Guitar Tricks Insider December Issue | Page 60

GEAR REVIEW also multifunctional, and in the basic operation mode, Active turns the effect on and off, and the HotSwitch and Tap scroll up and down through the algorithms and presets (note: the Preset control knob also allows manual scrolling through the algorithms and presets). Tap time and MIDI clock-sync features allow you to quickly lock in the tempo of effects like delay or modulation and a superb feature for live performances with the band. Preset #94 - Amedeo-Slap - is a quick slap back echo and is bound to satisfy the country and rockabilly player in you, while surf guitar enthusiasts will love algorithm #4 - Spring, #10 - TremoloVerb, and preset #20 - Spring Theory. Algorithms #8 - BlackHole, #12 - Shimmer, and preset #60 - Sift Plate are especially tasty for strumming or arpeggiating chords on an acoustic or electric guitar with a clean tone. Looking for an intergalactic space war? Pull up preset #17 – Quasar, or #69 - Alien Verb and do a quick slide up or down on any string. If this doesn’t sound like a laser battle I’ll sell my guitar! Burning for some metal and distorted tones? Check out Vernon Reid’s presets #77 - Sanskritual, #78 - Screamwarp, #79 - Revunched, #84 MangledVern, #92 - Doomdrive, and #93 Drivedoom. Note: when playing with a separate distortion or high gain foot pedal, Space is most effectively placed last in the chain or use the effects loop on the amp. Many of the presets are so unbelievably imaginative that you could easily fool the audience into believing there’s more than one instrument. But for my money the presets created by Richard Devine, who is huge in the electronic music genre, are some of the most unique and extraordinary sounds in the unit (presets #58 through #76). The sounds coming from Space are cutting edge and it’s adaptability to work with other instruments in a live or studio environment is undeniable. It features stereo and mono quarterinch inputs and outputs (for electric and bass guitars), MIDI in and out (for a MIDI controller), expression pedal and auxiliary switch inputs, guitar or line level inputs and outputs, and a USB port for uploading future upgrades. This powerful pedal comes with its own power supply and doesn’t use batteries. ■ VERDICT Eventide did a spectacular job of recreating virtually every reverb you can think of and then some. From old-school spring reverbs to futuristic beauty and chaos, it’s all here in one effects pedal. And Space is for more than just electric and acoustic guitar players. This genre crossing effect unit can enhance bass, vocals, drums, keyboards, and just about any other instrument you can think of. A purist who enjoys just a little bit of reverb might find it hard to justify the $499 price tag, but if you like to experiment in the laboratory of sounds with a plethora of tantalizing ear candy, this pedal is a bargain and worth exploring. Go to outer Space today and “boldly go where no effects pedal has gone before!” 60 GUITAR TRICKS INSIDER DIGITAL EDITION DECEMBER SPECIAL