Note: Battery operation is not supported
Tone City pedals have been around since 2014, and in that time they have gained an excellent reputation for delivering outstanding sound and build quality at affordable prices. The Tone City Angel Wing upholds this tradition admirably: This analogue mini-pedal employs a bucket brigade chip to serve up a lush, warm-sounding chorus that is inspired by the legendary modulation units that the big brands have been putting out for over 40 years. So, whether they're putting it in front of the amp or in the effects loop, players can use the Angel Wing to instantly capture those distinctive 1980s-style chorus tones on an electric guitar, acoustic guitar, or bass.
The chorus effect is generated using delays of up to 15 milliseconds' duration, which are alternately shortened or lengthened to create a minimal fluctuation in pitch. The combination of the dry signal and the modulated signal (the latter of which is referred to as vibrato) results in an acoustic effect comparable to the sound of two guitars playing at the same time. The Angel Wing's intuitive and straightforward control layout puts a broad range of sounds at the player's fingertips: The Level control adjusts the output volume and allows the signal to be boosted or cut depending on the passage being played, while the Rate knob sets the speed of the modulation, and the Depth knob adjusts the intensity (or depth) of the effect.
Anyone looking for a combination of outstanding chorus sounds and easy operation will not be disappointed by the Tone City Angel Wing: Electric guitar players can use the pedal to thicken up their solo sound and to achieve everything from shimmering arpeggios through to tight, funky rhythm chops. Dialling in more extreme settings with a high rate and depth, in turn, produces a pulsing, vibrato-like sound for more experimental music. Whatever the application, the Angel Wing is sure to be able to handle it with ease, and this compact Tone City pedal can certainly hold its own against more expensive competitors. That being said, its main strength lies in generating those classic chorus sounds found in everything from Pop to Rock and Metal.
Tone City is a guitar effects manufacturer that is based in China and specialises in manufacturing pedals that are compact and affordable but do not make any compromises in terms of sound or build quality. The company quickly gained a good reputation, particularly among guitarists looking for the sound of boutique gear in a space-saving format. Tone City creates modern interpretations of classic circuits, which are served up in intuitive, user-friendly pedals with a sturdy metal construction. The company’s pedals are renowned for their organic tonal characteristics and impressive dynamics, and they are ideal for pedalboard-based setups thanks to their sophisticated circuit board layouts and true-bypass switching. With an ever-expanding product range that includes everything from overdrives and modulation effects through to delays, Tone City offers musicians a viable alternative to expensive boutique pedals.
Chorus pedals can be placed in a variety of positions in a signal chain: Those looking for a smooth-sounding chorus effect are best served by putting the chorus before any gain pedals, while a transparent and studio-like effect can be achieved by placing it behind these in the chain, or in the amp's effects loop. Wherever it's placed, however, the Tone City Angel Wing's mini-pedal format means that it will easily find space on virtually any pedalboard. It should be noted that its diminutive size does mean that it can't run on a battery, so a suitable power adapter will be required, which it doesn't ship with – still, the Angel Wing is suitable for operation with any standard pedalboard power supply.