The Way Huge Atreides Analog Weirding Module is a fuzz pedal and analog synth effect in one compact enclosure. Made by Way Huge, it packs an envelope filter, fuzz, phaser and sub-octave into a single box, all controlled with sliders rather than knobs1. Dunlop's manual describes it as offering "a kaleidoscope of organic synth-like tones"2, and Guitar.com's launch coverage summed up its range as "resonant octave fuzz to fluid, phasing synths" when the effects are used together3.
The pedal is fully analog4 and generally monophonic, meaning it tracks one note at a time rather than chords4. It arrived in 2021, officially launched by Josh Scott on the JHS Pedals YouTube channel5, and was created by Jeorge Tripps, the founder of Way Huge Pedals6.
The Atreides uses a power supply with the positive voltage on the outer sleeve, the opposite of the center-negative standard most pedals follow. Check your power supply's polarity before plugging in.
A fuzz and analog synth in one pedal
The Atreides is not a conventional fuzz box. MusicRadar's review describes it as packing "envelope filter, fuzz, phaser and sub-octave effects into one compact enclosure"1. The fuzz side of the pedal is substantial on its own: Guitar World's reviewer called the Fuzz slider's sound "gnarly"4, and MusicRadar found it "dials in a fairly animalistic fuzz sound"1. Premier Guitar's review of the related Attack Vector noted that the phase and filter effects on the Atreides "also offers fantastic, hair-singeing fuzz"9.
Because the synth engine is monophonic, it responds best to single-note lines. Guitar World's reviewer noted that "generally the pedal is monophonic"4, so chords do not translate the way a plain fuzz would handle them.
The enclosure itself is part of the character. Instead of knobs, the Atreides uses sliders, which Pedal of the Day found "add to the vintage, throwback spirit of this pedal"7.
The controls
The pedal is played two ways at once: through your picking dynamics and through its sliders. Dunlop's product page says the effect "can be manipulated as needed through dynamic playing technique and adjustment of each of its several sliders"10. GuitarPlayer counted seven slider controls in total8.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sensitivity | Sets the envelope trigger's response to your attack5 |
| Range | Sets the range of the envelope trigger5 |
| Bright | Tone control for the fuzz5 |
| Fuzz | Dials in the fuzz sound51 |
| Rate | Sets the speed of the phase signal2 |
| Sub | Brings in the sub-octave layer5 |
| TRIM POT (internal) | Adjusts phaser feedback2 |
The Sensitivity and Range sliders shape the synth's envelope, controlling how your picking triggers the filter sweep5. The fuzz side gets two sliders of its own: Bright, which Guitar World describes as the tone control, and Fuzz for the amount5.
Two adjustments live inside the box:
- An internal trim pot adjusts phaser feedback2, which Delicious Audio confirms can be set by the player11.
- An internal switch sets the sub-octave at either one or two octaves down11.
The onboard phaser
The Atreides has a phase shifter built in, with its speed set by the Rate slider2. JHS Pedals' coverage, drawing on creator Jeorge Tripps, describes the rate control as "the phase shifter, which is adjustable via the trim pot"6. The internal trim pot sets the phaser's feedback, and Premier Guitar's reviewer found that "the feedback or intensity of the phase can be dialed back to a subtle wash or up to awesome extremes via an internal trim pot"12.
Where it came from
The Atreides is inspired by a vintage 1980 mini synthesizer, according to Dunlop's product page10. Press coverage at launch identified the source more specifically: Guitar World reported the pedal produces "tones based on the Electro-Harmonix Mini Synthesizer keyboard"5, and Guitar.com likewise described "a synth engine inspired by the 80's Electro-Harmonix Mini Synthesizer"3.
The name comes from Frank Herbert's Dune. Delicious Audio notes the pedal is "called Atreides (after the characters in cult sci-fi movie Dune)"11, and GuitarPlayer reported the pedal is "heavily inspired by the science fiction novel Dune"8.
The pedal was created by Jeorge Tripps, who JHS Pedals identifies as "the creator of Way Huge Pedals"6, and it was officially launched by Josh Scott on the JHS Pedals YouTube channel in January 20215.
Price and availability
Two launch prices were reported. Guitar World reported the Atreides "is available very soon for $199"5, while Guitar.com reported it "is available for pre-order now at $285.70"3. The two figures reflect different points in the rollout, the pre-order price and the announced street price, and they have not been reconciled.
What reviewers said
Reviews were positive for players after experimental tones. Guitar World's overall verdict framed the pedal as a question of intent4:
"If the answer is no, walk away now. Otherwise, this pedal could be the gateway to a whole new range of guitar tones and textures."4
Guitar World review4
Guitar World's launch coverage also suggested the pedal "sounds like just the ticket for gnarly Jack White sub-octave fuzz tones"5. Pedal of the Day called it one of the wildest and most experimental pedals Jeorge Tripps, Way Huge and Dunlop Electronics had produced7.
Videos
JHS Pedals
Sweetwater
Premier Guitar
Questions
Is the Way Huge Atreides true bypass?
Yes. The Jim Dunlop manual lists the Atreides as true bypass, and Guitar.com's launch coverage describes a true-bypass footswitch to engage the effect. When the pedal is off, your dry signal passes through without buffering.
What is the Way Huge Atreides based on?
Its synth engine is inspired by the 1980s Electro-Harmonix Mini Synthesizer keyboard. Way Huge describes the pedal as inspired by a vintage 1980 mini synthesizer, rebuilt as a guitar effect with sliders instead of a keyboard.
What does the Sub knob do on the Atreides?
The Sub slider brings in a sub-octave layer under your fuzz and synth tones. An internal switch sets that sub at either one or two octaves down, so you choose the depth before you close the box.
Does the Atreides have a built-in phaser?
Yes. A Rate slider sets the speed of the phase signal, and an internal trim pot adjusts phaser feedback. Premier Guitar's reviewer found the feedback could be dialed from a subtle wash up to extremes.
Who launched the Way Huge Atreides?
The Atreides was officially launched by Josh Scott on the JHS Pedals YouTube channel in January 2021. The pedal itself was created by Jeorge Tripps, the founder of Way Huge Pedals, and is made under Dunlop.
Sources (12)
- Atreides Analog Weirding Module review, MusicRadar, 2021-08-17
- WHE900.pdf, Jim Dunlop (jimdunlop.com), 2021
- Way Huge’s Atreides is an analogue “Weirding Module” with fuzzy synths galore, Guitar.com, 2021-01-18
- Way Huge Atreides Analog Weirding Module review, Guitar World, 2021-06-18
- Way Huge launches the Atreides 'analog weirding module', a wild slider-equipped fuzz synth, Guitar World, 2021-01-18
- THE WAY HUGE ATREIDES, JHS Pedals
- Way Huge Atreides Analog Weirding Module, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2021-02-14
- Way Huge Debuts All-New Atreides Fuzz Synth, GuitarPlayer (www.guitarplayer.com), 2021-02-04
- Way Huge Attack Vector Review, Premier Guitar, 2023-05-26
- WAY HUGE® ATREIDES™ ANALOG WEIRDING MODULE, Dunlop (jimdunlop.com)
- Way Huge Atreides Analog Weirding Module, Delicious Audio, 2022-12-15
- Way Huge Atreides Review, Premier Guitar, 2021-03-10
