The DigiTech Supernatural Ambient Reverb is a reverb pedal aimed at players who want large, atmospheric washes as much as conventional room and spring sounds12. It had been available exclusively from American retailer Pro Guitar Shop since 2012 before a wider release1, and its reverbs are controlled via mix, liveliness and decay knobs1.
What it does
DigiTech describes the pedal's Supernova mode as "a deep space reverb with twisting flange and pitch-shifting"2, and that gives a fair picture of the pedal's character overall. MusicRadar's reviewer, Michael Astley-Brown, called it "A to-the-point reverb that will take players of an atmospheric disposition to whole new levels of ambience"1. Premier Guitar's review of the HardWire-badged version, sold as the HardWire Supernatural Ambient Reverb, listed "Otherworldly reverb tones. Solid packaging. Unique, clean and varied voicing" among its pros3.
The seven presets cover both ends of the reverb spectrum. Premier Guitar counts classic spring and plate types, a plate with modulation, and more out-there voicings including Shimmer, Supernova, Pherb and Shine3. MusicRadar notes that although the settings include spring and plate modes, huge soundscapes are this pedal's speciality1.
Controls, presets and jacks
Reverb type is chosen with a seven-way rotary knob, one position per preset3. The reverbs are controlled via mix, liveliness and decay knobs, with the mix knob setting the reverb mix level1. Premier Guitar describes the mix level and reverb decay controls as more or less self-explanatory3.
| Control | Function |
|---|---|
| Reverb type (7-way rotary) | Selects one of the seven reverb presets3 |
| Mix | Sets the reverb mix level1 |
| Liveliness | Shapes the reverb character1 |
| Decay | Sets the reverb decay13 |
Two input and two output jacks give players the option of stereo or mono operation2. Premier Guitar's review of the HardWire version says the pedal houses dual ins and outs for true stereo operation3.
The trails switch is internal: it sits underneath the footswitch, inside the enclosure, and enables or disables the reverb trail-off after the pedal is bypassed13. Decide before mounting the pedal on a board whether you want trails on or off when bypassed.
History and availability
Before its 2014 wide release, the pedal had been available exclusively from American retailer Pro Guitar Shop since 201212. MusicRadar's review notes it had only just been unleashed upon the UK at the time of writing1. The pedal is built on a weighty metal enclosure1.
Players comparing it with later DigiTech reverbs may also come across the DigiTech Polara Stereo Reverb, another seven-mode Lexicon-based pedal, or the DigiTech HardWire RV-7 Stereo Reverb. For the wider field, see the site's page on Reverb Pedals.
Videos
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Questions
Is the DigiTech Supernatural Ambient Reverb stereo?
Yes. The pedal has two input and two output jacks, so it can run in stereo or mono. MusicRadar describes it as having stereo ins and outs, and Premier Guitar's review of the HardWire version says the dual ins and outs allow true stereo operation. Players running a stereo rig can feed it a stereo signal and take two outputs to a pair of amps or a stereo power section, while mono players simply use one input and one output.
How many presets does the Supernatural Ambient Reverb have?
Seven. MusicRadar notes that its seven presets use authentic Lexicon algorithms, selected with a seven-way rotary knob. The settings range from conventional reverb types such as spring and plate to more experimental voicings like Shimmer, Supernova, Pherb and Shine.
Is the DigiTech Supernatural Ambient Reverb true bypass?
Yes. DigiTech's announcement at NAMM 2014 lists true bypass switching alongside the pedal's stereo in/out connectivity. There is also an internal switch, accessible from underneath the footswitch, that lets the player choose whether reverb trails continue after the effect is bypassed.
Does the Supernatural Ambient Reverb have spring and plate reverbs?
Yes. Spring and plate modes are included among the seven presets, and Premier Guitar's review also counts a plate with modulation among the conventional types. MusicRadar adds that although these settings include spring and plate modes, huge soundscapes are the pedal's speciality.
Are the reverb trails switchable on the Supernatural?
Yes. An internal bypass trails on/off switch is fitted inside the enclosure, reachable from underneath the footswitch. It decides whether the reverb tail rings out naturally after the pedal is bypassed or stops immediately, which is useful for players who want clean transitions between song sections.
How much did the DigiTech Supernatural Ambient Reverb cost?
DigiTech announced the pedal at NAMM 2014 with a suggested retail price of $249.95 in the US, ahead of March 2014 availability. Premier Guitar's review of the HardWire Supernatural Ambient Reverb lists a street price of $179, so the price players actually paid was below the MSRP.
Sources (3)
- DigiTech Supernatural Ambient Reverb review, MusicRadar, 2014-07-27
- NAMM 2014: DigiTech launches Supernatural stompbox, MusicRadar, 2014-01-28
- Hardwire Supernatural Ambient Reverb Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2012-09-05
