Rotosound The Crusader review

Classic chorus sounds

  • £179
  • $299
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The Crusader's LED light flashes in sync with the chorus rate

MusicRadar Verdict

Great for full-on or minimal vintage chorus sounds this is a chorus pedal that's big on versatility - as well as just big!

Pros

  • +

    Wide choice of musical choruses. LED rate indication. Hand-made in the UK.

Cons

  • -

    Just the size.

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The Crusader from Rotosound features Rate and Depth knobs, like you'd find on just about any chorus pedal, but it also has a Level knob that mixes the chorus effect in proportion with the dry sound, and runs from no effect at all up to a 50/50 mix.

"The Crusader delivers a very nice warm chorus reminiscent of early Boss effects"

With the LED flashing rhythmically to illustrate the setting of the rate knob, the Crusader delivers a very nice warm chorus reminiscent of early Boss effects, but can take things further with a faster rate. Indeed, the last segment of travel on the knob can give you a useful approximation of a Leslie rotary speaker.

The full-on chorus that was all over many 80s recordings is not for everyone; however, with the mix knob blending in a small amount of effect, there's plenty of shading of the 'enhanced tonality' type that could work in many musical genres. With rate and depth up full, you can even add in a little ring mod flavour.

Trevor Curwen

Trevor Curwen has played guitar for several decades – he's also mimed it on the UK's Top of the Pops. Much of his working life, though, has been spent behind the mixing desk, during which time he has built up a solid collection of the guitars, amps and pedals needed to cover just about any studio session. He writes pedal reviews for Guitarist and has contributed to Total Guitar, MusicRadar and Future Music among others.