The JHS Warble-Tron is an effect pedal from JHS Pedals that puts a classic 1960s modulation sound in a single enclosure. JHS describes it as a vibrato/chorus pedal: a toggle switch selects between the two, giving what the maker calls "the classic chorus or vibrato settings with the flick of a switch"1. In a JHS demo video, Josh Scott describes the circuit as "a photo cell univibe", tying it to the photo cell design of the original Uni-Vibe style effect2.
Chorus and vibrato in one pedal
The Warble-Tron covers the two faces of the Uni-Vibe style sound. JHS says the vibrato/chorus toggle gives you the classic chorus or vibrato settings with the flick of a switch1. In the JHS demo, Josh Scott starts out in chorus mode, then flips to vibrato mode and slows the speed control down for the vibrato setting2. For a player, that means one pedal can sit in either role on a board: the thicker, moving chorus sound or the pitch-wobbling vibrato, changed without touching the knobs.
The controls
The pedal keeps its control layout to three things a player needs on stage:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Speed knob | A large control that JHS says is easily operated with your foot, so the speed of the effect can be changed during live settings1 |
| Vibrato/chorus toggle | Selects between the two modes; JHS says it gives the classic chorus or vibrato settings with the flick of a switch1 |
| Speed LED | Blinks in time with the speed even when the unit is off, "so you always know what is going on inside"1 |
The large speed control is the standout for players: it is easily controlled with your foot, so changes to the speed of the effect are easy during live settings. The Speed LED is part of the design rather than an afterthought. In practice, the blinking light shows you the effect's current rate even when the unit is off, so you always know what is going on inside1.
Power
The Warble-Tron runs on standard 9V power. JHS notes that the pedal is internally turning your standard 9V into 15V, so there is no need for a separate higher-voltage supply1. A normal 9V DC center negative pedal supply is all the pedal asks for.
The demo video JHS published for the Warble-Tron dates from 20122. JHS has since released other vibrato and chorus designs, including the JHS Unicorn and the 3 Series Rotary Chorus.
Where it sits among JHS's chorus and vibrato pedals
The Warble-Tron is one of several Uni-Vibe inspired and vibrato/chorus designs JHS has built. Others in the company's lineup include the JHS Unicorn, the Emperor Analog Chorus/Vibrato and the more recent 3 Series Rotary Chorus. For the wider field, see the site's page on Chorus Pedals.
Demo video
In the JHS demo video, Josh Scott walks through the pedal's photo cell Uni-Vibe circuit, starts in chorus mode, then flips the toggle to vibrato and slows the speed control down to show the vibrato setting2.
Videos
ProGuitarShopDemos
Sweetwater
Chicago Music Exchange
Questions
Does the JHS Warble-Tron run on a 9V power supply?
Yes. JHS says the Warble-Tron runs on standard 9V power, and the pedal converts that 9V internally to 15V for its circuit. That means a standard 9V supply is all that is needed, and there is no need for a separate higher-voltage supply.
Is the JHS Warble-Tron based on a Uni-Vibe?
Yes. In a JHS demo video, Josh Scott describes the Warble-Tron as a photo cell Uni-Vibe, meaning it follows the photo cell circuit approach of the classic 1960s effect that JHS says had a serious impact on how guitarists expressed themselves.
Can the Warble-Tron do both chorus and vibrato?
Yes. The pedal has a vibrato/chorus toggle that JHS says gives you the classic chorus or vibrato settings with the flick of a switch. In the JHS demo, Josh Scott starts in chorus mode and then flips to vibrato mode, slowing the speed control down for the vibrato sound.
Does the Warble-Tron speed LED keep blinking when the pedal is bypassed?
Yes. According to JHS, the Speed LED blinks in time with the speed even when the unit is off, so you always know what is going on inside the pedal.
Sources (2)
- WARBLETRON, JHS Pedals
- JHS Pedals Demo by Peter Stroud and Joshua Scott at NAMM 2012, JHS Pedals (youtube.com), 2012-01-27
