The Subdecay TremCoder is a stereo tremolo pedal with a programmable step sequencer built in. Subdecay calls it a "Feature rich Stereo Tremolo/Sequencer that keeps it simple," and the simplicity is real: the whole pedal is driven by three knobs and one footswitch1. Under that small panel sit nine LFO waveforms, two banks of preset sequences, tap tempo, and a stereo output jack that can pan your sound between two amps.
The pedal was listed at $199.00 USD1. A successor, the Subdecay TremCoder 2, expands the design with a 32-step sequencer, MIDI and eleven user presets2.
The controls: Depth, Speed, Shape and one footswitch
The TremCoder keeps its front panel to three knobs. Each one does more than its label suggests, because the Speed and Shape knobs also handle the sequencer programming31.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Shape | Selects 9 LFO shapes and 2 sequence banks1 |
| Depth | Controls the effect depth1 |
| Speed | Selects the ratio for tap tempo in LFO modes; selects sequences in sequence modes1 |
| Bypass footswitch | On/off plus tap tempo trigger1 |
Delicious Audio, covering the pedal, described the arrangement as "just three knobs (Shape, Depth and Speed)," with the Shape knob able to activate two Sequence banks that are programmable through the Speed knob3. That is the whole interface: no menus, no extra switches.
The nine LFO shapes and two sequence banks
The Shape knob selects nine LFO shapes, and Subdecay documents several of them directly1:
- Shape knob: selects 9 different LFO shape options, plus 2 sequence banks1.
- Bank A sequences: 1-3 are simple LFOs modulated by another LFO. For example Bank A Seq. 1 is a sine wave with the amplitude modulated by a slower triangle wave, which makes the tremolo effect fade in and out over four beats. A5 through A11 are simple rhythmic patterns; A10 and A11 are timed with triplets1.
- Bank B sequences: all 32 step rhythmic patterns that repeat over a four beat measure. Unlike Bank A, these are not depicted on the pedal1.
Beyond the single-wave shapes, the Shape knob reaches two sequence banks holding 22 preset sequences in total1. Bank A is the more structured of the two:
"Bank A: 1-3 are simple LFOs modulated by another LFO. For example Bank A Seq. 1 is a sine wave with the amplitude modulated by a slower triangle wave. This makes the tremolo effect fade in and out over four beats. A5, A11 are simple rhythmic patterns. A10 and A11 are timed with triplets."1
Bank A's patterns are depicted on the pedal itself, so you can see the rhythm you are choosing. Bank B is different: "All 32 step rhythmic patterns that repeat over a four beat measure. Unlike Bank A, these are not depicted on the pedal."1
Stereo panning and the TRS Y cable
The TremCoder's output jack is stereo, which is how one pedal feeds two amps. Subdecay's instruction is simple: "You'll need a TRS Y cable for stereo panning."1 Guitar Pedal X's review put it the same way: connect a TRS Y splitter patch cable to the output socket for a stereo panning effect4. Delicious Audio confirmed the MkI output jack "is stereo, and therefore requires a Y cable to feed two amps"3.
For panning in particular, Subdecay points players at the triangle shape for a wide panning effect, and at the 8 Step and 16 Step shapes, which behave like sequences but are tuned for panning movement1.
Tap tempo on the bypass switch
The single footswitch carries the tap tempo duty alongside bypass. Subdecay explains the routine31:
"You just tap the bypass switch twice and the tremolo starts on the following beat. Tap up to five times for greater accuracy. When tapping stops the effect turns on like magic. After two seconds simply press the switch once to turn the effect off."1
The Speed knob sets the ratio in LFO modes, with tap tempo ranging from two measures down to 16th notes1. Delicious Audio noted that the footswitch "functions at once as on/off and tap tempo trigger," which is what lets the pedal stay at three knobs3.
