We might make income from the items offered on this page and take part in affiliate programs. Find out more ‘Published Feb 6, 2023 1:00 PM For years, Universal Audio has actually made waves– or possibly that’s produced waveforms– in the music market by establishing first-rate recording user interfaces, famous analog tone shapers, and fastidiously imitated low-low-latency channel strip and vintage instrument plug-ins. Just recently, this commitment to a rich punchy existence in the mix has actually been shown with the intro of their $20-a-month plugin membership service, UAD Spark, in addition to the release of the Sphere DLX and LX modeling microphones. Now, this multi-dimensional processing approach has actually discovered its method into inaugural Universal Audio guitar pedals, which take the type of elegant, tough stompboxes filled with effective texture-modulating engines and versatile connection alternatives. I just recently had an opportunity to check drive all 3 of the Universal Audio UAFX amp emulator pedals, from the timeless Fender-esque Dream ’65 Reverb Amplifier and Woodrow ’55 Instrument Amplifier to the British Invasion-inspired Ruby ’63 Top Boost Amplifier. If you’re trying to find ultra-portable, ampless credibility that quickly cuts through a mix, here’s a fast rundown of whatever that makes each UAFX amp emulator pedal unique. Universal Audio guitar pedal contrast All Universal Audio UAFX amp emulator pedals are priced at $400 and share comparable style aspects and fundamental performance. Here’s a more detailed take a look at the distinct guitar tones– formed by signal courses that can consist of parts imitated famous Celestion, Oxford, JBL, Korg, Shure, beyerdynamic, Royer, Sennheiser, Neumann, and AKG equipment– to assist you choose which one is ideal for you. UAFX Dream ’65 Reverb Amplifier The Universal Audio Dream ’65 Reverb Amplifier pedal is a tribute to the age-old Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb, a tube-powered guitar amp that’s made its method into many recordings and efficiencies over the years by gamers from Johnny Marr and Muddy Waters to St. Vincent and Mac DeMarco. In addition to replicating the Deluxe Reverb’s iconically abundant tidy tones and ear-pleasing overdrive break up, the Dream ’65 pedal consists of integrated spring reverb and vibrato results– a timeless mix that’s seldom seen in a single pedal (the Milkman F-Stop and Strymon Flint being a number of great exceptions). Via a set of onboard switches, users can toggle in between (or bypass completely) a series of traditionally precise speaker cabinet, mic, and space tone modifiers– tech obtained from the $1,200 UA OX Amp– to shape singing saturation for browse rock, Texas blues, jazz, punk, and practically whatever in between. Hearing the Dream ’65 produce the nuanced and vibrant richness of a Fender Deluxe without a genuine speaker was similarly rewarding and difficult if you’re utilized to the experience of filling a space with the noises of a genuine amplifier. Keeping track of the pedal through earphones and studio screens provided an experience more similar to listening to a top quality recording than really moving air in a physical area. Still, this sweet tube-like shimmer and droop talked to the Dream ’65’s possible for tape-recording great-sounding guitars in less-than-ideal acoustic areas– simply include digital audio workstation and a user interface. Expect you’re a musician searching for optimum tonal versatility or wish to crank the creamy highs that swept from Sunset Sound to Muscle Shoals in the ’70s. Because case, the Dream ’65 Reverb’s loyal modeling of its flexible name makes it a no-brainer. UAFX Woodrow ’55 Instrument Amplifier The Woodrow ’55 Instrument Amplifier is a leaner, meaner cousin of the Dream ’65 pedal, created to provide all the full-bodied, harmonically abundant tone and barking overdrive of a classic Fender Tweed Deluxe amp from the mid-1950s. The “tweed noise” is thought about by lots of gamers to be the holy grail of guitar tone, with an apparent midrange-forward bite and woody resonance that’s excellent for playing growly leads and thick chords, a la Neil Young and Blake Mills. The Woodrow ’55 replicates a few of the most specifying functions of the initial Fender Tweed Deluxe: it uses a distinct double input channel setup, with a brighter “instrument” and a bassier “microphone” input channel that can be mixed for a large range of tones; it likewise does not have a spring reverb circuit, choosing rather for a “space” knob that includes studio atmosphere to the total noise. Like the Dream ’65, the Woodrow likewise includes a three-way speaker choice switch, however the pedal’s 2nd switch has actually been switched for an increase selector, enabling users to “racer” their setup by toggling in between stock, video cassette recorder, and rack hold-up preamp tones. When executed its rates, the Woodrow ’55 provided an outstanding depth and variety of tone plus a vibrant, responsive play experience extremely comparable to the Fender Tweed noise after which it’s designed. Similar to the Dream ’65, it was a little bit of an odd experience to hear a pedal produce such a precise representation of a loud amplifier in a space with no of the real sound pressure, however the Woodrow ’55’s specific mindset and vibrant variety recommended that it would be an especially strong option for including lots of character to a tidy solid-state amp like the Roland JC-40. UAFX Ruby ’63 Top Boost Amplifier If British-style tone is more your thing, the Ruby ’63 Top Boost Amplifier uses a wonderful emulation of a classic