The Red Witch Panoptia 2 + 1 Overdrive is a pedal-format overdrive with three controllable gain stages, each with its own gain control. Red Witch describes it as "a unique overdrive with three controllable stages," and says the three gain controls let you dial in a wide range of overdrive textures, "from delicate, singing blues rock tones" onward. For the character of the drive, the maker offers this comparison: "It's like a Marshall Plexi flavoured amp fed into another valve power stage."1
Controls
The Panoptia's layout centers on the three gain controls plus two further shaping controls1:
- Three gain controls: one per stage, for dialling in overdrive textures from blues rock onward1
- Presence: determines the amount of bite the overdriven tone has1
- Blue slide switch: selects between two drive characters, described below1
The blue slide switch
The blue slide switch changes the whole character of the drive. Red Witch explains: "Sliding this into the downward position delivers a tight, articulate overdrive with slightly less gain. Sliding this int"1. In the up position, the drive is bigger and wilder, with more gain and more bottom end1. In practice it works as a two-voice switch: a tighter, more articulate setting for rhythm work, and a looser, fuller setting with more low end for leads.
A limited run of 66
The Panoptia 2 + 1 is a strictly limited pedal. Red Witch states: "There's only ever going to be 66 of these pedals made." Each one was hand made by the maker, who adds, "Each one has been hand made by me. I've signed and numbered each one too."1
The Panoptia 2 + 1 is listed as Sold Out, and it belongs to the Nouveau range, for which the maker states: "As with all the Nouveau pedals, once they sell out, there will be no more."1
When the pedal was on sale, Red Witch shipped all Panoptias via tracked DHL international express, with no charge for freight1.
Where it sits in the Red Witch range
The Panoptia is part of Red Witch's drive line alongside other overdrives the maker has offered, including the Red Witch XENIA Overdrive Engine, the Red Witch Epiphanous Overdrive and the Red Witch Seven Sisters Scarlett Overdrive. Its distinguishing feature against those is the three-stage gain structure with a switchable drive character. For a broader look at the category, see the Overdrive Pedals page1.
Videos
Red Witch Pedals
Questions
What does the blue slide switch do?
The blue slide switch selects between two drive characters. Slid down, the Panoptia delivers a tight, articulate overdrive with slightly less gain. Slid up, the drive becomes bigger and wilder, with more gain and more bottom end. It is a quick way to flip the pedal between a tighter rhythm voice and a looser, fuller lead voice.
Is the Panoptia 2 + 1 still available?
No. Red Witch lists the Panoptia 2 + 1 as sold out. It was a limited run of 66 pedals, and as with all the pedals in the maker's Nouveau range, once they sell out there will be no more made. Any units that turn up secondhand are from that original run of 66.
How many Panoptia 2 + 1 pedals were made?
Red Witch states there are only ever going to be 66 of these pedals made. Each one was hand made by the maker, signed and numbered individually.
What does the presence control do?
The presence control lets you determine the amount of bite the overdriven tone has, so you can set how much edge and cut the drive carries on top of the gain structure set by the three gain controls.
What is the Nouveau range from Red Witch?
The Nouveau range is a line of Red Witch pedals of which the Panoptia 2 + 1 is a part. The maker states that as with all the Nouveau pedals, once they sell out, there will be no more, which makes each model a one-time run rather than a continuing product.
Sources (1)
- Panoptia 2 + 1 Overdrive, Red Witch Pedals
