Four modulation effects in one pedal
The idea behind the Utility Knife is breadth rather than depth: one pedal covering the four modulation effects most players reach for most often. Delicious Audio's product page, written by Paolo De Gregorio and Hamish Hains, described it as providing "four high-quality effects that are designed to sound good in all control settings," and suggested that "this could be the only modulation pedal you need"3. Guitar.com framed it the same way, saying the pedal "provides multiple tone 'tools' in a compact enclosure"2.
If you want to go deeper on any one of these effects, the same ground is covered by dedicated single-effect pedals: see Flanger Pedals, Chorus Pedals, Tremolo Pedals and Phaser Pedals. The Utility Knife sits closer to the territory of Multi-effects Pedals, but with a deliberately small control set rather than a menu-driven one.
The controls
The layout is minimal. A four-way rotary knob selects the effect, and three knobs shape it12.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Rotary knob (4-way) | Selects flanger, chorus, tremolo or the six-stage phaser12 |
| Rate | Sets the speed of the modulation effect2 |
| Depth | Sets the intensity of the effect2 |
| Volume | Sets the output level12 |
Input and output jacks are located at the top of the box, along with the 9V barrel-style power adaptor input1.
There is no battery option1. The pedal needs a 9V power supply.
The shared control set is the trade-off for the simple layout. Premier Guitar's reviewer put it directly: "Simple designs means a lot of adjustments if you want many effects variations live." The pedal has no presets, and the reviewer flagged "a lack of presets that could find you scrambling to re-adjust effects in performance"1.
What reviewers said
Premier Guitar's September 2023 review is the most detailed published account of the pedal. The reviewer set the pedal to its six-stage phaser and, moving through the modes, found that "Jumping over to the tremolo revealed a nice, clear sine-wave throb that's ideal for vintage-style swamp modulation"1.
On overall sound quality, the verdict was favorable: "It's difficult to find a bad sound in the Utility Knife." The reviewer listed the pros as "Multiple high-quality effects under one roof, simple controls"1.
On value, the reviewer concluded that "the Utility Knife brings a lot to the table. It would be a challenge to get four separate modulators that tackle these t" [asks for four separate modulators for less, even used], at the $215 street price1. The overall take: "I enjoyed all the effects and could see this thing being a real workhorse onstage and in the studio," especially, the reviewer added, on a tight budget or a tight pedalboard1.
Videos
Southampton Pedals
Southampton Pedals
Southampton Pedals
Questions
Does the Southampton Utility Knife have presets?
No. Premier Guitar's reviewer notes the pedal has no presets, and warns that the lack of them could find you scrambling to re-adjust effects in performance. Because the controls are simple and shared across all four modes, changing sounds live means turning knobs between songs rather than recalling a saved setting.
Can the Utility Knife run on a battery?
No. Premier Guitar's review states plainly that there is no battery option. The pedal is powered through a 9V barrel-style power adaptor input on the pedal, so plan on a power supply rather than a battery.
Which effects does the Utility Knife include?
Four modulation effects: flanger, chorus, tremolo and a six-stage phaser. A four-way rotary knob selects between them, and the three remaining knobs, Rate, Depth and Volume, shape whichever effect is engaged.
Is the Utility Knife analog or digital?
Digital. Premier Guitar describes it as a digital jack-of-all-trades that packs flange, chorus, tremolo and phaser into a single, super-simple box.
Sources (3)
- Southampton Pedals Utility Knife Review, Premier Guitar, 2018-08-25
- Southampton springs new Utility Knife pedal, Guitar.com, 2018-08-28
- Southampton Pedals Utility Knife Modulator, Delicious Audio, 2018-03-13