I’m excited today to venture, for the first time, into the world of effects from Carl Martin. We’ve been chatting for a while, and I’m honored to be a part of the release for their newest pedal today, the HeadRoom Mini Dual Channel Digital Spring Reverb. Building on the amazing sounds from the original HeadRoom units released in 2011, this one has been both shrunk down in size and updated in tone and functionality, providing a wonderful, ambient sonic playground from which you can easily create…
Shop Carl Martin at Amazon https://amzn.to/41WRUNF
The original HeadRoom was a popular release, but feedback from musicians highlighted a recurring challenge: pedalboard space. Many players loved the spring reverb tone but found it difficult to accommodate the full-sized unit in their setup. This consistent request for a smaller version guided the development process and set clear goals for the new design. Beyond just reducing the size, we also saw an opportunity to enhance functionality. One of the biggest upgrades in HeadRoom Mini is the addition of stereo I/O, making it an even more attractive option for players running stereo setups. While the original HeadRoom was a mono-only pedal, the HeadRoom Mini allows for a wider, more immersive reverb experience in stereo rigs – without taking up unnecessary space on a pedalboard.
The transition from concept to reality required extensive programming, testing, and refinements. Achieving a convincing digital recreation of the original HeadRoom Spring Reverb was a major challenge, particularly in maintaining the depth and natural response of a physical spring tank. The key breakthrough came when the DSP was successfully integrated into an analog circuit, effectively capturing the dynamic, nonlinear characteristics of traditional spring reverb. From there, the development process involved multiple prototype iterations, real-world testing with musicians in Carl Martin’s Grenaa, Denmark, studio, and additional refinements based on player feedback. But before they put the final stamp of approval on HeadRoom Mini, it was also sent out for testing in recording studios worldwide. This final stage ensured that the pedal performed consistently across different setups and playing environments, confirming that it delivered the authentic spring reverb experience we had aimed for.
After 1.5 years of development, the HeadRoom Mini Dual Channel Digital Spring Reverb is now complete – a direct response to musician needs, shaped by extensive testing, and optimized for modern pedalboards. With its smaller footprint and stereo capabilities, it delivers everything players loved about the original HeadRoom, now with even greater flexibility for today’s rigs. Really loving the sounds coming out of this pedal, and it’s been a lovely introduction into the world of Carl Martin effects. Be sure to head over to their website for more info and more pedals, and don’t forget to check out our demo video below and on YouTube – cheers!!
Affiliate Links:
Sweetwater – https://sweetwater.sjv.io/MX05KP
Vintage King – https://bit.ly/POTDVK
StewMac – https://stewmac.sjv.io/P0X7BQ
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3FN04Mq
How to Choose Your Guitar Pedals – https://sweetwater.sjv.io/QORJ7z
How to Match a Cab to Your Amp Head – https://sweetwater.sjv.io/nLjj7V
How to Break In a Guitar Speaker – https://sweetwater.sjv.io/4PRR10
GET EXCLUSIVE UPDATES, CONTEST INFO, SEE OUR LATEST DEMO VIDEOS AND MORE: