Few effects define a musical era in quite the same way that digital 1980s reverb does. Although we’ve seen so many advancements in audio since then, those classic ’80s reverb sounds are still popular and sought after today.

There are numerous factors that led to this – and few of them are completely rational – so together we’ll look at digital reverb and how to go about using it in your production.

We know it’s not purely due to the sound because we don’t use the same techniques as we did when digital reverb was first introduced. It must be a combination of factors, including the interface design and the nostalgic sentiment of using retro-styled creative tools.

The story of digital reverb

It begins in 1976 with the EMT 250. Digital reverb provided a controlled environmental ambience with a low noise floor, which was revolutionary in the recording process. Until that time, the use of plates, springs, and re-amping had been some of the methods commonly used to add spatial characteristics to a sound.

Studios also evolved drastically due to the introduction of the SSL 4000 E series(and later G series) consoles. This provided unprecedented routing flexibility and when combined with the newly available tools of the time like analogue synthesizers and digital samplers, we got the magical explosion in the record industry that was the 1980s.

Digital reverb units like the AMS RMX16, Lexicon 224X, Yamaha REV-7, and the Sony DRE-2000 became icons of this era. They were used on so many of our favourite records and engineering superstars like Chris Lorde-Alge still use vintage reverb units or their software equivalents in every mix.

Using 1980s reverb in your studio

Like many effects we use for tonal quality, reverbs are available in several formats. The set-and-forget approach we take with leveling amplifiers is often used with reverbs too. This is due to the rather involved technical process that comes with designing your own reverb patches.

Good reverb units were never cheap, but you can get great-sounding reverb without the risk of buying a temperamental and astronomically priced vintage reverb. There are factors to consider like the advantages of software vs hardware, so we’ll check out some options and find something suitable for your setup.

Reverb software plug-ins

Having multiple instances of quality reverb plug-ins available in a single click is an incredibly powerful creative tool. Software provides instant gratification without patch cables, which makes it extremely convenient.

Remember though, that some vintage reverb units were one-trick ponies in the studio. So, unless you’re after the sound of a specific make or model, ensure you select something that has some versatility.

UAD AMS RMX16 Expanded

Developed in collaboration with AMS founder, Mark Crabtree, the AMS RMX16 Expanded plug-in is an authentic emulation of one of the most famous reverb units of all time. The no-nonsense UI gives you the classic controls without menu diving, which makes it a pleasure to use.

Like most UAD plug-ins, it sounds great, but it also has all the original patches so you get a realistic feel of using the RMX16 reverb in all its glory. All the famous algorithms are included, like the ambience and non-linear reverb settings, and it’s now available natively for any DAW.

• More from Universal Audio

Universal Audio Custom Bundle – Pick Any 3 Download No customer rating available yet

Available for 217.00 € at

Slate Digital Verbsuite Classics

Verbsuite Classics puts all the famous reverbs in one easy-to-use plug-in. The controls are simple but effective, and the EQ and chorus allow you to shape the sound according to your desired application easily.

What it lacks in looks and features, it makes up for with its sound. Even if you never deviate from the patches, Verbsuite gives you a wide range of reverbs to choose from.

• More from Slate Digital

Slate Digital Verbsuite Classics Download

Customer rating:

(12)

Available for 149.00 € at

Lexicon PCM Native Reverb Bundle

The Lexicon PCM Native Reverb plug-ins have become an industry standard over the years. The bundle gives you seven different reverbs, each with its own patch library. The controls are reminiscent of the PCM96, providing detailed controls and visual EQ.

If you’re a lover of the Lexicon sound, this is an easy choice. Although it’s a considerable investment, it does offer a huge amount of flexibility and control beyond simply being a quality reverb.

• More from Lexicon

Lexicon PCM Native Reverb Bundle Download

Customer rating:

(23)

Available for 269.00 € at

Audio Ease Altiverb 8

Quite simply, Altiverb 8 is the Omnisphere of reverb plug-ins and one of the most powerful reverbs available in hardware or software. If you work as an engineer or sound designer in games, TV, film, or music – you’ve probably used it before.

Among its amazing spaces and IR designing capabilities, Altiverb also offers astonishingly realistic vintage reverbs from AMS, Lexicon, Yamaha, and many others. It is pricey, but at least you won’t be needing another reverb any time soon.

• More from Audio Ease

Reverb Effects Pedals

Not all reverb pedals are exclusively designed for guitars. Some offer line-level I/O to suit other instruments like synths and drum machines. This is great for using them on aux sends from your mixer, just like you would with outboard rack gear.

Apart from that, they offer great sounding effects and some even allow you to stack multiple reverb patches and create more complex layered sounds. The creative immediacy of working with a live tweakable instrument also has its own appeal.

