The Red Witch Pedals Synthotron Analog Synth is an analog synth pedal built as a dual-effect unit: two oscillators, a tremolo and a filter section, each of the two effects with its own footswitch so both can be on at the same time1. Pedal of the Day's review describes it as capable of producing "an insane amount of noises, sounds and tones"1, and places it among Synth Pedals with a foot in Filter Pedals and Tremolo Pedals territory.
What it does to your sound
The review's account of playing the Synthotron is that it changes the instrument itself rather than coloring it: "the Synthotron basically transforms your guitar into a new instrument, one that you must sit down and almost re-learn"1. It responds to pick attacks and pickup selections, so playing dynamics and pickup choice shape what comes out1. The reviewer's overall verdict was that the pedal is fun and can produce predictable and outrageous sounds1.
The controls
The Synthotron's panel is laid out in colored boxes, each holding one part of the circuit1.
| Section | Controls | What they do |
|---|---|---|
| Red and Orange boxes | First and second oscillator controls | Pitch, volume level and short or long decay time for each oscillator1 |
| Light Blue box | Tremolo on/off, Velocity, Dry | Turns the tremolo function on or off; Velocity sets the speed of the tremolo; Dry blends in the instrument's dry signal for added clarity1 |
| Dark Blue box | Filter section with toggle switch | Toggle between Envelope Filter and Sample Hold modes1 |
| Filter section | Range | Sets the sweep for the envelope; only works with the Filter section1 |
A few points worth knowing before dialing it in:
- The two oscillators are set independently, so each voice has its own pitch, level and decay character1.
- The Range control only has an effect while the Filter section is engaged1.
- The Dry knob belongs to the tremolo section and is the way to keep some of the clean guitar under the effect1.
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Questions
Can both effects on the Synthotron run at the same time?
Yes. The Synthotron has individual footswitches for each of its two effects, and both can be switched on at the same time. That means the tremolo and the filter section can run together, so you can build a combined sound from the two halves of the pedal rather than choosing one or the other.
How many oscillators does the Red Witch Synthotron have?
The Synthotron carries two oscillators. Each has its own set of controls covering pitch, volume level and a choice of short or long decay time, so the two voices can be set apart or blended to shape the synth character of the pedal.
Does the Synthotron track pick attack?
Yes. According to Pedal of the Day's review, the Synthotron responds to pick attacks and pickup selections, effectively turning the guitar into a new instrument that the player has to sit down and almost re-learn. How you pick and which pickups you use shape what the pedal produces.
What does the Dry knob do on the Synthotron?
The Dry knob sits in the tremolo section and blends in your instrument's dry signal for added clarity. Turning it up lets more of the unaffected guitar through underneath the effect, which can keep the sound grounded while the synth voices and tremolo run on top.
What is Sample Hold mode on the Synthotron?
The Filter section has a toggle switch that goes between Envelope Filter and Sample Hold modes. Envelope Filter mode works with the Range control, which sets the sweep for the envelope. Sample Hold is the alternative filter mode selected with the same toggle.
Sources (1)
- Red Witch Pedals Synthotron Analog Synth, Pedal of the Day, 2016-05-10