How it compares to the Malekko Goatkeeper
In a June 2019 Guitar Pedal X comparison of polyrhythmic pattern tremolos, Stefan Karlsson set the TremCoder against the Malekko Goatkeeper. His verdict favored the TremCoder on features4:
"I still really like the Goatkeeper, but the TremCoder goes in higher on the wishlist as its combination of features somehow better appeals to me."4
He also drew the circuit distinction between the two: "the Malekko being analog while the Subdecay seems to be digital to some degree"4. As of 2026-07-13, the prices he recorded were £217 for the Goatkeeper and £179 for the TremCoder4.
TremCoder 2 and the Tremcoder MkII: 32 steps, MIDI and a larger enclosure
The TremCoder's design did not stop with the original. In August 2023, Subdecay teased the Tremcoder MkII, a stereo tremolo with a 32-step fully programmable sequencer, preset functionality and full MIDI compatibility, in an enclosure "larger than the previous one with an almost square footprint"32. Delicious Audio noted that the programmable sequencer was already present in the MkI, "but through spartan functionality," and that the MkII could also do regular tremolo effects in Trem mode using 10 different LFO waves3.
The current version, the Subdecay TremCoder 2, takes the design further. Subdecay says it "took cues from the original TremCoder, then expanded and improved"2:
- Sequencer: Programmable 4 to 32 steps2
- LFO shapes: Eleven warp-able shapes, including sine, triangle, ramp, saw, a variable pulse wave, pattern-based shapes, and two shapes with envelope speed control2
- Warp knob: "Further transformation of each LFO shape is available via the warp knob."2
- Tap tempo: Division from 16 beats to 32nd notes2
- Presets: Eleven user presets, saved by holding the bypass switch for two seconds, with the save location chosen on the Shape/Preset knob2
- MIDI: All parameters controllable via MIDI CC messages in real time, MIDI clock sync, and preset changes via MIDI2
Guitar Pedal X named the Tremcoder MKII DLX among its 2023 picks, calling it an "Amazing Stereo Pattern Tremolo - hugely expanded from the compact edition with multiple extra features and variations," and listing its mode switch as Tremolo / User / Sequencer with Ratio 0 - 10 / Tap Divisions and Shape / Preset 0 - 105.
Videos
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Questions
How do you get stereo panning from the Subdecay TremCoder?
The output jack is stereo, so you connect a TRS Y splitter patch cable to the output socket and run each leg to its own amp. Subdecay notes that the triangle shape is especially useful for a wide panning effect, and the 8 Step and 16 Step shapes are similar to sequences but particularly useful for panning.
How does tap tempo work on the TremCoder bypass switch?
The single bypass footswitch doubles as the tap tempo trigger. You tap it twice and the tremolo starts on the following beat, and you can tap up to five times for greater accuracy. When you stop tapping the effect turns on. After two seconds, pressing the switch once turns the effect off.
Is the Subdecay TremCoder analog or digital?
In a Guitar Pedal X comparison of pattern tremolos, Stefan Karlsson described the Malekko Goatkeeper as analog while the Subdecay seems to be digital to some degree. Subdecay does not state the circuit type on its product page.
How does the TremCoder compare to the Malekko Goatkeeper?
In a 2019 Guitar Pedal X comparison, Stefan Karlsson still liked the Goatkeeper, which is fully analog, but put the TremCoder higher on his wishlist because its combination of features appealed to him more. As of 2026-07-13 the prices were £217 for the Goatkeeper and £179 for the TremCoder.
How many preset sequences does the TremCoder have?
The original TremCoder has 22 preset sequences, split across two banks. Bank A holds patterns depicted on the pedal, including triplet-timed A10 and A11, while Bank B holds 32-step rhythmic patterns that repeat over a four beat measure and are not depicted on the pedal.
Sources (5)
- TremCoder, Subdecay, 2023-11-21
- TremCoder 2, Subdecay, 2026-09-18
- Subdecay TremCoder MkII Stereo Tremolo, Delicious Audio, 2023-08-21
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2019-06-16
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-12-19
