The Stone Deaf FX Rise & Shine Octapulse is a three-in-one pedal from UK builder Stone Deaf that puts a silicon fuzz, an octave-up fuzz and a dynamic tremolo/vibrato the maker calls Octapulse into one box, for guitar, bass and synthesizer1. It blends vintage octave-up fuzz tones with digital control of the modulation side, and it was developed by Luke Hilton and his team over three years23.
Fuzz, upper octave and tremolo in one pedal
Stone Deaf describes the Rise & Shine as a fuzz, octave-up fuzz and octave tremolo pedal that "effortlessly blends octave up fuzz, classic fuzz and dynamic octapulse tremolo / vibrato to open up new soundscapes"1. Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson frames it as a 3-in-1 octave/Octapulse fuzz combining silicon fuzz, an upper octave effect and tremolo2, while Delicious Audio calls it "at its heart a classic octave-up fuzz, but integrated with a dynamic octapulse tremolo"3.
The pedal is digitally controlled but analog at its core4. The octave can be switched in and out through a separate footswitch3, so you can run plain fuzz, octave fuzz, or octave fuzz with the pulsing tremolo layered on top. Gearnews describes it as offering "a unique Fuzz Octave Tremolo/Vibrato effect"4.
The build matches the circuit's ambition. Guitar World notes the aluminum chassis is sandblasted for a matt finish with detailed laser engraving6, and Guitar Pedal X points to the enamel facia and flush back-plate2.
The five modes
The Mode button cycles through five positions, each indicated by a color2:
| Mode | Color | Function |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orange | Fuzz + Octave: standard / latching |
| 2 | Green | Fuzz + Octave: momentary octave |
| 3 | Cyan | Fuzz + Octave: momentary bypass |
| 4 | Magenta | +Trem / Octapulse: standard division |
| 5 | White | +Trem / Octapulse: custom division / pattern trem |
Modes 1 through 3 are fuzz and octave variants. Mode 1 is the ordinary latching setup. Modes 2 and 3 are momentary: hold the footswitch for a burst of octave, or use it as a momentary kill of the effect. In Modes 2 and 3 you can hold the Mode button for 0.5s to invert the momentary polarity, flipping the default from Off to On so the footswitches act as kill switches2.
Modes 4 and 5 add the tremolo. In Mode 4, each 0.5s press of the Mode button cycles through Whole, Half, Triplet or Quarter beat divisions2. Mode 5 is where the custom pattern lives, covered below.
A separate Voice switch selects between two tonal flavors: orange for Bright Tone and cyan for Fat Tone2.
Knobs, footswitches and expression input
The control set runs Volume, Tone (a tilt EQ), Mix (wet to dry mix) and Fuzz (saturation), plus the Mode button and the Voice switch2. Two push buttons under the knobs handle the tremolo, activating it and controlling its various functions3.
The footswitches are soft action2, using a custom soft-touch optical system that Guitar World reports can withstand 10,000,000 stomps6. The machined aluminum knobs are designed with bolstered potentiometer torque to resist accidental adjustments in transit or on a crowded board6.
On the side is an expression/tap tempo socket. An expression pedal plugged in there controls the Rate of the Octapulse tremolo/vibrato effect, and the input doubles as a remote switch for the tap tempo4. Guitar Pedal X's review confirms that expression control varies the tempo of the Octapulse2.
Setting a custom tremolo pattern is a two-button operation, the only function on the pedal that requires dual button presses2.
To program a custom pattern in Mode 5:
- Hold the Mode button until it turns red.
- Simultaneously tap the Voice button to enter your rhythm over a quantized 120 BPM meter.
- Release the Mode button to save the pattern2.
Stone Deaf lists custom beat divisions as well as standard beat divisions as standard features, along with tap tempo and expression control of the tremolo rate1.
What reviewers said
Guitar Pedal X called it a "fantastic fresh take on an Octave Fuzz with modulation of the octave"7, and in the full review found it "most certainly full-fat-flavour on both the core Fuzz Voicing and Upper Octave Effect"2.
"today might be their most ambitious yet"
Pedal of the Day highlighted the build quality and ease of use of the optical soft-touch footswitch system, rated for reliability over 10 million switches8. Delicious Audio noted the three-year development and the tweakability the circuit allows3.
Guitar.com's Richard Purvis, reviewing a different pedal in April 2026, referenced "the Stone Deaf Rise & Shine (£218)" and its "range of unique fuzz and tremolo tricks"9, which also reflects the current price on Stone Deaf's page1.
Videos
Stone Deaf FX
Stone Deaf FX
Stone Deaf FX
Questions
What does Octapulse mean on the Stone Deaf Rise & Shine?
Octapulse is Stone Deaf's name for the pedal's dynamic tremolo/vibrato section, which modulates the octave fuzz. It works with standard beat divisions or custom patterns you tap in yourself, and it can be engaged on its own footswitch so the fuzz and the pulsing effect are controlled separately.
Can you control the Octapulse speed with an expression pedal?
Yes. The side-mounted expression input controls the Rate of the Octapulse tremolo/vibrato effect, and it also doubles as a remote switch for the tap tempo. Guitar Pedal X's review notes that expression control varies the tempo of the Octapulse.
What do the different mode colors mean on the Rise & Shine?
The Mode button cycles through five positions, each shown by a color: orange is standard latching fuzz plus octave, green is momentary octave, cyan is momentary bypass, magenta is tremolo with standard beat divisions, and white is tremolo with a custom pattern you program yourself.
How do you set a custom tremolo pattern on the Rise & Shine?
In Mode 5, hold the Mode button until it turns red, then simultaneously tap the Voice button to enter your rhythm over a quantized 120 BPM meter. The pattern saves when you release the Mode button. This is the only function that requires dual button presses.
How much does the Stone Deaf FX Rise & Shine Octapulse cost?
At launch in December 2023 it carried an MAP/RRP of $285 in the US, with shipping included, and £265 for UK customers. Stone Deaf's product page now lists it at £218, reduced from £185 in a sale listing.
Is the Rise & Shine a silicon or germanium fuzz?
It is a silicon fuzz. Guitar Pedal X describes it as combining silicon fuzz, an upper octave effect and tremolo, and the pedal is digitally controlled while the fuzz voicing itself runs on silicon circuitry.
Sources (9)
- Rise & Shine, Stone Deaf (stonedeaffx.com)
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-02-16
- StoneDeafFX Rise & Shine Fuzz + Tremolo, Delicious Audio, 2024-06-17
- Stone Deaf FX Rise & Shine, gearnews.com, 2023-12-12
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-12-08
- “A harmonious blend of vintage tones, contemporary technology and sonic possibilities”: Stone Deaf FX redefines octave fuzz pedals for a new generation with the Rise & Shine, Guitar World, 2023-12-12
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-12-18
- Stone Deaf Rise & Shine Fuzz Octave Tremolo, Pedal of the Day, 2024-04-11
- Blue FX Devices Fuzz Fields review, Guitar.com, 2026-04-20
