As is the case a lot of times with effects pedals from Electro-Harmonix, the phrase “Where to begin?” popped immediately into our head as we opened the box for the Super Pulsar Tap Tremolo. So many knobs, so many options and so much to learn, this was gonna be a challenge, but in the best way possible. I mean, it’s figuring out how to use a guitar pedal, what’s more fun than that?
A simple Volume knob starts off the main controls up top, followed by the Rt. Phase knob, a waveform adjustment control which only works if you’re in a Stereo mode of some sort – Ins, Outs or both. A Wave control comes in after that, with the left half letting you select between Sine, Triangle and Pulse modulation waveforms, for a whole slew of sonic opportunities and possibilities, while the right half adjusts the pulse length of each beat in the Rhythm mode. Shape works with the Wave control to continually vary the waveforms’ shapes, and lets you select 1 of 9 available rhythms when the Wave control is in Rhythm mode. Rate adjusts the tremolo’s overall speed, while Depth lets you control the intensity of the entire effect as well.
The Super Pulsar has an internal envelope follower circuit as well, which is controlled by 2 smaller knobs, Env Rate and Env Depth, each one working in conjunction with their counterpart knobs below. This special feature is touch-sensitive, so your playing helps to shape and control the amount of envelope coming through the pedal. Another small push button, Wave Invert, switches on this particular mode, which will change the ramp direction of the waveform for yet another sonic option in tremolo town.
There’s also a Tap Divide section, where you can select from 6 other types of notes: dotted eighth note, quarter note triplet, eighth note, eighth note triplet, 16th note and 32nd note, for an obviously wide variety of notes and sounds. An Expression mode selector lets you choose which parameter you’d like to control via the 1/4″ expression pedal/CV jack, which is fun to be able to change on the fly if you need to with ease. You can also easily switch to Preset mode with your foot, allowing you to then select from up to 8 different preset tremolo configurations, and there’s a Tap Tempo switch as well.
Basically, the Super Pulsar is a tremolo wrapped in a super-tremolo, then infused with a tremolo from another galaxy, and then that thing has a baby. All your tremolo needs are captured in one pedalboard-friendly box, and with so many options and presets, there’s a use for this thing on practically every song in your set list. As with all Electro-Harmonix pedals, this thing is built like a tank and can take almost any kind of abuse you throw at it. If you have a couple tremolos that all do different things and you’d like to consolidate a bit, the Super Pulsar is probably the exact pedal you’ve been searching for.
Specs:
– Analog Tremolo with Stereo in/out, mono in/stereo out, stereo in/mono out and mono in/mono out.
– Adjustable modulation waveforms include sine wave, triangle and pulse waves, plus 9 rhythmic patterns that may be changed by the user and saved.
– Modulation rate set by RATE knob, TAP TEMPO FSW, external Tap FSW or external clock.
– The waveform phase for the right channel may be adjusted from 0 degrees to 360 degrees in relation to the left channel.
– Modulation Rate and Depth can interact with your playing by adding envelope follower modulation to each parameter.
– Expression pedal or CV control over Rate, Depth, Shape, Phase or Volume.
– Volume Boost of up to 12dB when DEPTH control is set to minimum position.
– Save and recall up to 8 presets.
– MODE FSW allows user to scroll through TAP DIVIDE modes, EXP MODES or 8 Presets.
– True Bypass using mechanical relays.
– 9VDC AC Adaptor Included.
– Dimensions in inches: 4.75 (w) x 5.75 (l) x 2.5 (h)
– Dimensions in mm: 146 (w) x 121 (l) x 64 (h)
Submitted by Mike B, Website
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