FINALLY a good Rectifier pedal?! (UAFX Knuckles)

[@NoelFernandes]

My problem with the UAD Pedals are the top end, the "sizzle". Something "there" sounds plastic, sounds "digital" for my ears. And I mean, ALL UAD pedals. Ok, is a good option for a minimalist setup, but, I miss "that" organic thing that the current amp sim pedals deliver. It's hard to explain, but the overall sound, is close to the real thing, but not at the same time. My impression is that these UAD pedals sound "dated". The same feeling as listening to the old POD 2.0. That "hi mids, and hi end" thing...kind of artificial, and digital.

[@Arctic_silverstreak]

Isn't all uad pedal digital and dsp based?

[@NoelFernandes]

@@Arctic_silverstreak yes but they all sound like plastic to my taste. I hear a lot of digital artefacts. I feel that digital thing that current amp sims got rid of.

[@diy4life-keigo]

Hi, I completely agree with your opinion. UA is a fantastic company, and I own several of their products, but the UA Pedals sound a bit plastic-like to me. Could it be due to the limitations of the AD/DA chip performance or DSP? Jon always delivers amazing amp tones, but compared to that, the sound in this video feels somewhat cheap. I think this product is an excellent and convenient tool for live performances, but it doesn't seem like a tool that aims for realism in recording.

[@Natural_Order]

I love how you just play 1 chord and shape the tone controls. That's exactly how I dial in an amp. I hate it when guys just noodle around and barely even show what the pedal can do

[@johnfinlay4963]

Another great video. Thanks for really diving into settings . Some pretty great tones. On a side note . I just got my Revv G4 Anniversary pedal yesterday. It is amazing. Cant wait to get home and continue on with dialing it in. Keep up the amazing work Jon . Eventually my pedalboard will be as big as a couch . 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@nj1255]

I really don't like the impulses they've included, but the amp simulation itself sounds good. Way to expensive for me just for a Dual Rec emulation, but I'm sure there will be many who appreciate it. Would be interesting to hear a comparison between the Knuckles and TC Dual Wreck. The Dual Wreck is by far the best Dual Rectifier-in-a-pedal I've played, but I haven't tried the Knuckles myself yet so.

[@BenBlake-og7zc]

Love the new camera for your discussion parts. Looks great Jon

[@commonsensehill372]

I am definitely getting this pedal.

[@MRxr400]

checkered plate look would have been a nice touch. Sounds massive. I'm lucky enough to have a single rec V2 and v30 loaded4x12 Marshall quad, it sounds great, but it's getting shelved for a bit due to going the Friedman IR-D way for a little bit for ease of gigs and rehearsals and even practice at home

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Universal Audio UAFX Knuckles thmn.to/thoprod/601142?offid=1&affid=3210 ML Sound Lab: ml-sound-lab.com/ Sweetwater Affiliate: sweetwater.sjv.io/k0mGvx My sponsor ML Sound Lab: ml-sound-lab.com/ My personal Thomann recommendations: thmn.to/thocf/cv37zixo68 My webstore for Captures, presets etc: ko-fi.com/sonicdrivestudio

[@hellofx]

I bet you the old Mooer micro preamp series sound better and cheaper.

[@antonjohnsson679]

Pleasantly surprised! Haven't been the hugest fan of their other pedals so far... But then again - I bet you could get about anything to sound great

[@JamesKelly-s9v]

I think out of all the demos I have heard of this thing your opening mix really embodies the Recto sound on a recording. Great job \m/ I myself have the Synergy Drect module which I love the daylights out of. So as much as this thing sounds cool, I simply have a tube version so I guess I just wouldn't need it. But again sounds kickass. I am an Engl fanboy so if UA does a Savage, Powerball, or SE version that could push me over the edge. I hope UA keeps going on the high gain pedals.

[@BakerImageGroup]

Been following you since I could only hear your tones on Soundcloud. Always great tones!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Awesome! That's 10 years ago or so? Maybe longer!

[@BakerImageGroup]

@@SonicDriveStudio yes! Mostly listening to Ownhammer IR demos.

[@SunnyBeeRandomTuber]

The beginning tone in the mix sounded very close to Linkin Park in their Meteora-esque Era

[@tommydellz]

So it wasn’t just me who thought that!

