Donner Alpha Cruncher Multi Effects Pedal Review

The alpha cruncher from Donner is a compact and modern piece of kit, but how do the array effects hold up against our review?

Let’s take an in-depth look at the Donner Alpha Cruncher multi-effects pedal. 

 

Full Review

First Impressions 

The first impressions here are definitely great, and this is a unique, modern, and impressive design that will appeal to those who like a cool, stripped-back design, and a pedal that looks a little different. We love the look of this model, and its lightweight construction and compact size makes it ideal for those who are lacking space.

 

Features

There are a lot of key features to this pedal, but the most important feature has got to be the stunning analogue circuit design. The best thing about this is that it allows you to combine different pedal effects, and delay the effects, to get the best outcome in terms of experimenting with sound. The three knobs for the effects will help you to control the volume of the sounds so you can get the perfect balance when you are playing. These are really great for experimentation, and they offer a great way of being able to find the perfect sound from your jamming sessions. 

The bright, warm sounds, and iconic distortion effect makes the Donner multi-effects pedal one of the most exciting to try to use. The analog interface is one of the best we’ve experienced because it makes it so much easier to navigate through the menus – just use the footswitches and knobs to help you with this. We love the fact that this is such an easy model to use, and, what’s more, it is also one of the most affordable options on the market, available for around $65.

The distortion is one of the biggest strengths of the pedal and is perfect for letting you capture that ‘80s rock sound. There are a lot of great reasons to get this pedal, and those looking for a dirtier sound to work with will probably find a lot of use for this pedal. In many ways, this is almost like having three pedals in one, and this is part of what makes it such an appealing choice for guitarists across the world. Its transportability and size makes it such an amazing choice, and it is ideal for solo players looking to ply their trade as conveniently as possible. 

Build Quality

One of the things that first catches the eye about the Donner pedal is its design. Small, compact, modern, trendy, and suitable for any environment, this was clearly designed by people who love the playing process and wanted to make it as enjoyable as possible. The steel design makes it highly durable, but it is also lightweight and compact as well.

Pros

• Compact
• Lightweight
• The delay, chorus and distortion blends within the three blatant switches are great for beginners

Cons

• The compact construction can make the dials fiddly
• Not the best for guitarists playing in a live setting regularly as the control knobs may be hard to quickly change in a very short space of time, e.g. between songs

 

Conclusion

The biggest advantages of this pedal are the fact that it is small in size and made from durable steel. It is like having three pedals in one and offers some really excellent distortion, delay, and chorus effects. The affordable price is also one of the defining factors that makes this a must-have pedal for guitarists everywhere.

On the negative side, some people have complained that the dials are too close together, making it problematic when using the foot pedal. However, this is a gripe that players will surely learn to live with over time. If you want a unique pedal, with plenty of options to work with, this is definitely the choice for you.

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