Meris Mercury 7 and MercuryX

Inspired by Vangelis’ shimmering, modulated Lexicon 224 reverb sounds from the Bladerunner soundtrack, the Mercury 7 is a pedal version of its 500 series counterpart. The Meris 24-Bit AD/DA with 32-bit floating point DSP engine combined with true analogue signal path means you get studio-quality sound.

In addition, the Mercury 7 offers two different reverb algorithms (Ultraplate/Cathedra) and extensive tone-shaping capabilities. Apart from the EQ, the pitch vector allows you to accurately shift the wet signal for whichever instrument you’re using.

• More from Meris

Meris Mercury 7 Reverb Pedal

Customer rating:

(30)

Available for 349.00 € at

Meris Mercury X Reverb Pedal

Customer rating:

(4)

Available for 699.00 € at

Eventide Space

The Eventide Space pedal gives you 12 signature reverb combo algorithms and 10 knobs to design the sound to your liking. Furthermore, you get 100 patches designed by top engineers and producers like Richard Devine, Alan Moulder, and Flood.

The Space is well built with a metal chassis, so it’s rugged enough for the road. Also, it has great features like MIDI sync via DIN or USB to combine it with other hardware in your setup or even your DAW.

• More from Eventide

Eventide Space

Customer rating:

(103)

Available for 457.00 € at

Empress Effects Reverb

Empress Effects are known for creating some of the most innovative designs when it comes to pedals and the Empress Reverb is no exception. Not only is this an amazing-sounding reverb, but it’s also a very versatile creative tool with 32 reverb algorithms and the ability to further update the firmware via SD card.

Overall, it’s a great combination of good build quality and simple effective design. You will, however, need a re-amping device for it to function optimally as a line-level outboard processor.

• More from Empress Effects

Empress Effects Reverb

Customer rating:

(60)

Available for 549.00 € at

500 Series reverbs

500 Series effects give you much of the same quality as 19″ rack gear, but the more compact format provides certain benefits. In studio, these are great units if you don’t have much space and they offer excellent portability for live use.

All it takes is the right 500 series chassis and you can put your own rig together. Be aware of the space requirements before you look at purchasing these units, as some are larger than others.

Meris Mercury 7 500

The Mercury 7 500 has all the same features as the pedal version save for the swell and bypass switches. The fundamental difference is that the 500 series version is a single-space mono unit with more expandability.

It is both stereo and surround linkable, which makes it extremely formidable considering the cost of high-end studio reverbs. Overall, the approach of the Mercury 7 500 is refreshing, as it encourages real-time sound-shaping rather than sticking to one patch.

• More from Meris

Meris 500 Series Mercury 7 Reverb

Customer rating:

(1)

Available for 549.00 € at

AMS Neve RMX16 500

The RMX16 500 is AMS Neve’s rather recent reissue of the 1981 classic reverb. It takes up three spaces in your 500 series rack and has a very straightforward interface, making it a breeze to build and save patches.

Best of all though, it’s almost impossible to distinguish from the sound of the vintage RMX16. The character is captured in every way, with the I/O stages perfectly modeled and all the original patches maintained.

• More from AMS Neve

AMS RMX16

Customer rating:

(2)

Available for 1,369.00 € at

Rackmount reverbs

This is where we get into the higher-end side of reverbs available. You certainly don’t need to spend $2000 simply to create a decent 80s reverb sound. However, it will get you a top-of-the-line reverb capable of creating reverbs for any application.

The great thing about high-end hardware reverbs is that they don’t seem to date, lose much resale value, or go out of style. Once you have one of these in your rack, you are far less likely to keep buying every newly released product as you would with software.

Lexicon PCM92

Lexicon’s PCM92 has all the features you’d expect from a professional stereo reverb. This includes 28 new and classic reverb, delay, and modulation effects and a library of over 700 presets to choose from.

The PCM92 supports up to 96kHz sample rate with its 32-bit floating point system. In addition, It’s equipped with pro-industry connectivity formats such as AES/EBU, word clock, and ethernet. This makes it easy to slot into just about any studio or live setup.

• More from Lexicon

Lexicon PCM96 Surround D No customer rating available yet

Available for 4,990.00 € at

Bricasti M7

Bricasti was founded by DSP engineer, Casey Dowdell, and Brian Zolner – who has 20 years of experience working with Lexicon. The Bricasti M7 was launched in 2007 and fast established itself as the industry standard professional reverb unit worldwide.

With the ability to produce huge reverbs, transparent chambers, and anything in between, M7 owners are unlikely to ever need another digital reverb. The M7 gives you 100 presets with 12 tweakable parameters and all the pristine DSP you’d expect for the price.

• More about Bricasti

Bricasti Design M7

Customer rating:

(17)

Available for 4,979.00 € at

Quantec Yardstick 2496 S

The German answer to AMS and Lexicon, the Yardstick 2496 S is based on the classic Quantec QRS digital reverb from 1982. It’s just astonishing how transparent an early 1980s reverb algorithm still sounds today when compared to other professional reverbs.

