The VFE RUP mkII is a DIY multiband distortion pedal from VFE Pedals. It splits the guitar signal into three frequency bands, bass, mids and treble, sends each band through its own distortion engine, and mixes the bands back together at the output. The name RUP stands for rainbows, puppies, unicorns, the label VFE gave the original concept1. The mkII is described by the maker as the next-level version of that concept, taking 33% less pedalboard space than the original RUP design1.
The RUP mkII is a DIY kit from VFE Pedals, sold as a Full Kit for $149.00 USD1. The Full Kit includes fully assembled PCBs, a pre-drilled blue enclosure with no graphic, all other components, and a choice of black or silver knobs1. It is the next-level version of the RUP (rainbows, puppies, unicorns) concept, which was originally designed to split the audio signal into three parts: bass, mids, and treble1.
Three frequency bands, each with its own distortion
The original RUP design split the audio signal into three parts, bass, mids and treble, and sent each through a distortion engine before mixing them back together2. On the mkII, each band is identical outside of the range of the HPF and LPF circuits, so the user decides what range of frequencies is sent through each band2. Each band carries cascading soft clipping and hard clipping sections with variable compression controls1.
The controls and switches, as described by VFE:
- DRY knob: blends in the input signal with zero distortion or EQ1
- MASTER knob: sets the output volume1
- MIX knob: blends the band signal; in POST mode it is placed before the FX loop to prevent unwanted distortion, or can be cranked up to add distortion to the pedal in the FX loop1
- PRE/POST switches: move the FX loops before or after the distortion circuits1
- Link switch: allows each band to be turned on and off at the same time as another band, including turning all three bands on or off together1
- Phase switches: compensate for pedals in the FX loop that invert the signal phase, but can also be used to experiment with various blended tones1
- 6/12 switches: select how steep the frequency rolloff is for the low-pass (LPF) and high-pass (HPF) filter circuits2
The three bands carry channel names, with the UNICORNS channel covering the middle frequency range2.
Where the circuits come from
The distortion circuits are not new designs. VFE states that the soft clipping section is pulled directly from the Dragon and Pale Horse overdrive pedals, and the hard clipping section is pulled directly from the VFE Alpha Dog distortion pedal1. Players who know those pedals will recognize the clipping stages inside each band. Related multiband and distortion designs from the maker include the VFE Triumvirate, the VFE Dragon Hound dual overdrive and distortion, and the VFE Distortion3.
What you get: Full Kit versus PCBs Only
There are two DIY options1:
| Full Kit | PCBs Only | |
|---|---|---|
| PCBs | Fully assembled | All 5 PCBs, surface-mount components soldered on |
| Potentiometers | Included | All 20 included |
| Enclosure | Pre-drilled blue, no graphic | Not included |
| Jacks, switches, knobs | Included (choice of black or silver knobs) | Not included |
| Through-hole capacitors | Included | The 19 through-hole capacitors not included |
| Enclosure guidance | Not applicable | Instructions and links on how to custom-make your enclosure, including graphic, using Tayda Electronic's services |
Warranty and returns
VFE offers a 30-day trial: return the RUP mkII in new condition within the first 30 days for any reason and get a full refund1. All pedals assembled by VFE Pedals carry a 1-year warranty on parts and labor1.
Questions
What does RUP stand for in VFE RUP mkII?
RUP stands for rainbows, puppies, unicorns. That was the name VFE gave the original concept, which split the audio signal into three parts, bass, mids and treble, sent each part through its own distortion engine, and mixed them back together. The mkII carries the concept forward in a smaller footprint.
Is the VFE RUP mkII sold built or as a kit?
The RUP mkII is sold as a DIY product in two forms: a Full Kit with everything needed to build it, including a pre-drilled blue enclosure, and a PCBs Only option for builders who want to source their own hardware. Pedals assembled by VFE Pedals carry a 1-year warranty on parts and labor.
What is the difference between the Full Kit and PCBs Only?
The Full Kit includes fully assembled PCBs, a pre-drilled blue enclosure with no graphic, all other components, and a choice of black or silver knobs. PCBs Only includes the five PCBs with surface-mount components soldered on plus all 20 potentiometers, but leaves out the jacks, switches, enclosure, knobs and 19 through-hole capacitors.
What do the PRE/POST switches do on the RUP mkII?
The PRE/POST switches move each band's FX loop before or after that band's distortion circuits. In POST mode, the MIX knob sits before the FX loop to prevent unwanted distortion, or can be cranked up to push distortion into the pedal placed in the loop.
How much pedalboard space does the RUP mkII take?
VFE says the RUP mkII takes 33% less pedalboard space than the original RUP concept, which is how the maker describes the smaller footprint of the mkII version.
