Origin Effects Unveils the Magma57 Amp Vibrato & Drive

November 18, 2020 · 5 sources

Origin Effects announced the MAGMA57, an Amp Vibrato & Drive pedal that recreates the Magnatone amplifiers of the late 1950s in a 9V-powered stompbox. The pedal pairs a pitch-modulating vibrato with a reactive overdrive design that the maker says promises "authentic sound and playing feel", alongside a post-drive EQ section¹.

The circuit draws on two Magnatone models. As Origin founder Simon Keats explained, the pedal combines the two-stage vibrato from the Magnatone mono 260 and stereo 280 with the preamp, tone control and power amp of the 213 Troubadour²:

The MAGMA57 runs all-analog components, recreating the amplifier at circuit level, and uses high-quality buffered bypass circuitry³. Its features include:

• Separate footswitches for the amp and vibe effects, so each can run on its own
• A three-way Blend switch with three modulation modes: Magnatone-style pitch-shifting vibrato, Uni-Vibe-style phasing (wet and dry blended in phase), and a chorus effect (wet and dry blended 180 degrees out of phase)
• A Post-Drive EQ that tailors the output to the amp you are plugging into, as well as flat-response power amps, mixers and recording interfaces
• An external footswitch input for tap tempo, remote vibrato on/off and direct compatibility with a range of pedal switching systems
• Dedicated Speed and Vibrato controls²⁴

The pedal can serve as a clean platform or be pushed into full overdrive, which paired with the vibrato suits psychedelic rock and blues tones. Pedal of the Day described its range as running "from warm and jazzy to swirling psychedelia, and anything you can think of in between"³.

Reviews that followed were positive. Guitar.com scored it 9/10, with the verdict "come for the multi-mode vibrato, fall in love with the chunky overdrive"⁵. Pedal of the Day called it Origin Effects' best effect yet³.

The MAGMA57 shipped available from Origin Effects dealers worldwide and direct from the maker's site². Players interested in the modulation side can compare it with other vibrato pedals and the Dunlop Uni-Vibe, whose phasing effect the Magma57's Blend switch recreates in one of its three modes.