The Yardstick comes with a web app that gives you comprehensive control over its wide range of parameters and the ability to easily match the reverb to the dimensions of the original recording space.

• More about Quantec

More about 1980s reverb and vintage effects:

• All about reverb
• Everything vintage
• Dub delay plug-ins

*This post contains affiliate links and/or widgets. When you buy a product via our affiliate partner, we receive a small commission that helps support what we do. Don’t worry, you pay the same price. Thanks for your support!

The post Why do we still use 1980s reverb? appeared first on gearnews.com.

Until March 31, you can save up to 25% on selected Universal Audio effects pedals with the UAFX Instant Savings Event at Thomann.

UAFX Instant Savings Event

Planning to expand that pedal board? There couldn’t be a better opportunity. Let’s take a closer look at the UAFX offers available, but remember that this sale is until March 31 – so don’t miss out!

You can shop the entire sale here, or take a closer look at the individual offers below:

Orion Tape Echo

A tape-style echo effect with three tape modes, preamp modelling, and selectable true or tails bypass.

• Save nearly 25% on the UAFX Orion Tape Echo now at $158

UAFX Orion Tape Echo

Available for $158 at

Heavenly Plate Reverb

A plate reverb effect with 3 plate variants, modulation, and trails/bypass modes.

• Get nearly 25% off the UAFX Heavenly Plate Reverb now at $158

UAFX Heavenly Plate Reverb

Available for $158 at

Evermore Studio Reverb

A digital reverb with 3 reverb styles, modulation, and trails/bypass modes.

• Save nearly 25% on the UAFX Evermore Studio Reverb now at $158

UAFX Evermore Studio Reverb

Available for $158 at

1176 Studio Compressor

The UAFX pedal version of the famous studio compressor with single, dual, and sustain compression modes and a parallel compression function.

• Get over 15% off the UAFX 1176 Studio Compressor now at $158

UAFX 1176 Studio Compressor

Available for $158 at

Max Preamp & Dual Compressor

Equipped with a UA 610 preamp emulation with EQ, as well as the 1176, LA-2A, and Dyna Comp compressors.

• Get over 10% off the UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor now at $269

UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor

Available for $269 at

Galaxy ’74 Tape Echo & Reverb

A stereo reverb and tape echo pedal with tap tempo, three tape head modes, and UAFX app control.

• Save over 20% on the UAFX Galaxy ’74 Tape Echo & Reverb now at $269

UAFX Galaxy ’74 Tape Echo & Reverb

Available for $269 at

Del-Verb Ambience Companion

A stereo reverb and delay pedal with three reverb modes, three delay modes, modulation, and UAFX app control.

• Get over 20% off the UAFX Del-Verb Ambience Companion now at $269

UAFX Del-Verb Ambience Companion

Available for $269 at

Dream ’65 Reverb Amp

A stereo amp sim. pedal with three amp simulation modes, three cabinet/speaker models, reverb, vibrato, and more.

• Save over 10% on the UAFX Dream ’65 now at $315

UAFX Dream ’65 Reverb Amp

Available for $315 at

Ruby ’63 Top Boost Amplifier

A stereo amp sim. pedal with three amp simulation modes, three cabinet/speaker models, treble boost, vibrato, and more.

• Get over 10% off the UAFX Ruby ’63 now at $315

UAFX Ruby ’63

Available for $315 at

Woodrow ’55 Instrument Amplifier

A stereo amp sim. pedal with three boost styles, three cabinet/speaker models, Bluetooth, and presets.

• Save over 10% on the UAFX Woodrow ’55 now at $315

UAFX Woodrow ’55

Available for $315 at

Astra Modulation Machine

This stereo modulation effects pedal is equipped with BBD Chorus, Flanger/Doubler, and Amp Tremolo.

• Get over 10% off the UAFX Astra Modulation Machine now at $315

UAFX Astra Modulation Machine

Available for $315 at

Golden Reverberator

A stereo reverb pedal with spring, plate, and hall reverb effects.

• Save over 10% on the UAFX Golden Reverberator now at $315

UAFX Golden Reverberator

Available for $315 at

Starlight Echo Station

A stereo delay pedal with tape, BBD, and digital delay effects.

• Get over 10% off the UAFX Starlight Echo Station now at $315

UAFX Starlight Echo Station

Available for $315 at

More about the UAFX Instant Savings Event:

• Shop the entire sale
• All about Universal Audio
• More Deals

*Note: percentage discounts may vary according to your region and currency conversion rates on the day of purchase. Displayed percentage discounts are guidelines only.

The post UAFX Instant Savings Event: Get up to 25% off Universal Audio pedals appeared first on gearnews.com.

