The ToadWorks Barracuda MKII is a stereo analog flanger pedal from ToadWorks USA, announced in July 2012 as a major overhaul of the company's original Barracuda Analog Flanger. It is built to reproduce the sound of the custom-built flanger heard on the 1977 Heart song "Barracuda," and ToadWorks describes it as the only production effect pedal to accurately reproduce that sound1.
The circuit behind it and Howard Leese
The original Barracuda was designed to reproduce the flange heard on the 1977 Heart song of the same name2. For the MKII, ToadWorks' design team worked closely with Howard Leese, and the company says it designed the Barracuda MKII to Howard's exacting standards1.
The MKII revision brought several changes over the first Barracuda:
- Bold new artwork2
- A lower noise floor1
- Increased headroom1
- A conversion to 9V DC power1
- ToadWorks' exclusive True-Stereo output1
- An optional alternate-regeneration path switch, known as ARPS1
The ARPS switch gives the player a second regeneration path through the circuit, changing how the flanged signal feeds back on itself. The True-Stereo output means the pedal can feed a stereo rig or two amplifiers rather than a single mono chain, which sets it apart from mono flangers like the Boss BF-3 Flanger or the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Electric Mistress1.
"ToadWorks USA is pleased to announce a major overhaul to the Barracuda Analog Flanger."
Price
ToadWorks announced the Barracuda MKII in July 2012 as a major overhaul of the original Barracuda, describing it as an analog flanger and a stereo flanger pedal1.
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Questions
Is the ToadWorks Barracuda MKII true stereo?
Yes. ToadWorks describes the MKII as having the company's exclusive True-Stereo output, announced with the pedal's 2012 overhaul. That makes it a stereo analog flanger rather than a mono pedal, so it can feed two amplifiers or a stereo rig.
What is the ARPS switch on the Barracuda MKII?
ARPS stands for alternate-regeneration path switch. It is an optional feature on the MKII that changes the path the regeneration signal takes through the circuit, giving the player a second flanging character to switch between.
What power supply does the ToadWorks Barracuda MKII need?
The MKII runs on 9V DC. The conversion to 9V DC was one of the headline updates in the 2012 MKII revision, announced by ToadWorks USA through Premier Guitar.
What Heart song's flanger sound is the Barracuda based on?
The pedal is built around the custom-built flanger heard on Heart's 1977 song Barracuda. ToadWorks says the Barracuda is the only production effect pedal to accurately reproduce that sound, and the MKII was designed with input from Howard Leese.
How much does the Barracuda MKII cost?
Premier Guitar's 2012 announcement listed an MSRP of $375.00 for the Barracuda MKII. The same announcement also gave a MAP figure of $299.00, so the two published figures differ.
Sources (2)
- Barracuda MKII Stereo Flanger Pedal by ToadWorks, Premier Guitar, 2012-07-24
- ToadWorks Updates Barracuda Flanger, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2012-07-24
