MayFly Audio Announces the Déesse Dual Flanger: Vintage Bucket-Brigade Tone
Experience the divine analog sweep of the MayFly Audio Déesse Dual Flanger. Featuring old-school bucket-brigade chips and footswitchable independent channels
Canadian boutique pedal builder MayFly Audio Systems has just dropped its latest creation, and it is a massive win for fans of lush, analog modulation. Introducing the Déesse Dual Flanger, a versatile, vintage-inspired pedal that leverages old-school bucket-brigade technology to deliver unparalleled, organic sweeps.
Following the massive success of their popular Goddess dual chorus, MayFly Audio has returned to the drawing board to conquer the world of flanging. The result is a highly adaptable stompbox that lets guitarists switch between classic, sweeping studio flanges and chaotic, ring-modulator extremes on the fly.
Two Sides of Analog Perfection
The magic of the Déesse (French for "Goddess") lies in its dual-channel design, making it essentially two flangers in one footprint.
The pedal features two foot-switch selectable sides, Side A and Side B, each equipped with entirely independent Speed and Width controls. Side A is specifically voiced for slower, traditional modulation—perfect for that classic, sweeping jet-plane effect.
Meanwhile, Side B is tuned for much faster, more extreme speeds, allowing players to push the circuit into wild, pseudo-ring modulator territory. Because the channels are foot-switchable, you can seamlessly jump from a subtle, watery rhythm tone to an aggressive, metallic lead texture in the middle of a live set.
To glue it all together, the pedal features two global controls:
- Manual: Adjusts the midpoint of the LFO (Low-Frequency Oscillator) sweep, allowing you to easily control the exact frequency range where the flanger operates.
- Regen: Controls the regeneration (or feedback), dialing in the intensity of the flanger's comb-filter effect from subtle to screaming.
Bucket-Brigade Brilliance
In a world increasingly dominated by DSP (Digital Signal Processing), MayFly Audio is sticking to its guns. The Déesse utilizes authentic, old-school bucket-brigade delay (BBD) chips. As the brand notes, these chips are notoriously expensive and difficult to work with, but the sonic payoff—a distinctly warm, immersive, and organic tone—makes the hassle entirely worth it.
The pedal is rounded out with premium touches, including relay-based true-bypass switching with a built-in failsafe, and evocative custom artwork by Sabine Elliott.
As for the name? MayFly wanted to honor the divine feminine energy of the pedal but already had a "Goddess" in their lineup. Instead, they opted for "Déesse," naming it after a mystical Québécois figure to reflect the pedal's powerful, enchanting nature.
Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pedal Type | Dual Analog Flanger |
| Circuitry | Old-school Bucket-Brigade Delay (BBD) chips |
| Switching | Relay-based true-bypass (with failsafe) |
| Independent Controls | Speed and Width (per side) |
| Global Controls | Manual (LFO sweep midpoint) and Regen (Feedback) |
| Power Requirements | 9-volt DC via standard external supply |
| Current Draw | 55mA (No battery compartment) |
| Street Price | $215 USD / $295 CAD |
The Verdict
The MayFly Audio Systems Déesse Dual Flanger is a triumph of boutique engineering. By refusing to compromise on the difficult-to-tame bucket-brigade chips, MayFly has delivered a flanger that sounds incredibly rich and three-dimensional. The dual-channel, foot-switchable design solves a massive problem for live-gigging musicians who want access to both subtle vintage sweeps and alien-like raygun effects without having to kneel down and twist knobs mid-song.
At $215 USD, it is competitively priced for a handmade, dual-channel analog pedal. If you are chasing the ultimate "la femme" analog modulation, the Déesse absolutely delivers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a bucket-brigade device (BBD)?
A bucket-brigade device is an analog circuit that delays an audio signal by passing it through a series of capacitors, much like a line of people passing buckets of water to put out a fire. In guitar pedals, BBD chips are prized for their warm, dark, and highly musical degradation of the audio signal, making them the gold standard for vintage-style chorus and flanger effects.
Can I run both channels of the Déesse Dual Flanger simultaneously?
No, the Déesse is designed as an A/B selectable pedal. You use the foot-switch to toggle seamlessly between the settings on Side A (slow modulation) and Side B (fast/extreme modulation).
Does the Déesse Dual Flanger take batteries?
No, to save space and ensure consistent performance, the Déesse does not feature a battery compartment. It requires a standard 9-volt DC external power supply and draws 55 mA.
Where can I buy the MayFly Audio Déesse?
You can find more information, check availability, and purchase the pedal directly through the official MayFly Audio Systems website at mayflyaudio.com.
More Information
#MayFly Audio #Déesse