It’s fair to say the Pultec EQ is a piece of gear that has reached legendary status among engineers, producers, and studio aficionados. There’s no doubt we’ve all heard it on countless recordings in the past 60 years, but what sets it apart from other EQs? We’re here to find out.

The magic in the design of the Pultec EQ

The original Pultec EQP-1 was designed in the early 1950s by two guys from New Jersey. Eugene Shenk and Ollie Summerlin used a passive EQ circuit with a tube gain stage to compensate for the loss in gain(around 16 dB) common with passive circuitry.

The design of the EQP-1 includes a low-frequency shelving filter with three selectable bands and a high-frequency peaking filter with five bands and variable Q. Each of these two filters has individual parameters for applying gain boosts and cuts, and this is what sets it apart from every other EQ.

Although the manual advised users never to boost and attenuate the same band simultaneously, this ended up being the very feature that made Pultec famous. The uniquely musical frequency contours created from this technique, particularly when dealing with low end, is the reason it is still widely used in music today.

How do I get hold of a Pultec EQ?

Luckily, Pultec EQs are one of the most celebrated and widely used studio tools available. As a result, there is a multitude of hardware clones, reissues, 500-series versions, plug-ins, and even guitar pedals that aim to emulate the original sound.

Pultec-style Plug-ins

Plug-ins like the popular Waves PuigTec EQs provide the look and feel of the Pultec EQP-1A and MEQ-5 in software form. Each aspect has been meticulously modeled to give you the closest sound possible to the original vintage hardware.

The obvious advantage of plug-ins is that you have presets and the flexibility of using multiple instances on different channels. Also, the PuigTec EQs have a novel feature that can mimic the way the circuit behaves on 50 or 60 Hz mains.

Overall, taking the plug-in route might give you the original Pultec sound, but it’s a convenient option that comes at a fraction of the cost of hardware.

• More from Waves

Waves JJP Analog Legends Download

Customer rating:

(10)

Available for 58.00 € at

Pultec-style Guitar Pedals

A Pultec guitar pedal you say? Well, not exactly. The ZIO Analog Front End + Boost from Source Audio might not be a completely Pultec-styled processor, but it does have an EQ preset modeled on the famous Pultec low-end EQ technique we mentioned earlier.

It’s a simple pedal with a three-way tone switch and you get four EQ circuits to choose from. The “Studio” circuit will give you some of that Pultec magic on your guitar or bass. In addition, you have control over high-frequencies with the tone selector.

Pedal interfaces generally favour speedy operation. So you get a few switches rather than spending hours dialing in the right setting on rack-mounted hardware. This makes the ZIO a useful choice both for recording and live performance.

• More from Source Audio

Source Audio SA 271 ZIO Boost

Customer rating:

(7)

Available for 229.00 € at

Lindell Audio PEQ-501A

500-series modules like the PEQ-501A don’t allow for the same level of high-voltage circuitry as 19-inch rack gear, but you can save plenty of space and money taking this route.

Lindell Audio has reproduced the Pultec program EQ in this compact format. This design is centered around their version of the Melcor 1731 op-amp from many well-known preamps in the 1960s. The PEQ-501A also has stepped rotary controls and additional selectable frequency bands, making it even more versatile in studio.

Remember that this format of modules requires a 500-series chassis for operation, which is an additional expense.

• More from Lindell Audio

Lindell Audio PEQ-501A

Customer rating:

(1)

Available for 569.00 € at

Tube-Tech PE 1C

If you have the budget, nothing beats the dynamic range of high-end analogue gear. The Tube-Tech PE 1C is a European reproduction designed in the 1980s to be every bit as good as the famous Pultec EQP-1.

Apparently, it was first tested for fidelity alongside the original Pultec. While mixing with a unit on each side of the stereo they could analyze the stereo image.

This was the first Tube-Tech product ever released, paving the way for a highly sought-after range of tube-based gear.

• More from Tube-Tech

Tube-Tech PE 1C

Customer rating:

(3)

Available for 2,869.00 € at

More about Pultec EQs:

• The history of Pultec
• Pultec Alternatives
• Thomann’s guide to EQs
• Everything vintage
• More about EQs
• Building your own Pultec EQP-1A3

Videos:

*Note: This article contains affiliate links that help us fund our site. Don’t worry: the price for you always stays the same! If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

The post What makes the Pultec EQ so special? appeared first on gearnews.com.

This week on Guitar Gear Gems we look at the latest effect from Spurr Audio, which is due out any day now. Then we take a peek at the new Silktone Overdrive+ dual drive/boost pedal.

Spurr Audio Echo Mini

The Spurr Audio Echo Mini has a serious ’80s vibe to it aesthetically, and this echo/delay pedal has a sound to match that look. You may remember Spurr Audio’s Time Traveller delay and this latest effect is just as much fun, just a little more retro.

