Gig-FX has announced the second generation version of the Chopper, a chameleon of an effects pedal that has garnered quite a bit of attention from guitarists with a penchant for effects. Improvements hitting the second generation include better bypass circuitry, tremolo / pan depth control and a more reliable power jack.

The Chopper itself is five effects in one pedal. Effects include an incredible tremolo with a modulation rate that you can control on the fly, a rotary speaker effect, stereo or mono chopper with adjustable frequency, a delay emulator (imagine the texture of a nice, creamy delay without the echoing notes) and an auto-panner.

The Chopper can function in either mono or stereo. Of course, stereo operation leads the way for a plethora of complex effects that can pan from one channel to another or combine in or out of phase.

The secret illustrated schematics

Fast Features:

• Easy to use. No programming or scrolling through patches required
• All analog circuitry, crystal clear sound, no coloration
• Transparent bypass achieved by a FET switch. Open frequency response same as a true mechanical bypass, but more reliable. Noiseless switching
• The circuit is designed so there is no loss of signal amplitude when the pedal is turned on, so turning it on is seamless. Many tremolo pedals appear to lower the volume when turned on. The Chopper does not.
• Reliable, wear-free, noise-free optical operation. Bypassed when pedal is all the way back
• Mono in, stereo out, even when in bypass mode. Both outputs are equal with zero gain
• 9V working with low 15mA current consumption. Batteries just keep on going
• Will accept standard 2.1mm power supply plug, center negative, reverse polarity protected
• Flashing blue and red LED’s to show modulation rates
• Compact Size: 9” x 4” (228mm x 103mm)
• Lightweight, high-quality aircraft aluminum casting and rugged construction, only 2.2lbs (1.1kg)
• Patented design ergonomics