The FoxGear Rainbow is a compact digital reverb pedal from Foxgear, announced in June 2019 and in almost all US shops from July 1st of that year at a $129 MAP price1. It carries five reverb presets on a single rotary selector, from a classic spring emulation to two pitch-shifting shimmer algorithms, and it keeps the signal path 100 percent analog around the digital reverb processing1. Premier Guitar's reviewer summed it up as "a collection of solid reverb effects perfectly suitable for most gigging and recording" at an unusually low price2.
What it does: five digital reverb modes
The Rainbow is built on the Spin FV-1 reverb integrated circuit, the same DSP part used in many other reverb, delay, and modulation pedals2. Guitar World described it as "a digital unit that is based on the DSP FV-1"3. A 5-position rotary switch, labeled Program, selects from the five available algorithms24:
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Spring | Classic spring reverb emulation; the multi control provides high-frequency damping24 |
| Church | A big, thick hall sound, ranging from naturalistic to sounds not found in nature2 |
| RotaryVerb | A rotary speaker effect; the multi knob regulates the modulation speed24 |
| Celestial | Octave pitch shifting applied to the reverb signal2 |
| Shimmer | Octave pitch shifting applied to the reverb signal2 |
Premier Guitar's reviewer found the spring simulation "never sounds truly spring-like, but it's a rich, smooth tone that works great in many contexts"2. Of the rotary mode, the reviewer noted it "can add interesting animation to otherwise straight reverb tones," though it never sounds like a real rotating speaker2. The celestial and shimmer modes, which apply octave pitch shifting to the reverb signal, "excel at generating long drones and pads"2. Delicious Audio described the RotaryVerb setting as a "Rotary speaker right in the middle of a pantheon in Rome"4.
The controls
The control set is small: a Program selector, a deep control, a multi knob, a global tone control, and a wet/dry blend24.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Program | 5-position rotary switch that selects the algorithm2 |
| Deep | Usually sets the reverb length or room size2 |
| Multi | Changes function by mode: modulation speed in rotary, high-frequency damping in spring2 |
| Tone | Global tone control that filters out highs2 |
| Blend | Wet/dry blend that maxes out at 50 percent2 |
The blend control is the one real limitation for ambient players: because it maxes out at 50 percent wet, the Rainbow cannot produce fully wet swells or washes2. The multi knob's dual role means the same knob behaves differently depending on which algorithm you have selected, so it is worth checking what it does before dialing in a sound2.
Build, size and switching
The Rainbow is part of the Foxgear Professional Compact series, measuring 2.3" x 4.7" x 1.1", slightly more compact than a typical B-sized enclosure, with top mounted jacks that let it fit easily on any pedalboard21. The components sit within a five-sided, trough-shaped housing made of lightweight metal, with a colorful plastic top plate recessed within the metal housing2.
Foxgear builds its pedals with non-SMD components in the audio path, an analog design, Wima capacitors, real Alpha 16mm pots, and non-plastic trimmers, and all Foxgear pedals carry a full 5 year warranty14. The bypass is a true bypass circuit that includes Panasonic golden pin relays14. The pedal runs on a standard 9V power supply, with the adapter not included, and has no battery compartment2.
No battery compartment means the Rainbow needs a 9V supply on your board from day one. Plan a power outlet for it rather than expecting it to run standalone.
Where it came from
Foxgear launched the Rainbow as a new release with five reverb presets at a $129 MAP price, set to be on almost all US shops from July 1st1. It is a digital unit based on the DSP FV-14, while Foxgear keeps the signal path 100% analog, with audio capacitors (no SMD) in the signal path and a true bypass relay1. Premier Guitar reviewed it at a $129 street price, concluding it is "a compact, solid-sounding, and unusually low-priced pedal made in China"32.
"Foxgear's Rainbow offers a collection of solid reverb effects perfectly suitable for most gigging and recording."
Videos
Premier Guitar
Pete Thorn
Foxgear Pedals
Questions
What chip is the FoxGear Rainbow based on?
The Rainbow's reverb tones come from a Spin FV-1 reverb integrated circuit, the same DSP part used in many other reverb, delay, and modulation pedals. Foxgear keeps the signal path analog around the digital processing, with audio capacitors rather than SMD parts in the signal path.
Does the FoxGear Rainbow take a battery?
No. The pedal has no battery compartment and runs on a standard 9V power supply, with the adapter not included. You will need a 9V DC supply to power it on your pedalboard.
Is the FoxGear Rainbow stereo?
No. The Rainbow offers five flavors of mono digital reverb. Players looking for stereo ambient washes will need to look at other pedals in this price range.
Is the FoxGear Rainbow true bypass?
Yes. The Rainbow uses a true bypass circuit that includes Panasonic golden pin relays, so your dry signal passes through untouched when the pedal is off.
Can the Rainbow's mix go fully wet?
No. The wet/dry blend control maxes out at 50 percent wet signal, so the Rainbow cannot be used as a fully wet effect for swells or ambient washes the way a pedal with a 100 percent wet mix can.
Sources (4)
- FoxGear Presents the Rainbow Digital Reverb, Premier Guitar, 2019-06-21
- 5 High-End Reverb Voices at an Affordable Price, Premier Guitar, 2020-02-11
- Foxgear Announces New Rainbow Digital Reverb, Guitar World, 2019-07-01
- Foxgear - Rainbow Reverb | Delicious Audio, Delicious Audio, 2019-09-24