Figure 1. Sonicake FlipWah product
Key Specifications
|
Item |
Official specification |
|
Type |
Wah /
Active Volume combo pedal |
|
Mode
selection |
Footswitch
with dual-color LED |
|
Wah
control |
Q knob
between INPUT and power: resonance and bandwidth |
|
Connections |
INPUT,
OUTPUT and THRU |
|
Power |
DC 9V,
5.5 × 2.1mm, center negative / 22mA |
|
Housing |
Full zinc
alloy |
|
Size /
weight |
148.5 ×
65.5 × 61mm / 910g |
1. What Is the FlipWah?
The Sonicake FlipWah (QEP-10) combines a
classic wah effect and an active volume pedal in one full-size housing. A
footswitch selects Wah or Volume mode, while a dual-color LED shows the active
function. It is designed for players who want to save one pedal position
without giving up the longer treadle movement of a full-size unit.
2. Main Functions and Controls
In Wah mode, treadle movement sweeps the
filter center frequency to create the familiar vocal-like wah sound. The small
control located between the INPUT jack and the 9V DC power jack is the Q knob.
It adjusts the resonance emphasis and bandwidth of the wah filter. A higher Q
setting gives a narrower, more pronounced peak for a sharper and more
articulate wah voice; a lower setting produces a broader, smoother sweep that
blends more naturally into rhythm playing. Because the knob has no calibrated
scale, begin near the middle and adjust it gradually by ear. The Q knob shapes
Wah mode; it does not set the minimum or maximum level of Active Volume mode.
Active Volume mode controls output level for swells, muting and level changes.
Sonicake specifies blue for Active Volume mode and green for Wah mode.
Figure 2. Q knob between the INPUT jack and the 9V DC power jack
How It Differs from a Conventional Wah Pedal
In this comparison, “conventional wah” means a traditional
single-function model without a separate volume mode or an external Q control.
Premium wah pedals may add Q, range and boost controls, so these distinctions
do not apply to every wah on the market.
|
Comparison |
FlipWah |
Typical traditional wah |
|
Core
function |
Footswitch
selects wah or active volume |
Primarily
a dedicated wah |
|
Tone
shaping |
External
Q knob adjusts sharp or smooth response |
Basic
models often use a fixed factory voice |
|
Signal
routing |
Separate
THRU jack provides a direct signal |
Usually
INPUT and OUTPUT only |
|
Status
feedback |
Blue and
green LEDs identify the current mode |
Often no
mode LED or only a basic on indicator |
|
Operation |
One
treadle alternates between two functions |
No
function-selection step |
|
Main
advantage |
Can
replace two pedals and simplify wiring |
Simple,
focused wah operation |
|
Main
limitation |
Wah and
volume are not independently simultaneous |
A
separate volume pedal is required |
3. Connection and Basic Operation
Lower the amplifier volume and switch off
power before wiring. Connect the guitar or preceding pedal to INPUT, then
connect OUTPUT to the next pedal or amplifier. The THRU jack can feed a tuner
or another device that needs the direct signal. Power the unit with a 9V
center-negative adapter or an internal 9V battery, select a mode with the
footswitch and confirm the LED color. Start Wah setup from heel-down and adjust
Q; in Volume mode, check the minimum, maximum and swell travel.
Step-by-Step Setup
·
1) Mute the amplifier before
wiring
·
2) Connect INPUT and OUTPUT
·
3) Connect a 9V center-negative
supply
·
4) Select a mode with the
footswitch
·
5) Confirm the LED and adjust Q
and treadle range
4. Strengths
The two-in-one format reduces cabling
compared with separate wah and active-volume pedals. Its full-size treadle
supports finer foot movement and provides a broad non-slip surface. The Q
control adds useful tonal flexibility, while the separate THRU jack makes tuner
routing easier. A full zinc-alloy housing and approximately 910g weight also
help the pedal stay planted during performance.
Figure 3. Full-size treadle and zinc-alloy housing
5. Limitations and Buying Checks
The two functions are selectable rather
than simultaneously independent: the footswitch changes the treadle between Wah
and Volume. The 910g full-size design may be heavy for an ultra-light board.
The switch under the front of the treadle can require a short adjustment
period. Because the volume circuit is active, the pedal needs power, and an
incorrect power supply may damage it.
6. Who Is It For?
FlipWah suits guitarists who alternate
between traditional wah tones and volume swells, players who dislike the short
travel of mini wah pedals, and boards that benefit from a tuner THRU output.
Separate wah, volume and expression pedals are a better choice when both
functions must remain independently available or when expression-input control
is essential.
7. Practical Tips and Safety
Fuzz circuits can react very differently
before or after a wah, so test both orders. Wah before drive often sounds more
defined; after drive it can become more dramatic. Volume before drive changes
input gain as well as level, while volume after drive behaves more like master
level control. Mute the amplifier before connecting cables, use only the
specified center-negative supply and remove the 9V battery for long storage.
FAQ
Q. Is FlipWah the same as
FlipVol?
No. FlipWah is a powered Wah/Active Volume
combo; FlipVol is a passive Volume/Expression product.
Q. Can wah and volume be used
simultaneously?
The treadle is switched between the two
modes, so it does not provide two independently operated functions at the same
time.
Q. Can it be used with bass?
It can pass a bass signal, but the wah
response is voiced around a classic guitar-wah concept. Test it with the
intended bass range before buying.
Conclusion
Sonicake FlipWah is a practical fit for
players who use both wah and volume occasionally but want a simpler pedalboard.
The full-size feel, adjustable Q, clear LED status and THRU output improve
usability. Satisfaction depends on understanding that the functions are
switched rather than independently simultaneous and that the active circuit
requires 9V power.
Sources
Sonicake official FlipWah product page —
https://www.sonicake.com/products/flipwah
Dunlop official Cry Baby guide and
Classic Wah page — https://lifestyle.jimdunlop.com/find-your-cry-baby-wah/ ·
https://www.jimdunlop.com/cry-baby-classic-wah/
Sonicake FlipWah QEP-10 official images
and specifications, accessed 2026-09-02