FIRST SOUNDS // Demedash Sidewinder Ramping Analog Preamp

For those of you that didn’t listen to the Podcast episode with Steve Demedash, you may be asking yourself, “what is a ramping preamp pedal?!?!” I don’t blame you. While the words “ramping” and “preamp” makes sense in my head individually, combined the words left me scratching my head…until I heard it. Think Chase Bliss and their bouncing DIP switch. Got it?

Each knob (Drive, Base, Treble, Level) can be selected to ramp up or down based on the toggle switch and knob placement. The middle Rate knob controls the rate, or secondarily, selects the LFO waveshape. The rate can also be controlled by the tap tempo, which means, a drive pedal with a tap tempo!

What can the Sidewinder achieve? Beyond the normal preamp and drive sounds you’d expect, you can get tremolo sounds or auto swells. The ability to individually select direction or ramp ignore for 4 separate parameters means there’s a lot or creativity for you to uncover!

Crazy idea for sure, but there’s a fine line between crazy and genius. You be the judge!