Description
Things getting a little loud? Or maybe you want to craft some dynamic contrasts? Saturnworks offers a variety of volume pedals to trim your levels with style.
Passive Volume
volume
micro volume
Need a passive volume control pedal that doesn’t crowd your pedalboard? The Saturnworks compact passive volume pedal provides volume control in a compact affordable package. The Saturnworks volume pedal is available with A500k, A250k, A100k, A25K, or A10k pots.
A250k pots are a good all around choice for standard instrument-level signals. 250k pots are what you typically find in most standard passive volume pedals, such as the Ernie Ball volume pedal. A 500k pot can work well for weaker/high impedance signals or with a non-buffered signal if you’re trying to maximize upper-end clarity. 500k pots are commonly used with humbuckers. A100k or A25k pots work well with buffered instrument-level signals — after a (buffered bypass) Boss pedal, for example. A 100k pot is usually a standard choice for an amp FX loop, since most FX loops are buffered.
Please note that a pot value lower than 250k will noticeably affect your tone if used with an unbuffered signal. A10K pots are good for line-level signals. We also have other pots available upon request. We have more detailed info on choosing the correct pot value for your application on our FAQ page.
Passive Volume with Treble Bleed
Our passive volume with the treble bleed mod includes a treble bleed circuit with a .001uF orange drop capacitor and a 150k (or a 220k for the 500k version) resistor wired in parallel. Treble bleed circuitry can help to prevent high end loss with an unbuffered signal as you roll the knob down. Please note that treble bleed circuitry only really works with a unbuffered signals. You can still use them with a buffered signal; they just won’t really do much. Another way to avoid high-end loss with volume controls is to use an active volume controller. An active volume controller features a buffer followed by a 25k pot.
Passive Volume with a Bypass Switch
Volume control with a bypass switch
The compact volume with a switch adds a footswitch so that you can take the volume control in and out of your signal path. An LED indicates when the volume control is active. This version is also passive and doesn’t require power to function as a volume controller. The power, standard 9VDC center-negative pedal power, is only to make the LED light up.
Momentary Arcade Kill Switch + Volume
Arcade kill switch + volume control
Our arcade kill switch + volume control features both an arcade and a passive volume control that cuts volume. This can use useful for momentarily cutting your signal or for volume swells. By default, the volume control is a 250k pot. We can also do 100k, 25k, or 10k pots by request. See our FAQ page for more info on why you might select various pot values. If you would like a pot value other than 250k, please put your request in the notes field as you check out. Or, if you’re paying with Apple or Google Pay, please send a message after you check out to request a pot value.
Passive Volume + Tone
passive volume + tone
passive volume + tone with a bypass switch
The passive volume + tone pedal is a similar circuit to that found on a standard Fender guitar, with a passive 250k and a passive low-pass filter tone control. We also have a version with a bypass switch that bypasses both the volume and tone controls.
Please note that the tone control will only work with an unbuffered signal.
Stereo Passive Volume and Stereo Volume with a Switch
stereo volume
stereo volume with dual knobs
The stereo passive volume pedal provides a single volume control for two parallel signals. Our stereo passive volume control with dual knobs has two parallel signals, each with its own volume knob. This version features Japanese Lumberg 1/4″ jacks.
stereo volume with a bypass switch
Our stereo volume control with a switch adds a bypass footswitch for the volume control. This version also features Japanese Lumberg 1/4″ jacks. The stereo volume with a bypass switch does not have an LED. Due to limitations in the capacity of mechanical switches (4-pole max), unfortunately, this pedal cannot have an LED installed.
Our compact volume, compact volume with switches, and micro volume pedals use an ‘MXR style’ knob that is compatible with the Dunlop rubber knob cover. If you’re interested in adding rubber knob covers in order to make the knobs slightly larger and grippier, we have them available to purchase here.
Pan Pedal & Stereo Pan Pedal
pan pedal
stereo pan pedal
The Saturnworks pan pedal splits a mono signal using an active buffered splitter and pans the input across the two outputs.
The passive Saturnworks stereo pan volume pedal pans two inputs across two outputs.
Both pan pedals use a special blend taper pot that is able to maintain full volume at the 50/50 mark, which is indicated by a detent. Turning the knob left or right from the midpoint pans each outputs’ levels, as shown in this diagram of the blend pot taper:
The special blend pot eliminates a volume dip at the 50/50 mark–an issue common to most standard pan or blend circuits.
Active Volume & Active Volume with a Switch
active volume
active volume with a bypass switch
The Saturnworks active volume pedal is a volume control plus a buffer in one compact package.
The Saturnworks active volume pedal has a built-in buffer combined with a 25k audio taper pot to prevent high-end roll-off as you turn down the level and preserve your guitar’s high-end over long (25′ +) cable runs. This pedal is perfect for use at the end of your signal chain to both control the overall level and to buffer the signal between the pedalboard and the amp. The active volume is also a great way to input an unbalanced line level signal to guitar gear. The buffer will step the line level down to buffered instrument level and the volume knob lets you tame any unwanted volume boost.
The version with a bypass switch allows you to engage or bypass the volume control. In either switch position, the signal is buffered.
General Info
Saturnworks volume pedals are loaded with high quality components including:
- Durable cast-aluminum enclosures.
- Heavy duty Neutrik jacks — Switchcraft for the black versions / Japanese Lumberg jacks for the stereo volume with dual knobs.
- Handcrafted and bench-tested in California.
- High quality wire made in the USA.
Saturnworks pedals are covered by a 1-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects. See our FAQ page for warranty terms and conditions.
Bass Mod
The bass mod allows more lower-range frequencies to enter the circuit. The mod doesn’t cut any highs and therefore can also be used with guitars. If you would like to add a bass mod to any buffer, head on over to our custom upgrades page where you can add this mod at no additional cost. Please note that the bass mod only applies to active (not passive) volume pedals.
Upgrades and Customizations
Want the best of the best? Check out our upgrades page to add premium components to your pedal including soft click latching switches, Switchcraft jacks, and powder coated enclosures.
Please note: the pedals in the images are stock photos and not the actual pedals you will receive. While we typically send the graphic pictured, the pedals you receive may vary in their graphics, knob colors, and/or LED colors, where applicable. We have our graphics options here.
Names of third party brands and specific devices are for informational/reference purposes only and are the trademarks/intellectual property of their respective companies/owners.
