The Hologram Electronics Microcosm Granular Delay Looper is a stereo effects pedal that combines granular delay with a phrase looper. Pedal of the Day, reviewing it in May 2020, described it as a machine that "creates cascading microloops that get locked into tight tap-tempo synched rhythms, diffused into glacial ambient textures and woven into hypnotic drones with ease."1 It followed the Dream Sequence and the Infinite Jets from the same maker.1
What it does
The Microcosm sits in the delay and looping territory, but works by slicing and reassembling your signal in granular fashion rather than repeating it as a conventional delay would. Its 11 granular and looping effects come with 44 preset variations, and 16 user preset slots let you save your own loops and settings.1
Controls and connectivity
- Tap tempo: included, and the granular effects can lock to the tapped tempo1
- Expression input: mappable to many controls1
- MIDI: In, Out and Thru, with clock synchronization1
- Stereo: stereo input and stereo output1
- Bypass: a choice of true bypass switching or buffered bypass with trails1
The expression input pairs well with the pedal's granular effects: because it can be mapped to many controls, a footpedal from the expression pedals range can sweep parameters while both hands keep playing. The MIDI connections let the Microcosm sync its clock with other gear, which matters when its rhythms are locked to tap tempo.1
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's verdict in May 2020 was that "This thing is an experimenter's dream machine."1
Videos
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Questions
Is the Hologram Microcosm true bypass?
The Microcosm lets you choose between true bypass switching and buffered bypass with trails. Buffered bypass with trails means the pedal's delay and reverb tails can continue to ring out after you switch it off, which many players prefer with ambient effects. True bypass removes the pedal from the signal path entirely when it is off.
Does the Microcosm have MIDI?
Yes. The Microcosm has MIDI In, Out and Thru connections with clock synchronization, so it can lock its timing to other MIDI-equipped gear or send its own clock to devices that follow it.
How many presets can the Microcosm save?
The Microcosm offers 16 user preset slots for saving loops and settings. Alongside those, it ships with 11 unique granular and looping effects that come with 44 preset variations between them.
Can I use an expression pedal with the Microcosm?
Yes. The Microcosm has a dedicated expression input, and that input is mappable to many of the pedal's controls, so you can sweep parameters in real time with your foot.
Is the Microcosm stereo?
Yes. The Microcosm has stereo input and stereo output, so it can process and pass a full stereo signal, which suits players running two amps or a stereo rig.
Does the Microcosm have tap tempo?
Yes. The Microcosm includes tap tempo, and its granular effects can be locked into tight rhythms synchronized to that tapped tempo.
Sources (1)
- Hologram Electronics Microcosm Granular Delay Looper, Pedal of the Day, 2020-05-27
