The Universal Audio Del-Verb: What You Need to Know

Let's explore the Universal Audio Del-verb pedal. I was drawn to this pedal due to its combination of reverb and delay in a compact design compared to my other, usually independent, reverb and delay pedals. When I need both effects for a gig with a minimal pedal board, the Delverb is a solution.

Fitting a larger-sized delay and reverb, an overdrive, and a tuner, among other pedals, is challenging. The Delverb seemed to address this issue. While there have been other solutions, I wasn't satisfied with their sound; many delays and reverbs sounded thin to me, except for the Strymon El Capistan, which I like.

The El Capistan, while a great-sounding pedal, posed challenges as the reverb was not easily adjustable in my version. Even the newer version with adjustable reverb had the drawback that turning off the delay also turned off the reverb. I needed independent control over both effects.

I experimented with options from Line 6 and other companies, multi-effects processors, and the Eventide H9, but their thin sound didn't resonate with me. I mostly rely on real tape echo and spring reverb in my studio, but they aren't always practical for certain gigs.

In the quest for a pedal that produces authentic sounds without a digital feel, I turned to Universal Audio, a brand I've trusted for years. I've used their Apollo interfaces and plugins extensively in my studio. The Apollos revolutionized home recording, providing high-quality sound at a fraction of the cost.

Depth

Curious about their foray into pedals, I found that the Del-Verb maintains the depth, warmth, and complexity characteristic of their plugins. It doesn't feel like typical digital processing, preserving the integrity of my tone. The Delverb, a stereo effects pedal with separate processing engines for the left and right sides, has become a valuable addition to my setup.

While I often use it in mono, the stereo option is handy for specific situations, and more and more guitarists are using stereo rigs in modern times, not to mention it also makes the DelV-erb usable as an outboard stereo delay and reverb for your studio. The USB connection allows firmware updates, and an app facilitates parameter adjustments. I appreciate the three-foot switch modes: one for independent reverb and delay control, another for tap tempo, and a third that leaves the reverb on while turning off the delay.

In the Field

What sets the Del-Verb apart is its practicality for live performances. It simplifies the process of achieving great sounds quickly without compromising tone. The presets, or "voicings," accessible through the app make it versatile, and the ease of adjusting parameters in real-time enhances its usability.

“What sets the Del-Verb apart is its practicality for live performances. It simplifies the process of achieving great sounds quickly without compromising tone. ”

The "voicings," as they call them, aren't really interchangeable on the fly unless you have your iPhone out and the app open. It's best not to think of this pedal housing banks of presets. Think of it more as color combinations that you load. You load a personality of each delay and reverb for a gig and use them.

This is very useful for gigs. I picked a world I wanted to explore and stuck to it for the gig. The Del-Verb allows you to explore three delay worlds and three reverb worlds. Unlimited options are often someone other than your friend on gigs.

Voicing

The Del-Verb's tape, analog, and precision delay settings and various voicings offer a range of sounds. The color knob's impact on tape saturation, analog gain, and digital EQ provides additional tonal possibilities. The mod knob's modulation options add further texture, enhancing the pedal's expressive capabilities.

I'm impressed with the build quality, which is consistent with Universal Audio's standards. The metal housing feels durable and tour-worthy, and the switches and controls are sturdy. The pedal, requiring a minimum of 400 milliamps of power, functions well within this range.

Real World

The foot switch options provided by the app further enhance the pedal's usability. I appreciate the flexibility to tailor the functionality to my preferences, especially the option where turning off the delay doesn't affect the reverb. This suits my playing style, as I often leave the reverb on during gigs.

Its throw-and-go convenience sets the Del-Verb apart, providing instant, high-quality sounds without the need for extensive tweaking. While it may not offer extensive parameter adjustments for the reverb, the preset voicings cover the essentials—a plate, hall, and spring reverb, each with its unique character. The delays offer tweakable options, with the tape delay allowing tape age and saturation levels to be adjusted.

Sproing

In my quest for a spring reverb emulation suitable for live settings, I've encountered challenges finding one that truly matches the authenticity of a genuine spring reverb. The spring reverb is a crucial element in the musical palette of my Future Relics project.

Unfortunately, some gigs don't permit me to bring along my preferred spring reverb units like the Surfy Bear Metal or the Headstrong Lil King Reverb.

As a discerning enthusiast of spring reverb, especially when playing surf music, I've been quite selective. The reverb, in this genre, plays a pivotal role in conveying expression. Despite trying various spring reverb emulations in the past, I found myself discarding each one—until I encountered the Del-Verb. It stands out as a reliable option for situations where I can't bring my preferred tone tools.

