The straightforward yet responsive controls of the Strymon UltraViolet offer a broader spectrum of sounds compared to most other univibe-style pedals.
Special Blends
In addition to the well-known Chorus (50% wet) and Vibrato (100% wet) settings, the added Blend setting (30% wet) adds a compelling range of subtler effects to your repertoire. This allows players to dial in exactly the right amount of warble and swell that make Strymon UltraViolet a very musical effect.
The Bias switch provides three distinctive sweep shapes and emphasizes different tones, resulting in an abundance of sonic possibilities. With higher intensity settings it’s possible to have a swirling rhythmic pumping effect. Lower intensity gives you beautiful shimmers or slight pitch warbles for added depth and texture.
The Strymon UltraViolet not only delivers all the classic vibe tones but extends beyond, offering new features and tones which previous univibes have had difficulty achieving.
Strymon’s painstaking replication of an optical circuit has definitely paid off; the dynamics made possible by this pedal mean it is much more musical and can be much more subtle than its predecessors and contemporaries.
The company meticulously considered the impact of bias, speed, and LFO waveshape on the lamp’s pulsing, as well as the responsiveness of the light-dependent resistors that dictate the center frequencies of the filters. This is all fine tuned to deliver a simple, yet richly deep sounding pedal.
Looking for a perfect amp sim pairing? Check out the Strymon Iridium in this related blog…
Full Functions in a Small Size
Equipped with TRS stereo input and output in a dual mono configuration, UltraViolet allows players to seamlessly integrate it at any point in a pedal chain. The mono to stereo switch makes it easy to route this pedal to work with several rigs. Complete MIDI implementation featuring 300 preset locations ensures UltraViolet’s compatibility with your MIDI setup too! In addition to TRS MIDI, a USB-C jack facilitates pedal control via MIDI from a computer and is also used for firmware updates.
For hands-free control without MIDI, connect an expression pedal to manipulate any combination of knobs in any direction (Speed is controlled by default.) Alternatively, attach an optional external switch for tap tempo or favorite recall. To enhance the pedal’s touch sensitivity, dynamics, and feel, a high-impedance, ultra-low noise discrete Class A JFET stereo input preamp is incorporated, all within a robust and elegantly compact form factor.
Come check out the Strymon UltraViolet at Tone Tailors!
