Just received mine from Sweetwater yesterday. It's the only fuzz I need on my board. With Queen/Drone turned down it really is an amazing straight ahead fuzz, then when you start turning knobs things get delightfully out of control. Love it!
NSLA ago, it was the Zvex Fuzz Factory that separated the narrow from the open minded. The Miku was more of an idea that should have remained a private joke among the Korg design team.Usually wish the same had happened with "Shimmer" mode Reverbs.
I was in hospital when I heard the Miku ! I got bad news (still alive) but first thing I did was to order and buy one of those ! As for this one : it is just another audio filter !
The intro sounded WILD! I can definetely see how a sound like that would be signature to a band, or a style on its own. I think it's super cool, though I don't think I would be able to use it.
Here's an idea for you Rhett and Beetronics. How about running the pedal through an oscilloscope so we can see the waveshape character as you turn the knobs?
My first thought was my data corrupter or my plasma pedals. I can control them though. I sometimes mix my micro synth into them. Maybe add reverse reverb here and there.. I got to go...I could go on and on,and I do. Cool pedal though.
What that plasma pedal wishes it was. I hear way more usable tones in this. The flight and sting seem like an oscillator and filter (of some sort) in series maybe????
i´m not sure but to me it seems that it is a CMOS based pedal . the sounds it produces sound to me like a cmos octave up , and a cmos octave down , paired with a pll (the slow thing that comes afterwards) and maybe some filters , the fuzz itself might be a cmos fuzz but also could be a normal fuzz paired with everything above . you can do plenty of stuff with those things , the octave up can have many sounds just because of the pulse width modulation it uses to achieve the octave up effect , and the octave down can do some harmonie stuff if you pair some octaves together . i´m not exactly sure about that , but i am totally convinced that there is a PLL inside it just because it does that slow degrading sound after you stop playing
I built a fuzz for a friend with a presence control (Z.Vex SHO into an Octavia clone with AMZ presence control for those interested) and depending on the tone/presence settings (and the frequency profile resulting from that), I would get crazy oscillations. Now mind you, I literally just stuck those three circuits together w/o too much in-depth knowledge, but it those controls on the swarm remind me of that.
That tone at 3:00 is amazing!!!!. I'm finally getting nice boutique gear and something like this will be perfect for a new era of my inspiration!. Cheer, Rhett!.
Yes, I have been sucked into the realm of fuzz and everything is heavy, tactile and technicolor in here. Love me a nice overdrive, delay, reverb, phaser--- but the fuzz is where it's at.
It’s not advert folks! The video just looks and functions identically to an ad and the creator was given the product in exchange for showcasing it on their channel! Stop saying it’s an ad ! ! !
This pedal does sound great and this is a terrific video showcasing that. From reading the site, the way that the sting and swarm works is similar to some basic synth functionality such as vibrato, pitch modulation, and/or glide. The sting control handles the time it takes for the harmonized note to change to another and the fly control handles the amount of pitch modulation occurring on a note which causes phasing or frequency beating. Basically these controls cause the harmonizing note to travel from the source note in an expressive way like wiggling (modulating) a string or sliding (gliding) to a note rather then just jumping to another one. This thing is very cool and combines basic synthesis concepts with a guitar pedal technology and perspective.
so what do I think about the swarm? I hate it, that's why I love it. well well, I planned to not buy any more gear this year, but now I'll have to, I guess...
This is great for "re-amping" an already recorded guitar track, so you can better tweak it. I use this with my synths on a desktop so I have better access to tweaking the knobs. Just setting the knobs to one setting and not being able to reach down to tweak while you play must be frustrating.
Congratulations Rhett. When you connected a microphone you exactly duplicated the sound of my Rogers' cell phone service! BTW, love your channel and how you are sharing your experiences.
Love your videos Rhett, thank you. I think this is my fav so far. Your surprise on that tone the pedal created was obviously so genuine it made me chuckle.
