Grouptest: Reverb pedals

There was a time when reverb pedals were the poor cousins to studio-based units. However, in recent years a host of powerful pedals have redefined this – and many add interesting pitch, modulation or delay sections to the algorithms

1To start off, let’s take a look at a mono-only pedal in the form of Walrus Audio’s Fathom. All parameter editing here is undertaken directly from the five front-panel knobs and toggle switch, which keeps things fairly straightforward. There are four algorithms here – Hall, Plate, Lo-fi and Sonar – each with adjustable decay, mix, brightness, and three levels of modulation. Pressing the built-in sustain footswitch extends the decay time to maximum (so not so much ‘sustain’ as ‘extend’). The Lo-fi programme adds filtering, whilst the Sonar pitch combines a low and high pitchshift. The ‘X’ knob adjusts pre-delay, filter width or high/low pitch blend. walrusaudio.com VERDICT 8.7

2This second incarnation of TC Electronic’s sturdy Hall of Fame reverb pedal adds a shimmer algorithm, which pitches the reverb up an octave on each feedback loop for an ethereal effect. It adds TC’s MASH technology too, adding a pressure-sensitive expression pedal/switch, all of which beefs-up an already impressive feature set. This pedal includes full stereo in/out. It’s also capable of patch-saving via three ‘TonePrints’ and in-depth editing (via USB, using the TonePrint Editor software). The pedal can also easily accommodate synth level signals, which adds to its range. Although the reverbs are strong, they are not quite as lengthy or lush as those that have been designed specifically with ambient music in mind. That aside, there’s no doubt you’ll be getting an awful lot of bang-for-your-buck here. tcelectronic.com VERDICT 8.9

3Mad Professor’s Kosmos pedal is well and truly geared up for the dreamier end of the reverb spectrum. There are 11 programs on offer in total, which divide up into Plate, Room, Spring, Hall, Shimmer, Swell and Room+Delay treatments. Another mono unit, the Kosmos provides additional editing beyond the standard level, tone and time parameters via the Control knob (though on half of the programmes this will adjust the automatic effect level ducking). Using the footswitch can extend the reverb up to an (almost) frozen state. The reverbs on offer here are strong, though the unit is almost certainly geared more heavily towards guitar usage than synth or studio applications. mpamp.com VERDICT 8.5

4Electro-Harmonix have been players in the pedal game for longer than most, and their current range of pedals is undeniably huge – taking in everything from analogue classics to all sorts of newer digital units like this, the Oceans 11. Right from the very start, it is clear that this pedal has been primarily aimed at the guitarist who requires a wide range of reverb styles – from conventional through to modulated, reverse and shimmer types. Although input and output is strictly mono in this case – which acts to limit the scope for creating wide soundscapes – the mode switch and pair of parameter knobs provide a decent level of control, with secondary edit parameters available to you if you find that you need to do any additional tweaking of the sound. ehx.com VERDICT 8.5