LD-01 Little Dipper pedal Vocal Formant Filter by Totally Wicked Audio
Ladies and Gents, I’d like to introduce you to the insanely cool TWA Little Dipper. For those of you who didn’t get a chance to play around with one at NAMM this year take it from me… you want one! TWA (Totally Wicked Audio) is the brain child Godlyke Distribution, they’re responsible for bringing us such killer effects like Emma, Maxon, Guyatone, and the ever so useful Power-All power supply systems. I gotta tell you, these cats have really struck gold with this new design and I’m itching to see what else TWA comes up with. According to the good people at Godlyke, their goal is to knock out some of the most oddball, esoteric (but still useful) effects units the masses has scene in a long time. I say bring it on, it’s a breath of fresh air from all the tubescreamer an fuzz face clones, not that I don’t love you my dear oldies but goodies, but there’s always room for new when you’re playing effects pedals. The Little Dipper will be the flagship pedal of TWA and is due to hit the streets sometime late March or early April. Word around the camp fire is the first run will be very limited so keep them eyes peeled and hit your shops up for info. Here’s a description of the LD-01 Little Dipper from Godlyke, which doesn’t do the pedal justice but will give you an idea of what it can do.
“The flagship effect unit from Totally Wicked Audio, the LD-01 Little Dipper is an envelope-controlled vocal formant filter based on a classic 70’s circuit. TWA has taken this holy grail effect and brought it into the future with improved tracking, fuller frequency response, lower noise floor, and the hippest packaging EVER! The Little Dipper’s dual filters bend and morph your guitar tone into a blabbering, gurgling fury, creating peaks and notches that simulate the vowel sounds of human speech! Emulate talkboxes, filters, phasers, and get the most vocal wah-sounds this side of the Milky Way, all from one amazingly sexy, totally wycked stompbox. 100% made in the USA, the Little Dipper is built from the highest quality components available to handle light years of live abuse. Don’t just reach for the stars – play them, with the Little Dipper from TWA. “ – Godlyke Dist.
The LD-01 Little Dipper by Totally Wycked Audio (TWA) is an envelope-controlled vocal formant filter pedal that emulates the vowel sounds of human speech. Introduced in 2009, it draws inspiration from the rare 1970s Colorsound Dipthonizer circuit.
Key Features:
- Dual Filters: The pedal’s dual filters respond to playing dynamics, creating peaks and notches that simulate vowel sounds, allowing for talkbox-like effects and vocal wah tones.
- Built-in Fuzz Circuit: A built-in fuzz circuit enhances harmonics, producing more pronounced effects.
- Controls:
- Ascension: Adjusts the depth of the filter sweep.
- Inclination: Selects between different filter timing settings.
- Diffraction: Controls the fuzz effect intensity.
- Construction: Housed in a durable 16-gauge steel chassis with a heavy-duty powder coating, it features a distinctive LED display and true bypass switching.
In 2014, TWA released an updated version, the Little Dipper Mk II, which introduced several enhancements:
- Additional Controls:
- Occultation: A seven-position rotary switch offering various timing and EQ configurations for the filters.
- Low Boost Switch: Improves low-end response, beneficial for bass guitar use.
- Expression Pedal Input: Allows external control of the Ascension parameter for more expressive manipulation.
- Internal Adjustments:
- Blend Control: Mixes the clean and effected signals.
- Gate Control: Sets the threshold for an internal noise suppressor to reduce unwanted noise.
- Level Control: Adjusts the overall output level when the effect is engaged.
- Improved Design: The Mk II features a more compact, pedalboard-friendly chassis and incorporates TWA’s proprietary S3™ “Shortest Send Switching™” for enhanced true bypass functionality.
As of January 2025, the Little Dipper 2.0 is available for pre-order, with shipments expected in late 2024.
The Little Dipper series is renowned for its unique ability to produce vocal-like effects, making it a valuable tool for musicians seeking distinctive and expressive sounds.