The Tape Audio Co. ONE Fuzz is a fuzz pedal and the builder's first release. Launched in 2022, it is an original circuit with two faders, Master and Comp, and one old-style button switch, rather than a recreation of a vintage design1. Guitar.com reported the pedal as the company's first release, ahead of later Tape Audio products2.
An original circuit, not a vintage copy
Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio, who covered the pedal at its debut, describes "the pedal's rather extreme but tweakable sonic character doesn't closely match any of the classic vintage fuzzes"1. The circuit uses two Silicon SE4010 transistors with diode clipping; De Gregorio notes that "Although the two Silicon SE4010 transistors in the circuit may make you think of a Big Muff-style fuzz", the design is its own thing1. The build includes Allen Bradley Carbon Comp resistors1.
The controls: Master, Comp and the Dark/Light switch
The ONE Fuzz keeps its control set small: two faders and one switch1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Master fader | Controls the overall output of the effect, which can feed extra volume into your amp1 |
| Comp fader | Sets the compression characteristic of the clipping diodes, from compressed to big, open, and tight1 |
| Dark/Light switch | Toggles between two EQ settings: light for standing out, dark for blending in the mix as a driving force13 |
The maker's listing describes the switch simply as "a switch to toggle between two EQ settings", and notes that the Master "controls the overall output of the effect, which is a lot"3. MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley, covering the launch, described it as "complete with a Light/Dark switch for EQ"4.
Two things are worth knowing about how the faders behave in practice:
- Both Master and Comp are described as very interactive with your guitar's volume control, so cleaning up with the guitar knob changes what the faders do1.
- On the EQ switch, Pedal of the Day's review of the related Monochrome Fuzz One describes the bright/dark control as something that "refines the top end to your rig and room"5.
Power
The ONE Fuzz requires a high quality 9V, regulated and filtered DC power supply, and uses a 2.1mm barrel tip connector, center negative1.
The published specifications call for a regulated and filtered 9V supply rather than describing battery operation, so plan your pedalboard power accordingly.
Videos
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collector//emitter
Questions
Does the Tape Audio Co. ONE Fuzz use a battery?
The published information describes the ONE Fuzz as needing a high quality 9V, regulated and filtered DC power supply, and does not describe battery operation. The pedal uses a 2.1mm barrel tip connector, center negative, so it works with a standard pedalboard supply, but the maker's and press material points to a proper regulated supply rather than a battery.
What transistors are in the Tape Audio Co. ONE Fuzz?
The ONE Fuzz uses two silicon SE4010 transistors with diode clipping. Delicious Audio notes that the pair of silicon transistors may bring a Big Muff-style fuzz to mind, but describes the circuit as an original design rather than a copy of a vintage fuzz.
What does the Dark/Light switch do on the ONE Fuzz?
The switch toggles between two EQ settings. Delicious Audio describes the two flavors as light for standing out and dark for blending into the mix as a driving force. Pedal of the Day describes the bright/dark switch as refining the top end to your rig and room.
Is the ONE Fuzz a copy of a vintage fuzz?
No. Delicious Audio describes it as an original fuzz circuit, and says the pedal's rather extreme but tweakable sonic character doesn't closely match any of the classic vintage fuzzes, even though the silicon transistor pairing may suggest a Big Muff-style design.
What does the Comp fader do?
Comp sets the compression characteristic of the clipping diodes, running from compressed to big, open, and tight. Along with the Master fader, it is described as very interactive with your guitar's volume control, so rolling the guitar volume changes how the pedal responds.
What power connector does the ONE Fuzz use?
The ONE Fuzz uses a 2.1mm barrel tip connector, center negative, and requires a high quality 9V, regulated and filtered DC power supply.
Sources (5)
- Tape Audio Co. ONE Fuzz, Delicious Audio, 2022-08-02
- Tape Audio launches new fuzz pedal with silicon and germanium circuits: TWO, Guitar.com, 2022-05-14
- One by Tape Audio, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Tape Audio launches TWO, a drive pedal with germanium and silicon circuits, a wide range of gain, and no tone controls, MusicRadar, 2022-05-13
- monochrome fuzz one Germanium/Silicon Analogue Fuzz, Pedal of the Day, 2025-11-15
