Eventide H9 Gen 2

The Eventide H9 Gen 2 is a compact multi-effects pedal that packs the company's entire Harmonizer effects library into a single stompbox. Announced on June 8, 2026 and shipping from June 24, 2026 at a $599 MSRP, it runs 74 algorithms covering pitch, delay, reverb, modulation and more, drawn from the full H9 Max and H90 Harmonizer libraries, with over 1,000 presets on board¹²³. Where the original H9 was built around a one-knob interface and a tiered algorithm system, the Gen 2 is built on the same modern ARM processing architecture as the H90 Harmonizer and ships with everything included¹⁴.

The core distinction from the H90 is simple: the H90 has all the same effects algorithms but lets you run two at once, while the H9 Gen 2 runs one algorithm at a time in a smaller, pedalboard-friendly box⁵. For players who want the full Eventide sound library without a dual-engine unit, that is the trade the Gen 2 offers.

What the H9 Gen 2 does: 74 algorithms on H90 processing

The H9 Gen 2 includes 74+ algorithms, combining the complete H9 Max library with everything from the H90⁴. For context, the H9 Max carried 45 effect algorithms and over 500 factory presets⁶, and the H90 shipped with 62 algorithms: enhanced versions of all 52 H9 Max effects plus 10 new ones⁷. The Gen 2 brings both libraries together, and Eventide's newer additions, including the granular Cosmic Web algorithm along with Bokeh Delay and Headspace, are available on the H9 Gen 2 and H90 alike⁸.

Under the hood, the pedal is built on the same modern processing architecture as the H90 Harmonizer, which is what allows the smaller box to run the full library¹. The product page lists the headline numbers plainly: 74 algorithms, over 1,000 presets³². The algorithm count includes the full H90 and H9 Max libraries⁴².

In Pete Thorn's demo video for the pedal, he walks through the unit and its sound⁸:

Pete Thorn demoed the H9 Gen 2 on his YouTube channel⁹.

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Thorn also published a follow-up video covering his favorite H9 and H90 algorithms, including the brand new Cosmic Web, Bokeh Delay and Headspace⁸.

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The controls and Control app

Deep editing happens in the Eventide Control app, connected over USB-C⁵. This continues a lineage that goes back to the original H9: the H9 Control app connects to an iOS device via Bluetooth or to a Mac or PC desktop or laptop via USB, and is used to manage parameters, presets and settings, and to audition, purchase and manage H9 algorithms¹². Eventide's own MaxOut support article directs users to download H9 Control for iOS, Android, Mac or PC¹³. Reviewers have long rated the software side highly; Bass Gear Magazine's review of the H9 Max called the app "a gem in and of itself."¹²

Power and connections

The H9 Gen 2 runs on 9-12V DC at 300 mA @ 12V or 400 mA @ 9V, with a 12V 1A power supply included⁵. Guitar Pedal X's launch coverage specifies the center pin as positive¹⁰, a detail worth checking before you plug it into a shared power supply, since most pedals are center negative. Premier Guitar's demo notes the 12V power requirement means it works with modern high-quality powered boards¹¹.

Connectivity is full stereo with a complete stereo signal flow through the inputs and outputs¹⁴:

• 2x 1/4" TS inputs and 2x 1/4" TS outputs for stereo in and out⁵⁹
• 5-pin MIDI I/O for preset switching and control⁵¹⁵
• USB-C port for the Eventide Control app, replacing the original's micro-USB⁵¹⁴
• Expression pedal input, also supporting aux control⁴

Sonic State's report from GearExpo UK 2026 adds that the pedal works for both desktop use and live performance¹⁵.

From the original H9 to Gen 2

The original H9 launched at NAMM in January 2013 as a stompbox with stereo audio I/O, MIDI I/O, expression pedal and auxiliary switch inputs, and a simple one-knob user interface that connected wirelessly via Bluetooth to iPhones and iPads¹⁶¹⁷. It shipped with 99 presets based on the available algorithms¹⁸. A stripped-down H9 Core followed in 2014, with True Analog Bypass, MIDI and a built-in tuner shared across the line¹⁹.

The original H9 Harmonizer was first released in 2015, and the Gen 2 is its second iteration⁴. Where the older pedal used a micro-USB connector, the Gen 2 modernises this to USB-C⁵. The Gen 2 also has far more presets than the H9 Max, with over 1,000 available⁵, and it started shipping on June 24, 2026⁵³.

What reviewers said

MusicRadar's review by Matt McCracken, which also ran in Guitar World, framed the pedal's place in the lineup clearly: the H90 has all the same effects algorithms but allows running two at once, and the H9 Gen 2 offers more presets and a more compact package⁵²⁰. Pedal of the Day's coverage was enthusiastic about the whole package:

Pedal of the Day, August 2026⁴

Premier Guitar's demo video shows the pedal packing H9 Max features and H90 algorithms into its compact redesigned interface²⁰².

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Videos

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Questions