R
Incredible piece of gear!
I'm stoked about getting my hands on this device. It's a solid brick and built with a far more rugged feeling than I expected. The packaging was very good and it includes a nice carrying case plus a nice-looking braided USB cable.
After a quick bit of exploring I'm patching some awesome stuff that is sounding killer and, as I came to discover as I started digging, I am still not even scratching the surface of what this box is capable of.
Bought it originally for my guitar but I have already fiddled with vocals by plugging my mic on the second input and also had some fun with synths and sequenced drums. All at the same time!!
In general, the sounds of the plugins are very good. You can get a bit overwhelmed by the huge amount of options, especially if you enable the community library, but I believe that is expected when using a community powered system like this. I've been to their forum and the other users were quite responsive and eager to help.
I feel like this thing will be a ton of fun to explore for a very long time. This is literally a Pandora's Box!!
After a quick bit of exploring I'm patching some awesome stuff that is sounding killer and, as I came to discover as I started digging, I am still not even scratching the surface of what this box is capable of.
Bought it originally for my guitar but I have already fiddled with vocals by plugging my mic on the second input and also had some fun with synths and sequenced drums. All at the same time!!
In general, the sounds of the plugins are very good. You can get a bit overwhelmed by the huge amount of options, especially if you enable the community library, but I believe that is expected when using a community powered system like this. I've been to their forum and the other users were quite responsive and eager to help.
I feel like this thing will be a ton of fun to explore for a very long time. This is literally a Pandora's Box!!
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j
Multi-functional, sturdy, great community
I have two Dwarfs, one from Thomann, one from the crowd funding campaign and I love them!
The hardware is very sturdy, basically what you would expect from a guitar pedal meant for being stomped on. At the same time it can also easily be used on a desktop.
Using the Dwarf with a guitar provides everything you need to get a great sound: effects, amp simulations, two channels, balanced autio outputs, MIDI in and out, headphone out. This makes the little box a great addition to home rehearsal in quiet neighborhoods juszt as well as in a band rehearsal room, on stage or for the recording studio. All options covered.
The basic plugins are right on the box, additional ones can be loaded (many for free, some for a bit of additional cost) from the plugin store.
Mod Audio recently published a set of reverb plugins that alone would justify the pedal as a reverb effects box.
Any number of pedalboards can be created (or downloaded from a community page) using a beautiful browser-based user interface which can connect via USB, or - with an additional little USB dongle - via WLAN or Bluetooth, e.g. using a tablet or computer. Once installed or created, no computer or tablet is necessary anymore, switching between pedal boards or changing parameters can be done using the Dwarf's switches or rotary encoders while showing the current status on the built-in display.
So using it just as shipped provides everything one needs as a guitarist.
But it doesn't end here. The community in the forums is really friendly and helpful in guiding people and helping them to achieve the desired tone or pedal routings.
And besides the usual "guitar things" there are also synth plugins and other stuff available which can drive the sound to a totally different level. This usually requires a bit of experimentation though to achieve good results.
As big parts of the underlying firmware are open-source there are a wealth of community-driven plugins available (some in the beta plugin store).
More technically sophisticated people can even write their own plugins based on the LV2 standards widely used in the Linux audio comunity.
Mod Audio provides frequent updates for the device which constantly improves operations and provides new features, so the value of the device increases over time.
So while this whole review sounds like an ad for the Dwarf, this is really a great little device and the awesome community really works closely with Mod Audio to provide the best possible experience.
The hardware is very sturdy, basically what you would expect from a guitar pedal meant for being stomped on. At the same time it can also easily be used on a desktop.
Using the Dwarf with a guitar provides everything you need to get a great sound: effects, amp simulations, two channels, balanced autio outputs, MIDI in and out, headphone out. This makes the little box a great addition to home rehearsal in quiet neighborhoods juszt as well as in a band rehearsal room, on stage or for the recording studio. All options covered.
The basic plugins are right on the box, additional ones can be loaded (many for free, some for a bit of additional cost) from the plugin store.
Mod Audio recently published a set of reverb plugins that alone would justify the pedal as a reverb effects box.
Any number of pedalboards can be created (or downloaded from a community page) using a beautiful browser-based user interface which can connect via USB, or - with an additional little USB dongle - via WLAN or Bluetooth, e.g. using a tablet or computer. Once installed or created, no computer or tablet is necessary anymore, switching between pedal boards or changing parameters can be done using the Dwarf's switches or rotary encoders while showing the current status on the built-in display.
So using it just as shipped provides everything one needs as a guitarist.
But it doesn't end here. The community in the forums is really friendly and helpful in guiding people and helping them to achieve the desired tone or pedal routings.
And besides the usual "guitar things" there are also synth plugins and other stuff available which can drive the sound to a totally different level. This usually requires a bit of experimentation though to achieve good results.
As big parts of the underlying firmware are open-source there are a wealth of community-driven plugins available (some in the beta plugin store).
More technically sophisticated people can even write their own plugins based on the LV2 standards widely used in the Linux audio comunity.
Mod Audio provides frequent updates for the device which constantly improves operations and provides new features, so the value of the device increases over time.
