The JHS Pedals VCR is a three-in-one analog pedal combining a volume boost, a chorus and a reverb in one compact enclosure. It was developed as Ryan Adams' signature pedal, a collaboration between JHS Pedals, Adams and PaxAm Records, and JHS described it as inspired by the tones of the Cure, the Smiths and a hefty dose of 1980s angst1. Each of the three effects has its own toggle and LED, so you can run any combination of the three at once, with a single true bypass stompswitch acting as a master on/off1.
The pedal is now retired. In 2019 JHS rebranded it without changing its circuit, renaming it the Space Commander2.
Volume, chorus and reverb in one pedal
The VCR's appeal is simplicity: three of the most commonly used ambient effects in a single box, each with one knob. Pedal of the Day's reviewer put it plainly43:
"Plus, with only one control knob per portion, you're not going to get caught up in an overpowering clusterfuck of noise"
The three sections do different jobs:
- Volume/Boost: an all-discrete transparent boost that JHS says can be used as an always-on enhancer, a lead booster, or for pushing an amp into natural overdrive1.
- Chorus: based around classic 1980s analog chorus pedals1.
- Reverb: a hall reverb tweaked to Ryan Adams' exact preferences1.
The enclosure carries '80s graphics with what gearnews.com called "vintage computer" stripes of color, matching the pedal's retro inspiration4.
The controls
Each of the three effects is turned on and off with its own toggle, and a corresponding LED indicates whether each effect is active1. One true bypass stompswitch functions as a master on/off for the whole pedal1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume knob | Boosts your signal with a simple one-knob control4 |
| Chorus knob | At 12-noon, emulates a common 80s chorus pedal with all knobs at noon; turning right increases rate and decreases depth, turning left decreases rate and increases depth1 |
| Reverb knob | Effect level for the reverb; the reverb and decay itself is fixed1 |
| Effect toggles | Turn each of the three effects on or off1 |
| Stompswitch | One true bypass master on/off1 |
The Chorus knob's behavior is worth noting for players used to a two-knob chorus: instead of separate rate and depth controls, the single knob moves both at once, trading depth for rate as you turn it right. At its center position it emulates a common 80s chorus pedal with all knobs at noon1.
A Ryan Adams collaboration with PaxAm Records
The VCR was developed as a signature model with Ryan Adams, in a collaboration between JHS Pedals and PaxAm Records532. Premier Guitar reported it as "Ryan's signature pedal inspired by the tones of the Cure, the Smiths and a hefty dose of 1980s angst"1.
The pedal earned recognition in the press. Guitar.com named it Highly Commended in its Gear Of The Year 2017 Best Multi Effects awards, with the verdict6:
"A great sounding three-in-one solution for those who don't need a huge, high-tech pedalboard"
Pedal of the Day's reviewer called it one of their favorite artist collaboration pedals so far, finding the sounds it produced fun to explore3.
Retirement and the Space Commander
In 2019 JHS retired the VCR and rebranded it as the Space Commander without changing its circuit2. The new version launched at $229, down from the VCR's European price of EUR 289, and JHS offered to rehouse existing VCR pedals in the new graphics for a fee plus shipping5. JHS's own product page notes that the V1 with VCR graphics is the earlier version of the pedal7.
The VCR is retired. It can be found on the used market, or an original unit can be rehoused as a Space Commander through the service JHS offered at launch of the rebrand5.
Videos
ProGuitarShopDemos
Chicago Music Exchange
Eirik Stordrange
Questions
Is the JHS VCR true bypass?
Yes. The VCR has one true bypass stompswitch that works as a master on/off for the whole pedal. Each of the three effects (volume, chorus, reverb) is then turned on or off with its own toggle, with an LED showing which effects are active.
What power does the JHS VCR need?
The VCR operates on a standard 9V DC center negative power supply, the same as most modern pedals.
Is the JHS VCR analog or digital?
It is analog. JHS Pedals described the VCR as creating an instant three effect analog preset, with the chorus based around classic 1980s analog chorus pedals and the volume section an all-discrete transparent boost.
Can you adjust the reverb decay on the VCR?
No. The reverb and its decay are fixed, and the Reverb knob functions as an effect level control. The reverb itself is a hall reverb tweaked to Ryan Adams' preferences, so you control how much of it you hear, not how long it lasts.
How much does the JHS VCR cost?
At launch in April 2017 the VCR retailed at $269 in the US, with a European price of EUR 289 and a UK price of £259. It has since been retired and rebranded as the Space Commander, which launched at $229.
What does the Volume knob do on the VCR?
The Volume control is an all-discrete transparent boost with a single knob. JHS positioned it as an always-on enhancer, a lead booster, or a way of pushing an amp into natural overdrive.
Sources (7)
- JHS Pedals Teams Up with Ryan Adams on VCR Creation, Premier Guitar, 2017-04-28
- JHS Pedals' VCR Becomes The Space Commander, Delicious Audio, 2019-03-26
- JHS Pedals VCR Volume Chorus Reverb, Pedal of the Day, 2017-11-20
- Dig up the 80s with JHS Pedals' VCR Ryan Adams Signature pedal, gearnews.com, 2017-04-26
- JHS rebrands Ryan Adams’ signature VCR pedal as Space Commander, gearnews.com, 2019-03-14
- Gear Of The Year 2017: Best Multi Effects, Guitar.com, 2017-12-20
- VCR - JHS Pedals, JHS Pedals
