The ALABS Audio Orbital Stereo Pitch Shifter is a stereo digital pedal covering a wide range of pitch-shifting effects, including Pitch Shifter, Octave, Micropitch, Harmonizer and Whammy Sound1. It sits among octave and pitch pedals and, with its multiple algorithms in one compact box, it also functions as a small multi-effects unit for pitch work.
What it does
The Orbital provides nine pitch shifting effects, organized by direction:
- Upward shifts: major 3rd (4 semitones), 4th (5 semitones), 5th (7 semitones), and Octave (12 semitones)
- Downward shifts: minor 3rd (3 semitones), 4th (5 semitones), 5th (7 semitones), and Octave (12 semitones)
- Unison: shifts within a microtonal pitch, the basis of the Micropitch-style effects1
Beyond the fixed intervals, the pedal offers Differential True Stereo mode, analog dry-through, and two selectable bypass modes: high-quality relay-based true bypass and a transparent analog buffer bypass1. The analog dry-through keeps your unshifted signal on an analog path, which players often prefer for preserving the feel of their core tone while a digital engine handles the shifted voices.
The footswitch and momentary control
The single footswitch is not just an on/off switch. It supports momentary operation, including instant pitch bending, and a Creative Explore Mode when held down1. Pedal of the Day's reviewer found this to be the pedal's defining feature:
"The footswitch really makes this one, as it will make you rethink your song structure and how to bend already altered, modulated notes."
Videos
ALABS AUDIO
Mike Hermans
Doug Hanson
Sources (1)
- ALABS Audio Orbital Stereo Pitch Shifter, Pedal of the Day, 2024-01-23