Keeley Dark Side Workstation V2

A "Dark Side" at the crossroads of classic Keeley pedals

The Keeley Dark Side is aimed directly at guitarists seeking that unique mix of singing fuzz, psychedelic modulations, and tape echo-style delay that defined the golden era of progressive rock. In spirit, it's a condensed pedalboard: a fuzz inspired by seventies tones and, on the other side, a high-end digital section dedicated to modulations and echoes, all quickly adjustable to stay in the "sweet spot".

For whom, and in which styles?

The Dark Side is ideal if you play rock, prog, blues rock, indie, or ambient/shoegaze styles and want to switch from a saturated lead full of sustain to a textured rhythm without multiplying pedals. It suits both intermediate guitarists looking for an inspiring "all-in-one" pedal and seasoned musicians seeking a module dedicated to spatial sounds in studio or live.

On stage, the two separate footswitches allow you to treat the Dark Side as two pedals: you can activate only the fuzz, only the modulation/delay, or stack both for very "cinematic" intensity builds. In the studio, the insert loop is a real plus to place, for example, a compressor, EQ, or booster exactly where you want in the chain.

Controls, modes, and connectivity: a texture machine

The operation is straightforward: one Master Level and two sections. On the Fuzz side, you have a Fuzz (gain) control, a Filter to shape brightness, and a Flat / Full / Scoop switch to choose the EQ curve (from balanced to scooped, "wall of sound" style).

On the Mod side, the selector lets you navigate between effect families (Flange/Rotary textures, Phase/U-Vibe, and Delay). The knobs then become "contextual": Blend (or "Tape Head" selection/variation in delay mode), Depth (or Time), Rate (or Feedback), and a dedicated Level for this section. Add to that an expression input to control parameters in real time, and an effects order switch to place the fuzz before or after the Mod section depending on the desired sound.

The sound

The Dark Side is crafted for sounds that breathe: a fuzz that can remain clear even with high gain, wide modulations (rotary/vibe/phaser/flanger), and a multi-head delay with a "tape echo" feel, perfect to thicken a lead, create rhythmic responses, or set an ambient backdrop. The Flat/Full/Scoop switch immediately changes the guitar's place in the mix: Full for a generous presence, Scoop for big chords and wide leads, Flat to keep a natural balance.

Regarding inspirations and uses, the Dark Side is often associated with rock/alternative universes and very expressive playing. Among the artists frequently mentioned with this pedal are Brian Fallon, Tyler Bates, and Justin Shekoski, proving that it's not limited to "tribute" but also works as a true sound creation pedal.

Technical specifications

Effects	Delay, Multi-effects, Distortion / Overdrive / Fuzz, Chorus / Flanger / Phaser	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Black
Type	sector

Multi-effects pedal	Fuzz + Modulation + Delay	1 expression input	6.35mm stereo jack
Two independent footswitches	on/off Mod and on/off Fuzz (activatable separately)	1 output	6.35mm mono jack
Mod Section	Level / Blend (Tape Head in Delay mode) / Depth (Time in Delay mode) / Rate (Feedback in Delay mode) / Mode selector switch	Dimensions	121 x 94 x 34 mm
Fuzz Section	Fuzz / Filter / Flat - Full - Scoop switch	Power supply	9V DC (center negative) via power adapter
1 instrument input	6.35mm mono jack	Consumption	minimum 75 mA
1 effects loop input (insert)	6.35mm stereo jack (tip = send / ring = return)