LFO

It comes with a simple four-knob user interface comprising Mix, Time, Echo, and Rate controls. Rate controls the modulation of the effect, and there is an internal LFO as well. The latter is used to emulate the wear-and-tear effect reminiscent of old 1980s analog delays.

If you want something unique, then they are making some nice gear lately.

MSRP – USD 159 available on February 16th

• Spurr Audio
• More Spurr Audio news

Silktone Overdrive+

Silktone already has a solid reputation for building great amps and occasionally they announce effects. This new Overdrive+ is a dual drive/boost effect in on compact pedal. It also features the prominent Strangle/Raw switch which offers two distinct boosts.

Plus, controls for Volume, Tone, and Gain, and mini-toggle switches for bass cut and clipping mode. The latter offers symmetric or asymmetric clipping.

Dual

The pedal enclosure has dual footswitches for activating the overdrive and the boost side individually. Both sides have amber LEDs to let you know they are engaged.

Strangle/Raw

The Strangle/Raw boost is the standout feature here. It’s like the “+” in overdrive+, offering a vividly colored dirty boost with added gain and rich 2nd harmonic distortion. Strangle employs a resonant filter for a hint of cocked wah effect, while Raw bypasses this filter for a full-range boost.

The video demos I have heard all sound very organic, so this could be one to check out for any overdrive/boost lovers.

MSRP – USD 269

• Product Page

Dreadbox Psyclop

The new Dreadbox Cyclop combines an effects loop with an attenuator and a booster. As it is Dreadbox, they also through in some expression to CV control as well. Essentially, it is a neat way to access a loop of external effects in your chain, as required.

Dreadbox Psyclop

Analog

It is an analog circuit and is also a true relay bypass design, as you would hopefully expect for an effects loop. They haven’t yet revealed much more on their main site about the pedal other than it is mono, has a Blend knob for adding in as much of the affected loop as you require, and has input attenuation controls and output gain controls.

I’d expect the CV expression control input to be where this loop could shine, but we will have to wait until they release some videos of it in action to know for sure.

MSRP – EUR 80

• Product Page
• More Dreadbox news

The post Guitar Gear Gems: Spurr Audio Echo Mini retro delay and more appeared first on gearnews.com.

This week’s Guitar Deals at Thomann include some great savings on products from ESP, Squier, Palmer, and ProCo.

Squier Affinity Strat

First up is this Squier Affinity Strat Laurel model in Surf Green. Currently, it has over 30% off * the normal price, which makes it a real bargain. If you are looking for an affordable Stratocaster in a nice ’60s colour, then this could be the one for you.  This model has a poplar body paired with a C-shaped maple neck and a Laurel fretboard with 21 medium jumbo frets.

Single Coil

This guitar has the typical three single coil pickups of a Strat. These ceramic pickups are wired via a master volume, plus dual tone controls and a 5-way selector switch. It is also fitted with a two-point synchronized tremolo with block saddles.

• Squier Affinity Strat Laurel at over 30% off on Thomann

Squier Affinity Strat Laurel SG

Customer rating:

(12)

Available for 198.00 € at

• More Fender news

Squier 40th Anniv. Strat

Next up is another well-priced Squier, and this time it is the 40th Anniversary. Strat model in a luxurious Sienna Sunburst finish. Again these are currently on a nice deal with over 40% off * their normal price at Thomann. It is a step up from the Affinity model above and visually a very nice looking Strat with a Nyatoh body and a maple neck, with an Indian Laurel fretboard.

Block Inlays

Visually the big block pearloid inlays make this Strat stand out from the crowd. Plus, it also has a gold anodized single-ply aluminium pickguard. This model also comes fitted with a set of Fender Designed AlNiCo single coil pickups, which are a nice upgrade tonally as well.

• Squier 40th Anniv. Strat at over 40% off at Thomann

Squier 40th Anniv. Strat SSB

Customer rating:

(28)

Available for 349.00 € at

• More Fender news

ESP LTD EC-1000FR Black Satin

Now for something a little more modern and rocking. These ESP LTD EC-1000FR Black Satin models are high-performance rock machines. Plus, this one comes with a locking Floyd Rose 1000SE trem system, so it can dive bomb with the best of them. Currently, there is a nice saving of over 20% off * on this particular model, so a great buy.

EMG loaded

This blacked-out, modern-day single cut also comes factory-fitted with an EMG 81 (bridge) and EMG 60 (neck) set of active pickups. Giving a clean precise tone perfect for heavy gain, and without any extra noise or hum. These will complement the mahogany body, and give you crushing tones if you need them, so plenty of sustain on offer here as well.

Plus, it looks ace in that Satin Black finish with subtle edge binding, and it has a Thin U-neck with 24 stainless steel X-Jumbo frets, so it shreds!