The Delverb's spring setting is pleasing and allows me to capture the distinctive character of surf music. However, it's important to note that the Del-Verb doesn't replicate the unexpected surprises that real spring reverbs deliver, like the Surfy Bear Metal. It's unrealistic to expect digital gear to perfectly mimic the idiosyncrasies of analog gear. The Surfy Bear Metal, with its surprising reactivity, remains unparalleled in that regard.

While the Del-Verb doesn't replace my genuine spring reverb units, it serves as a fantastic solution when circumstances prevent me from using my real springs. For players less inclined to explore the nuances of quirky analog effects reactions, the Del-Verb's spring reverb tones would undoubtedly meet their satisfaction.

Since getting the Del-Verb, I've gravitated toward the plate reverb setting quite frequently. I'm a huge fan of using EMT 140 plate reverbs in the studio on almost every track. Not to sound repetitive, but until acquiring the DelVerb, I had yet encountered a pedal with a plate reverb that truly excited me.

The Del-Verb impressively captures some serious EMT 140 flavors, and it's no surprise, considering Universal Audio has meticulously recreated the EMT 140 in plugin form.

“The Del-Verb impressively captures some serious EMT 140 flavors”

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

I'm consistently drawn to the Tape and Analog Delay settings regarding the delays. While the Precision Delay offers intriguing features, such as the capability to alter delay times without the pitch glissando effect, my preferences often lean towards the unique characteristics of the Tape and Analog settings. I enjoy manipulating delay times in certain experimental gigs as an intentional effect.

There are occasions when I desire the pitch-shifting effects that come with adjusting the delay time, and other times, I aim to alter the delay time without introducing any pitch shifts—allowing me to execute Steve Reich-style "phasing" delay techniques. The Del-Verb conveniently accommodates both of these preferences in its compact design.

Echoing my sentiments about the spring reverb, the Del-Verb doesn't quite capture the unpredictable moments and quirks that occur with a genuine tape echo. I don't view this as a fault of Universal Audio; rather, it's an inherent challenge in emulating the idiosyncrasies of analog effects. The randomness and quirks in analog effects are often singular to a specific piece of gear, making it impossible to replicate them precisely. In essence, the unique quirks of one analog device may differ from those of another, adding to the challenge of emulation.

What sets the Del-Verb apart is its commitment to a particular strength. A common pitfall observed in other manufacturers is the attempt to incorporate too many features, often resulting in falling short of the intended goal. What I appreciate about Universal Audio is their focused approach to achieving exceptional tone swiftly within a compact setting. They've prioritized the essential elements, ensuring a streamlined and effective tool for creating great sounds without unnecessary complexity.

With pedal construction, there are different mindsets. Some builders need to think of live performance. They make pedals for infinite exploration in the studio. Or they may intend to make a pedal for live use but need to be actively gigging musicians. This presents an issue with their design, and they often need to catch some key elements that could be helpful when on a gig.

Universal Audio has always been great about thinking from the creator's perspective. How easy will this product be to operate? How quickly can we get to making art vs learning how to use the gear? This is true for the Apollo Audio Units, their Luna recording software, plugins, and pedals.

“Universal Audio has always been great about thinking from the creator’s perspective”

In Use

Let's listen to the pedal's versatility across different instruments and musical styles. Whether enhancing synthesizer sounds, complementing guitar tones, or contributing to experimental soundscapes, the Del-Verb consistently delivers high-quality, nuanced effects. Its real-time adjustability, particularly in modulation options, allows for expressive and dynamic performances.

Starting with synthesizers, I used a Dave Smith OB-6 and demonstrated how the pedal enhances the sounds with various reverb and delay settings. Transitioning to guitar, I explored different tones—from Hank Marvin-inspired Stratocaster sounds to ambient swells with a Tube Drive-equipped ES-335.

The Del-Verb's capability to deliver 100% wet reverb is valuable for creating ambient textures. It excels in capturing the essence of different eras, as demonstrated by the Mellotron generating '60s and ''70s-inspired tones. The pedal's compatibility with drum machines and its ability to interact with sound design, as shown with the ARP 2600, highlight its broader creative potential.

“The Del-Verb’s capability to deliver 100% wet reverb is valuable for creating ambient texture”

In conclusion, the Universal Audio Del-Verb impresses with its ability to provide authentic sounds, practicality for live performances, and creative versatility. It is a valuable tool for musicians seeking a reliable, high-quality solution for reverb and delay effects.

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