I just wanted say how much I enjoy your videos. Great content for sure. I play mandolin for 2 bands, one a straight ahead bluegrass band and the other an Americana/country/rock band. I am soon taking over the role of electric guitar in the Americana band after a band member decided to depart. You have inspired me to buy an Hx stomp and go direct! I have always been a guitar into amp kind of guy but I have realized the benefits of modeling and going direct, especially since we typically run our own sound. I have gone mandolin>preamp>pa forever so why not try guitar>hx stomp>pa. It just makes sense. Thanks for the great videos, keep them coming!
In a studio tour around the time of The Social Network soundtrack Trent Reznor seemed very enthusiastic (or at least as enthusiastic as mr. Reznor gets) around the Swarmtron a large physical synth that basically did this from a ribbon controller. It's great to see that functionality in a pedal.
What a rad pedal. That swarming sustain sound that you got randomly is the inspiration point for me! and also the cool dived bomb sound when you release the note! Great video. Thank you!
Reminds me of when I had the data corrupter. I found some super cool uses for it (especially in the studio where you can tuck it in the mix), but it’s something that can’t get used repeatedly. Swarm sounds badass, definitely a studio tool to me. Thanks bro. -Aaron
The intro is fantastic! Your impressions are insightful and appreciated. The Swarm is a gnarly beast that just isn't for me but Beetronics is a force to be reckoned with. Their approach and aesthetic is truly innovative and they seem to be building petals to survive the apocalypse. Thanks, Rhett!
Not my style pedal - but great video. You made that sound a lot more musical than I ever could have. If you read this Rhett, I was curious if you heard about Gibson pulling the “Play Authentic” video with Mark Agnesi...in the video he had issued a “warning” to boutique guitar companies that mimic the Les Paul, SG etc and I guess it went over pretty badly in the guitar community. It seemed like he was being playful about it but was curious about your thoughts on companies that “copy” Strats, Les Pauls, etc... Love the channel man - take care!
I agree with you that is not for everyone and not for every song, but I am intrigued by the possibilities although it looks like something you really have to play with a while to figure out all the possiblies . It is not a pedal that I would run out right away and get, but it is something I would put on a list and view additional videos to see how other people use it, and possibly by later to experiment with or buy at a later date on the use market if I found a good deal.
11:14 Rhett: "Do you love it? Do you hate it?" Me: "What would you rate it? Youre the best, youre the best, what should I review next? Hit the like, if you like, please subscribe, and please don't cry." Look what you've done to me melon
That effect around 9min seems to be pitch adjustment based on how hard you hit the strings. Hard to imagine how you could use it practically but very cool.
The world is a better place with each person who is like-minded as you. ^-^ Some things are not for me, but that doesn't say a thing about their possible usefulness or importance to others.
Love the fuzz sound. The thing I don't like about it is the seemingly randomness of some of the dials. Seems like they could accomplish the same sounds yet have definite positions that a specific sound works at instead of it being random. Does the manual say that the results are unpredictable and may be different on each usage? Rabea did a demo on this a few weeks ago and I think you actually demonstrated a better working knowledge of it, yet still there is some mystery to it.
I think this pedal shines in a mix. When it has drums and bass holding down the groove, this pokes out in strange, unpredictable , and cool ways. You know, not your meat and potatoes, but a nice spice.
Looks like an EQD Data Corruptor, just in a smaller enclosure. Probably would fit better on my board than the juggernaut that is the EQD DC, even if it isn’t as adjustable.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
My first video course, The Tone Course, is available now! Check it out here.
flatfiv.co/collections/rhett-shull/products/the-tone-course
I think Jack White just placed an order for 24 units
*3 units. Everything's gotta be in 3's for Jack White lol
Nope, only for 7. I know this exaclty
That's literally the sound in Sunday driver
That makes sense
@@anthonysclafani3963
Then he'll chain them together and
connect them to an
army surplus mine detector.
"Fuzz tones that make your amp sound like it's about to explode"
This dude gets it.
