The Eventide RipTide Uni-Vibe Overdrive is a pedal that combines two effects in one aqua blue enclosure: a Uni-Vibe-style modulation effect and an overdrive. Pedal of the Day called it "2 classic effects into one very easy to use and incredible-sounding pedal" when it was announced on October 11, 20231. The circuit is the result of Eventide's research into the Shin-ei Uni-Vibe and what the company calls legendary overdrives1.
What it does
The RipTide gives each side of the pedal two voicings. The Vibe and Drive sections each have their own set of controls, and the two can be run in either order. Pedal of the Day's verdict was that the pairing is a long-standing one: "The combination of Uni-Vibe and Overdrive has been a staple of rock music for decades, and having them both in one enclosure" with plentiful but tasteful options is, in the reviewer's words, "a modern marvel overall"1.
For players comparing it with running a separate overdrive and modulation pedal, the RipTide's appeal is the integrated control: one set of footswitches, one preset system and a signal path you can flip without repatching a board1.
Controls and voicings
| Section | Control | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Drive | Three knobs | Shape the overdrive side1 |
| Vibe | Three knobs | Shape the Uni-Vibe side1 |
| Drive voicing | Green | Dynamic mid-range crunch1 |
| Drive voicing | Red | Smooth and boosted overdrive sound1 |
| Footswitches | Two, dual-action | Latching or momentary effect control1 |
The Drive's two colors are described as "balanced, touch-sensitive" overdrive distortion1. The pair of dual-action footswitches can work as latching or momentary switches, giving players effect control over both sections1.
Signal order, presets and MIDI
The RipTide's signal path can be reordered: Drive into Vibe, or Vibe into Drive1. Five presets are stored onboard, and more are available using Eventide Device Manager (EDM) software1. The pedal also provides MIDI support over USB1, which puts it in reach of players who control their board from a MIDI controller rather than a simple switcher.
Any combination of the pedal's parameters can be mapped to an expression pedal1, so a single sweep can move speed, drive or several controls at once.
Bypass and stereo use
The pedal offers multiple bypass options: Buffered, Relay, DSP+FX or Kill dry1. The stereo output carries both the Vibe and Drive voicings, which Pedal of the Day described as "delivered in glorious stereo"1, so it suits a two-amp rig or a stereo effects loop.
Eventide describes the RipTide as "the result of extensive research into the iconic Shin-ei Uni-Vibe®and legendary overdrives," placing both a Uni-Vibe-style modulation circuit and an overdrive circuit in one pedal1.
Release and price
Eventide describes the RipTide as "the result of extensive research into the iconic Shin-ei Uni-Vibe®and legendary overdrives"1. The pedal pairs a Uni-Vibe-style modulation circuit with an overdrive circuit in a single enclosure1.
Videos
Eventide Audio
Eventide Audio
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Questions
Can the Eventide RipTide run the Vibe before the Drive?
Yes. The pedal has three knobs for Drive and three for Vibe, and players can reorder the signal path, running Drive into Vibe or Vibe into Drive. That covers both the classic arrangement, where the modulation sits after the dirt, and the alternative order some players prefer for a stronger swirl on the driven tone.
Does the RipTide work in stereo?
Yes. Pedal of the Day describes the RipTide as delivering its two voicings each for Vibe and Drive in stereo, so it can feed two amps or a stereo rig. It also provides MIDI support over USB.
Can you use an expression pedal with the RipTide?
Yes. Any combination of the pedal's parameters can be mapped to an expression pedal, so you can sweep speed, drive level or other controls with your foot while playing.
How many presets does the RipTide have?
The RipTide has five onboard presets, and more are available using Eventide's Device Manager (EDM) software on a computer.
What are the Green and Red Drive voicings?
The Drive section has two voicings. Green is described as a dynamic mid-range crunch, while Red gives a smooth and boosted overdrive sound. Both are described as balanced and touch-sensitive.
What bypass modes does the RipTide offer?
The pedal offers multiple bypass options: Buffered, Relay, DSP+FX or Kill dry. That lets you match it to a rig that wants a simple buffered or true relay bypass, or keep the effect tails with DSP+FX and kill the dry signal if you run it in a parallel loop.
Sources (1)
- Eventide RipTide Uni-Vibe Overdrive, Pedal of the Day, 2023-10-11
