The Sonicake FlipWah is a wah/volume combo pedal that puts a classic-style wah pedal and an active volume pedal in one full-size housing. You rock the treadle as you would on any wah or volume pedal, and a footswitch on the unit flips it between Wah Mode and Active Volume Mode, so one floor space does both jobs1.
Sonicake positions the FlipWah as an upgrade of its earlier Sonicake VolWah, a 100% analog volume/wah 2-in-1 pedal whose wah section, in the maker's words, goes after "the iconic Crybaby style, vintage wah sound"2. The FlipWah keeps that vintage wah character with an adjustable Q value, and adds improved controls and displays, a direct line output, and a full metal housing12.
A vintage wah and an active volume pedal in one
The FlipWah is a full-size pedal, which Sonicake describes as "more suitable for the feet" than a mini enclosure1. The wah side delivers what the maker calls a vintage wah sound with an adjustable Q value, and the volume side is an active circuit rather than a passive potentiometer, with a 2MΩ input impedance and a 100Ω output impedance in Active Volume Mode1.
Because the volume section is active, the pedal presents a high input impedance to the guitar and drives the next device from a low output impedance, the configuration players usually choose when the pedal sits early in the chain or feeds long cable runs. There is also a THRU output that passes a direct signal out to a tuner or another effects pedal, so you can tune without interrupting your signal path1.
Compared with the VolWah it replaces, the FlipWah's upgrades are the improved controls and displays, the added direct line, and the full metal housing1. Players comparing it against other wah/volume combos on the market have a wide field, from the Morley Power Wah Volume and Hotone Soul Press II to the Harley Benton Space Wah / Volume and the vintage Musitronics Mu-Tron C-200 Volume-Wah.
The controls: Q knob and mode footswitch
The FlipWah has two main controls: the treadle and the Q knob, plus the mode footswitch13.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Treadle | Rocks the wah sweep in Wah Mode, or raises and lowers the level in Active Volume Mode1 |
| Q knob | Adjusts the Q value of the wah effect, shaping how narrow and pronounced the wah peak is1 |
| Footswitch | Switches between Wah Mode and Active Volume Mode1 |
The Q knob is the shaping control Sonicake added over the previous generation to increase adjustability1. In practical terms, the Q value sets how focused the wah's frequency peak is: set too high, it narrows the frequency band and causes harshness. Sonicake's own troubleshooting advice for a harsh-sounding FlipWah is to turn the Q knob down, which smooths the tone5.
The footswitch was designed based on user suggestions and may feel stiff. Sonicake's suggested fix is to stick a small pad underneath it to reduce the trigger force531.
Power and setup
The FlipWah runs on DC 9V through a 5.5mm x 2.1mm center negative plug, drawing 22mA, which is light enough to share a spot on most multi-output pedalboard supplies1. There is also a battery compartment that takes a 9V battery, though the battery is not included with the pedal1.
Signal connections are straightforward: guitar into the input, amp or next pedal from the main output, and optionally a tuner or second pedal from the THRU output for a direct, unaffected feed1.
Where it came from
Sonicake built the FlipWah as the successor to the VolWah, its 100% analog volume/wah 2-in-1 pedal with a lightweight but robust casing2. The VolWah's wah circuit chased the Crybaby-style vintage wah sound, and that design goal carries into the FlipWah alongside the newer additions: the Q knob, the mode footswitch, the THRU output, and the full zinc alloy housing12.
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Questions
Can the Sonicake FlipWah run on a battery?
Yes. The pedal has a battery compartment that takes a 9V battery, which is not included with the pedal. It can also be powered by a DC 9V power supply with a 5.5mm x 2.1mm center negative plug, drawing 22mA.
Why does my FlipWah sound harsh?
Sonicake says a harsh wah sound usually comes from the Q value set too high, which narrows the frequency band. Turning the Q knob down smooths the tone.
How do I make the FlipWah footswitch less stiff?
The footswitch was designed based on user suggestions and can feel stiff. Sonicake's own fix is to stick a small pad underneath the footswitch to reduce the trigger force.
How heavy is the Sonicake FlipWah?
The FlipWah weighs 910g, in a full zinc alloy housing measuring 148.5mm deep, 65.5mm wide and 61mm high. It is a full-size pedal, which Sonicake describes as more suitable for the feet.
