invade is a clean boost circuit built into the pedal. Poison Noises includes it to compensate for the volume dip that is common in tremolo pedals, where the overall level drops when the effect is engaged. Raising the boost lets the player bring the affected signal back up to, or above, the level of the clean tone.
What do the Symmetry and Ratio controls do?
Symmetry and Ratio are the Tractor Beam V2's two wave shaping controls. They shape the form of the tremolo's modulation wave, which changes how the volume swell and dip feel as the effect pulses, from smooth swells to sharper chopping.
Sources (3)
- Poison Noises Tractor Beam Optical Tremolo V2, Pedal of the Day, 2022-09-02
- Poison Noises The Vacuum Optical Compressor V2, Pedal of the Day, 2022-08-20
- Matthews Effects, Delicious Audio, 2018-02-02