Everyone: ew the metal zone sounds like a swarm of wasps.
Also everyone: i want my guitar to sound like a swarm of wasps.
Ya.... But screw the Metalzone, right? Lol
It's funny that it's okay for fuzz to sound bad, but not distortion. Abrasive tones made me want to pick up a guitar in the first place.
Metal and "ew" should never be in the same sentence.
But it’s bees!
Just received mine from Sweetwater yesterday. It's the only fuzz I need on my board. With Queen/Drone turned down it really is an amazing straight ahead fuzz, then when you start turning knobs things get delightfully out of control. Love it!
"this is not me telling you to go out and buy this pedal immediately..." Well Rhett, that's exactly what I did man. Exactly. What. I. Did.
How has it been?
@@MrKadidle51Hee twaidled twaice, thenne faurted
This pedal has taken all the drugs so you don't need to!
yup
But what happens if I take drugs and play the drug bug pedal?
...
Probably something that would make Sleep and QotSA blush
@@davidhollowelljr949 Ha ha Probably.
Martin Heath so, like, you can now do double the drugs
Does it still have the drugs
Does the pedal come with drugs
Come on, in the history of "pedals that aren't for everyone", there has only been one true queen.
Korg Miku.
NSLA ago, it was the Zvex Fuzz Factory that separated the narrow from the open minded.
The Miku was more of an idea that should have remained a private joke among the Korg design team.Usually wish the same had happened with "Shimmer" mode Reverbs.
I was in hospital when I heard the Miku ! I got bad news (still alive) but first thing I did was to order and buy one of those ! As for this one : it is just another audio filter !
The intro sounded WILD! I can definetely see how a sound like that would be signature to a band, or a style on its own.
I think it's super cool, though I don't think I would be able to use it.
Super cool video Rhett! ❤️🐝🤘🐝 Great ideas and uses for it! Thank you! 🤘🤘🤘
Here's an idea for you Rhett and Beetronics. How about running the pedal through an oscilloscope so we can see the waveshape character as you turn the knobs?
@@rebldr67 this is something to consider!
Wow dude that piece at the beginning was absolutely amazing!!
I agree. I'm back for another listen.
Sounds great. Reminds me of the Data Corrupter by EQD. Would love to see a side-by-side comparison. Love a good PLL pedal.
Pedalboard of the Day - Exactly.
My first thought was my data corrupter or my plasma pedals. I can control them though. I sometimes mix my micro synth into them. Maybe add reverse reverb here and there.. I got to go...I could go on and on,and I do. Cool pedal though.
I feel like the Swarm is easier to tame than the Data Corrupter, but that's kinda the point of the Data Corrupter isn't it?
Yup.
Imagine what trouble you could get into with this pedal and a 6 string fretless bass!
Pretty sure this describes Brett Crow on tiktok...super awesome bassist!
Only old people like me will understand this, but those sorts of fuzz tones just make me want to blow the fluff off the needle.
People will get the wrong idea about that statement ...
I understand because I love records and turntables, I don’t have one, but my grandpa does.
@@natesenft5376 That's great! You're in touch with all of our musical heritage EZW. Gotta love your grandpa!
There are tons and tons of young people that are into vinyl and regularly listen to it
@@lilacrain3283 That's good to know.
I’m digging the DK drumming in your opening piece, bro! Killer intro song. I’m not a guitarist but I’m glad to stumble upon this vid.
Dude, you killed it on this crazy thing. Love what you did with it in the beginning of the vid. Awesome.
What that plasma pedal wishes it was. I hear way more usable tones in this.
The flight and sting seem like an oscillator and filter (of some sort) in series maybe????
