Universal Audio Uafx Heavenly Plate Reverb Pedal Review

Common Audio UAFX Heavenly Plate Reverb pedal: What’s it?

We’ve got already had a spoiler with the Heavenly Plate Reverb, neatly two in truth. We’ve got heard it in two different earlier UAFX pedals; the Golden Reverberator and the Del-Verb. We all know they provide the most productive reverb pedal emulations of the past due ’50s EMT 140 plate tube reverb round, beginning with its unique plugin in 2007, however it is those earlier pedals’ presence this is inconceivable to split from the life of this extra compact unit from Common Audio, similar to the Evermore Studio Reverb pedal I reviewed. We want to take a look at this pedal as a standalone proposition and in context with the worth presented through the opposite pedals those similar algorithms are presented in.

However first, let’s take a second to rejoice what we have now right here; an enormous piece of studio {hardware} value hundreds of bucks being as it should be emulated in a compact pedal for a few hundred. 

The 1957 EMT 140 from Germany used to be in truth the primary synthetic unit that did not depend at the bodily area of echo chambers to reach its reverb. It opened probabilities to extra studios, supplied they may have enough money it. It is a gadget that makes use of an electromechanical transducer to create vibrations in a big plate of sheet steel (therefore the title) and the vibrations made throughout this steel plate are then picked up through a pickup and outputted as an audio sign.

Whilst the early EMT gadgets had one pickup to ship mono output, the EMT 140 ST had two for stereo output. At round 8 1/2 toes through over 4 toes, it no doubt wasn’t compact however continues to be considered the top of plate reverb. Slightly so much to shrink right down to slightly pedal, eh! 

Common Audio UAFX Heavenly Plate Reverb pedal: Efficiency and verdict

Let’s get started with the unhealthy information: this pedal does not be offering stereo choices, one thing I lamented with the Evermore however applies to all of the UAFX compact pedals thus far. Now not the bigger ones. A dealbreaker for some, no doubt, however UA has two of the ones larger, costlier pedals I have already discussed to ship the similar plate reverb emulations. For the remainder of you, learn on…

So no stereo right here, and the metal gold no less than provides the beautiful elementary aesthetic design right here a slightly of glitz. It nonetheless feels somewhat of a comedown in comparison to the bigger pedals despite the fact that – slightly too OEM-feeling for my liking. However the ones gripes over, we will be able to transfer directly to the good things. 

And it is superb stuff. For me, plate reverb is probably the most natural-sounding type there may be, and nice for always-on tasks. The Heavenly ticks all of the containers of a perfect plate reverb pedal; it is an astonishingly just right emulation of the true factor, as a result of UA excels at these items. Predelay, EQ, modulation – with a transfer at the most sensible of the pedal to choose from rapid and sluggish fee – gives the reverb controls that the Del-Verb does not, however the Golden Reverberator most commonly does. I say most commonly for the reason that talent to choose between two other modulation charges is other right here – at the GR there used to be best the Mod keep an eye on for the intensity and velocity in combination. 

The whole lot you need when it comes to keep an eye on is right here, however the variations between the 3 other Plate 140 algorithms is extra refined than the modes presented at the different compact compact UAFX pedals we have now examined (the 1176, Evermore and Orion). They are all other results however whilst it is simple to mention they are now not similar, the preliminary intuition is to signify this pedal gives much less versatility as a standalone enjoy.

Plate A is in accordance with an older sort: shiny, softer reaction and a shorter decay. Plat B is an older plate emulation too, however darker and a somewhat longer decay. Plate C is the sound of a more moderen plate with a extra even reaction, longer decay and ‘pure warble’ on this decay. 

The target market would possibly not understand the variation, however they are now not paying for this. In isolation, you no doubt will however one of the crucial variations can also be accounted for with Decay and EQ adjustments to some degree. Plate C no doubt shines brightest in a combination to my ears, despite the fact that I most well-liked the softer component of Plate A. Alternatively, relating to versatility I do really feel this sort of will have been substituted out for the Lexicon 224 virtual plate reverb that used to be an advantage mode for the Golden Reverberator. That manner you’ll have a in reality distinct mode and the Heavenly would nonetheless are living as much as the plate reverb billing. 

The Predelay keep an eye on we overlooked at the Del-Verb may be very a lot a very important inclusion right here as it is central to dialling within the courting between the dynamic of your enjoying and the reverb. However the similar caveat we have now implemented to the opposite compact UAFX pedal stays; it’s your decision those sounds, however extra nonetheless. UA can lend a hand with that. If editability is much less essential to you, the Del-Verb gives one selectable plate preset from the UAFX Keep an eye on App to load onto a pedal that may additionally host very, superb tube amp spring tank ‘verb and Lexicon-emulated Corridor along 3 sorts of lengthen.

If you need the keep an eye on however the different sorts of vintage reverb emulations, the Golden Reverberator is unbeatable. Each are costlier than this, however their options justify the variation and thrice as many reverb fashions do not equate to 3 occasions the fee – now not even double. The selections are obviously through design to let avid gamers weigh up their wishes, and now the new Ox Stomp gives plate reverb onboard too with its speaker emulation. That is sooner than we even get to the flexibility and price presented through the contest together with Strymon, Walrus and Catalinbread. However for this explicit plate fashion emulation with this degree of keep an eye on over it, UA is the pedal vacation spot. 

Except the minor downsides discussed previous and the plate mode versatility doable that I believe this somewhat overlooked, the sounds listed here are past reproach. And that is the reason change into just about a given with the corporate and its pedals now.

MusicRadar verdict: If you need the best pedal emulation of the best studio plate reverb {hardware}, that is the gold usual. However it is also present in two different UA pedals – so believe your pedalboard wishes and price range. 

Common Audio UAFX Heavenly Plate Reverb pedal: Arms-on demos

Sweetwater

Reverb

Mark Johnston 

Andertons

Common Audio UAFX Heavenly Plate Reverb pedal: Specs

• TYPE: Pedal emulation of EMT 140 Plate Reverb 
• CONTROLS: Decay, Combine, Plate sort A/B/C mini toggle transfer, Predelay, EQ, Mod, bypass footswitch, Trails/ True Bypass transfer, Speedy/Sluggish Mod Price transfer
• POWER: 9V DC pedalboard remoted energy provide (250mA energy draw)
• CONTACT: Common Audio