LichtLaerm Audio / .ritual.

Medusa is the successor to Lichtlaerms' first product, Breathe//Die. In collaboration with local Berlin band Breathe//Die, this is the first HM2-style pedal to feature noise reduction circuitry, boost, and expansion features in a compact housing. It sold out within a few days and has since gone up to $600 on the used market.

It was one of our most requested pedals to make a comeback, so we decided to not only re-release it, but redesign the circuitry to make it the most flexible and most cohesive package on the market.

We took the original design and moved the boost to the core circuitry, resulting in up to 3x the gain of a classic chainsaw pedal. You can also shape the low end using the acclaimed Cut control to create punchy palm mutes not possible with the original.

The output has also increased significantly. That's...of course.

Because with great power comes great responsibility. So with all the gain and high output volume, some noise is inevitable. Therefore, I added the full version of Key&Gate to the circuit. This is triggered from the input and placed behind the loop, just like a modern noise gate, so anything you blend with Medusa can benefit from the gate.

I decided to add a parallel FX loop to Medusa, just like King in Yellow.

This allows you to blend Medusa's powerful distortion with other devices, such as distortion, boost, overdrive, or the preamp of your favorite tube amp. Alternatively, you can leave the loop empty and use it as a clean blend. Of course, you can reverse the phase of the loop to avoid phase cancellation or create interesting out-of-phase sounds.

We've left HM2's traditional EQ bands, Low and Grind, to give you easy access to that familiar grind sound we all love, but now we've added a parallel mid control (200-700hz) and a shelving high filter to add or subdue presence. This presence control also makes the Medusa ideal as a preamp.

Finally, we also added a switchable gain section. It's more modern, louder, and midrange focused. Now you can choose between the dirty distortion of the black/orange box made famous by Sweden, or the modern, intense saturation with access to HM2's infamous EQ.

Of course, as always, we've packed all these features into the same compact box with stunning artwork made from real gold by the outstanding Kasia Jasmina.

■Lichtlaerm Audio smart relay technology
■Swedish death metal distortion
■Two different switchable gain stages
■Very high output, gain more than twice the original
■4-band EQ with parametric mid
■Full Black Mar VCA Noise Gate
■Lichtlaerm's unique ""cut"" control
■Parallel FX loop with polarity switch
■Power supply: 9VDC center negative
■Current consumption: Minimum 100mA