Which FEEDBACKER is the best? Freqout, Dr. Distorto, DF2 or FB2?

I managed to get my hands on the only 4 feedbacker pedals that I know of: the Boss DF-2 Super Feedbacker and Distortion, the Boss FB-2 Feedbacker/Booster, the Digitech Freqout and the Line6 Dr. Distorto. In this deep dive I'm testing out how these pedals work, what control you have over the feedback and what else these pedals could do.

00:00 Intro and signal path
01:43 Boss DF-2
05:52 Boss FB-2
09:32 Digitech Freqout
17:44 Line6 Dr. Distorto
24:25 Playing with vibrato
26:23 Conclusion and feature overview

The Boss DF-2 is the oldest pedal of the 4 and has a DS-2 style distortion which is always present when you activate the pedal, the feedback is only activated when you hold the footswtich down. When the feedback is activated, it sustains the last note that you played, boosts it and adds a wild vibrato. It plays that noise as long as you hold the footswitch down and you can even play notes over the feedback. You have control over the overtones of the feedback: with the knob turned down, it sustains the last played note you played and with the knob turned up, it adds an octave to it. The distortion side of the pedal has controls over level, tone and distortion.

The Boss FB-2 has a completely different approach to add feedback. Instead of synthetically sustaining the sound from your guitar, it tracks your playing. When you hold down the pedal to engage the feedback, it boosts that certain frequency to make your amp reach that feedback screech. The only knob to control this is the Feedback knob, which basically is a gain control for this circuit. The other part of the pedal is a booster and you have more control over that. It has knobs for boost level, tone and character, which morphs between a flat EQ-curve and a mid boost.

The Digitech Freqout is the only one of these 4 pedals that doesn't have other features and solely focusses on feedback. Digitech once made a program that analyses sounds to eliminate feedback in a live room, but for this pedal they reversed that so it actually boosts those feedback noises. You can choose between seven different sounds, control the input gain and the onset (which is the time for the feedback to kick in). There are also switches to choose between momentary or latching footswitch functionality and a switch to kill your dry sound so there's only feedback.

The Line6 Dr. Distorto also sustains your note synthetically, like the Boss DF-2, or add an octave above it with a switch. When the feedback side of the pedal is activated, it automatically generates a note when the natural noise of your guitar fades out. You have control over the rise and fall time of the feedback, as well as a control to blend between dry and feedback. Besides feedback, there's an optional versatile distortion which goes from overdrive to fuzz with tone and volume controls. To top it off, there's also an optional noise gate with two settings.

[JimmyGallowayGuitar]

Pro Tip: stack the FB-2 w FreqOut. They fight over what note is grabbed, the results are wild.

[SONGSTICKS]

I think for me the Digitech wins hands down. It’s so much more musical than the rest.

[kdakan]

This is the best demo I've seen, Dr Distorto seems like the best for the buck, considering it is cheap. The Boss pedals don't sound natural. Freqout is probably the best if used within reasonable limits, cause it can offer very unnatural sounds as well.

[thomascraymer]

I came here looking for a review of the Freqout, but now it seems I'm going for the Dr. Distorto! Up till now I've been using an Ebow to generate feedback, but need something more controlled that I can use while playing. From these demoes, the Freqout seems perhaps too controlled sometimes (considering the nature of actual feedback from an amp), and the Dr. Distorto sounds closer to what I'd get from an actual amp. Not to mention, the Dr. Distorto is like half the price of the Freqout or either of the Boss pedals, am buying it immediately!

[joswijsman]

Hé DIYguitarGuy, nice review, thank
you. One thing though, the Freqout does not add 3 or 5 octives, it add's a 3rd or 5th note to the note played. If you want to sell the Freqout, I'm your guy. Please contact

[mr.mcmagpie]

I just use my EHX Freeze pedal for "feedback" type tones. I like the freeze mainly because I like using my own fuzz/distortion. Not a huge fan of the distortion that comes with them. If I were to get any of your pedals it would be the Feedbacker Booster.

[Ascsoms]

informative comparisons, as Mr. McMagpie pointed out using a freeze pedal for long sustain, which of these would sustain a tone indefinitely? And another question please...are they all true copies of the note being sustained or a built in 'feedback' sound? Thanks

[elotro]

The FB2 makes an ugly noise if you hold it to long.The DF2 sounds synthetic. The Freqout offers a lot of control, but it also sounds artificial. The Dr. Distorto has to my ears by far the best sounding feedback tone. Thank you very much for your test. I have the Freqout and I was never happy with it. So the Dr. Distorto is a real discovery. I don't know how the Fender Runaway sounds and its very expensive on Reverb, but Dr. Distorto can be found on Reverb for a more or less decent price.

[attillal]

Cracking video and demo.

Question.. does the Digitech Freqout colour your tone in anyway??

[junkheadyamiken]

What happens when you play a chord thru line6? Will it still feedback or can it only handle single notes?

[colinsouter]

the only other one i know of is the fender runaway pedal. i wish they would reissue it cause it was likited production and now collectors have driven yhe price through the roof. they used to be like $200-250 now people keep asking around $700 which is ridiculous. they're just dumb rare cause they weren't made for long. but its more in a way style housing. really neat

[christothegreat]

You must make a comparison chart to visually show your results of your excellent tests!

[codymcgrew]

One thing I’m trying to find out about the DF-2, does it track your bends?? Like, if you bend the note you are feedbacking, will the feedbacking note also bend??

[the-npmr]

Man eventually when I start playing live I might get that freqout. Turn it on latching mode so I can finally get some decent feedback on bass lol

[leandrocesarmaccan]

The superfeedback sounds clean if the gain is at zero?

[dr.rafaelortizzavala]

I have the FB Boss and for me is very Good pedal y know the the other one with distorsion but I prefer hace the distorsion un other pedal for me is more versatil in that way.

[RedatedX]

thanks, im gonna annoy the fuck out of my older brother with this pedal :D

[dnamusicchallenge]

Sucks that freqout is sooo hard to find. 😩 Discontinued

[Savior.Mountgreen]

Hello of all these 4 pedals what is the most valid alternative of the sustaniac pickups?

[kevinmejia]

The digitech is simply superior, more natural and noticeable