The Eventide H9 Harmonizer is a compact multi-effects pedal from Eventide that puts the company's effect algorithms into one white, pedalboard-friendly stompbox. It provides access to up to 42 different Eventide effect algorithms drawn from the company's Factor and Space pedals, covering delays, modulation effects, pitch shifting and reverbs1. Where a rack-mounted Eventide processor needs space and a power amp loop of its own, the H9 is a floor unit with stereo 1/4-inch ins and outs, MIDI, USB and an expression pedal jack, controlled from the top panel or from an iOS device2.
The H9 runs one algorithm at a time, so it behaves like a single, very deep pedal rather than a chain of simultaneous effects2. It was released in 2013, sold in Core, Standard and Max configurations, and was succeeded by the H90 Harmonizer in 2022 before being rebooted as the H9 Gen 2 in 20263.
What the H9 does: Eventide's effects library in one pedal
The H9 delivers Eventide's sound and can run all of Eventide's stompbox effects5. The Harmonizer Multi Effects (Standard) version came loaded with numerous algorithms from the four preceding Factor pedals, including Tape Echo, Vintage Delay, Chorus, Tremolo, H910/H949, Shimmer, Hall, and the H9-exclusive Ultratap26. Optional algorithms could be added at $19.99 each via iTunes1.
The pedal is clad in a white metal housing2, and its six-character LED display sits at the very top with four indicator lights showing Bluetooth and signal level values2. A 1/4-inch expression pedal jack and auxiliary switch inputs round out the control connections25.
Algorithms are a one-at-a-time affair, meaning only one can be loaded and running at a time2. For a player, that means the H9 replaces one pedal at a time on the board, but each algorithm is a full-featured Eventide effect with deep parameter editing rather than a simplified preset.
The controls: X, Y and Z buttons, encoder and two footswitches
The H9's interface is built around a big control knob in the middle of the unit, along with two footswitches and a handful of buttons7. In the center of the pedal there is an encoder knob that also depresses as a switch, with many functions, the most important being parameter value changes2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Encoder knob | Center knob that also presses as a switch; used most importantly for parameter value changes2 |
| X, Y, Z buttons | Access algorithm parameters; functions are re-assignable per algorithm2 |
| Active footswitch | Bypass on/off, with a red indicator light12 |
| Tap footswitch | Tap tempo, with a red indicator light12 |
| Presets button | Changes presets as well as operating mode2 |
The X, Y and Z buttons and a large jog wheel/switch provide parameter access in place of dedicated parameter knobs1. There is also a Presets button that both changes presets and switches the pedal's operating mode2.
Power and connections: 9V, 500mA, stereo and MIDI
The H9's power supply is 9V, 500mA, center-positive, a wall wart type included with the pedal2. Guitar World's original review noted a jack for a 9 to 12VDC/500mA center-positive power source, with the pedal shipping with a nine-volt adapter1.
The H9's center-positive power connection is the opposite of most compact pedals, which are center-negative. It cannot share a standard daisy chain with typical 9V pedals.
Connections include pairs of stereo 1/4-inch input and output jacks, side-mounted MIDI in and out/thru jacks, USB for connecting to a computer, and an expression pedal jack12. Real-time controls and preset selection are controllable via MIDI2. The H9 and H9 Core also feature a built-in tuner8.
The pedal's bypass is selectable: true bypass operation, DSP bypass, and DSP plus FX bypass, which allowed the tails of effects to continue after bypassing2. A Kill Dry setting is available for guitarists using the H9 in a parallel effects loop, to avoid phasing problems2. The unit works in an amp's effects loop, in stereo in a modeler's stereo effects loop, in a wet/dry setup, and in mixer sends and returns; with Eventide's MixingLink added, vocals and MIDI keyboards can be run through it as well9.
History and versions, from the Factor pedals to the H9 Gen 2
The pedal shipped in three versions10:
| Version | What it included | List price |
|---|---|---|
| H9 Core | Pitch and delay effects from Eventide's original H910 and H949 studio harmonizers, 25 factory presets11 | $49911 |
| H9 (Standard) | Numerous algorithms from the four Factor pedals, including Tape Echo, Vintage Delay, Chorus, Tremolo, H910/H949, Shimmer, Hall and Ultratap2 | $579 MSRP, approximately $500 street (2014)4 |
| H9 Max | Everything from all four Eventide stompboxes plus H9 exclusive algorithms; 45 effect algorithms and over 500 factory presets6 | $449 (2026)12 |
The H9 platform drew directly on Eventide's earlier work: it provides access to up to 42 different Eventide effect algorithms from the company's Factor and Space pedals, including delays, modulation effects, pitch shifting and reverbs1. Algorithms are a one-at-a-time affair, meaning that only one can be loaded and running at a time2, and the pedal's white metal housing keeps the same compact, pedalboard-friendly form that carried through to the Gen 22.
A decade after the original changed the compact multi-effects pedal game13, Eventide announced the H90 Harmonizer as its successor in November 20223. Gearnews reported at the time that the H9 was universally viewed as one of the best multi-effect units ever made14. In June 2026 Eventide rebooted the single-core H9 as the H9 Harmonizer Gen 2, with 74 algorithms including the full H90 and H9 Max libraries, a redesigned 2.5" interface, ARM processing and over 1,000 presets, shipping June 24 at a $599 launch price151617. The Gen 2 keeps the same compact, pedalboard-friendly form factor15 and is fully compatible with H9 Classic presets18.
What reviewers said
Reviewers across the pedal's life have been consistent about its sound quality.
"The sound of the H9 is, in no uncertain terms, amazing."
