The Alexander Pedals Ski Fi Reverb is a delay and reverb pedal with a hold function that can shift the delay and reverb into feedback mode or freeze the held notes so you can play over a loop of yourself1. It is a digital delay engine with an analog dry signal path, and its reverb engine draws inspiration from affordable digital rack units of the 1980s and 1990s, with their slow-building reverb artifacts1.
The three modes
The Ski Fi offers three modes, each a distinct voice of delay and reverb with a different function for the Hold mode1.
| Mode | Delay and reverb voice | Hold function |
|---|---|---|
| Echo | Slow-build reverb plus delay | Increases the delay feedback to maximum levels; holding the footswitch reduces the reverb slightly and forces the delay into oscillation1 |
| Wash | 800ms delay combined with the slow-building reverb engine | Initiates reverb sustain; increases the reverb time and mix to an infinite setting1 |
| Gleam | Upper octave partial added to the reverb effect, maximum delay time approximately 640ms | Holding the footswitch swells in a pronounced shimmer; increases the reverb time and mix to an infinite setting1 |
In Wash and Gleam modes, the Hold function increases the reverb time and mix to an infinite setting, which is the pedal's version of a freeze or sustain1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Delay | Controls the delay time for the delay engine1 |
| Repeat | Controls the feedback and repeats of the delay engine; counter-clockwise for dark, filtered repeats, clockwise for bright repeats1 |
| Reverb | Adjusts the mix and decay of the reverb engine; turning it while holding the bypass footswitch changes the delay signal mix, which is remembered when powered off1 |
Hold: Freeze and Infinite
The Hold function has two settings. Freeze holds the notes you are playing; Infinite allows new notes to be added to the held signal1. To switch between the two, hold the bypass switch while powering on: the LED blinks once for Freeze or five times for Infinite, and the pedal remembers the last setting1.
In Infinite mode, you can engage the pedal and trigger the Hold function by holding the footswitch even while the pedal is in bypass, and releasing returns to bypass mode1. That makes the hold usable as a momentary effect without taking the pedal out of your clean signal path.
Bypass and outputs
The Ski Fi features buffered bypass with trails, so the reverb and delay continue to repeat and decay after the pedal is switched off1. The wet/dry output jack works two ways:
- Mono cable: combined wet and dry output on a single connection1
- Stereo/TRS cable: a buffered dry signal on the ring of the jack and a mix of wet and dry on the tip1
Turning the Reverb knob fully clockwise while setting the delay mix gives complete wet/dry separation, and when the pedal is bypassed the dry signal is sent to both outputs1.
The Ski Fi runs a buffered bypass with trails, so the reverb continues to repeat after you switch the pedal off, and the dry signal path stays analog2. In Wash and Gleam modes the Hold function pushes the Reverb time and mix to an infinite setting2.
Where it sits in Alexander's range
The Ski Fi's buffered bypass with trails and its wet/dry output jack place it among Alexander's delay and reverb pedals, where a shared dry signal path and spill-over tails are common design choices2. Its Hold function, which in Wash and Gleam modes increases the Reverb time and mix to an infinite setting, gives it a hold-to-swell behavior players often look for in this category2. For more on the category, see Delay Pedals and Reverb Pedals.
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Questions
Is the Alexander Pedals Ski Fi Reverb analog or digital?
The Ski Fi uses a digital delay engine paired with an analog dry signal path. Alexander's development notes describe it as a crystal-clear digital delay engine combined with a tone filter, plus a reverb engine that draws inspiration from affordable digital rack units of the 1980s and 1990s, with their slow-building reverb artifacts.
How do you switch between Infinite and Freeze hold on the Ski Fi?
Hold the bypass switch while powering the pedal on. The LED blinks once for Freeze or five times for Infinite, and the pedal remembers the last setting. In Infinite mode you can also engage the pedal and trigger Hold by holding the footswitch even while in bypass, and releasing returns to bypass mode.
Does the Ski Fi Reverb have trails?
Yes. The Ski Fi features buffered bypass with trails, so the reverb and delay continue to repeat and decay naturally after you switch the pedal off, rather than cutting out immediately. The dry signal path is analog.
Can the Ski Fi Reverb run in stereo?
Yes, through its wet/dry output jack. With a mono cable you get a combined wet and dry output. With a stereo TRS cable, the pedal places a buffered dry signal on the ring and a mix of wet and dry on the tip. Turning the Mix knob fully clockwise gives complete wet/dry separation, and when bypassed the dry signal is sent to both outputs.
What does Gleam mode do on the Ski Fi Reverb?
Gleam adds an upper octave partial to the reverb effect, a shimmer voice. Holding the footswitch swells in a pronounced shimmer. Maximum delay time in Gleam mode is approximately 640ms, and the Hold function raises the reverb time and mix to an infinite setting.
How long is the delay in Wash mode?
Wash mode combines an 800ms delay with Alexander's slow-building reverb engine. Holding the footswitch initiates reverb sustain, and the Hold function increases the reverb time and mix to an infinite setting.
Sources (2)
- Alexander Pedals Ski Fi Reverb, Delicious Audio, 2018-02-03
- Alexander Pedals Sky 5000 Delay/Reverb, Delicious Audio, 2020-11-19