Flight seems like some form of portamento
i´m not sure but to me it seems that it is a CMOS based pedal . the sounds it produces sound to me like a cmos octave up , and a cmos octave down , paired with a pll (the slow thing that comes afterwards) and maybe some filters , the fuzz itself might be a cmos fuzz but also could be a normal fuzz paired with everything above . you can do plenty of stuff with those things , the octave up can have many sounds just because of the pulse width modulation it uses to achieve the octave up effect , and the octave down can do some harmonie stuff if you pair some octaves together . i´m not exactly sure about that , but i am totally convinced that there is a PLL inside it just because it does that slow degrading sound after you stop playing
I built a fuzz for a friend with a presence control (Z.Vex SHO into an Octavia clone with AMZ presence control for those interested) and depending on the tone/presence settings (and the frequency profile resulting from that), I would get crazy oscillations. Now mind you, I literally just stuck those three circuits together w/o too much in-depth knowledge, but it those controls on the swarm remind me of that.
It sounds like a bitcrushed octave fuzz, similar to the eqd data corrupter
That tone at 3:00 is amazing!!!!. I'm finally getting nice boutique gear and something like this will be perfect for a new era of my inspiration!. Cheer, Rhett!.
Oh, the endlessly deep seduction of fuzz pedals! These beetronics guys have it going on.
five watt world IDK if this fits your criteria to buy, but the SWARM's sounds have me thinking about writing songs again, and in different genres
Yes, I have been sucked into the realm of fuzz and everything is heavy, tactile and technicolor in here. Love me a nice overdrive, delay, reverb, phaser--- but the fuzz is where it's at.
Your reaction at the 9 minute mark really says it all.... "I dunno, guys... I'm just along for the ride like you".
I wanna run a drum machine through it!! O=
Try an Industrialectric Incinerator for ridiculous drum machine fuzz
“Attention K Mart shoppers..” I’M DEAD 😂
It’s not advert folks! The video just looks and functions identically to an ad and the creator was given the product in exchange for showcasing it on their channel! Stop saying it’s an ad ! ! !
This pedal does sound great and this is a terrific video showcasing that. From reading the site, the way that the sting and swarm works is similar to some basic synth functionality such as vibrato, pitch modulation, and/or glide. The sting control handles the time it takes for the harmonized note to change to another and the fly control handles the amount of pitch modulation occurring on a note which causes phasing or frequency beating. Basically these controls cause the harmonizing note to travel from the source note in an expressive way like wiggling (modulating) a string or sliding (gliding) to a note rather then just jumping to another one.
This thing is very cool and combines basic synthesis concepts with a guitar pedal technology and perspective.
I purchased one of the limited edition Swarm pedals (silver so early buyer) and I'm still trying to wrap my head around the crazy sounds it makes.
Great production Rhett!!!! Red and blue lighting, moving camera. Nice! 👍🏻
Thanks Rhett, I bought the pedal before the review video ended 😍. Amazing tones!
so what do I think about the swarm?
I hate it, that's why I love it.
well well, I planned to not buy any more gear this year, but now I'll have to, I guess...
That vocal tone reminded me of that 5th channel at grandma's house that I could almost just barely tune into.
Cool, its like a ZVEX Fuzz Factory. A unique pedal that takes you over the edge and out of your comfort area. Great Video Rhett!
That is the only fuzz I've ever heard sounding awesome.
This is great for "re-amping" an already recorded guitar track, so you can better tweak it. I use this with my synths on a desktop so I have better access to tweaking the knobs. Just setting the knobs to one setting and not being able to reach down to tweak while you play must be frustrating.
I own this. I'm a metal player and I had to have it! It has nothing to do with metal but it's fun as hell to play with.
Sounds like Mark Farner's guitar from Grand Funk's early live recordings. Also on Sin's A Good Man's Brother from Closer To Home.
Okay. I've been watching Rhett's videos for a few months but running a vocal mic through the swarm gets a subscription. Well done.
Its like a phaser-wah-fuzz....
I call it a "Phwahzz" effect
Could more people please appreciate the awesome quality of his videos? Dude, you're getting better every video!
