Mystic Edge

Classic Overdrive Sounds

They weren’t kidding when they said Valvenergy!
When most pedals set out the replicate the sound of a valve amp, they tend to pick a lane and stay in it. Pedals like the Marshall Bluesbreaker, for example, are an attempt to replicate one specific valve amp sound. Vox’s Mystic Edge aims for a more general approach to valve-type overdrive, offering a versatile range of controls.
But does it succeed?

Give Your Music a Mystic Edge

It should be a surprise to nobody that a Vox pedal is most successful at replicating the sound of a Vox amp. That being said the Nu-Tube – a modern approximation of a vacuum tube – is great for creating a range of more organic sounds. With five knobs and three distinct modes, Vox have gone all out in their efforts to give this pedal as much range as possible.
Furthermore, because of the inclusion of an OLED screen, this pedal adds a visual aid to adjusting the waveform, granting even finer control over your sound.
As if all that wasn’t enough Vox have added the unique ability to link this and other Valvenergy pedals up via a small TRS cable. In practice, what this means is that you can set your pedals to turn one another off when you switch between them, allowing for faster and smoother on-stage transitions.

Is It Worth the Price?

Retailing between $160 and $200, the Mystic Edge certainly isn’t a budget overdrive pedal, but at the same time, it’s pretty one-of-a-kind. For a pedal this small and easy to use, it offers an almost unprecedented level of tone-shaping. On the other hand, there is always a trade-off, and in this case, while the Vox can sound a lot like almost any valve amp, it’s never going to be a perfect recreation.

Of course, don’t let us decide for you. Check out the Mystic Edge here on TonePedia and decide for yourself how well it replicates the sound of a true valve amp.