The Stomp Under Foot Sonic Generator is a fuzz pedal built with the goal of blending two types of fuzz tones: a smooth one and a massive, ripping one. Delicious Audio describes the result as "a deep-sounding, larger-than-life fuzz sound," and the circuit is inspired by the fuzzy tones of Desert and Stoner Rock. It is handmade in the U.S.A. and uses NOS (new old stock) parts1.
Where the name and the sound come from
The name of this stoner fuzz pedal comes from the origins of Desert Rock, where bands would use power generators out in the desert to power their amps. That scene's massive, ripping fuzz character is what the circuit aims to capture, while still offering a smoother side to its voicing1.
Stomp Under Foot is a builder of handwired effects, and Premier Guitar notes that these pedals "aren't inexpensive," positioning the Sonic Generator among the builder's boutique line of fuzzes2.
The controls: fuzz, mids, tone and level
The Sonic Generator's controls include Fuzz, Mids, Tone, and Level knobs, and the character of the pedal comes largely from how they interact12.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Fuzz | Goes from full out monster fuzz to a fat, lower-gain grit1 |
| Mids | Not only adds mids but also adds body, keeping the tone full when the mids are turned up1 |
| Tone | Tweaked through its interaction with the Mids knob, which affects both mids and lower end to maintain the circuit's signature full body1 |
| Level | Sets the output volume; Premier Guitar found more than enough output available to boost volume to prodigious levels, with unity gain around noon depending on pickups2 |
The Mids and Tone knobs work together rather than independently: the Mids control shapes both the mids and the lower end, so the two knobs are the main tools for dialing in the pedal's full-bodied voicing1.
Premier Guitar's reviewer summed up the voicing this way:
"Fantastic tone control with a colorful, rich voicing."
Power and practical notes
The Sonic Generator runs on a 9V battery or a 2.1mm 9V adapter only, and draws 8mA1. That low draw means it sits comfortably on a pedalboard power supply alongside other pedals, and the battery option makes it easy to run standalone as well.
The pedal accepts a 2.1mm 9V adapter only, so check the polarity and plug size of your supply before adding it to a board1.
Videos
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Questions
Does the Stomp Under Foot Sonic Generator take a battery?
Yes. The Sonic Generator can be powered by a 9V battery or by a 2.1mm 9V adapter, and no other power option is listed for it. With a current draw of only 8mA, it is an easy pedal to fit into an existing pedalboard power setup.
How much current does the Stomp Under Foot Sonic Generator draw?
The Sonic Generator draws 8mA, according to the specifications published by Delicious Audio. That is a light load by pedal standards, so it will not strain a battery or a typical daisy-chained or isolated power supply.
Is the Stomp Under Foot Sonic Generator true bypass?
Yes. Delicious Audio lists the Sonic Generator as true bypass, meaning the pedal takes itself out of the signal path entirely when switched off.
Why is it called the Sonic Generator?
The name comes from the origins of Desert Rock, where bands would use power generators out in the desert to power their amps. The pedal is inspired by the fuzzy tones of that scene.
Is the Stomp Under Foot Sonic Generator handmade in the USA?
Yes. Delicious Audio lists the Sonic Generator as handmade in the U.S.A., and Premier Guitar describes Stomp Under Foot's effects as handwired.
Sources (2)
- Stomp Under Foot Sonic Generator Fuzz, Delicious Audio, 2023-03-09
- Stomp Under Foot Sonic Generator Review, Premier Guitar, 2018-09-01
