Hologram Microcosm Alternatives for Creating Soundscapes

28 Oct 2023 by Stefan Wyeth |

4,4 / 5,0 | Approximate reading time: 4 Minutes

Hologram Microcosm Alternatives for Creating Soundscapes · Source: Meris / Hologram Electronics

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We’re looking at Hologram Microcosm Alternatives to build soundscape-like effects around your guitars, synths, vocals, drums, and other sounds in your music.

If you’ve spent any time on the audio side of YouTube, chances are you’ll have come across the Hologram Microcosm. It’s been reviewed extensively, making it easily one of the most hyped effects pedals released in recent years.

Why, you ask? The Microcosm is a granular effects pedal with MIDI sync, and a unique set of features including delay, reverb, pitch shifting, modulation, micro-sampling, and looping.

As you can imagine, it excels when it comes to creating textured evolving effects with spatial depth. However, you can do much more than just ambient soundscapes.

Hologram Microcosm Alternatives

Are there other ways of creating sounds like these? Yes, and as great as the Microcosm may be, we’re going to check out some options with a similar range of features.

SonicCharge Permut8

Permut8 is an effects plug-in inspired by old-school hardware processors built around a 12-bit delay with a variable sample rate (0 to 352 kHz), allowing you to create high-tech sounds using primitive effects and sampling parameters.

The delay signal is controlled with a programmable processor, that gives you the power to manipulate it with various controllers within the Instruction sections.

You can also modify Permut8’s processing algorithms, replacing the default configuration with “alternative firmware” including effects such as Beatrick, Bender, BitBox, Flakes, Foobar, Mozaik, Pong, Reciter, RingMod, and Trancelvania.

More about SonicCharge

SonicCharge Permut8

Available for $66 at

Chase Bliss Mood MKII

The Mood MKII is a dual-channel effects pedal with a global clock that is linked to both of the processors. On one side, you can select reverb, delay, and slip effects with stretch, tape, and envelope on the other.

There are parameters to control the channels individually, but you’ll be amazed at how they work together as a single system. Extensive MIDI control and sync features are provided, so you can trigger the Mood MKII with a keyboard and sync it with your sequencer.

What’s more, there is a switchboard to customize the controls you like to use in your workflow, unlocking features like CV and expression control, presets, and internal modulation.

More about Chase Bliss

Chase Bliss Mood MKII

Empress Echosystem

Besides having a clever name, the Echosystem is a powerful multi-effects pedal with a dual processing engine and a range of different effects algorithms to choose from.

There are 12 basic modes, but with the variations you have access to over 42 algorithms as well as cabinet simulation. The dual engine is extremely versatile, allowing you to use 2 layers in series, parallel, or stereo.

Another innovative feature is the universal control port, which provides connectivity for expression pedal, external tap switch, control voltage, external audio input, and MIDI, all via a quarter-inch jack port.

More about Empress Effects

Empress Echosystem

Available for $444 at

Meris LVX

When it comes to delay pedals, the Meris LVX can be found on the same level as the final boss. The LVX uses a 32-bit floating-point DSP system with 24-bit AD/DA conversion and a 48 kHz sample rate, so the audio quality is immaculate.

In addition, it’s equipped with an ARM Processor and provides you with a workstation-like platform for building complex effects with elements from the Meris Polymoon, Hedra, Enzo, and Ottobit Jr. pedals.

You also have a 60-second looper and MIDI I/O, so the LVX can be creatively versatile anywhere you choose to incorporate it in your setup.

More about Meris

Meris LVX

Available for $622 at

Intellijel Rainmaker

In the Eurorack format, the Intellijel Rainmaker is a 36 HP module that gives you the power to create complex groove-based effects with its 16-tap delay processor and comb filter.

You can shape the sound with the multimode filter and shift it with the 1-octave granular pitch range. In addition, the feedback circuit has its own granular pitch shifter and filters.

What’s more, the comb resonator has 16 different spacing patterns that can be used with up to 64 delay taps.

More about Intellijel Designs

Intellijel x Cylonix Rainmaker

Intellijel Rainmaker

Available for $666 at