My interest in Pedals is very much like my interest in guitars—I love the weirdoes. Blich-Chri refers to this box as a “Custom Guitar Pedal Weird Tape Noise Thing”—which just
My interest in Pedals is very much like my interest in guitars—I love the weirdoes. Blich-Chri refers to this box as a “Custom Guitar Pedal Weird Tape Noise Thing”—which just scratches the surface of its mind-bending effects.
WEIRDO FACTOR
Let’s start with the graphics on the surface of the box. They look a bit like a ransom note cut out of unmatched newspaper fonts. (“wE haVe yOur dAugHter. SeNd $1 miLLion to kEEp heR breAthinG”). But the real weirdness happens when you plug in this circuit-bending marvel.
PLAYABILITY & SOUND
The Clari (Not) produces a great analog echo, as well as massive tube-style distortion. That might be enough value for what I paid for it, but you can also dial in an LFO (which is sort of like a wobbly octaver) to kick in during the echo trails, or you can process the original dry signal to take you into a scary sci-fi soundtrack mode. The controls are all interactive and fun, and I was like a kid feeling around until I found something I liked. The audio output is super clean, and, on the back of the case, there’s a handwritten schematic of the trim-pot assignments on the circuit board—just in case you want to dial back the distortion, etc.
VALUE
I paid about 90 bucks, including shipping, and if I use it on just one recording, it has more than paid for itself. The downside is availability. Blich-Chri appears to have taken a powder. My bet is that the company—likely a one-person operation—will resurface soon. For now, you’ll have to comb online sites to spot a used one.
WHY IT RULES
The Clari (Not) is like an old Minimoog. There are so many sonic possibilities that you almost wish it had presets. Of course, that would spoil the