• ESP LTD EC-1000FR Black Satin at over 20% off

ESP LTD EC-1000FR Black Satin

Customer rating:

(3)

Available for 1,299.00 € at

• More ESP news

Palmer Pocket Amp MK2 Guitar Preamp

This Palmer Pocket Amp MK2 Guitar Preamp is currently at a great deal price with over 40% off * which makes it a bargain. This sturdy aluminium die-cast pedal preamp offers an extended range of all “official” tube amp sounds -from absolutely clean to extremely high gain. I love Palmer gear and at this price, this is a gig bag essential, as it offers a lot of versatility in a compact format.

Modes

Though compact, it offers a handy three-way switch for amplifier characteristics, plus a Gain Mode and Microphone Position. Along with a Ground Lift switch, and controls for Gain, Volume, Treble and Bass. 

Connectivity is also very good and it offers a standard jack input, XLR DI out, headphone output and an AUX in.

• Palmer Pocket Amp MK2 Guitar Preamp  at over 40% off

Palmer Pocket Amp MK2 Guitar Preamp

Customer rating:

(182)

Available for 89.00 € at

• More Palmer news

ProCo Rat 2 Distortion / Overdrive Pedal

This ProCo Rat 2 Distortion / Overdrive Pedal is a classic and at over 30% off * is well worth picking up if you haven’t yet sampled one of these rodents of tone. The trick is to use that Filter control to knock off the top end as you dial it up, and then dial in the Distortion and Volume as required. Plus, they stack beautifully with other drive pedals and also fuzz pedals.

Distortion or Fuzz?

The Rat 2 almost gets into fuzz territory at extreme settings. However, the drive tone is all silicon diode hard-clipping on the pre-amplified signal, creating symmetric distortion in a similar way to the MXR Distortion+ and the Boss DS-1.

Awesome pedals and I have been using them for well over 30 years now, as they are just so reliable. I’d suggest trying these settings; Distortion knob to around midnight, then set the Filter knob to around 10 o’clock, and the Volume to around 2 o’clock. Mmm, tasty!

• ProCo Rat 2 Distortion / Overdrive Pedal at over 30% off

Proco Rat 2 Distortion

Customer rating:

(1243)

Available for 93.00 € at

• More ProCo news

*Percentage discount will vary based on your territory and conversion rates on the day of purchase. Displayed percentage discounts are used for guidance only.  This post contains affiliate links and/or widgets. When you buy a product via our affiliate partner, we receive a small commission that helps support what we do. Don’t worry, you pay the same price. Thanks for your support!

The post Guitar Deals: ESP. Squier, Palmer, and ProCo appeared first on gearnews.com.

The Danelectro Nichols 1966 Fuzz Drive is the latest effect pedal release from the company. It is based on an old design by Danelectro owner and Foxx pedals founder Steve Ridinger.

Nichols 1966

The Nichols 1966 is based on Steve Ridinger’s first pedal design and is named after the Nichols Canyon, where Foxx pedals founder and current Danelectro owner Steve lived with his parents in the mid-1960s. The original pedal was made using a unique design, using the components he could lay his hands on as a teenager. Therefore, it has a unique voice, rather than being a take on another classic fuzz design.

60s Flavour

It straddles somewhere between a fuzz and a distortion, depending on where the controls are set. Those controls consist of Fuzz, Drive, Tone, and Volume knobs, along with a Stock/Mid Cut toggle switch. Below is a demo video, and you can hear some good examples of what to expect from this 1960s-flavoured fuzz/drive pedal.

Liverpool Fuzz

Originally named the Liverpool Fuzz when it was first released. Now this three transistor circuit is back as a modern recreation and renamed the Nichols 1966. I’ve never seen or heard Steve Ridinger’s original pedals from the late ’60s, so I cannot comment on how this new one compares to the original.

However, the demo videos that I have heard all sound pretty good. As it also comes across as being a lot more than a one-trick pony, which makes it appealing to me. I do enjoy a good fuzz/distortion pedal so would like to try one out when they are released. It does appear to have a pretty distinct drive tone and one that sounds pretty versatile.

Currently, they can be preordered now at Thomann.

Danelectro Nichols 1966 Vint Fuzz Distor No customer rating available yet

Available for 219.00 € at

More Information

• Product Page
• More Danelectro news

Video

The post Danelectro Nichols 1966 Fuzz Drive – Recreates the Liverpool Fuzz appeared first on gearnews.com.

Does the Mk.III Loop4Live Looper pedal make Ableton Live more appealing for guitarists or can anyone use this?

