Old Blood Noise Endeavors Excess V2

A modern interpretation of 80s textures, by OBNE

With the Excess V2, Old Blood Noise Endeavors pursues a clear idea: to recapture the spirit of sought-after 80s sounds (lush modulations, expressive repeats, offset harmonies) while adding the flexibility expected by modern pedalboards. This V2 further expands the possibilities thanks to an advanced interaction between modulation and saturation, and a "studio" approach to routing that allows stacking, separating, or merging circuits according to your musical intent.

The result is not just a "vintage" pedal, but a sound design tool capable of shifting from an immediate, edgy grain to more crafted atmospheres, with a true sense of dynamics and texture.

For which guitarists and styles?

The Excess V2 is aimed at guitarists who like to build their sound like a landscape: biting riffs, chorus arpeggios, edgy delays, fifth harmonies to thicken a theme, or more noise-oriented layers. It suits both intermediate musicians looking for an inspiring pedal and effects veterans wanting a highly modular "modulation + drive" unit.

It excels in aesthetics where texture matters as much as the note: alternative rock, post-punk, new wave, shoegaze, indie, modern pop, and even some more experimental approaches. Live, its series/parallel routing allows quick adaptation of playing clarity to the mix context, while in the studio it becomes an excellent source of colors to double takes or create verse/chorus variations.

Features and controls: one pedal, multiple architectures

The Modulation section offers three modes: Delay, Chorus, and Fifth. Whatever the chosen mode, you have controls designed for quick access to sound: time (or speed), depth, and volume of the section. The Fifth mode adds this harmonized fifth color, ideal for densifying a riff, giving a "synth-like" character to a simple pattern, or creating parallel lines with the right hand.

The Distortion section is adjusted via Gain, Tone, and Volume, covering a wide range: from a light, grainy overdrive to a fuzz-like, thicker, more blurred distortion with attack and compression. The real interest comes from how it combines with modulation: you can place it inside the modulation, put it after to dirty and thicken repeats, or choose a parallel path to keep a solid direct signal while adding a modulated layer.

Each section has its own switching with Soft Touch and true relay bypass, handy for activating only what you need at the moment. For expressive playing, an expression input allows controlling speed and depth of the modulation from an external pedal. Finally, an internal trimpot lets you precisely adjust the dry/wet mix of the Modulation section to adapt the effect's presence to your amp, pickups, or your place in the band.

The sound

The Excess V2 offers a deliberately "characterful" signature: modulation that can range from subtle chorus movement to more pronounced repeats, and a Fifth mode that provides immediate harmonic thickness, almost like a discreet second guitar aligned with your playing. The distortion is very effective at adding relief: in gentle settings, it adds bite and a grainy texture; pushing the gain makes it more blurred and saturated, with a sense of mass and compression.

Routing is the key to its musicality: in series, you sculpt an "effect within the effect" chain (for example, modulation becoming dirtier and more intense passing through distortion). In parallel, you get a clearer attack and a more stable low end, while enjoying a modulated layer that dresses the sound without overpowering it. An ideal pedal for those who like pick dynamics and chord choices to truly transform the final texture.

Technical specifications

Effects	Volume / Expression, Delay, Multi-effects, Distortion / Overdrive / Fuzz, Chorus / Flanger / Phaser, Distortion	Type	sector
Format	Pedal	Use	electric guitar
EQ	Tone	Color	Pink

Multi-effects pedal	modulation + distortion	Saturation range	light overdrive to more blurred distortion
Sound universe	textures inspired by the 80s	Order switching	distortion inside modulation, modulation inside distortion, or separate parallel paths
Artwork	created by atiya jones	Expression pedal input	external control of speed and depth
Modes	Delay, Chorus, Fifth	Required power supply	9V DC, center-negative polarity
Available controls	time, depth, volume	Minimum current required	125 mA
Internal trimpot	dry/wet mix adjustment of the Modulation section