The CNZ Audio VRB is a mini reverb pedal from CNZ Audio. CNZ Audio describes it as delivering "Mellow Reverb Tones with Spring, Hall & Shimmer Settings," and the pedal covers that range with a three-position toggle switch: Hall, Spring and Shimmer1. In a mini format, it is aimed at players who want reverb on the board without giving up much space.
Controls and Reverb Types
The VRB keeps its control layout simple. The Mix knob controls the blend or amount of effect coming through when mixed with the natural tone of your guitar, so one knob sets how much reverb sits behind your dry signal1. The toggle switch provides three different reverb settings: Hall, Spring and Shimmer1.
- Hall: the room-style setting on the toggle switch1
- Spring: the spring-style setting on the toggle switch1
- Shimmer: the shimmer-style setting on the toggle switch1
- Mix: sets the blend of effect against your guitar's natural tone1
The knobs themselves are weighted control knobs with an indicator, which makes it easier to see where a setting sits at a glance1.
Power, Bypass and Impedance
The VRB runs on a 9VDC input with the negative on the center and the positive on the outside, drawing 10 mA1. That is a light current draw, so it fits easily on most pedalboard power supplies. CNZ Audio describes the pedal as true bypass, saying it "reflects the classic reverb tone while making it easy to find the sound that fits your style"1.
On the jack side, the input is a 1/4 inch jack with 470K ohms input impedance, and the output is a 1/4 inch jack with 470 ohms output impedance1.
Size and Build
The pedal measures 3.75 inches long by 1.77 inches wide by 1.9 inches high1. The enclosure is a solid aluminum housing on all sides1. That compact footprint is the point of the mini format: the VRB takes up a single small slot on a board, leaving room for overdrive, delay or whatever else fills out your chain.
Questions
Is the CNZ Audio VRB true bypass?
Yes. CNZ Audio describes the VRB as a true bypass pedal, so when it is switched off your guitar's signal passes through without the reverb circuit in the path. That matters on a pedalboard where several effects sit between the guitar and the amp, since buffers and buffered bypass stages can each color the tone slightly.
What power supply does the CNZ Audio VRB need?
The VRB runs on a 9VDC input with the negative on the center pin and the positive on the outside, the center-negative arrangement most standard pedal power supplies use. CNZ Audio does not list battery power for the pedal, so plan on a dedicated supply or a daisy chain that can spare 10 mA.
How much current does the CNZ Audio VRB draw?
CNZ Audio lists the VRB's current draw at 10 mA. That is a light load by pedal standards, so it fits comfortably on almost any pedalboard power supply output, including outputs rated for low-current digital effects.
What reverb types does the CNZ Audio VRB have?
The VRB offers three reverb settings selected with a toggle switch: Hall, Spring and Shimmer. Hall gives the sound of a large room, Spring recalls the spring reverb tanks built into many amplifiers, and Shimmer adds an octave-up layer to the reverb tail for a bigger, atmospheric sound.
How big is the CNZ Audio VRB?
CNZ Audio lists the VRB at 3.75 inches long by 1.77 inches wide by 1.9 inches high, and it weighs 0.53 lbs including the box. That compact footprint is what makes it a mini pedal, so it takes up little room on a crowded pedalboard.
Sources (1)
- VRB | Reverb Pedal | CNZ Audio, CNZ Audio