The Rainger FX Air Traffic Controller (ATC) is a distortion pedal built around a low-pass filter and a white noise generator, capable, in Premier Guitar's words, of "massive, filthy, and highly individual fuzz tones"1. It sits in the same adventurous corner of the fuzz and distortion world as the rest of David Rainger's range, which includes the Dr. Freakenstein Fuzz, the Bleep Fuzz and the Amp Crash.
What it does to your sound
At its core the ATC is a distortion pedal, but the filter and noise circuitry push it toward synth territory. Premier Guitar summed it up as "a low-pass-filter-driven, white-noise-generating distortion capable of massive, filthy, and highly individual fuzz tones"1. The reviewer's verdict on the range of sounds:
"The ATC offers a wealth of unconventional, often synth-like tones that reward and invite unorthodox musical techniques."
With the peak, level and distort controls at noon, the air-signal control around three o'clock and the resonance at its lowest setting, Premier Guitar found the pedal produces "a grinding, skanky, but harmonically complex fuzz with a hint of gating and filtering, perfect for menacing garage punk and Stooges riffs"1. Push the controls further and the pedal moves into what the same review calls "a wealth of bizarre synth- and sci-fi-style textures"1.
Controls and circuit design
The low-pass filter sits in the circuit after the air-signal or mix control and the output amp. Premier Guitar noted that this placement makes the resonance easier to control and minimizes unwanted noise1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Sets the output level1 |
| Air-signal / mix | Blends the filtered, noise-laden signal with the base distortion1 |
| Resonance | Shapes the low-pass filter's resonance1 |
| Peak, distort | Shape the distortion response; at noon they give the pedal's core fuzz voice1 |
A distinctive touch is the set of lights that glow in series like runway landing lights while you play, in keeping with the air traffic theme. They also help you see the chicken-head knob mounted on the backside of the pedal1.
The trapezoidal, canted enclosure is unusual: Premier Guitar likened it to "a skewed take on Vox's odd stomps of the early '80s"1. The rear-mounted chicken-head knob means the layout takes a moment to learn compared with a conventional pedal.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's September 2023 review listed these pros1:
- A wealth of bizarre synth- and sci-fi-style textures
- Highly interactive and variable controls
- Great, aggressive base distortion tone
- Practical, cool-looking form factor and layout
David Rainger demonstrated his designs, including the Air Traffic Controller, on That Pedal Show, where he was introduced with the phrase "the awesomely angular Air Traffic Controller"2.
Videos
Dennis Kayzer
Pedal Experiments
Pedal Experiments
Questions
Who designed the Rainger FX Air Traffic Controller?
The Air Traffic Controller was designed by David Rainger, the builder behind Rainger FX. That Pedal Show, whose hosts Dan and Mick have had David Rainger on to demonstrate his pedals, described the Air Traffic Controller as "the awesomely angular Air Traffic Controller," a nod to both its sound and its distinctive angled enclosure.
How much does the Rainger FX Air Traffic Controller cost?
Premier Guitar's September 2023 review listed the Air Traffic Controller at a street price of $299 in the United States. That figure dates from the review's publication, so current pricing may differ.
What do the lights on the Air Traffic Controller do?
The pedal carries a set of lights that glow in series like runway landing lights while you play, fitting the air traffic theme. Premier Guitar also noted that the lights help you see the chicken-head knob mounted on the backside of the pedal, which matters on a unit with an unusual layout.
What is the white noise generator for on the Air Traffic Controller?
The white noise generator is part of what gives the pedal its synth-like character. Combined with the low-pass filter and the air-signal or mix control, it produces the bizarre synth- and sci-fi-style textures Premier Guitar highlighted, adding an airy, filtered layer on top of the base distortion.
What kind of music suits the Air Traffic Controller's sound?
Premier Guitar described the pedal's core sound as a grinding, skanky, but harmonically complex fuzz with a hint of gating and filtering, and called it perfect for menacing garage punk and Stooges-style riffs. Players after unconventional, synth-like textures for experimental work are also well served.
Sources (2)
- Rainger FX Air Traffic Controller Review, Premier Guitar, 2014-02-06
- David Rainger Blows Our Tiny Minds Guitar FX Pedals For The Truly Adventurous!, That Pedal Show, 2023-02-24
