The Art of the Collision: A Deep Dive into Mask Audio Electronics

Collision of Sound: Exploring the Sonic Chaos of Mask Audio Electronics

If you like your tone with a side of "beautifully broken," then you need to get familiar with Mask Audio Electronics (MAE). Based out of Pittsburgh and headed by Alec Breslow, MAE has carved out a unique space in the boutique pedal world by focusing on the "collision between electronics and sound."

These aren't just your standard clones; they are meticulously hand-built noise machines designed for players who want to push boundaries. We’re thrilled to have a fresh batch of their most sought-after circuits in stock here at Cottonwood Music Emporium.

Civil Math: The Russian Muff Reimagined

The "Civil War" Russian Big Muff is a legend for its smooth, round character. The Civil Math takes that beloved soul and injects it with a massive dose of MAE attitude. Alec revoiced the circuit with lower-gain transistors for extra texture, then added a pre-muff op-amp boost that can effectively "smash it to bits."

Clubber Lang: The Percolator Evolved

A collaboration with Zac at Malaise Forever Customs, the Clubber Lang is a "love letter" to the Harmonic Percolator. By adding a MOSFET input stage (the "Burn" control) and asymmetrical soft clipping, MAE has created a pedal that is incredibly interactive. It responds to your instrument's volume and tone knobs like a living thing.

Alone: Flanging Made Simple

Flangers are often misunderstood—dismissed as "jet plane" one-trick ponies. Alone changes the narrative. It’s an analog-voiced digital flanger designed to be simple and intuitive. With intelligent digital control, you can move from traditional jet-liner sweeps to lush, watery chorus-flange, and even a "Wow and Flutter" mode for fans of vintage tape wear.

Germanium Part Garden: The Articulate Hybrid

The original silicon Part Garden is a cult favorite for its gated fuzz textures. The Germanium Part Garden flips the script. While it can still get raspy and aggressive, this version is designed for clarity. It’s an overdrive that can be pushed into a fuzz, handling complex chords beautifully while maintaining note definition.

Hot Water: 4x the Gain, 100% Grit

Part of MAE’s budget-friendly line, the Hot Water is proof that you don't need a million knobs to get a massive sound. Using the same number of transistors as a Big Muff, MAE managed to squeeze out four times the gain. It’s heavy, synthy, and compressed, yet it cleans up remarkably well with your guitar's volume knob.

Why Mask Audio Electronics?

MAE pedals aren't just about making noise; they are about finding the musicality within the chaos. Whether you’re a shoegazer or a garage-rocker looking for a new flavor of dirt, these designs offer something truly distinct.

Shop the full Mask Audio Engineering collection here.