When my editor called me and asked if I’d like to review a guitar pedal, I was a bit taken aback! I haven’t picked up a guitar in decades. And even when I did, I couldn’t play it. So I checked to make sure he hadn’t called me by mistake. He assured me he hadn’t and then told me that, as a fairly new Ableton Live user, he’d like me to give it a go. So I did. Here’s what happened…

The unit arrived from France and I was greeted with a hefty lump of metal, a long USB cable and a small instruction sheet. The manufacturer emailed me plenty of links to videos to get me up to speed. And so I began setting it up.

Loop4Live – What Is It?

Essentially, the Loop4Live Looper Pedal is a heavy-duty guitar pedal that has Ableton Live functionality at its core. This is a full-blown Ableton Live controller that allows you to play and record clips within Live using the pedal to do all of your navigation. It features 10 pedal buttons, five of which have an illuminated surround. These change colour based on functionality. There’s a handy LED screen and 5 endless encoder/buttons that give you control over things like tempo, loop length, metronome and editing.

On the rear are six jack sockets. One is for an external switch, the other five for expression pedals. There’s a USB-B socket and the obligatory 9V DC power socket. Handily, the unit can be powered by USB alone, as long as it is a full 5V.

The nomenclature on the front panel largely uses globally accepted symbols which makes for easy navigation.

Getting Started

Before you can start using the Loop4Live Looper Pedal, some setup must be done within Live itself. Loop4Live provides you with all the Remote Scripts required on their website. They have scripts for Live 9 through to the forthcoming version 12. Placing these scripts in the default folder is simple enough. You then need to visit Live’s Preferences function to set up the pedal as a controller. All pretty simple stuff.

As soon as you’ve completed this, the screen on the pedal jumps into life and displays the four slots that you can populate with your clips. As soon as you drag a clip in there, be it audio or MIDI, the name is displayed on the Loop4Live screen. It also shows current tempo and clip length.

As for the pedal buttons, let’s cover what they do. There are four buttons to fire off clips. These occupy the first four locations from the left. On the top row at the left are the Play/Rec button and the Undo/Mute button. The next two are left and right navigation. Finally, the top and bottom buttons on the far right are up and down navigation.

The five, clickable rotaries in the middle of the unit are small but sturdy, the first of which allows access to tempo, time signature, clip recording length and metronome features. Next along, you have Project and scene settings and the ability to calibrate any attached expression pedals.

Loop4Live In Use

Once I got the pedal setup, it was very easy for me to load up a bunch of clips and start using the pedal to play individual clips and scenes. The display is clear, albeit a bit small. However, one very cool extra is the Max4Live plugin that allows the display to be extended to a tablet! Now that is a very cool and thoughtful feature.

I found the small rotaries a little difficult to use, but then I’m not a seasoned guitarist who is adept at kneeling down between songs to make adjustments. From my seated position, it was a bit hard. Not impossible, but not easy. But very soon, I was easily firing off clips at will, moving around scenes and getting on nicely with it, especially as a synth player.

I’m very much a person who looks for shortcuts and Loop4Live definitely helped me in this regard. It sat, immovable on my wooden floor and didn’t miss a trick at all. I was able to play and record loops and it didn’t take long to get in the habit of where to use my feet and not look away from the screen.

There is a lot to be said for tools that give you the freedom to focus on the detailed stuff and Loop4Live is definitely that. You may need to spend some time customising your own personal configuration but once you’ve done that, you will be flying.

I didn’t try the expression ports on the back of the unit as, not being a guitarist, I didn’t have any to try. However, I am told that they allow for clever control of effects within Live making Loop4Live a handy effects control device via a single USB cable.

In Conclusion

So I came at this from a different perspective than its intended audience. Loop4Live is first and foremost a guitarist’s tool, but as a MIDI controller, it definitely has uses across the whole band. Loop4Live even go as far to suggest that everyone in the band can use one. That way, each band member can have their own loops and clips within a single Ableton Live instance.

Loop4Live has a myriad use cases. Solo artists can use it to control their backing tracks, guitarists can use it for practising, and any musician can use it when recording in the studio. Some might compare this to dedicated hardware loopers but those devices don’t have the ability for detailed on-screen editing and control. The Loop4Live Looper Pedal will work with all versions of Live, including Lite.

What has really impressed me is that Loop4Live is just one guy. He has realised his vision and provided everything you need to get going. It’s not hard to learn how to use and is definitely NOT just for guitarists!

More Information

Loop4Live Mk.III is available now, direct from Loop4Live for €249.00 EUR. All required templates, scripts and files are downloadable for free from their website. My thanks to Aurélien at Loop4Live for providing the review unit and for his patience.

• Loop4Live Website
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This week on Guitar Gear Gems we look at two new Dunlop Zakk Wylde pedal releases. They celebrate his 20-year partnership with the effect pedal maker and follow on from the first Dunlop/MXR pedal wave announcement last year.

