Spaceman Effects Spaceman Voyager I

The Spaceman Voyager I is an optical analog tremolo pedal made by Spaceman Effects, released in 2014. What set it apart when it arrived was its envelope control section: an optional part of the circuit that changes tremolo parameters based on your playing dynamics, so the effect responds to how hard or softly you pick rather than simply cycling at a fixed rate. Spaceman describes it as the first dynamic tremolo pedal on the planet¹.

The tremolo itself is all analog and light-based, using an optical design the maker says gives it vintage tone and feel. The Voyager I was completely hand-soldered and handmade in Portland, Oregon².

An optical tremolo that responds to playing dynamics

Optical tremolo works by using a light-dependent element to vary the signal level, the same approach as the tremolo circuits in vintage amplifiers. The Voyager I uses an all analog, light-based (optical) design, and its optional envelope control section changes parameters based on your playing dynamics²³.

The envelope section is optional in the sense that you choose how it behaves, or how much, through its controls. A selector switch picks between two envelope control options, Freq and Fade²:

• Freq: the LFO speed increases with louder dynamics and slows back down when you play with a lighter touch².
• Fade: a heavy hand fades out the tremolo effect entirely, and the tremolo fades back in with light playing or sustained phrases².

The practical result is a tremolo that breathes with your picking rather than sitting on top of it. In the Freq setting, the LFO speed increases with louder dynamics and slows back down when playing with a lighter touch, while in the Fade position a heavy hand fades out the tremolo effect, with the tremolo fading back in with light playing or sustained phrases²³.

The controls

The Voyager I's control set covers the tremolo's core settings plus the envelope section and a gain stage²³:

Two switches round out the panel. A wave shape switch selects between Triangle or Square wave shapes, which Spaceman describes as a smooth or choppier feel². The envelope selector switch chooses between the Freq and Fade behaviors described above².

The Gain and Level controls are worth a note for players who like a little grit: Spaceman says they not only let you adjust output volume to taste, but you can also dial in some analog overdrive². It remains a tremolo pedal, but the gain stage gives it a second use as a light overdrive.

Build, versions and the Voyager II

The Voyager I is built in a USA-cast aluminum enclosure with a durable, engraved vinyl faceplate and a clear jewel indicator light, with the signal carried through quality open-frame jacks². The circuit is the original run design, fully handmade and hand-soldered³. It was offered in multiple finishes, shown as Silver, Black, Brass, White, Navy Blue, Chrome, and Copper².

The Voyager I is fully handmade and hand-soldered, built on the original run circuit³. Its USA-cast aluminum enclosure carries a durable, engraved vinyl faceplate and a clear jewel indicator light, and the tone passes through quality open-frame jacks². Over its run the pedal listed between $349.00 and $499.00 USD².

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