The Subdecay Quasar DLX Deluxe Phaser is a phaser pedal built around an analog four-stage OTA-based phaser circuit, with digital micro-controllers handling the modulation and control features. Subdecay describes it as a "Tap tempo phaser with 8 ratio settings for easy set up live"1, and the speed range runs from a 45 second sweep up into ring modulation territory at nearly 300 Hz2.
The current version of the Quasar DLX is the mkII, which Subdecay brought back with the original LFO waveforms and what the company calls "improvements in the phaser's tone and usability"2. B-stock listings of the pedal have carried a price of $199.002, and blemished pedals sold this way are fully functional and include the standard 3 year warranty2.
Analog phaser, digital control
The Quasar DLX is a hybrid. Subdecay's Brian Marshall describes it plainly: "The Quasar DLX is a full featured analog phaser"3. The mkII page goes further, explaining that "the heart of the Quasar DLX mkII is an analog 4 stage OTA based phaser. This phaser is made special by the features and" the digital side that surrounds it2. Marshall has also written that Subdecay "knew we'd need to step in to the digital world of micro-controllers to pull any of this off"3.
For a player, that split means the swept filter that creates the phasing sound is analog, while the features that are hard to do with analog circuitry alone, tap tempo, ratio settings, multiple LFO shapes and expression control, come from the micro-controllers. The mix control goes to 100%, which Subdecay notes allows "pitch vibrato tones that most phasers simply don't allow"3.
The controls
The Quasar DLX front panel covers speed, tone shaping and level. Here is what Subdecay says each control does23:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Speed/ratio knob | Sets speed; in manual mode it has a normal range and a high-speed range accessed by turning the knob all the way to the right3 |
| D.A.S.K. speed knob | Dual action speed control in manual mode; turn the speed knob all the way up and then back for faster speeds into the audio range2 |
| Color knob | Turning right increases the intensity of the phasing; fully right it starts to sound similar to an early 80s Roland style low pass filter2 |
| Voice control | Allows both positive and negative regeneration3 |
| Mix control | Goes to 100% for pitch vibrato tones3 |
| Volume knob | External volume control to balance level when the effect is on2 |
| Tap switch | Tap tempo with 8 ratio settings; hold it down for manual control, which engages the D.A.S.K.12 |
The color and voice controls are where the Quasar DLX differs from a basic four-stage phaser. Voice sets regeneration in both directions, positive and negative, which changes the character of the peaks and notches rather than just how deep they are. Color pushes the intensity up, and at its far right position Subdecay says it moves toward an early 80s Roland style low pass filter sound2.
Tap tempo and the D.A.S.K. knob
Tap tempo with eight ratio settings is aimed at live use, letting you sync the sweep to a tempo and divide or multiply it against the beat1. Holding the tap switch switches the pedal to manual control, and there the D.A.S.K. (Dual Action Speed Knob) takes over: turn the speed knob all the way up and then back for faster speeds into the audio range2. In this manual mode the speed/ratio knob has two ranges, a normal range and a high-speed range reached by turning the knob all the way to the right3.
LFO shapes
The Quasar DLX offers eleven LFO shapes, "ranging from the tried and true sine and triangle waves to random sample/hold and even an argyle waveform"2. Subdecay's summary of what that means for the sound:
"11 LFO shapes make phasing go from classic to discombobulated with endless possibilities."
The sine and triangle shapes cover conventional phasing; random sample/hold steps the sweep between values instead of moving smoothly, and the argyle waveform is a shape of Subdecay's own. The mkII carries over the original LFO waveforms from the earlier version2.
Expression pedal control
An expression pedal plugged into the Quasar DLX can control the speed, or manually sweep the phaser like a wah2. Subdecay describes the expression pedal control as having "multiple functions"3, so speed is one option rather than the only one. For players who want foot-controlled filtering rather than a repeating sweep, this turns the pedal into a manually swept filter. See expression pedals for how these work in a signal chain.
The mkII and blemished stock
The current version is the mkII, which Subdecay announced with "The Quasar DLX mkII is back in black"2. The earlier version of the pedal is covered on the Subdecay Quasar DLX page.
Subdecay has sold the Quasar DLX as blemished, or b-stock, units. These are fully functional pedals with cosmetic flaws. The company's own description of what that means24:
"Blemishes may include anything from paint scratches, silk screen errors, older style graphics or superficial damage."
A few things a player should know about b-stock Quasar DLX units:
- The pedal in the picture may not be the actual pedal you receive2.
- All blemished pedal sales are final2.
- Blemished pedals are fully functional and include the standard 3 year warranty2.
- The b-stock listing was priced at $199.00 USD in 20192.
- Blemishes may include paint scratches, silk screen errors or older style graphics4.
An earlier b-stock listing for the Quasar DLX, from 2016, carried the same terms: blemishes could include paint scratches, silk screen errors or older style graphics, and all B-stock sales were final4.
Videos
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Questions
Is the Subdecay Quasar DLX analog or digital?
Both, in a hybrid arrangement. Subdecay describes the heart of the Quasar DLX mkII as an analog four-stage OTA-based phaser, with micro-controllers handling the modulation and control features. The audio path is analog; the timing and control side is digital.
How many LFO shapes does the Quasar DLX have?
Eleven. Subdecay lists LFO shapes ranging from sine and triangle waves to random sample/hold and an argyle waveform. The company says the original LFO waveforms return in the mkII, with improvements to the phaser's tone and usability.
Can an expression pedal sweep the Quasar DLX like a wah?
Yes. Subdecay states that an expression pedal connected to the Quasar DLX can control the speed, or manually sweep the phaser like a wah. The expression control has multiple functions, so it is not limited to speed alone.
What does the D.A.S.K. speed knob do?
D.A.S.K. stands for Dual Action Speed Knob. Hold down the tap switch for manual control and the speed knob becomes dual action: turn it all the way up and then back for faster speeds into the audio range. In normal use the speed/ratio knob has a normal range and a high-speed range.
What is a blemished or b-stock Subdecay pedal?
A fully functional pedal with cosmetic flaws. Subdecay says blemishes may include paint scratches, silk screen errors, older style graphics or superficial damage, and the pedal pictured may not be the one you receive. B-stock sales are final, but the pedals carry the standard 3 year warranty.
Does the Quasar DLX have tap tempo?
Yes. Subdecay describes it as a tap tempo phaser with 8 ratio settings for easy setup live. Holding the tap switch down switches to manual control, which engages the D.A.S.K. dual-action speed knob.
Sources (4)
- Quasar DLX Deluxe Phaser, Subdecay, 2026-10-06
- Quasar DLX Deluxe Phaser (b-stock), Subdecay, 2019-04-12
- Quasar DLX, Subdecay, 2017-01-14
- Quasar DLX, Subdecay, 2016-12-27