Saw the title and i was like" then its for me"
Congratulations Rhett. When you connected a microphone you exactly duplicated the sound of my Rogers' cell phone service! BTW, love your channel and how you are sharing your experiences.
It sounds like a fuzz, octave, and almost a talk box wrapped in one...
GOTTA have it! Thanks so much for this video, Rhett! Besides showing me a new pedal I gotta have, it was the most fun pedal demo I've ever seen.
Love your videos Rhett, thank you. I think this is my fav so far. Your surprise on that tone the pedal created was obviously so genuine it made me chuckle.
The production on this video is as good if not better than any brands I have seen who have a proper video studio . Well done man !
BEST. INTRO. EVER. I’ve been wanting one of those things since I saw it in your NAMM vid
That opening was sweet!!
You put me in stitches when you tried to talk through it and it's nothing but screeching.
Really enjoyed the stereo width in the opening track, balanced an on the verge to eargasmic. Great work Rhett!
I love your work, artistic and RUclips. Keyboardist lawyer here in Johns Creek. Got my plek on at righteous. Thanks for all you are doing.
I feel like this pedal was specifically made for Buckethead
ANYTHING new these days is worth getting excited and checking out! Pretty AWESOME!
Great production on that opening track, really sets your videos apart from others. Amazing!
Hi Rhett, thanks for this demo I bought this pedal and the overhive simply great ! Cheers
nice to hear something new, hendrix i believe would love this
He been dead bro sorry for your loss
It reminds me of the EQD Data Corruptor. Kick ass pedal for sure! The kinda thing where the Pedal makes you play a certain way. Writes songs...
Honestly, the names of the knobs just say it one...more...time....
DOD was way out front back in the 9os
I can see the return of acid rock! Gonna be some far out trips man!!
_"Return"?_ Thanks for cluing me in, I never even got to say goodbye. :/
I just wanted say how much I enjoy your videos. Great content for sure. I play mandolin for 2 bands, one a straight ahead bluegrass band and the other an Americana/country/rock band. I am soon taking over the role of electric guitar in the Americana band after a band member decided to depart. You have inspired me to buy an Hx stomp and go direct! I have always been a guitar into amp kind of guy but I have realized the benefits of modeling and going direct, especially since we typically run our own sound. I have gone mandolin>preamp>pa forever so why not try guitar>hx stomp>pa. It just makes sense. Thanks for the great videos, keep them coming!
In a studio tour around the time of The Social Network soundtrack Trent Reznor seemed very enthusiastic (or at least as enthusiastic as mr. Reznor gets) around the Swarmtron a large physical synth that basically did this from a ribbon controller. It's great to see that functionality in a pedal.
I'm returning the EQD Data Corruptor, and getting this. It seems more controllable. Thanks!
Got me thinking of using a volume in front of it,a looper,split signals,drum machines,heavy gating etc. The list goes on.
Can you do a bass video with swarm?
Dude!!! THAT opening song slaps!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Love your vids. I think you need more background light and/or color. Keep ‘em coming!!
SICK vocal effect haha. I’m LOVING the intro lighting as well. Totally fits the vibe of the track.
What a rad pedal. That swarming sustain sound that you got randomly is the inspiration point for me! and also the cool dived bomb sound when you release the note! Great video. Thank you!
That pedal is just my kind of crazy. Give me that and a Miku, and I could rule the world.
This thing takes modulation like univibe and tremolo really well.
You sold me on it I finally ordered one this is right up my alley I love unconventional gear
Reminds me of when I had the data corrupter. I found some super cool uses for it (especially in the studio where you can tuck it in the mix), but it’s something that can’t get used repeatedly. Swarm sounds badass, definitely a studio tool to me. Thanks bro.
-Aaron
The intro is fantastic! Your impressions are insightful and appreciated. The Swarm is a gnarly beast that just isn't for me but Beetronics is a force to be reckoned with. Their approach and aesthetic is truly innovative and they seem to be building petals to survive the apocalypse.
Thanks, Rhett!
