MusicRadar Verdict
If you want to add distortion and/or sub-octave effects, check this out.
Pros
- +
Sounds excellent. Plenty of control. Valve-like warmth.
Cons
- -
Not much.
MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.
Much loved by guitarists, Red Witch has at last released an effects pedal aimed at bass players.
Continuing the company's blend of art and technology into its products, this analogue unit is presented in a bright chrome finish and, as the name suggests, the Factotum has the dual function of introducing a sub-octave note and distortion.
"With full blending abilities available, the combined sounds are high- quality and never seem thin"
Naturally, these can be used individually or together from independent switches, but of the five on-board rotary controls, four are concerned with the drive section and the other is used to blend the sub-octave into your regular note.
Sounds
Sonically, this is a joy from start to finish, as both functions are extremely effective in their own right.
Analogue sub-octave is by no means an easy feat to achieve, yet this does the job with authority - and the single control proves more than enough to achieve a good ratio of wet-to-dry signal.
The drive section is far more sophisticated: whether used in moderation or for full-on Armageddon, there's plenty of control and a natural valve-like warmth to the sound, that makes you want to use it more and more.
With full blending abilities available, the combined sounds are high- quality and never seem thin.
The Factotum is an extremely roadworthy unit with two great sounds that will appeal to most bass players. Red Witch has chosen a great way to start - let's hope more bass pedals are in the cauldron.
“With the room calibration and support software, it's the most flexible mini monitor we’ve tried”: IK Multimedia iLoud Micro Monitor Pro review
“Maybe I’m writing a song and it doesn’t follow the exact rules of songwriting. Or maybe this word doesn’t make sense next to this one, but that’s how I speak”: Beabadoobee says that “missteps” are more important than perfection in songwriting
“It’s been road-tested, dropped on its head, kicked around, x-rayed, strummed, chicken-picked, and arpeggio swept!” Fender and Chris Shiflett team up for signature Cleaver Telecaster Deluxe
