Lichtlaerm Audio Medusa Guitar Effect

HM-2 Style Death Metal Distortion Pedal

The Lichtlaerm Audio Medusa is a high-gain distortion pedal engineered for Swedish death metal and extreme metal tones. Built in Berlin, Germany, it evolves the classic Boss HM-2 chainsaw sound with up to three times the gain of the original, a 4-band parametric EQ, and an integrated noise gate. The Medusa is the right choice for metal guitarists who need crushing, articulate distortion with modern control over tone shaping and signal routing.

What Sets the Medusa Apart from Other HM-2 Style Pedals

The Medusa integrates a full Blackmer-VCA noise gate — the same circuit architecture as Lichtlaerm's standalone Key & Gate — directly into the pedal, positioned behind the parallel FX loop so any signal blended through the loop also benefits from gating. A polarity switch on the FX loop allows phase inversion to avoid cancellations or create out-of-phase textures. The pedal also features Lichtlaerm's proprietary Smart Relay technology for reliable true bypass switching.

Signal Routing and Connectivity

Operating as a true bypass pedal, the Medusa uses standard 6.3 mm TS jack connections on the top panel for instrument input and amplifier output. A parallel FX loop with dedicated send and return allows blending external pedals — distortion, boost, overdrive, or even a tube amp preamp — with the Medusa's distortion via the Blend control.

• Inputs: 6.3 mm TS jack — standard instrument-level input on top panel
• Outputs: 6.3 mm TS jack — sends processed signal to amp or next pedal stage
• FX Loop: Parallel send/return with polarity switch — blend external distortion, boost, or clean signal
• Bypass: True bypass via Smart Relay — preserves dry tone when disengaged

Four-Band EQ and Dual Gain Stages

The 4-band parametric EQ includes Low, Mid (tunable 200–700 Hz), Grind, and Presence controls, each capable of boosting or cutting ±16 dB. The Mode Selector switches between the classic HM-2 chainsaw character and a modern, mid-focused saturation with up to three times the gain of the original HM-2 circuit.

• Low: Shelving bass control — shapes low-end weight and palm-mute tightness
• Mid: Parametric 200–700 Hz — scoops or pushes the critical midrange for modern or vintage character
• Grind: HM-2 style peaking mid control — delivers the signature chainsaw bite
• Presence: High shelving filter — adds or tames top-end cut and articulation

Noise Management, Cut Control and Power

The integrated Blackmer-VCA noise gate is triggered from the input and placed after the FX loop, ensuring clean signal management for both the distortion and any looped effects. The proprietary Cut control tightens the low end for punchy palm mutes that the original HM-2 was never capable of. Power is supplied via a standard 9 VDC center-negative adapter.

• Noise Gate: Full Blackmer-VCA circuit — input-triggered, placed post-loop for full-chain gating
• Cut: Proprietary low-end shaping — tightens palm mutes beyond standard HM-2 capability
• Power: 9 VDC center-negative — standard pedalboard power supply compatible (PSU not included)
• Dimensions: 121.9 × 66 × 39.6 mm — compact enclosure fits standard pedalboards