The Keeley Seafoam Plus Chorus is a chorus pedal from Keeley Engineering that runs three chorus modes, Seafoam, Dual Chorus and ADT, on a digital DSP platform, with reverb built in. Keeley announced it in November 2015 as "True Chorus and ADT with Reverb"1, and Robert Keeley described it as "The advanced Chorus, Double Tracker, and Reverb designed on their new DSP platform"2.
The three modes
Any of the three outside selectable modes, ADT, Seafoam and Dual Chorus, can be used in either Guitar or Bass tuning by an internal selector switch2.
- Seafoam Mode uses an LFO, "the regularly cycling part you hear in most every other chorus unit," and allows the same really long delay the Keeley Seafoam is famous for1. Rolling the Mix control all the way up produces vibrato1.
- Dual Chorus Mode uses "a cross-over based dual chorus engine," with independent depth control for highs and lows1.
- ADT (automatic double tracking) is the third outside mode, and pairs with the pitch-tuning-without-modulation idea Robert Keeley described: "We have crafted really warm sounding, true chorus tones and added pitch tuning without modulation and reverb that is not" possible in the analog world2.
Vintage and Modern switching
The Seafoam Plus is a tri-mode chorus with internal switching for vintage and modern modes, which the announcement said further doubles the amount of sounds available1. It ships in Modern Mode, voiced for ultra wide, lush and high fidelity chorus, and the internal switching selects Vintage Mode for a softer, silky smooth and warm chorus1.
The Space control and flanger mode
The Space control addresses one of the usual complaints about chorus pedals: it dials out or adds in the latency that affects many chorus units1. In the pedal's flanger mode, the Space control gives you Regeneration, High Pass filtering to keep things tight, and what Guitar Interactive Magazine called "a haunting Tremolo"1.
Voicing and reverb
Keeley voiced the chorus tone with an amp character in mind. As the announcement put it, "We have voiced the chorus tone to sound like a 1959 Marshall Super!"1. The reverb is part of the design rather than an add-on: the pedal was announced as True Chorus and ADT with Reverb1, on the same DSP platform that carries the chorus and double-tracking modes2.
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Questions
What is the difference between the Seafoam Plus and the original Keeley Seafoam?
The Seafoam Plus expands on the original Seafoam chorus by adding selectable modes beyond the classic Seafoam chorus: Dual Chorus and ADT, plus built-in reverb and a flanger mode. In Seafoam Mode it still aims for the same really long delay the original Keeley Seafoam is famous for, according to the announcement.
Can the Keeley Seafoam Plus do vibrato?
Yes. In Seafoam Mode, rolling the Mix control all the way up gives vibrato, according to Guitar Interactive Magazine's coverage of the pedal. Seafoam Mode uses an LFO, the regularly cycling part heard in most chorus units.
What does the Space control do on the Seafoam Plus?
The Space control dials out or adds in the latency that affects many chorus pedals. In flanger mode, the Space control provides Regeneration, High Pass filtering to keep things tight, and what the announcement called a haunting Tremolo.
How do you switch the Seafoam Plus between Vintage and Modern mode?
The switching is internal. The pedal ships in Modern Mode for ultra wide, lush and high fidelity chorus, and internal switching selects Vintage Mode for a softer, silky smooth and warm chorus, according to the announcement.
Does the Seafoam Plus have a reverb?
Yes. Keeley announced it as a True Chorus and ADT pedal with Reverb, built on the company's new DSP platform, and described it as an advanced Chorus, Double Tracker, and Reverb pedal.
Sources (2)
- Keeley Electronics Unveils the Seafoam+ Vibrato Chorus, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2015-11-11
- Keeley Electronics Unveils the Seafoam+ Vibrato Chorus, Premier Guitar, 2015-11-10