[@jkay3735]

I think it would benefit from external IR's that are of a better quality

[@ImmyT89]

Awesome vid as always. Im hoping you can you make a demo of the KSR Ceres pedal. Pretty please! haha

[@Durkhead]

Out of all the demos iv heard yours has sounded the best, however you can really hear thats its a digital distortion

[@CJ_Wolesz]

I think this pedal really started to shine once you started tinkering with the channel style, power tubes, rectifier, and power mode in the app.

[@msi1985]

I had already watched fluffs video on this and was impressed with the sounds. I'm interested to see what you do with it!

[@Tanax13]

Sound wise it's great, but UA always gimp their pedals by not having more than 1 preset or that they hide more and more of vital controls in the horrible app (well the app itself isn't horrible but connecting to the pedal is horrible). And then we have the price. If you know you ONLY want a rectifier, it's alright. But if you want more sounds, you might want to invest in 2 or 3 UA pedals, and then you're already up at the price of an FM3. While the FM3 has a HORRIBLE UX, basically forcing you to sit by the computer when you play (and tbf their computer editor has great UI), the sounds are amazing as well as the tweakability.

[@jonathanross1033]

Would be cool to see how this compares to Synergy stuff - really interested in making the jump to that platform but been pretty happy with the UA ecosystem

[@ibanezman1025]

Synergy stuff is fantastic and their customer service is great as well. Not something UA is known for.

[@ibanezman1025]

Synergy stuff sounds and feels fantastic and their customer service is top notch. Not something UA is known for.

[@timshadgett]

These UA pedals seem to give a whole lot more options. If using 4 cable method it might be an equivalent option to synergy

[@djentlover]

Do you have a new camera or lens or something? The video quality looks really good

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Yeah, got new cameras and lenses. Still rolling out some videos that were shot with the old stuff but from now on most of the new stuff will be shot on the new cameras. Thanks for noticing! :)

[@chriseraphim]

As a photographer I came here to say this also. Very nice looking with the new gear!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks guys!

[@DipendraBagchee]

That demo tracks sounds fat! Nice job - was looking forward to your demo and it didn't disappoint!

[@briangarmon5102]

The 82 the 92 Anti and Knuckles in 1 pedal is what I'll buy

[@anthonylost2065]

I can see why people think this sounds meh. The fizziness sounds like something you’d find on a cheap combo modeler amp. Like a fender mustang or line 6.

[@outernationalstudios]

Sounds awesome 👌

[@djabthrash]

12:50 Black Sabbath's "symptom of the universe" intro riff, hair metal version

[@JackStolz]

Sounds like a recto to me. I don’t understand why people think these amps are supposed to sound tight and processed. It’s a literal vintage design. It’s not even a crazy circuit. They did just fine here. I’ve owned a few rectos and they all have this general vibe.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Yup!

[@journeytree]

i bet the computer in that box is less powerful than a $35 raspberry pi 5.

[@mikemorrisonmusic]

So go and make one, then.

[@journeytree]

​@@mikemorrisonmusic I could very easily but I use my desktop for free so that's needless. I just hate to see people getting scammed for such mediocre technology. KZbin keeps deleting my comments, but for the guy underneath this comment, I never claimed anyone was being forced to purchase this. I can however say that 100% of people who purchase this pedal are being scammed. Grandma wasn't forced to pay the Indian tech support scammers, but they do trick many of the elderly into doing so. It's quite a sad moral dilemma. Your response was very directive towards your low IQ, which makes sense as your kind is the kind that purchases these rather useless items. UA definitely does not pay you enough for you to meat ride that hard tbh.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

@journeytree luckily nobody is being forced to buy anything

[@journeytree]

@@SonicDriveStudio I never said anyone was being forced to, but 100% of people who buy it are being scammed. Nobody forced Grandma to pay the Indian tech support scammers, but they did trick her to. Low IQ ah response, which makes sense as it's your kind who waste money on these.

[@journeytree]

​@@SonicDriveStudioI never claimed anyone was being forced into buying this. 100% of people who do buy it are being scammed however. I'm sure nobody forced Grandma to pay the Indian tech support scammers, but they do scam the elderly all the time. UA does not pay you enough to meat ride them.