So while this whole review sounds like an ad for the Dwarf, this is really a great little device and the awesome community really works closely with Mod Audio to provide the best possible experience.
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U
My experience
I was very skeptical about buying the device. The device requires a lot of time and testing. Suitable for people who want to experiment. The result is very interesting and exciting. Today I am very satisfied with the purchase and dare to recommend to those who need different options when working with MIDI. As a block of guitar effect, it is not comparable to the Boss GT1000, but using the midi capabilities of the guitar is irreplaceable! Especially recommend using the block in the studio or recording. Unfortunately, the device is not suitable for the concert stage. There is a pause of a few seconds between the presets at the concert. And the main- very well thought out device interface when using a computer!
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s
Good concept, very useful, minor drawbacks.
The concept is a very good one and gives you a lot of flexibility that is usually only preserved to desktop plugin versions. A very sturdy piece of hardware. The quality of the plugins is mainly good enough for the stage. The only drawback was the quality of the power supply. It made a lot of noise. Exchanging it with a different power supply solved the issue. Would have been nice to have a standard 9V (Boss style). Over all, happy with it and part of my (now reduced) standard rig.
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C
Compact Flexibility for Diverse Inputs
The Mod Dwarf is a key component of my setup, directly interfacing with my electric lap steel and a microphone (with a transformer) via its dual audio inputs and outputs. This setup showcases the unit's capability to handle complex audio routing seamlessly.
Setup and Usability: Initially setting up the Mod Dwarf is time-intensive, especially when compared to the more immediate functionality of devices like the Zoia and Beebo. However, once configured, it provides a mostly stable and certainly user-friendly platform for crafting and managing sound.
Sound Quality: The Mod Dwarf delivers quality audio with a vast array of effects. Sorting through these to find the best fit is necessary due to their sheer number, but the results are worth the effort. The midi utilities and generators are great too. The internal 'CV' stuff is a bit confusing compared to the Beebo.
Integration: Its extensive MIDI and USB connectivity make the Mod Dwarf highly flexible, though the lack of a direct expression pedal input is a notable gap for my lap steel. I've mitigated this with an external MIDI controller, adding cost but greatly enhancing control.
Performance: Occasional glitches occur, though they are less frequent than those I've experienced with the Beebo and not overly disruptive.
Value and Role: For its price, the Mod Dwarf offers substantial functionality, making it a valuable part of my music creation process, particularly for MIDI-rich environments with my lap steel.
The Mod Dwarf excels in environments that demand versatility and detailed control, making it a solid choice for musicians who use complex setups.
Setup and Usability: Initially setting up the Mod Dwarf is time-intensive, especially when compared to the more immediate functionality of devices like the Zoia and Beebo. However, once configured, it provides a mostly stable and certainly user-friendly platform for crafting and managing sound.
Sound Quality: The Mod Dwarf delivers quality audio with a vast array of effects. Sorting through these to find the best fit is necessary due to their sheer number, but the results are worth the effort. The midi utilities and generators are great too. The internal 'CV' stuff is a bit confusing compared to the Beebo.
Integration: Its extensive MIDI and USB connectivity make the Mod Dwarf highly flexible, though the lack of a direct expression pedal input is a notable gap for my lap steel. I've mitigated this with an external MIDI controller, adding cost but greatly enhancing control.
Performance: Occasional glitches occur, though they are less frequent than those I've experienced with the Beebo and not overly disruptive.
Value and Role: For its price, the Mod Dwarf offers substantial functionality, making it a valuable part of my music creation process, particularly for MIDI-rich environments with my lap steel.
The Mod Dwarf excels in environments that demand versatility and detailed control, making it a solid choice for musicians who use complex setups.
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j
Open Source Effects Processor for Endless Experimentation
The MOD Dwarf is a powerful effects processor that offers a wide range of capabilities, but what sets it apart is its open source architecture. With its open source design, the MOD Dwarf empowers users to customize and modify the software to suit their needs, allowing for endless experimentation and creative possibilities.
One standout plugin is the "AIDA-X", which uses an AI algorithm to learn the sound of your different amps and pedals with or without cabinets. With this neural models, you can use your own Impulse Responses (IRs), giving you greater flexibility to shape your sound. Plus, with the MOD Dwarf, you can add more effects to your chain without requiring extra hardware, making it an ideal solution for those looking to streamline their setup. The "AIDA-X" plugin is just one of many open source effects and presets available online that can be easily downloaded and used with the MOD Dwarf, there are also looper plugins available among much others.
The power supply quality was the only drawback, as it generated a lot of noise
One standout plugin is the "AIDA-X", which uses an AI algorithm to learn the sound of your different amps and pedals with or without cabinets. With this neural models, you can use your own Impulse Responses (IRs), giving you greater flexibility to shape your sound. Plus, with the MOD Dwarf, you can add more effects to your chain without requiring extra hardware, making it an ideal solution for those looking to streamline their setup. The "AIDA-X" plugin is just one of many open source effects and presets available online that can be easily downloaded and used with the MOD Dwarf, there are also looper plugins available among much others.
The power supply quality was the only drawback, as it generated a lot of noise
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