The HardWire SP-7 Stereo Phaser is a phaser effects pedal from HardWire, a brand built around what it calls trademark extreme-performance features. It offers seven phaser types based on popular new and vintage designs, true bypass, and high-voltage power supply rails. The company describes the pedal as now shipping1.
Controls
The SP-7 keeps its panel simple: four knobs and a footswitch, with an indicator LED showing what the phaser is doing1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Speed | Sets the modulation speed1 |
| Depth | Sets modulation depth1 |
| Modify | Shapes the effect1 |
| Phaser type | Selects among the seven phaser types1 |
| Tap tempo switch | Sets the phaser's effects modulation speed during a live performance1 |
| Indicator LED | Shows the pedal's status1 |
The tap tempo switch is the pedal's distinguishing control: rather than turning a knob to hunt for a speed, you tap the rate in time with the music on stage. MusicRadar's NAMM 2011 report described it as a "tap tempo switch for setting the phaser's effects modulation speed time during a live performance"2.
The seven phaser types
The seven types draw on both vintage and modern designs. MusicRadar's review gives two examples: the 2 STG mode replicates a vintage two-stage phaser, "say, an old MXR Phase 45", while 4 STG is a four-stage design in the vein of the MXR Phase 903. The reviewer found 2 STG "offers a subtle effect, perfect for '60s obsessives and country players looking to colour clean tones"3.
Under the hood, the SP-7 is a digital design: HardWire leveraged DSP originally developed for the DigiTech RP Series of multi-effects products2.
Stereo operation
The SP-7's true stereo inputs and outputs allow stereo or mono connectivity, and HardWire says the stereo paths enable dramatic spatial phasing effects1. In practice that means you can run it as a single mono pedal in one chain, or feed it a stereo signal and take two outputs to spread the phasing across a stereo rig.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's review credited the pedal with plenty of controls to experiment with and versatile sounds on offer3. On price, the reviewer noted the practical objection some players raise to any phaser: "You're not going to use a phaser all the time, so spending a few sheets shy of £150 might seem like a lot to add some oc"3. The UK estimated price at launch was £149 RRP inc VAT, which HardWire noted may be subject to change2.
True bypass
Yes. True bypass is listed among HardWire's trademark extreme-performance features on the SP-7, alongside high-voltage power supply rails1.
Tap tempo
Yes. The SP-7 has a tap tempo switch for setting the phaser's effects modulation speed during a live performance, alongside an indicator LED1.
Mono and stereo use
Yes, it works in mono. The pedal's true stereo inputs and outputs allow for stereo or mono connectivity, so it works in a single mono signal chain or across a stereo rig1.
Analog or digital design
It is a digital pedal. HardWire built it on DSP originally developed for the DigiTech RP Series of products2.
Price in the US
The SP-7 carried an MSRP of $189.95 when HardWire announced it was shipping in August 20121. In the UK, the estimated launch price was £149 RRP inc VAT2.
Videos
hardwirefx
N Stuff Music
Music City CZ
Sources (3)
- Hardwire SP-7 Stereo Phaser Effects Pedal Now Shipping, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2012-08-24
- NAMM 2011: HardWire launch SP-7 Stereo Phaser pedal, MusicRadar, 2011-01-13
- Hardwire SP-7 Stereo Phaser review, MusicRadar, 2011-06-03