[@jj454]

I’m surprised so many people are shitting on the sound of these pedals tbh. I think the examples in a mix sound fantastic. Maybe the IRs are designed to fit in a mix better rather than sound as good played on their own which is why so many are complaining.

[@Fail7515]

New camera? The picture looks clearer.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Yes, new cameras! Still rolling out some videos that were shot with the old cameras

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Yes, new cameras! Still rolling out some videos that were shot with the old cameras

[@clintwhite3021]

So let me get this straight there are now 7 UAFX amp sim pedals?

[@MotoMatt418]

How would you compare the “dual Rec” sound quality from this compared to the Paul Lander Fly Rig?

[@chaosandorderstudio]

I hope it's not over compressed like the dual wreck from tc electronic. I have that and the single notes do suck so much. While the chords sound really really great.

[@anthonylost2065]

I could never really get on with the rectifier. I personally like the Granophyre the most.

[@matthewseed6016]

Seems to sound good in the key of E.

[@kevinac4397]

Wonder why they haven’t done a IIc version yet

[@dandytube4897]

Does it sounds better even more than the Tc electronic Dual Wreck??

[@GrMfull]

The uafx 5150 was a succes. This one let a lot a people skeptic. Not sounds realistic, not easy to set for a good tone. I just seen Fluff video, Neogeofanatic, another youtubers, and there is something wrong to my ears. For the price I prefer the ampworx even if it is not perfect too

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Whether people like it or not is subjective but I think it sounds very realistic

[@MickH60]

@@TheLoLandsMusic You're suggesting he "listen" to amps he own and knows....wonderfully insightful....

[@GrMfull]

I have the v550 and the AFX ANTi. The V550 is clearly not the best because it misses low end, and little bit high end. But you Can buy it for 80€ in 2ns hand. ANTi sounds great BUT, you need bluetooth and it doesn't work on m'y Android phone. I have to use m'y son's Iphone. And even it sounds great, it sounds too mod scooped comparing to the original Gear . Thé Price IS decreasing fast soit Can be a better option around 250€ I will post a comparing vidéo soon

[@nicolasaraistrujak208]

I liked this demo way more than the Anti, idk if your were more inspired to play this video or the Knuckle simply is better than the Anti. Im one step buying the Knuckles and the other step hating Anti

[@christhayil8354]

"Thank you for NOT playing a Strat or non-P90 singlecoil in a high-gain pedal demo! "-- sincerely, Everyone!

[@ll14m4n]

The 2nd booster option is TC Electronics pre - what?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Integrated preamp

[@ll14m4n]

@@SonicDriveStudio I have 20w 6505mh and na 8-string.. And looking for some cleaner boost to shape 8st string tone on low-to-mid gain.. I have cheap TS clone, it is OK for hi-gain, but I don't realy like it for low-gain, want to try something else , a bit more versatile that will do TS job and more. Though about trying TC Spark.. Can you please advice me?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

@ll14m4n anything Lichtlaerm Audio. The King In Yellow is the goat

[@ll14m4n]

@@SonicDriveStudio wow. may be that's what I need. but I'm not ready to spend 180€ for overdive pedal yet 😅

[@johnherreshoff436]

Sick.

[@KreativeDevices]

🔥

[@Saurion1]

There's plenty of good recto pedals already. The AMT R2 is awesome, the Wampler Triple Wreck is a classic, there's tons of good Dr. Boogey clone pedals, the Vox Cutting Edge, Joyo Boogie Master, Mooer Cali Dual, hell even Mesa sells the Throttle Box pedal. Also at $400 you're competing with the Synergy Drect which sounds a lot better. Hell for a little more money you can get a Helix Stomp which has a perfect Dual Rectifier, alongside thousands of other amps and effects. Should be a lot cheaper for what it is. Big nope for me.

[@lostinpa-dadenduro7555]

I’m not sure I’ve liked these recent UAD pedals. Not criticizing you. But for me I think id rather go with a synergy and modules.

[@crock2434]

Id rather find the old mesa V2 pedal...

[@nevesnow]

nice review!! thanks! someone has new camera(s) huh? :) so damn dumb not being possible to load custom IRs..

[@void_snw]

UA is getting less and less desirable imo. Line6 just came out with their second variant of the Pod Express for half that price. I mean if you reeeeaaaally want that one specific revision of the rectifier circuit, theres not much exactly like it out there, but man, at that price... Meh?

[@GregoryMerritt-o1f]

Been waiting to see your take on this one since seeing Henning's demo two days ago.

[@danymalsound]

Great vid as usual! Not all reviewers bother to create a mix to show the tool in context. Cheers!

[@ggasperr82]

it's too much compression. you made this video too loud and YT compress it, probably?

[@rodrigomarra2710]

Knuckles or Anti 1992?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Depends on what sort of sound you want. Both are very authentic

[@rodrigomarra2710]

@@SonicDriveStudio I think I prefer the Anti vibe, but the Knuckles app seems to be more complete, with loop simulation, being able to use the pedal as a preamp or just a poweramp, am I right? I hope they make an ENGL pedal, they already have the plugin...

[@adityabali1939]

@@rodrigomarra2710 they already have the plugin??? where

[@rodrigomarra2710]

@@adityabali1939 Yes, UA has some ENGL and other high gain amps in plugin format. You can find on their website.

[@hb8482]

@@adityabali1939these are the older ones - designed by nembrini. Definitely not the same as this

[@dannyslayer]

Meh, you can buy a drect from synergy for the same price, which has actual tubes in it. These new UA pedals have reliability issues too.

[@catalyzed8457]

UAD are laughing all the way to the bank with these pedals, what a rip off! Anyone actually paying the money for these is a mug. 🤦‍♂️

[@nortido]

Sounds too digital to my ears. Sadly not even close to the tube vibe But visual design is awesome, as always!

[@Nolimithate]

Really? Is it normal in 2024 make so strange and crap-sounding recto??? F-revision? Absolutely not

[@guillaumeklughertz3788]

I think it's clear now that distortion is really not UA's forte.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Have you guys seen my recent comparison of the Anti vs my Peavey 6505 1992 Original? You might be surprised...

[@guillaumeklughertz3788]

​@@SonicDriveStudioI was indeed surprised that you need to disable part of the product and replace it with third party component to make it sound good.

[@Dopefish76]

I’ve been watching these videos since they’ve gone live, and coming from a more analog place - gigging with amps, and cabs, and pedalboards and racks - the thing that most detractors are missing is this: UAFX have succeeded in transplanting a Dual Rec to the pedalboard. HANDS DOWN. The fact that it doesn’t have many presets, you can’t load IRs and things - in 1992 you couldn’t do ANY of that. You had to haul your 50lb Dual Rec with its 412 cab out of your studio, into your car, load in at the gig, set it up on stage, sound check, play the gig, load out back into your car, back to your studio. And at the end of the night, those components get heavier. And you only had a clean sound and a dirty sound. If that’s all you NEED, for the price, the size, and the WEIGHT, this is a freaking STEAL! It’s not trying to be a Neural, it’s not a Helix, it’s not a Kemper: it’s an accurate representation of a classic amp that’s the size of a pedal.

[@guitarlair]

idk man ...I feel like the TC Electronic Dual Wreck sounds better than this thing.....Didn't like any review I watched about this pedal, they all sounded like solid state amp distortion to my ears...

[@jayeye89]

For the money these are very very mediocre sounds.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I think you just don't like the Rectifier sound. It's not for everybody. Very loose and sizzly

[@Durkhead]

​@@SonicDriveStudiono hes right its expensive and it doesnt sound that great

[@SonicDriveStudio]

@Durkhead I have 3 Rectifiers myself. I love that sound even though it's quite extreme. Fizzy, flabby etc but I can tell you that this pedal really sounds and feels like the real deal. I can see why some people don't like it but it's very authentic

[@jayeye89]

@@SonicDriveStudio I love the rectifier sound, but if you compare the bogran amp knob recto plug in compared to this pedal theres no contest. I Genuinley think the POD xt Pro rectifier sound sounds better

[@keveb4724]

​@@jayeye89In a full mix, I can guarantee nobody would know the difference. Money is money, it doesn't affect how something sounds. If all someone has access to is this pedal in the video, it nails the Rectifier sound

[@badagon]

Sounds like old cheap zoom processor 🤮

[@estudiodeldesierto7541]

Also add that it does not look anything like a rectifier. The overall sound is really bad.

[@davidroikit8121]

Nothing but money for old rope from UAD as usual. Regurgitating amps that we have had for over 30 years in another format is beyond dull.