Pros: Analog signal path. Works well with guitar or bass.
Cons: Difficult to edit without software editor.
Price: $350
Wah pedals are basically a simple tone circuit controlled via a foot pedal. Sonuus’ Wahoo is a wah that has more than you’d think a foot pedal could deliver.
It’s a little bigger than your average wah pedal, but should easily fit on most pedal boards. The extra space is taken up by the extra knobs that give an additional tonal flexibility to the unit. Connections are simple 1/4” in and out, a 9v power connection (it can also be powered by 4 AA batteries), and a USB connection allows the player to connect the pedal to a computer and edit the settings via Sonuus’ free software. A “lock” switch on the rear prevents any accidental changes to the knobs, which might occur during a frenzied performance. The knobs are also protected by two bumpers on the pedal itself. The Wahoo features analog circuitry, with the ability to digitally store preset sounds.
But let’s get one thing straight – it’s not just a wah pedal, it also can act as an LFO, that has sine, triangle, square, saw-up, saw-down, trapezoid, and random modes. And with envelope filter and pitch-bending capabilities, the Wahoo is pretty amazing, sound-wise. There is a drive selection as well, to really warm up the signal and get that forgotten fuzz-wah tone. It’s a lot to digest, but it’s got a lot of those great filter effects, from the era of Mutrons and the vintage filters of the ’70s but with clarity, and the ability to really edit each variable of its sound. For any wah or filter effect, it really nails it. Not just for those Funkadelic-like effects it gives, but the ability to custom tailor them to the player’s particular tones and tastes.
So who is this for? Any guitarist or bassist who wants those vintage filters, as this is not just your run-of-the-mill wah pedal. Sure it can be a wah, but it’s so much more than that. It can get a little frustrating, dialing in the tones, but the editing software provides a great visual interface to adjust settings. For the player who wants just a wah pedal, this might be overkill, but for those out-of-this-world filter tones to be at your feet, the Wahoo combines the best in a nice small package, with excellent clarity.
FEATURES
Type: Wah/Filter
Inputs: 1 x Instrument
Outputs: 1 x 1/4″; USB Type B
Power Supply Included: No
Batteries: 9V DC, 4x AA batteries, USB (500mA max)
Height : 7.559″
Depth: 2.874″
Width: 6.732″
Weight: 2.866 lbs. (without batteries)