Bruce Sokolovic, MusicPlayers.com2
Sokolovic found the H9 a cut above in dimension and quality, never generic, with its own recognizable sonic stamp2. Guitar World's original 2013 review concluded that the H9 makes Eventide's incredible effects more accessible than ever1. Of the Gen 2, Guitar World's Matt McCracken rated the sounds five stars and called them:
"Amongst the best quality effects of any multi-effects I've tried"
Matt McCracken, Guitar World19
MusicRadar's Gen 2 review lists the same strengths in specification form: 4 knobs, 4 button pads for menu navigation, 2 programmable footswitches, 2 contextual LED buttons, and power at 9 to 12V DC, 300 mA at 12V / 400 mA at 9V, with a 12V 1A supply included20. Pedal of the Day describes the Gen 2 as a multi-effect that is "so much more, it's your basic pedalboard-in-one," with 1,000+ presets out of the box, stereo, MIDI, expression and aux control, and 2 programmable footswitches plus HotKnob and HotSwitch macro control18.
Premier Guitar's demo video of the Gen 2 shows the pedal running in an amp effects loop, in stereo in a modeler's effects loop, in a wet/dry setup and in mixer sends and returns, with presenter Tom Botwin noting that "if you add the mixing link, you can run vocals and MIDI keyboards through this as well"9.
Pete Thorn's demo of the Gen 2 covers the H90's algorithms running on updated ARM processing with an easier workflow21.
Players have used the original on real boards: Guitar World's rig tour of Live's Chad Taylor lists an Eventide H9 harmonizer among his effects22.
Videos
Eventide Audio
Reverb
Questions
Is the Eventide H9 true bypass?
Yes, and it is selectable. The H9 can be set for true hard-wire bypass, DSP bypass, or DSP plus FX bypass, which lets effect tails spill over when you switch the pedal off. There is also a Kill Dry setting for use in a parallel effects loop, so the dry signal is muted to avoid phasing problems.
Can the H9 run more than one effect at a time?
No. Algorithms are a one-at-a-time affair on the H9: only one effect algorithm can be loaded and running at a time. Each algorithm is itself a full effect drawn from Eventide's Factor and Space pedals, but you cannot stack, say, a delay and a reverb simultaneously as you could on a dual-engine unit.
How many presets does the Eventide H9 hold?
The original H9 stores 99 presets internally, and you can define how many the pedal holds, up to that 99. An unlimited number of presets can be stored on the external iOS device used with the H9 Control app. The H9 Max shipped with over 500 factory presets.
Can I use the H9 in an amp's parallel effects loop?
Yes. The H9 has a Kill Dry setting intended for parallel effects loop use, which avoids the phasing problems that a duplicated dry signal can cause. Its 1/4-inch inputs and outputs work at instrument and line level, so it can sit in an amp loop, mixer sends and returns, or a wet/dry setup.
What is the difference between the H9 Core, Standard and Max?
The Core was the economical version, loaded with the pitch and delay effects of Eventide's original H910 and H949 studio harmonizers and 25 factory presets. The Standard (Harmonizer Multi Effects) version came loaded with numerous algorithms from the four Factor pedals. The Max included everything from all four Eventide stompboxes plus H9 exclusive algorithms, 45 algorithms in total.
How much does the Eventide H9 cost?
At launch in 2013 the H9 listed at $579 and sold for approximately $500, with optional algorithms at $19.99 each. The H9 Core listed at $499. In 2026, while the H9 Max was listed at $449, the new H9 Harmonizer Gen 2 carried a $599 launch price and a $679 order price.
Sources (22)
- Review: Eventide H9 Harmonizer Effect Processor, Guitar World, 2013-09-17
- Eventide H9 Harmonizer Effects Processor, MusicPlayers.com, 2014-11-11
- Eventide H90 brings 10 new effects, better pitch-shifting, and more, guitar.com, 2022-11-09
- Eventide H9 Harmonizer Effects Processor (Pedal), MusicPlayers.com, 2014-11-01
- Video: Eventide H9 Harmonizer Effects Processor Demo, Guitar World, 2013-06-25
- Eventide H9 Max, Barry Rudolph / Music Connection "New Toys" directory, 2024
- Eventide H9, Vintage Guitar magazine, 2014-07-22
- Video: Eventide Introduces H9 Core Harmonizer Stompbox, Guitar World, 2014-02-09
- Eventide Made The H9 Even BETTER?!, Premier Guitar, 2026-06-30
- Eventide Announces the CrushStation Algorithm, Premier Guitar, 2015-07-15
- Eventide H9 Max Effects Pedal, Bass Gear Magazine, 2021-05-03
- Eventide H9 Harmonizer Gen2: Updated Multi-Effect Moves Closer to H90, gearnews.com, 2026-06-24
- Eventide H90 review: Bringing the classic H9 into the 2020s, Guitar.com, 2022-12-20
- H90 Harmonizer & H9000 Update: Eventide Introduces New Granular Effects, gearnews.com, 2025-12-19
- Eventide unveils the H9 Harmonizer Gen 2, MusicRadar, 2026-06-09
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2026-06-08
- Eventide Audio Introduces H9 Harmonizer® Gen 2, Premier Guitar, 2026-06-03
- Eventide H9 Harmonizer® Gen 2, Pedal of the Day, 2026-08-24
- Eventide H9 Harmonizer Gen 2 review, Guitar World, 2026-09-03
- Eventide H9 Harmonizer Gen 2 review, MusicRadar, 2026-09-22
- NEW AND IMPROVED EVENTIDE H9 Gen2! KILLER MULTI FX, YouTube (Pete Thorn channel), 2026-08-03
- Rig tour: Live's resident "fuzz junkie", Chad Taylor, Guitar World, 2020-01-09
