SolidGoldFX Oblivion

The SolidGoldFX Oblivion is a multi-mode, tap tempo flanger pedal from Montreal-based maker SolidGoldFX, first announced in July 2020 and released in April 2021¹². It offers three distinct flange modes, including a classic through-zero setting, along with multi-function footswitches, a lo-fi degrade option and an assignable expression/CV input³¹. Guitar.com described it as "a three-mode quad flanger pedal that offers a high degree of control over its powerful modulation capabilities"¹.

A quad flanger with through-zero modes

The Flange toggle selects between three modes. The left position is a classic through-zero flanger, which Guitar.com called "reminiscent of vintage flangers"; the center position is a bi-flange that modulates two independent delay lines; and the right position is the quad-flange, swirling four delay lines¹. MusicRadar described the quad mode as bringing "four individual offset modulating delay lines for hulking waves of flange swoosh"⁵, and Guitar World quoted the maker's own description of "massive swooshing tsunamis of ominous textures"⁶.

Through-zero flanging is the effect where the modulated delay passes through the point of zero difference with the dry signal, producing the "jet plane" sweep associated with vintage tape and bucket-brigade flangers. The Oblivion's Thru-Zero mode "evolves the classic flanger," in MusicRadar's words⁵. Players comparing through-zero pedals might also look at the Foxrox Electronics Foxrox Paradox TZF 2 or the Chase Bliss Audio Spectre Analog TZ Flanger.

The controls

The Oblivion carries knobs for speed, range, ramp, regen, blend and output level¹. Alongside these are four mini-switches: wave, flange, a 1/4-1/2-1 division switch, and degrade⁴.

The degrade mini-switch "introduces a lo-fi effect to the signal," as Guitar.com put it, letting you dirty up the repeats for a more vintage, degraded character¹.

The two footswitches and LFO hold

The Oblivion has two duo-function footswitches whose duties include tap tempo, speed ramping and LFO braking¹⁷. The Bypass/Hold Brake footswitch turns the effect on and off; holding it down while the effect is on momentarily pauses the LFO until you release it². Guitar.com likewise noted that "the bypass foot switch can be held down to place the LFO in a momentary hold"¹.

The tap tempo footswitch has its own secondary function: when held down, it "intensifies the speed and depth of the effect upwards or downwards, depending on how the ramp control is set"¹. Between the tap tempo, the speed ramping and the momentary LFO brake, a player can push the sweep faster, slam it to a stop, or freeze it mid-sweep, all from the two switches.

Expression and CV input

The EXP jack takes an expression pedal that takes over certain knob functions depending on the internal dipswitch settings². It is also usable for 0-5V CV operation with a special cable: a mono 1/8" or 1/4" to 1/4" TRS cable with the ring disconnected for most applications².

Because the Regen knob can self-oscillate at high settings and can also be handed to an expression pedal², the Up/Down setting opens up controllable feedback sweeps from a pedal rather than a knob.

Availability and price

At launch the Oblivion was priced at £245¹. MusicRadar reported in July 2020 that it was "currently sold out over at solidgoldfx.com but is available to order from select dealers worldwide"⁵. The maker hosts the Oblivion manual as a downloadable PDF on its site⁸.

What reviewers said

Pedal of the Day reviewed the pedal in October 2021, covering its three flange modes, degrade modes, tap tempo footswitch functions and expression/CV jack, and remarking on the compact housing: "How they manage to consistently pack so many options into these smaller-sized enclosures remains a mystery"⁷. MusicRadar highlighted the expression capability, true bypass and top-mounted jacks "for less width real estate on your 'board"⁵.

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