The Hologram Electronics Chroma Console is a flexible multi-effect pedal offering 20 stereo effects organized into four discrete modules: Character (dynamics and distortion), Movement (modulation), Diffusion (time-based effects) and Texture (a collection of textural effects)1. Hologram says it takes inspiration from the eccentricity, grit and lively instability of beloved vintage recording technology, combined with brand new sounds, delivered through an intuitive interface2. It was announced in November 2023 at $399 and began shipping in January 202434.
Four modules, twenty effects
The Chroma Console's architecture gives you four separate effects running in series, each module offering five distinct banks to choose from8. Premier Guitar describes the four modules as Character (dynamics and distortion), Movement (modulation), Diffusion (time-based effects) and Texture (textural effects)1. MusicRadar highlighted the color-coded modules with no digital screens, and noted players can change the signal chains and effect order3.
The modules break down like this in reviewers' terms93:
| Module | What it covers | Reviewer's shorthand |
|---|---|---|
| Character | Dynamics and distortion | "Character is your drive" |
| Movement | Modulation | "Movement is all your modulation" |
| Diffusion | Time-based effects | "Diffusion is all your ambient/time-based sounds" |
| Texture | Textural effects | "bit-crushing grit to broken cassette lo-fi warble" |
The Character module's five banks, as the maker lists them, are10:
- Sweeten: a pleasant preamp adding EQ, compression and gentle saturation
- Fuzz: dynamic vintage-voiced fuzz tones
- Howl: resonant filter fuzz for smooth sustaining tones or synth-like stabs
- Swell: expressive envelope-triggered volume swells
- Doubler: double tracking from tight doubling to short slap-back delay
Movement includes a Vibrato effect ranging from classic sine wave vibrato to tapelike random warbles10. There is also a configurable filter effect with Tilt, Lowpass or Highpass modes2.
One limitation worth knowing: you can only use one effect from each module at a time, so there is no potential for drive stacking9.
The controls: Drift, Gesture and Capture
Beyond the four modules, the Chroma Console adds three features that shape how the effects behave103.
Drift dials in the amount of randomness, chaos or nostalgic warble your composition requires, inspired by vintage musical equipment and its instability10.
Gesture is a motion recording modulation tool: it records knob movements so you can perform knob-tweaking techniques without being locked to the pedalboard10.
Capture is an ephemeral sustainer and looper with up to 30 seconds of record time, routable before or after the effects10.
Expression control lets you control any primary knob function, and expression assignments are saved and recalled in user presets10. Tap tempo syncs both time-based and modulation effects2. Footswitches handle Tap Tempo/Capture and Bypass/Presets11.
Power and connections
The Chroma Console is designed for both instrument and line input levels with stereo I/O2, and includes input level calibration12. Delicious Audio found the stereo I/O and comprehensive MIDI control provided seamless integration into studio or live rigs, which is why it recommended the pedal for synths as well as guitars8.
The 500mA current draw means this pedal needs a dedicated 9V DC output on a power supply, not a daisy chain shared with low-draw analog pedals.
What reviewers said
Guitar.com's Jason Mays reviewed the Chroma Console in March 2024, calling it "a truly musical twist on the traditional multi-effects format" and "probably the most easy-to-use and idiot-proof effects pedal I've ever had the pleasure of getting to grips with"9. He found the drive sounds of the Character module impressively usable, with character and punch often lacking in multi-effects dirt, and said reordering modules creates unexpected and unique sounds9.
"the Chroma Console is by far the most fulfilling user experience I've had with any multi-effects"
Guitar.com also called it possibly the brand's finest achievement to date9. GuitarPlayer's 2026 multi-effects roundup noted it takes some time to get to grips with, but concluded that "for players chasing more experimental or textural sounds, it's a seriously inspiring piece of kit"5. Guitar Pedal X gave it Bronze in its 2023 Pedals of the Year awards, citing its gesture control and flexible effect-block routing11.
Availability and versions
Guitar Pedal X reported the only place to get a Chroma Console is the Hologram Electronics webstore4. As of October 2026, the maker's pages show the standard console and the Monochrome special edition colorways (Blue, Yellow, Green and Red) sold out or unavailable across US, EU, UK and AU variants261213. The maker offers free shipping with import duties and taxes included in the price, but does not accept returns on this product213.
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Questions
Can you stack two drives on the Chroma Console?
No. You can only use one effect from each module at a time, so there is no potential for drive stacking. The Character module holds the drive effects, including the Sweeten preamp, Fuzz, Howl and Swell, and only one of them runs at once.
How long can the Chroma Console Capture looper record?
Capture is an ephemeral sustainer and looper with up to 30 seconds of record time. It can be routed before or after the Chroma Console's effects, so loops can feed the effects or be processed after them.
Is the Chroma Console true bypass?
It offers both options: true bypass switching, or buffered bypass with trails. The maker lists both on the product page, so you can choose whether effects tails continue when the pedal is bypassed.
Does the Chroma Console sync to MIDI clock?
Yes. The pedal has MIDI In, Out and Thru with clock synchronization, and tap tempo can sync both time-based and modulation effects. Firmware updates also arrive via MIDI.
Can the Chroma Console take line-level synths and keyboards?
Yes. It is designed for both instrument and line input levels, with stereo input and output, and it includes input level calibration. Delicious Audio noted its stereo I/O and MIDI control suit studio and live synth rigs.
Where can you buy a Chroma Console?
Guitar Pedal X reported the only place to get one is the Hologram Electronics webstore. As of late 2026 the maker's pages show the standard and Monochrome special edition colorways sold out or unavailable in the US, EU, UK and AU variants.
Sources (13)
- Hologram-Powered Chroma Console Unveiled, Premier Guitar, 2024-04-26
- CHROMA CONSOLE: Special Edition, Hologram Electronics
- Is the Hologram Electronics Chroma Console an 'effects suite' for people who don't like multi-effects pedals?, MusicRadar, 2023-11-10
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-11-10
- Best multi-effects pedals 2026: do-it-all multi-FX, GuitarPlayer (www.guitarplayer.com), 2021-11-10
- CHROMA CONSOLE: Special Edition, Hologram Electronics
- Chroma Console by Hologram Electronics, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- The 7 Best MultiFX Pedals For Synths, Delicious Audio, 2025-08-22
- Hologram Electronics Chroma Console review: the best user-friendly multi-effects?, Guitar.com, 2024-03-04
- Chroma Console, Hologram Electronics
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-12-21
- CHROMA CONSOLE: Special Edition, Hologram Electronics
- CHROMA CONSOLE: Special Edition, Hologram Electronics
