BounceChord’s Pedalboard Tour Hits All the Right Notes

Pedal Playground

Dive into BounceChord’s pedalboard tour, starting off on a nostalgic note laid in the ashes of their former band. The setup is treated more like a nostalgic mixtape of old favorites rather than pristine pieces of gear. Power comes from a pair of Strymon Ohais, and the cabling is a hot mess, similar to leftover street food from last night’s vendor run. BounceChord’s approach is very much patch by patch, fixing cables as they break. The pedaltrain is the canvas here, ready to be painted with sonic colors, and the first stroke is the trusty Polytune 3 tuner from TC Electronic. It’s noted not for cutting-edge precision but rather for its humble nine-volt plug—a classic BounceChord quirk.

Octave and Envelope Adventures

Next up, we have the Boss OC-5 Octave, which BounceChord proudly flaunts, owning their ‘octave snob’ title with confidence. This device is perpetually set to vintage mode, capturing that old school vibe—god knows no one wants trombone-like chord sounds floating around their studio. Instead, this pedal serves as a sound foundation when paired with dirt, opening a gateway to experimental realms.

Then, onto the Smokin’ Amp Co Micro V finds its way into the mix as an envelope filter. Delivered as a clone of the Mutron Micro V, this pedal comes with indispensable decay and attack knobs. BounceChord uses these to craft tight signals, always accompanied by a healthy dose of distortion. This section delves into the alchemy of crafting pure auditory gold, emphasizing the creativity these pedals bring to the table.

"I think they sound like trombones usually."

Phase and Drive Deliverance

The voyage continues with BounceChord’s favorite—the Boss PH-2 Super Phaser. It’s about as fun as finding a stash of forgotten mixtapes, guiding us through 10 or even 12 stage phasing. It’s a setup that can rocket them into sonic space at the flick of a switch.

Down the chain and into the dirt we go, the Keeley Super Phat Mod strutting its stuff with light to medium overdrive. BounceChord describes it as a Blues Driver with a kick, complementing the 903 Effects Rune V2; a pedal that echoes vintage rats with a modern flair. This selection is a metaphorical buffet of candy, with each piece adding its own zest to the auditory palate.

Flanger, Delay, and Reverb Riffs

The Aurora Analog Flanger from Spaceman FX takes center stage next, a pedal with a unique momentary flange switch that mimics the experience of live tape flange manipulation. Known for its killer tone and resilience, this pedal embodies sturdiness akin to an old, reliable car that’s seen better days but still drives like a dream.

Our journey sways softly into ethereal echo with the Strymon Volante delay pedal—an homage to the Roland Space Echo. The Volante is praised for its flexible settings that never fail to entertain or surprise. BounceChord revels in the ability to twist the tape heads around, a veritable playground for delay aficionados. Then, we slip into the Neunaber Immerse MK2 Reverb, perpetually set to spring or wet modes, like finding the sweet spot at the exact moment before your cheap beer spills. This pedal is noted for its physical feel, a rarity in digital realms, resonating with the physicality of true reverb sources.

Looper Finale

"...I can get full on DL-4 half time to double time switching and fun stuff like that."

Concluding the board tour is the Electro Harmonix 1440 Looper—a close cousin to the DL-4. This looper, in tandem with the Volante, allows for creative half-time and double-time switches, perfect for crafting spontaneous compositions. BounceChord likens using this to whipping up ‘ding-dong tunes’, sampling output from the Volante to mold engaging sonic landscapes. It’s a reminder of the endless possibilities housed within this succinct setup—a digital canvas for audio experimentation that dares you to think beyond the conventional loops.