Golden Reverberator

I've used (and rejected) a lot of reverbs recently. The Golden Reverberator pedal is very exciting to hear in person. This is doubly so if you are after the classic Lexicon sound.

I currently use the UA Lexicon 224 plugin in the studio, and have loved it since I got it. Also this year, for live performance (and sometimes in the studio), I've been using a Meris Mercury X reverb on synths, guitar, and vocals. Mercury X contains emulations of the Lexicon 224 sounds. They are quite usable, but they are perhaps more of a 'nod' to Lexicon, than an accurate representation. No offense to Meris. They do AWESOME work, and I will continue to use a few of their pedals, including the Mercury X.

However, when I first used the Golden Reverberator, it was a slap in the face. But, like a nostalgic slap (feeling) that suddenly jumps forth into your awareness. This pedal is an amazing thing hear on stage, and in a compact format no less. Time will tell how well it does 'subtlety', but my initial impression is that it should hold up. Well done, UA.

Back to reality: The pedal seems very solidly made. It is expensive, as are most UA devices. But they did not miss the target here: There is no other way on the planet that you can get that palpable, dense, shimmering reverb sound, without dragging a very expensive rackmount effects unit around. It is designed to do a couple things extremely well. So, if you want shimmers, reverse reverbs, or unusual early reflection patterns... you won't find it…

I make a lot of ambient music on the guitar and like to create spacey sounds. After doing a lot of research on different reverb pedals, I decided to get this pedal. Although I only got this pedal recently, I don't know all of the sounds yet but from what I can hear, the quality of sound that it produces is simply amazing, some really incredible reverb types. I will be looking forward to using it more and taking the time to get to know it better. If there is such a thing as the perfect reverb pedal, this is it. Fantastic purchase.

Rise like the sun, come bathe in her endless reflections. For even the shadows know you remain forever, golden.

SOUND: ***** Just like plugins but no latency.

HARDWARE INTERFACE: **** Pretty good. No LCD so you have to remember what preset is where. Can only save 1 favorite preset to recall w/o app when using hardware standalone.

APP: *** Which one? Some literature still says UA Connect which is wrong. It needs UAFX Connect. One on computer to upgrade software version. Doesn’t seem to do anything else. Ive not got it to work on either Mac or PC app with USB C connection beyond registration and update. The Bluetooth to iPhone is buggy but works after update (not out of box) and has a few presets to choose from. All of this buggy mismatched and hard-to-connect stuff I only got done bc I have multi-IT and lots of chords. UA gives you: ZERO cords to hook up.

PEDAL: *** One pedal is fine. They should combine them like Eventide Max H9. Each pedal is LARGE and requires 9v 500mA which you’re lucky if you have 1 much less 2 ports on your pedal power brick. UAudio do not supply power nor cords to USB or Power so… you need to buy those. Hence this pedal needs another $40+ expense for those items.

Summary: Essentially I would get a pedal or two but 3 or more take up too much space and require too much mA power. They need lots more chords for stereo effects. They can only be manipulated one at a time. And IF you like lots of settings you need to use the bluetooth app (pick the right one!!) and even then its another step in rhe way of making music. Essentially…

I've had a bunch of verbs, from the literal tube Fender units, to the spring verbs that sit on your board, etc. etc. Also, have had a ton of verb pedals. This is the best I've used in regards to sound, but also, size. I love the actual spring verbs but let's be honest, hauling that around is like hauling another amplifier. My setup tends to need two different reverb settings, one long... and one short. This pedal offers exactly that, one "live" setting and a preset. I keep my long verb in preset and have a short verb queued up at all times in the live side. Perfect. Beyond that though, the actual sound of the thing is just fantastic. It might not be quite as warm as a tube unit, but to be perfectly honest, that warmth has sometimes given me some issues when playing live. This thing doesn't do that. It just sounds, fantastic. Regardless of spring vs plate vs hall.

I switched from the Strymon Flint (which has a decent verb) to this thing, and my sound went from sounding like an 'effect' to sounding more 'real'. The Flint sound 2d in comparison in my opinion. . I still think the Strymon sounds good! but.. this is the next level.

Also, to counter some of the other reviews.. it paired immediately to my phone via the app, I updated the software via my computer and it was flawless. Would've been hard to make it much easier.

I know it's an expensive stereo reverb pedal.. but.. It's amazing.