The novo looks awesome in that lighting
Reminds me of the zvex fuzz factory. A beast that's hard to control!
ha ha ha ha!!!! the vocal part! He he he! Lovely review, man! Keep them coming!
It may not be for everyone but it's certainly for me. I see one of these in my future. KILLER intro!
that sound at 8:57 is like a duet between a bagpipe and a giant bee
Not my style pedal - but great video. You made that sound a lot more musical than I ever could have.
If you read this Rhett, I was curious if you heard about Gibson pulling the “Play Authentic” video with Mark Agnesi...in the video he had issued a “warning” to boutique guitar companies that mimic the Les Paul, SG etc and I guess it went over pretty badly in the guitar community. It seemed like he was being playful about it but was curious about your thoughts on companies that “copy” Strats, Les Pauls, etc...
Love the channel man - take care!
Do you mean companies that make cheap knock off copies, or like companies that make nice copies such as Jaydee
If a Big Muff married a Moog synthesizer their child would be this pedal.
Kristen Schroeder some of the sounds immediately reminded me of the Pumpkins' early-mid '90s Op-Amps
“Mini Muff”
Dude!!!!! That intro is Awesome!!! 👍🏻😃
I agree with you that is not for everyone and not for every song, but I am intrigued by the possibilities although it looks like something you really have to play with a while to figure out all the possiblies . It is not a pedal that I would run out right away and get, but it is something I would put on a list and view additional videos to see how other people use it, and possibly by later to experiment with or buy at a later date on the use market if I found a good deal.
@9:41 That's where the airline pilots get their sound from!
You got new lights. It looks awesome!
11:14 Rhett: "Do you love it? Do you hate it?"
Me: "What would you rate it? Youre the best, youre the best, what should I review next? Hit the like, if you like, please subscribe, and please don't cry."
Look what you've done to me melon
awesome performance and film work Rhett loved the vid!
I like it. Swarm's got a talkbox characteristic. Now it's got video game sounds. Cool.
Very cool! Love the pedal, but I never tire of trying new weird gear. Always appreciate your perspective, & hope for more pedal/gear demos!
I’d love this for bass more than guitar but would definitely use it for both.
Well, probably not for the church gig. But, it made me smile. A lot! and even chuckle. Pretty cool . . .
That intro was gnarllyyyyyyyy! Awesome
That effect around 9min seems to be pitch adjustment based on how hard you hit the strings. Hard to imagine how you could use it practically but very cool.
Sounds like Super Mario meets Jimi Hendrix and a fight ensues.
The gods made love
Jaw-dropping, mind-expanding, but not for me, a basic, straight ahead player. Glad they make it, though.
The world is a better place with each person who is like-minded as you. ^-^
Some things are not for me, but that doesn't say a thing about their possible usefulness or importance to others.
A modular bit crusher + Velcro Fuzz ( Z-Vex )+ Octave +/-. White Stripes meets Queens of the stone age.
Yes on more pedal demos. I would love the Swarm, but wouldn't find a practical use for it as things stand right now
Love the fuzz sound. The thing I don't like about it is the seemingly randomness of some of the dials. Seems like they could accomplish the same sounds yet have definite positions that a specific sound works at instead of it being random. Does the manual say that the results are unpredictable and may be different on each usage? Rabea did a demo on this a few weeks ago and I think you actually demonstrated a better working knowledge of it, yet still there is some mystery to it.
Great review man! That thing would be fun to mess around with and see what magically pops up in your playing. Cool stuff!
How they get Gordon Ramsey's dark side into such a small box
That intro was so dope!
I think this pedal shines in a mix. When it has drums and bass holding down the groove, this pokes out in strange, unpredictable , and cool ways. You know, not your meat and potatoes, but a nice spice.
Looks like an EQD Data Corruptor, just in a smaller enclosure. Probably would fit better on my board than the juggernaut that is the EQD DC, even if it isn’t as adjustable.
Fantastic jam in the beginning. I really enjoyed that.