Behringer has once again stirred the waters in the world of boutique guitar effects, announcing the immediate availability of the Behringer Meatball, a near-identical clone of the highly sought-after Lovetone Meatball envelope filter. This move makes one of the most revered and expensive analog modulation pedals finally accessible to the masses, sparking excitement among guitarists, bassists, and synth players worldwide.
The History: Why the Lovetone Meatball is a Legend
Originally released in 1995, the Lovetone Meatball was a defining piece of boutique analog effects. Designed and hand-built in the UK by Dan Coggins and Vlad Naslas, it quickly became known for its sheer versatility, analog warmth, and incredibly deep modulation capabilities.
Far exceeding a standard “auto-wah,” the original Lovetone Meatball offered complex dynamic filtering, phasing, and modulation effects. Its comprehensive controls—including Sensitivity, Attack, Decay, Colour, Intensity, and Blend—allowed players to tailor the effects to their playing dynamics expressively. The resonant low-pass filter, with switchable bandpass and high-pass options, delivered a broad palette of tones, from subtle, vowel-like tone shifts to aggressive, synth-like sweeps.
The pedal’s fame was cemented by its use on countless iconic records, with users including:
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Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
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Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys)
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The Edge (U2)
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Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine)
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J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.)
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Ed O’Brien (Radiohead)
Due to its hand-built nature and limited supply, original Lovetone Meatballs are rare, with used market prices often soaring, making them unobtainable for most musicians.
The Behringer Meatball: A Budget Boutique CloneÂ
Uli Behringer’s team has recreated this classic circuit with the Behringer Meatball. Aesthetically and functionally, the clone meticulously mimics the original. It features all the same expansive controls and even includes the original pedal’s built-in FX loop and external pedal controls for maximum creative flexibility on stage and in the studio.
The clone promises to:
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Shape every aspect of your tone with controls like Sensitivity, Attack, and Decay to match playing dynamics.
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Tweak Resonance and Colour for effects ranging from subtle, vocal shifts to sharp, expressive peaks.
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Offer wide sonic variety, perfect for tight funk picking, massive bass sweeps, modulated synth lines, and textural studio sound design.
Price & Pre-Order Availability: A Spicy Deal
The most significant news for tone hounds is the price. The Behringer Meatball is now available at major retailers for £99.
Available at Andertons, priced £99
This drastically low price directly addresses the prohibitive cost of the original 1995 Lovetone pedal, finally putting a highly desired analog envelope filter into the hands of a wider audience.
The Verdict: Is the Clone a Hot Meatball or a Cold One?
While the specs and price are undeniably attractive, the tone community is awaiting final reviews. Behringer’s recent line of clones, including those based on Moog circuits, has received mixed reports regarding their sonic accuracy.
However, if the Behringer Meatball manages to capture the essential analog warmth and dynamic response of the original, it is poised to be one of the biggest pedal releases of the year. It promises to be a vital tool for those looking to “Break The Mould” and create unexpected, expressive guitar, bass, or synth tones without the boutique pedal price tag.
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