Old Blood Noise Endeavors BL-44 Reverse

An OBNE Approach: Bending Time Rather Than Stacking Effects

With the BL-44, Old Blood Noise Endeavors offers a reverse pedal that does more than just invert your signal: it gives you control over the "clock" of the processing to vary texture, definition, and speed sensation. The concept is clearly focused on interaction : you don't set the effect once and for all, you play it like an instrument, keeping your thumb on the slider.

Another detail highlighting the "one-of-a-kind" spirit of the series: the BL-44 also features an original painting on its face, signed by Brandy M. Patterson (Manchester, New Hampshire). The result is an atypical effect with a distinctive look, crafted for musicians who like to break new ground.

Who Is the BL-44 For, and Which Styles Does It Excel In?

The BL-44 Reverse is aimed at guitarists (and more broadly musicians using pedalboards) who want to add a temporal dimension to their riffs, arpeggios, drones, or melodic lines. It is particularly comfortable when seeking ambient, post-rock, shoegaze, electronic, experimental atmospheres, or creative transitions in rock and indie.

In the studio, it is used to create reversed backgrounds, "ghost" tails, strange doubling, or motifs that seem to rewind time. Live, it's a perfect pedal to reignite inspiration : a simple Clock movement is enough to shift from a clean reverse to one that crumbles, twists, and floats in the mix.

Controls, Playing Modes, and "Tactile" Philosophy

The interface is deliberately straightforward. The Clock slider is the heart of the concept: it shifts the effect from a fast, defined, and "hi-fi" reverse to a slower, rougher reverse with a degraded character evoking lo-fi and glitch treatments. It's also the ideal control for transition effects, as it invites real-time movement.

The Speed potentiometer affects the reverse playback speed. When combined with the Clock, you can achieve perceived pitch variations and surprising behaviors (repeated fragments, "missing" parts, harmony sensations). The Mix (dry/wet blend) and Volume (output level) controls then allow you to integrate the BL-44 either as a subtle effect or as a very prominent signature sound.

On the switching side, the Soft Touch footswitch offers a pleasant feel underfoot, and the pedal is designed to integrate naturally into a modern effects chain.

Sound

The BL-44 delivers a reverse that can remain precise and clear for distinct patterns but can also become ethereal, granular, and intentionally "damaged" as you slow down and degrade the clock. Where many reverse pedals are limited to a single aesthetic, the BL-44 offers a palette ranging from "clean" reversed reverb to more unstable, almost memory-like textures.

Its strong point is the gesture responsiveness : the Clock slider provides a real feeling of "pitch sliding then snapping back," ideal for creating rises, falls, and breathing soundscapes. With the Mix control, you choose between a discreet thickness behind the direct sound or a dominant wet signal for a fully immersive result.

Technical specifications

Effects	Delay, Effects	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Purple
Type	sector

Clock (slider)	from fast and faithful to slow and degraded	Inputs	6.35mm asymmetrical Jack (TS)
Speed	reverse playback speed (interval impressions: octave, fifth, fourth, unison, up or down)	Outputs	6.35mm asymmetrical Jack (TS)
Mix	dry/wet blend adjustment	Dimensions	120 x 66 x 58 mm
Volume	overall volume adjustment	Weight	300 g
Soft Touch footswitch	effect on/off	Required power supply	9V DC (2.1 x 5.5 mm barrel plug, center negative polarity)
Bypass	true bypass	Consumption	110 mA