MXR Zakk Wylde

Last October the MXR Zakk Wylde, Wylde Audio Overdrive, Chorus, and Phase effects were all announced. They included new graphics and re-releases of some of the popular stompboxes that Wylde has lent his name to in the last two decades. However, there were two glaringly obvious omissions from this re-launch of effects, and as many of them have been out of production for a while, Zakk’s fans were hoping they would be announced soon.

MXR Wylde Audio Overdrive No customer rating available yet

Available for 165.00 € at

MXR Wylde Audio Phase No customer rating available yet

Available for 149.00 € at

MXR Wylde Audio Chorus No customer rating available yet

Available for 199.00 € at

Rotovibe

During NAMM last month, the re-release of the Dunlop Zakk Wylde ZW357 Rotovibe, an effect that combines both chorus and vibrato tones into one wah-shaped pedal. It has had a slight cosmetic change but uses the same circuit as his original signature pedal.

Back Again

Dunlop states that this one is coming out on  1 May 2024. Zakk is known for using this pedal all the time, so it will be one to grab for fans, as again it has been out of production for some years now. The effect features intensity and speed controls and offers what Dunlop describes as a rich rotating speaker effect.

I’ve owned an original late ’80s Rotovibe pedal in the past and they are fun to use, though take some getting used to when playing live. Currently, the standard Dunlop JD-4S Rotovibe is still in production and it offers the same effects.

• Product Page

Dunlop JD-4S Rotovibe

Customer rating:

(9)

Available for 299.00 € at

Wah

Then there is the Dunlop WA45 Zakk Wylde Wah which is back and has a deep throaty wah growl. This one should be back in stores around 15 April this year. Again, this one has had a little cosmetic facelift but is essentially the same circuit as previous editions.

Throaty Wah

I collect wah pedals and have around 15 or so, one of them is the original Zakk Wylde Wah and it is a very versatile wah pedal. This new version could be a good option for anyone looking for a distinct growl from their wah effect.

Both these signature pedal releases are welcome returns, and I can see them being popular with fans of Wylde and the Black Label Society.

• Product Page
• Dunlop/MXR
• More MXR news

Fishman AFX

This week Fishman AFX range of pedals designed for acoustic guitars was expanded. These pedals all feature a dual-channel audio path and this allows users to create two independent effect chains with a single series of cables.

They include the EchoBack Delay, BlueChorus, and the AcoustiComp. Each effect has a nice simple control layout as well, so no huge fuss to set them up.

Key Features

EchoBack Delay

• Analog, Digital, and Tape Delay Effects

• Delay Time, Repeats, and Level Controls

BlueChorus

• Analog, Vintage, and Classic Chorus Effects

• Depth, Rate, and Tone Controls

AcoustiComp

• Compression Knob

• Level Control Balances Dry and Effect Level

These three new compact mini pedals each offer a neat solution for anyone looking for effects for an acoustic guitar.

Fishman AFX EchoBack Mini Delay No customer rating available yet

Available for 149.00 € at

Fishman AFX BlueChorus Mini Chorus No customer rating available yet

Available for 149.00 € at

Fishman AFX AcoustiComp Mini Comp No customer rating available yet

Available for 149.00 € at

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The post Guitar Gear Gems: Dunlop Zakk Wylde pedals are back for 2024 appeared first on gearnews.com.

Thomann has a fantastic deal on these Eventide H9 Max Harmonizers. With both the limited edition H9 Max Blue and the H9 Max Dark included in the sale. These are perfect for guitars, synths, and more.

H9 Max Harmonizer Deal

Both of these Eventide H9 Max Harmonizer models offer a massive range of useful effects, including over 50 effect algorithms from the TimeFactor (Delay), ModFactor (Modulation), PitchFactor (Tone Shift), and Space (Reverb) pedals.

Limited Editions

The limited edition Blue and limited edition Dark versions of the H9 Max Harmonizer are both currently available for only $454/€498 *each. This is a huge saving at around 40% off * their original price point and makes these a real bargain.

One Button

The simple-to-use one-button user interface allows easy effect editing and preset selection. The H9 Max celebrates the release of the 52nd effect algorithm. This enhanced version comes complete with all of the 52 effects available, including the brand-new TriceraChorus. This TriceraChorus algorithm takes its inspiration from choruses used in the studio and on stage.

Plus, they feature extensive MIDI control and tap tempo control. Then you get access to 99 Presets, plus over 500 presets are also available via the free H9 Control app.

The Deal

As usual, this deal is based on limited stock so be sure to grab either the H9 Max Blue *or the H9 Max Dark * before stock runs out.

Eventide H9 Max Blue Harmonizer

Customer rating:

(1)

Available for 498.00 € at

Eventide H9 Max Dark Harmonizer

Customer rating:

(13)

Available for 498.00 € at

More Information

• Eventide H9 Max
• More Eventide news

Videos

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