The Yellowcake Lida Machine is an analog resonant filter pedal from Yellowcake Pedals, released in July 2017 with an RRP of USD 239.99 plus shipping and taxes1. Pedal of the Day's review describes it as a filter "with hints of tremolo and vibrato, ring modulator, phaser and more jammed into an impressive-looking and sounding enclosure"2. Its name comes from an odd source: the original Lida Machine was an old Russian-made medical device that transmitted pulses of 40 MHz radio signal at pulse rates designed to match relaxed and sleeping states2.
How it works
The two LFOs (Low Frequency Oscillators) control the one filter, resulting in a slew of differing tonal pairings and sonic settings2. Pedal of the Day describes the effect in motion as "big sweeps of sound, pulsing at calculated or random intervals," a filter that "can be extremely calming, but can also send your brain into the stratosphere"2.
The controls and footswitches
The pedal has two footswitches and a lot of knobs2. One of the LFOs, the one on the left, has its own on/off footswitch3.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Rate and Depth (per LFO) | Adjustable for each of the two LFOs2 |
| Freq | Sets the frequency of the VCF2 |
| Res | Adjusts the resonance of the filter, with oscillation starting around 4:002 |
| Clean | Blends in your original dry signal for more subtle results23 |
| Level | Sets your overall output2 |
| Fast/Slow toggle | Controls the overall range of the Rate2 |
| Waveform toggle (left hand) | Selects waveform mode from Ramp, Triangle and Sawtooth2 |
An expression jack lets you adjust the Frequency hands-free2, which pairs well with an expression pedal for real-time filter sweeps.
The pedal runs on a 9 to 12V, 2.1mm negative center power supply only1. Make sure your supply is negative center before adding it to a daisy chain.
Where it came from
The Lida Machine was Yellowcake Pedals' first foray into the world of knobby, atmospheric effects, and Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio wrote in July 2018 that it "seems to be paying off"3. The YouTube channel Knobs published a demo in July 2018, using a Novation Circuit Mono Station synth, a Caroline Shigeharu fuzz, a Danelectro Dead on '67 guitar and a Fender Blues Jr. amp3.
Yellowcake later followed the Lida Machine with the Yellowcake Psychotropia.
What reviewers said
Writing for gearnews.com in 2017, Jef said: "This thing sounds cool! I could easily spend hours tweaking it in my own rig, but then I am a bit odd and love analogue filters"1.
Videos
Knobs
Premier Guitar
Sofa Jams
Questions
What power supply does the Yellowcake Lida Machine need?
The Lida Machine runs on a 9 to 12V, 2.1mm negative centre power supply only. There is no battery option mentioned, so plan your pedalboard power accordingly and make sure your supply delivers negative centre polarity at the right voltage.
Can you control the Lida Machine with an expression pedal?
Yes. The pedal has an expression jack that lets you adjust the Frequency control hands-free, so you can sweep the filter with your foot while playing.
What waveforms does the Lida Machine offer?
A left-hand toggle switch selects the waveform mode from Ramp, Triangle and Sawtooth. These shapes shape how the LFOs move the filter, and the pedal has two independently adjustable LFOs, one of which can be switched on and off to taste.
What does the Clean knob do on the Lida Machine?
The Clean knob blends in your original dry signal. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio noted that the original signal can be blended in through the clean knob for more subtle results.
Is the Lida Machine analog or digital?
The Lida Machine is an analog resonant filter, according to Pedal of the Day's review.
What did the Lida Machine cost at launch?
gearnews.com reported a launch RRP of USD 239.99 plus shipping and taxes when the pedal was released in July 2017.
Sources (3)
- Yellowcake Lida Machine: The best Analogue VCF pedal for guitar yet?, gearnews.com, 2017-07-30
- Yellowcake Lida Machine Analog Resonant Filter, Pedal of the Day, 2018-08-30
- Yellowcake Lida Machine, Delicious Audio, 2018-07-07
