Just in time for this year’s NAMM, Yvette Young has teamed up with Walrus Audio to introduce the Qi Etherealizer—a versatile modulation pedal designed to create ethereal soundscapes through chorus, delay, reverb, and granular effects. However, Young’s journey into the world of pedals wasn’t straightforward, as she initially leaned toward a more acoustic approach.
“I actually started out as someone who was really afraid of pedals because I came from piano, violin, and acoustic guitar,” Young shared.
“So I was like, ‘Oh, hell no, technology?!’ And it’s just really cool for me, personally, to go from being intimidated by this stuff to now dreaming it up and working with an amazing company like Walrus to create something that inspires people to write.”
Young explains that her approach to designing the Qi Etherealizer stemmed from her background as an art teacher and her visual approach to music.
“When Walrus approached me to create this, I thought about something that would help people sit down and start an idea,” she said. “I talk about music in a very visual way. The hardest part of creating, I think, is starting.
“We often feel anxious about making that first move, wanting it to be perfect. But in painting, once I cover the canvas in a big wash of color, that anxiety disappears. I wanted this pedal to serve the same purpose for musicians.”
Describing the Qi Etherealizer as an “ambient machine” and an “idea generator,” Young hopes it will help musicians push past creative blocks.
“Hopefully, it inspires you to make your guitar sound unlike a guitar at times. Some of the tones it produces are not very guitar-like at all.”
As for who would benefit most from the pedal, Young says, “I think this would be perfect for people who love scoring films. I’ve used it with vocals, strings—it’s just so fun, like a toy.”
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