The Caroline Wave Cannon Zero is an evolution on Caroline's classic "superdistorter" effect circuit. Cashing checks for medium, high, and outrageous gain structures, this pedal from Caroline has everything you need to make a stir, cause a ruckus, whatever you gotta do.
Caroline's Wave Cannon Zero rolls out easily with three familiar drive effect controls. Volume, Gain, and Tone dials clock in to serve up heaping portions of distortion with a particular kick coming past 2 o'clock on the Gain dial. Fans of Caroline's classic, overdriven, "rodent"-like effect mix are sure to have a great point to connect and kick off from with the Wave Cannon Zero. Get in on the fun and serve up some heated crunch, cool clipping, woolly fuzz, and so much in between to get your share of this pedal's stellar mix of dirt.
The experience only expands from there with additional Shape and Volts controls. These miniature dials in the center of the control configuration do wonders in shaping the sound of the Wave Cannon further. To the left, the Shape control highlights and accentuates different frequencies of the overdriven signal. This does not explicitly work on a linear, zero-to-ten spectrum, but it certainly works to add some exploratory and experimental elements to the distortion experience. Strum a chord and mix through the Shape dial while it rings out and hear the different forms of drive signal come to life.
Your Volts control dials into a unique element of the Wave Cannon Zero. Volts works to starve the circuit of power like a dying battery. This functions to offer a little bit of extra customization of the signal, however, it's not uncommon to keep the Volts control at max (all the way to the right) and leave it there. With this configuration, the Wave Cannon Zero operates at the effect experience you'd normally expect. It's when you get into the secret weapon of the Wave Cannon Zero that this all starts to make sense.
Caroline's classic Havoc switch addition drops in added interactivity to the mix. When pushed, the Havoc switch introduces a self-oscillating positive feedback source that turns your signal into a real messy, sputtering stew of sound. When diving into this deep end of distortion, use the Wave Cannon Zero's Havoc dial and Volts control to roll through different frequencies of sound and start your sonic spelunking. The special switching on the Havoc stomp was designed by longtime collaborator John Snyder at Electronic Audio Experiments and allows for both momentary and latching operation with ease.
The Wave Cannon Zero also comes equipped with new additions like an Order switch that can be pushed in or out, accounting for wherever the Wave Cannon Zero lands in your signal chain – first or otherwise. This tiny addition assists in integrating distortion tones into the mix and making for an overall adaptable circuit ready for anything. Across its full experience, the Wave Cannon Zero has enough dirt and heat to move musical mountains and enough finesse and restraint to play nicely with others.
As a distorted overdrive or overdriven distortion, the Caroline Wave Cannon Zero has all charming character and interactivity Caroline effect pedals are known for. Making its own way, the Wave Cannon Zero is a treat for newcomers and the experienced, alike. Fire away
