The Sonicake 5th Dimension is a digital multi-modulation pedal that puts 11 modulation effects in one mini enclosure. A single MODE selector moves you between chorus, vibrato, flanger, phaser, tremolo, univibe, auto wah and bitcrush sounds, with three knobs and tap tempo shaping whichever effect you have chosen1. It sells for $55.99 as a regular price1.
Sonicake describes it as an assembly of the 11 most commonly requested digital modulation effects2.
The 11 modes
The MODE selector chooses between 11 named effects1. Sonicake gives a short description of what several of them aim for:
| Mode | What Sonicake says it does |
|---|---|
| Phase 101 | A crystal clear and bright phasing tone1 |
| Jet Fln Br. | Jet flanger mode1 |
| Jet Flane | Jet flanger mode1 |
| Big Sky | Chorus mode1 |
| Stereo Chorus | A classic and lush chorus sound modulated by a triangle wave1 |
| Liquid Trem | A bias tremolo sound inspired by the circuitry from a vintage tube amp1 |
| Opto Trem | Classic optical tremolo tone1 |
| Roto 60 | Rotary speaker style mode1 |
| Blue Vib | A natural and warm vibrato sound1 |
| Cryin' Bot | A dynamic auto-wah envelope filter, with the DEPTH knob controlling filter frequency range1 |
| Lofi | Bitcrush mode1 |
The range covers most of the modulation family a player would otherwise build from separate pedals: a chorus, a phaser, a flanger, a tremolo, a vibrato and a filter effect, plus a lo-fi bitcrush that sits outside the usual modulation categories1.
The controls
Three knobs and a tap tempo function shape the effect13:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| MODE | Selects one of the 11 effects1 |
| RATE | Sets the speed of the modulation3 |
| DEPTH | Sets the depth or intensity of the effect1 |
| MIX | Sets the level of the effect against your dry tone3 |
| Tap tempo | Sets the RATE in real time by tapping in time1 |
In the Cryin' Bot auto-wah mode the DEPTH knob takes on a different job, controlling the filter frequency range rather than modulation depth1.
The pedal layers the effect signal on top of your original tone, so the overall volume can increase when you switch it on. Sonicake describes this as part of the design, not a defect1. If the jump bothers you, the MIX knob is the control that sets the effect level3.
Power and bypass
The 5th Dimension runs on a 9V DC center negative power supply, which is not included with the pedal1. It draws 110mA1, more than many analog mini pedals, so it is worth checking that a small power supply can cover it before you build it into a board.
Instead of true bypass, the pedal uses a buffered bypass circuit, which Sonicake says keeps the sound pristine1. A buffer means the pedal stays in your signal path even when off, which can help preserve high end over long cable runs.
How it fits in the Sonicake range
Sonicake also makes the Sonicake Warped Dimension, another multi-modulation pedal, and the Sonicake Cloud Chorus, a dedicated chorus pedal. The 5th Dimension differs from both by covering 11 modulation types in one box, where the Cloud Chorus handles a single effect and the Warped Dimension takes its own approach to multi-modulation. On the delay side, Sonicake's BBD Wonder is an analog bucket-brigade pedal with chorus and vibrato modulation built in.
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Questions
Does the Sonicake 5th Dimension come with a power supply?
No. The pedal runs on a 9V DC center negative supply, and Sonicake lists the power supply as not included, so you need to provide your own. It draws 110mA, which is worth checking against a small daisy chain power supply.
Why does my volume go up when I turn on the 5th Dimension?
Sonicake says the pedal layers the effect signal on top of your original tone, so the overall volume can increase when it is engaged. The maker describes this as part of the design rather than a defect. You can pull the MIX knob back to reduce the effect level and the volume jump along with it.
Is the Sonicake 5th Dimension true bypass?
No. It uses a buffered bypass, which Sonicake calls a special design buffer bypass circuit that keeps the sound pristine. A buffer keeps your signal strong through long cable runs, unlike true bypass, which passes the signal straight through when the pedal is off.
Does the Sonicake 5th Dimension have tap tempo?
Yes. Sonicake lists a tap tempo function for real-time RATE control, so you can set the speed of the modulation by tapping a footswitch in time with the music instead of turning the RATE knob.