Vox AC30, another traditionally distinguished amplifier utilized by the similarity Dave Grohl, Jonny Greenwood, and The Edge of U2. Compared to the common noise of an American Fender-style amp, the Vox AC30 produces usually brighter and more harmonically complicated tidy tones. It provides a lean and crispy tube grit when overdriven. The UAFX Ruby ’63 easily replicates the Vox’s traditional jangle and chime with a three-way speaker selector and a 2nd toggle for changing in between regular, intense, and vibrato channels. The Ruby does not have a reverb circuit, similar to the initial Vox AC30, however the pedal consists of a space atmosphere knob comparable to that discovered on the Woodrow ’55 pedal. Each of the 3 channels on the Ruby likewise includes its own particular kind of increase circuits to more contribute to the series of tones offered, all eccentricities undamaged. Vox AC30s are big and heavy amps that require to be shown up extremely loud to accomplish their signature overdrive, however the Ruby produced all the very same full-throated tone and crunch with no logistical factors to consider. What about the Universal Audio Golden Reverberator, Starlight Echo Station, and Astra Modulation Machine? Universal Audio’s UAFX line of pedals likewise consists of the Golden Reverberator, Starlight Echo, and Astra Modulation Machine, impacts stompboxes that include the very same general style as their amp emulator equivalents however with a concentrate on extensive soundscapes instead of a like-you’re-in-the-room-with experience. Shape the clipping clangs and rough tails of spring reverb tanks and studio plate reverbs, spread out the whooshing haze of eccentric tape and bucket-brigade echoes, or browse the saturated ripples of chorus/flanging/tremolo. We didn’t get an opportunity to evaluate these impacts yet, however if they’re as sturdy and versatile as the amp pedals they’re absolutely worth thinking about if you’re wanting to broaden your sonic scheme on phase and in the studio. What makes Universal Audio guitar pedals so appealing? The primary appeal of the UAFX guitar pedals depends on their capability to recreate guitar tones from a number of timeless tube guitar amplifiers with no of the associated in advance expense, bulk, ground-loop sound, or maintenance. Modern variations of the guitar amps replicated here are pricey– generally above $2,000 utilized– and classic variations can reach well into the five-figure variety. Unlike an amplifier, a UAFX pedal can likewise be tossed into a knapsack and delicately required to another area for studio recording or live efficiency, much more quickly than a practice amp. The pedals’ switchable speakers, results, and channels likewise provide a broader series of tonal choices than a conventional amp, providing an edge in imaginative scenarios. All of the pedals in the line of product work with Universal Audio’s UAFX Control smart device app, which permits users to alter and remember customized artist tones and individual presets, personalize footswitch performance, and even set up complimentary extra cabinet and mic emulations so you can modify your signal chain wirelessly through Bluetooth. A desktop variation of the control software application is likewise readily available and consists of the very same functions with the addition of firmware updates over USB-C. Julian Vittorio Universal Audio guitar pedals contrast: Design Universal Audio’s UAFX pedals all share the exact same kind element and function captivating aluminum and plastic real estates with top quality knobs and changes that feel pleasing to utilize and are similar to those discovered on high-end recording studio devices. Each pedal consists of 2 footswitches that toggle in between live and amp/effect circuits by default, however users can likewise bind them to custom-made functions/presets utilizing the smart device app. At the back of each pedal is an abundance of I/O, consisting of a 400-milliamp-minimum 9-volt DC input, 2 out of balance TS/TRS inputs and outputs, and a USB-C port for desktop control and firmware updates. In addition to having the ability to work like a standard guitar pedal with a basic input and output, all of the UAFX amp emulation pedals include a special “four-cable mode” that permits them to be routed into the results loop of any amplifier, offering gamers the choice to quickly change backward and forward in between their own amp’s integrated preamp and the UAFX amp pedal of their picking without needing to devote to one or the other. Which Universal Audio guitar pedal is best for you? The UAFX amp emulator line of Universal Audio guitar pedals all cost the very same and all utilize a mix of premium software and hardware emulation to use guitar players and manufacturers an actually intriguing and user-friendly imaginative option to a conventional amplifier without the requirement to communicate with a computer system screen. In a perfect world, you ‘d get all 3 to offer yourself the largest variety of imaginative alternatives to make signature tones into your tone. Still, if you require to stick to one, the UAFX Dream ’65 Reverb Amplifier will manage the huge bulk of standard pop, rock, and blues tones thanks to its wide variety of noises and consisted of impacts. The UAFX Woodrow ’55 Instrument Amplifier is the very best pedal in the line of product for getting intense nation twang and growly, in-your-face guitar tones, and the UAFX Ruby ’63 Top Boost Amplifier is the very best option for intense, jangly Britpop-style cleans up.
Universal Audio guitar pedal contrast: Which amp emulator is best for you?
