JHS Pedals is turning the “bread and butter” reputation of its 3 Series on its head. The Kansas City-based boutique giant has announced a trio of experimental “Digital Destruction” pedals—the Bit Crusher, Ring Modulator, and Glitch Delay—bringing high-concept sonic warping to the sub-$100 market.
For years, the JHS 3 Series has been the gold standard for utilitarian, high-quality effects like overdrive and reverb. However, Josh Scott and his team are now inviting musicians to step into the world of chaotic modulation and bit-reduced grit. These new additions are designed not just for guitarists, but for synth players, vocalists, and producers looking to inject some “lively instability” into their signal chain.
1. 3 Series Glitch Delay: Ambient Chaos
Inspired by the legendary Line 6 DL-4 and the atmospheric, “broken” delay textures favored by jazz icon Bill Frisell, the Glitch Delay is far from your standard echo. While the core delay remains rhythmically stable, the “Glitch” control introduces randomized playback speed shifts.
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The Controls: Use the Time knob (20ms to 980ms) and Repeats to set your foundation.
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The Magic: The Glitch knob increases the probability of random events (up to 50%). An onboard LED flashes with every glitch, giving you visual feedback on the chaos.
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The Mix Switch: Toggle between a subtle 35% or a saturated 80% delay level.
2. 3 Series Ring Modulator: Metallic Mastery
Ring modulation is often seen as “difficult,” but JHS has simplified it into an approachable powerhouse. It covers everything from shimmering tremolo to bell-like metallic clangs.
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Dual Algorithms: The toggle switch selects between Earworm mode (inspired by the Way Huge Ringworm) and Green Lantern mode (inspired by the Green Ringer circuit).
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Tweak Knob: In Earworm mode, this adds a wobbling LFO for movement. In Green Lantern mode, it acts as a 0-100% octave blend, adding a natural-sounding upper harmonic to your signal.
3. 3 Series Bit Crusher: Lo-Fi Destruction
If you want your guitar to sound like a 1980s arcade cabinet or a failing digital transmission, the Bit Crusher is the tool. It uses a “zero-hole filter” concept to provide musicality even at extreme settings.
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Crush & Sample: Take your audio from pristine 24-bit/32.768 kHz clarity down to a brutal 1-bit/2.5 Hz mess.
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Filter Types: The toggle selects between a smooth, non-resonant Low-pass (great for bass) and a Band-pass mode that mimics the “small speaker” lo-fi vibe of vintage gear.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Details |
| Price | $99.00 USD |
| Power Requirements | 9V DC Center Negative |
| Current Draw | 65mA (Each) |
| Dimensions | 4.42″ x 2.38″ x 1.22″ |
| Build Location | Kansas City, MO, USA |
| Input/Output | 1/4″ Mono Jack |
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use these pedals with synthesizers or drum machines?
A: Absolutely. The Bit Crusher and Ring Modulator, in particular, are favorites for electronic musicians. Just ensure your signal level doesn’t clip the input too harshly.
Q: Do these pedals take batteries?
A: No. Like all JHS 3 Series pedals, these require a standard 9V DC Center Negative power supply (not included).
Q: Is the Glitch Delay a “rhythmic” glitch or random?
A: It is probability-based. Your delay time stays the same, but the playback speed of the repeats warps randomly, creating a “seasick” or “broken tape” effect that stays in time with your playing.
Q: What is the “Zero-Hole Filter” in the Bit Crusher?
A: It’s a technical signal-processing concept used by JHS to ensure the filtering sounds musical and smooth rather than harsh and piercing when you are reducing the bit depth.
The Verdict
Score: 9.2 / 10
Pros:
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Incredible Value: High-end boutique experimental algorithms for just $99.
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User-Friendly: Experimental effects are often intimidating; these are “plug-and-play.”
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Versatile: High current draw (65mA) indicates serious digital processing power under the hood.
Cons:
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Strictly Mono: Some synth users might miss stereo fields for the Glitch Delay.
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Plain Aesthetic: The white-box look isn’t for everyone (though it’s great for DIY labeling!).
Final Word: JHS has successfully democratized “weird” pedals. If you’ve ever wanted to explore the outer reaches of your tone without spending $300 on a boutique glitch machine, the Digital Destruction trio is your new best friend.
For more information, visit the official JHS Pedals website.
#JHS Pedals #3 Series
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