The Ibanez PHMINI Mini Phaser is a compact analog phaser pedal from Ibanez, introduced in January 2021 as part of the company's MINI pedal lineup1. It is an all-analog phaser with three knobs, Speed, Depth and Feedback, plus a push button on the side that switches the circuit between 4-stage and 6-stage operation21. It was announced alongside the BTMINI mini boost, and both pedals are made in Japan2.
For a player, the appeal is straightforward: a full analog phaser circuit in a housing small enough to fit on a pedalboard where space is tight. Gearnews' writer put it plainly12:
"I love phaser pedals and the combination of sweet sounds and compact size is a nice benefit for many of us with bulging pedalboard rigs"2
What it does to your sound
A phaser splits your signal and shifts its phase through a series of stages, then blends it back together, producing the moving, sweeping character associated with classic rock and funk. The number of stages shapes how pronounced that sweep is. On the PHMINI, the 4-stage mode delivers what Ibanez describes as traditional phaser tones, typically used in classic rock, while the 6-stage mode provides a more intense and dramatic effect1.
The three knobs cover the range most players need. Through Speed, Depth and Feedback, the pedal offers a variety of sounds ranging from subtle texture to deep saturation1. Ibanez also says the pedal is designed to retain a clarity of dry signal even when set to the highest effect intensity, so your core guitar tone stays audible under heavy phasing1.
The controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Speed | Sets the rate of the phaser's sweep |
| Depth | Sets how deep or pronounced the effect is |
| Feedback | Sets the intensity and resonance of the sweep |
| Stage button | Side push button toggling between 4-stage and 6-stage modes21 |
The stage toggle is the control that sets the PHMINI apart from simpler mini phasers. Rather than a fixed stage count, the side button gives you two distinct characters in one box: the subtler 4-stage sweep and the more dramatic 6-stage sweep12.
Power and bypass
The PHMINI runs on an external 9V DC adapter with a center-negative plug, the standard configuration for most modern pedalboard power supplies, and draws only 5mA at 9V1. That low current draw means it can share a daisy chain or a modest isolated supply without strain. There is no battery option in the published specifications. The pedal uses true bypass switching, so with the effect disengaged your signal passes through untouched1.
How it relates to the PT9
Gearnews reported that the PHMINI appears to be a miniaturized version of Ibanez's regular PT9 phaser, noting there seem to be few if any notable differences to the regular PT9 beyond the size2. The original PT-9 Phaser is a vintage Ibanez pedal produced between 1982 and 1984, according to the vintage pedal reference site ToneHome, which lists its availability today as very good and its collectibility as average34. The PT-9 has never been re-issued4.
The PT-9 used eight phase shift networks to provide rich, deep phasing for guitar, keyboard or bass, per the product listing from Ibanez distributor Godlyke4. Its Speed control governed the rate of the LFO wave that drives the effect4, the same job the PHMINI's Speed knob does today. The PHMINI carries the concept forward in a smaller box, adding the switchable 4 or 6 stage option and true bypass.
What reviewers said
Coverage at launch was positive and focused on the size and sound combination. Gearnews highlighted the compact format as a benefit for players with crowded boards2, and Delicious Audio's writeup recommended it to a specific kind of player:
"Guitarists looking for a solid, simple, uber-compact, great-sounding analog phaser should take a look at the new Ibanez"1
Videos
Ibanez Guitars
Questions
Is the Ibanez PHMINI analog?
Yes. The PHMINI uses 100% pure analog circuitry, according to the product details published by Delicious Audio, and Gearnews described it as an all-analogue phaser. It sits in Ibanez's MINI pedal lineup as a compact analog option rather than a digital model.
Where is the stage switch on the Ibanez PHMINI?
The stage switch is a push button on the side of the pedal. Pressing it toggles the phaser between 4-stage and 6-stage operation, so you can go from a traditional classic rock phaser sound to a more intense and dramatic effect without bending down to a knob.
Where is the Ibanez PHMINI made?
The PHMINI is made in Japan. Gearnews reported that both of the mini pedals Ibanez introduced alongside each other, the PHMINI and the BTMINI boost, were built in Japan.
How much does the Ibanez PHMINI cost?
At launch in January 2021 the PHMINI carried a UK recommended retail price of GBP 99, as reported by Gearnews.
Is the Ibanez PHMINI true bypass?
Yes. The PHMINI has a true bypass switch, so when the effect is off your dry signal passes through without the phaser circuit in the path. It draws only 5mA at 9V, which makes it easy to run on most pedalboard power supplies.
Sources (4)
- Ibanez Mini Phaser PHMINI, Delicious Audio, 2021-01-19
- Ibanez launches new Mini Phaser and Mini Boost pedals, gearnews.com, 2021-01-07
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME (tonehome.de)
- IBANEZ PT-9 Phaser (B-STOCK), Godlyke Distributing, Inc.
