The Source Audio Vertigo Tremolo Mission of Burma LTD Edition is a limited edition tremolo pedal that Source Audio released in September 2023 in collaboration with Roger Miller, guitarist of the post-punk band Mission of Burma1. It is a variant of the standard Vertigo Tremolo, the first pedal in Source Audio's One Series line, announced on 2 July 20152. Where the standard pedal offers three vintage-voiced tremolo types, the limited edition carries three modes voiced after Mission of Burma songs, plus a mode based on Miller's own rare Vacu-Trem circuit1.
The Vertigo platform itself is a stereo tremolo pedal with stereo inputs and outputs, which Source Audio describes as creating "deep and wide stereo modulation"3. Premier Guitar's reviewer called the standard Vertigo "one of the best-sounding stompbox trems I've heard" and "a steal at $149"4.
A Vertigo Tremolo voiced for Mission of Burma
The limited edition keeps the Vertigo's hardware but revoices it around Mission of Burma's music. Delicious Audio reported that Miller "worked closely with the manufacturer's engineers to recreate a mode voiced after his signature custom and extremely rare" Vacu-Trem pedal1. The original Vacu-Trem circuit, as described in the same article, "featured a hard chopping wave shape with above average tremolo speed"1.
The pedal's case features the graphics of the cover of the band's album "Vs."1, which sets it apart visually from the standard Vertigo's brushed anodized aluminum enclosure3.
The controls and the three modes
The pedal carries four knobs: Depth, Speed, Shape and Level1. MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen noted that the standard Vertigo's Speed and Depth knobs "offer variation" across its voicings6. On the standard pedal, the three onboard effects are Normal, Harmonic and Bias tremolo7; the limited edition replaces these with three modes tied to Mission of Burma songs1.
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Trem | Voiced after the band's song "Tremelo"1 |
| Secrets | An accelerated tremolo capturing the effect on the opening notes of "Secrets," with speeds as high as 50Hz1 |
| Two | Recreates the effect on the Mission of Burma song "Trem Two"1 |
Delicious Audio's write-up summed up the appeal plainly: "the 3 tremolo modes is where the magic happens"1.
For context on the standard pedal's voicings, which the edition builds on: Source Audio says its Harmonic Tremolo engine "first appeared in Fender 'brownface' amps" and is "a very pleasing and complex tremolo that has characteristics reminiscent of a phaser"3. Pedal of the Day's reviewer Mike B found the Harmonic mode "mirrors another Fender vintage sound, that of the Super amps' incredible vibrato effect"5.
The second preset bank
The Vertigo stores presets in two banks. Source Audio explains: "Bank 1 (green) works like a standard pedal, with sounds reflecting the current knob positions. Bank 2 (red) provides three preset slots, where each sound loads with fixed settings"3. The maker's page also describes six slots arranged as two banks of three3.
To switch banks on the Mission of Burma edition:
- Bypass the pedal.
- Press and hold the footswitch for around 8 seconds.
- Release when the center LED turns from red to green1.
The second bank includes the preset "Rotationary RCM"1.
History: Roger Miller and the Vacu-Trem circuit
The Mission of Burma edition came eight years later, released 7 September 2023 and sold exclusively at The Music Emporium1. Its distinctive voice traces back to Roger Miller's custom Vacu-Trem pedal, a rare unit whose hard chopping wave shape and above-average speed the engineers worked to recreate1.
The Vertigo's tremolo engines also lived on elsewhere in Source Audio's range.
What reviewers said
Published reviews of the standard Vertigo Tremolo, the platform underneath this edition, were positive. Premier Guitar's reviewer wrote4:
"Vertigo is one of the best-sounding stompbox trems I've heard. You can cover the basics to superb effect, or plumb the d"4
The truncated verdict continues the reviewer's praise for the pedal's range, and the same review called it "a steal at $149"4. Pedal of the Day's 2016 review covered the pedal's three voicings, controls, Neuro App features and MIDI preset capability5.
Videos
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The Music Emporium
Questions
Who designed the Mission of Burma Vertigo Tremolo?
Roger Miller, guitarist of the post-punk band Mission of Burma, worked closely with Source Audio's engineers to create the pedal. His contribution was a mode voiced after his signature custom and extremely rare Vacu-Trem pedal, recreated as one of the three tremolo modes on the limited edition.
Where can you buy the Vertigo Tremolo Mission of Burma edition?
The limited edition was sold exclusively at The Music Emporium when Source Audio released it in September 2023. It was a limited edition release, so availability beyond that initial run depends on second-hand listings and the dealer's remaining stock.
What artwork is on the Mission of Burma Vertigo Tremolo?
The case of the pedal features the graphics of the cover of Mission of Burma's album Vs. The standard Vertigo Tremolo uses a brushed anodized aluminum enclosure, so the album artwork is the most visible difference between the two versions.
How do you access the second preset bank on the Vertigo Tremolo?
Bypass the pedal, then press and hold the footswitch for around 8 seconds until the center LED turns from red to green. Bank 1 (green) works like a standard pedal with sounds reflecting the current knob positions, while Bank 2 (red) provides three preset slots with fixed settings.
How is the Mission of Burma edition different from the standard Vertigo Tremolo?
The limited edition replaces the standard pedal's Normal, Harmonic and Bias modes with three modes voiced after Mission of Burma songs: Trem, Secrets and Two. It also carries the Vs. album artwork and includes a mode based on Roger Miller's rare Vacu-Trem circuit, which had a hard chopping wave shape with above average tremolo speed.
Sources (7)
- Source Audio Vertigo Tremolo Mission Of Burma LTD Edition, Delicious Audio, 2023-09-07
- Source Audio Releases the Vertigo Tremolo, Premier Guitar, 2015-07-02
- Vertigo Tremolo, Source Audio
- Source Audio Vertigo Tremolo Review, Premier Guitar, 2015-08-14
- Source Audio Vertigo Tremolo, Pedal of the Day, 2016-02-01
- Source Audio Vertigo Tremolo review, MusicRadar, 2016-06-07
- The Vertigo Tremolo by Source Audio is Now Available in Stores, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2015-07-03
