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Behringer HB01 Hell Babe

520

Ultimate Wah-Wah Pedal

Unlike most conventional pedals, the HB01 has a fully optical control without mechanical controls and switches for wear-free pedal operation. A unique, spring-back pedal mechanism and a freely adjustable tilt resistance ensure maximum play comfort. The heel-down frequency can be adjusted via the range knob from 440 Hz to 250 Hz, which also makes this pedal perfect for electric basses!

An additional fine-tune control is used to increase the frequency range of the control range for an incredibly brilliant and impressive sound. For a precise setting of the filter curve for a voice-like effect character, the pedal has a super-musical Q control. With the adjustable boost function, including on/off switch, you can effectively highlight your licks. Dual status LEDs for effect and boost activation at the back of the unit provide you with optimum control. Last but not least, our Ultra Low-Noise circuitry delivers an excellent sound quality. The power is supplied via 9-Volt battery or a DC adapter (not included).

  • With optical control for wear-free pedal operation (no mechanical controls and switches)
  • The heel-down frequency can be adjusted via range control from 440 Hz to 250 Hz, thus also suitable for electric bass
  • Unique, spring-back pedal mechanism and freely adjustable tilt resistance for maximum play comfort (can be deactivated)
  • Additional fine-tune control for high-frequency extension of the control range for incredibly brilliant and extra-present sound
  • Ultra-musical Q-control for precise setting of the filter curve enhances the voice-like effect character
  • Adjustable boost function including on/off switch for highlighting your licks
  • Dual status LEDs for effect and boost activation at the back of the unit provide optimal control
  • Ultra low-noise switch for superb sound quality
  • Operation via 9-Volt battery or BEHRINGER PSU-SB DC adapter (not included)
  • Power adaptor optionally available (Thomann NT AC/PSA Article Nr 409939)
Available since October 2005
Item number 185996
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Wah Wah Pedal Yes
Volume Pedal No
Dynamic Wah No
Distortion No
True Bypass No
$49
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520 Customer ratings

4 / 5

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280 Reviews

A
Amazing for the price
Anonymous 04.04.2015
This is yet another quality Behringer rip-off of a more famous, far more expensive "brand name" pedal, the Dunlop "Cry baby from hell". I own both and really there's precious little separating the two, infact if anything I would say "go behringer" as the wah frequency threshold is adjustable (easily, knob on the side) so you can also use this as a bass wah simply (the dunlop sounds bad when used with bass, doesn't really work).

The workmanship here is pretty much identical to the dunlop pedal. It's slightly bigger in terms of footsize/area so I guess if you're a big footed lummox this would, again, probably be the better pedal to go for.

One small problem I noticed with the pedal is that for a bit of the "travel" of the rocker there isn't really much change to the sound, with the majority of the "wah" effect taking place in a shorter travel range than the full pedal allows. This was easily fixed with a simple internal mod which is detailed in many, many different youtube videos which are easy to find, just search the name of the pedal and the word "mod" and you'll find them. This is absolutely no reason to put anyone off buying the pedal and, for many people, this will probably not be an issue at all but I am an anally retentive freak so OF COURSE it bothered me ;-)

I dipped 1 star in both "handling" and "quality" for this small issue (and it really is a small issue, the sound/range is still there it's just spread over less travel than the pedal offers from the off). Also, I'm not sure if all will be set up like this, it might just be a few from time to time that aren't set up right. Considering this is more than 1/2 the price of the Dunlop unit one can happily take 5 minutes or so to fix this issue.

Also, another thing this has over the dunlop pedal is that it's all "optical" whereas the dunlop wah's rely on mechanical parts/wheels inside. This means it'll never get gummed up/worn down and should, theoretically, last much longer. Think of the difference between an old school "ball" computer mouse and a new optical/laser mouse. Which one do you have to clean out regularly ? (clue: it's not the optical/laser one)

Works well with the harley benton power plant, no detectable buzz/colouration of sound when in bypass mode and it works well, also, in combination with other pedals (particularly nice when placed in line after a distortion, but you probably already know that, right ?)

Overall this is a bit above the average Behringer pedal, not from sound quality (I think they all sound good) but in terms of being close to the original (if not beyond) in terms of build quality. I foresee no problems in using this in reasonably animated live situations for "one footed surfing" style nonsense.

Would definitely recommend.
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SB
Versatile and (relatively) cheap
Sami B 18.02.2022
This pedal is supposed to be based on Dimebag Darrell's signature Wah, the Cry Baby from Hell, which is usually £150-£200. This is pretty much identical, but it's 1/4 of the price.

The Hellbabe is optical, so there aren't any pots or moving parts that can get cat hair stuck in them. It also doesn't have a button to turn it on, instead activating when you put your foot on it and turning off after you remove your foot. You can adjust how long the pedal stays on after you take your foot off but the default setting is near immediate.

The sound is surprisingly good for a pedal this cheap, and is very versatile coming with several knobs, so that you can get the exact tone you want. I mostly use this for metal and it's great for that.

Initially, I thought that the pedal would feel flimsy and cheap, due to it being made of plastic. However, only the rocker is made of plastic and the rest is made of (I'm assuming) steel. Despite the rocker being made of plastic, it feels very sturdy and will probably last a few years of use at the least.

You can adjust the resistance of the rocker but, like the timer adjust, it feels great out of the box.

I feel like this is one of Behringer's highest quality pedals so far.
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Good purchase
Fredi2 01.08.2021
Was considering another Crybaby, but spotted this with much more functionality eg booster, freq shift, level control. Seemed like a no brainer and seemed better performance than the GCB95 I passed on a few years ago. It’s plastic but suitably weighty.
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Surprisingly good wah pedal
madmusician 08.12.2019
I was looking for an affordable wah pedal that I could later modify with different electronic parts. All I wanted, was an optical control (lasts longer and is just more reliable). I picked this one, but in the end, I kept the original electronics, as it sounds surprisingly good! It offers a lot of controls to shape the output sound to your liking. It does not have a switch, because it switches on/off automatically when you move the pedal. I didn't trust that at first, but it's MUCH more convenient than a standard mechanical on/off switch, and again, you can control how fast it switches off.

When activated, it adds some noise to the signal, but for distorted sounds it's not that noticeable. It becomes worse with the boost. Looks like it's not shielded inside at all. It is a thick plastic chassis, so not that bad, but definitely don't try to stand on it. The wah effect happens only in a relatively short region of the pedal movement (can be DIY-modified).

It has its issues, but it's perfect as your first wah pedal OR as a cheap basis for further modifications, if you're into that.
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