The KMA Machines Cirrus Spatial-Temporal Modifier is a delay and reverb pedal from KMA Machines, combining delay and reverb with three modes for each1. It was the company's first fully digital effect pedal2, and it started shipping in mid October 20192. Pedal of the Day's review describes a pedal that "conjures up elaborate dream sequences, open sky cloudscapes and dreamy, ethereal sonic journeys"1.
The controls: delay side and reverb side
The Cirrus has blendable Delay and Reverb sides, tap tempo, what Pedal of the Day calls "tons of modulation and all the ambience you're ever going to need"1. Each side carries its own set of controls, and a large middle knob ties them together.
Delay side
- Time sets your delay time, up to 1.5 seconds if needed1
- Tap Tempo switch sets your delay time and will max out your delay when held down1
- Delay Mode toggle lets you choose from Modulated, Sample/Hold or Octave delay modes1
Reverb side
- Reverb is your blend control for the reverb1
- Decay controls the decay of the reverb, from small room to an infinite space1
- Sensitivity controls differing aspects of each of the reverb modes, setting modulation depth and frequency cut-offs1
- Mode switch allows you to pick from a closing High-Pass Filter, an opening Low-Pass Filter or Modulated reverb modes1
Shared controls
- Delay/Reverb toggle lets you choose the order of these two effects in your signal chain1
Delay modes
The Delay Mode toggle offers three choices: Modulated, Sample/Hold or Octave1. MusicRadar's Jonathan Horsley, covering the launch, listed the modes as Modulated Delay, Sample and Hold and OCT3. Of the Modulated Delay mode, KMA says it "fluctuates the Delay signal for a dynamic dancing tape echo-inspired modulation that'll deliver everything from subtle sways, to crazy pitch-bends"3.
Reverb modes
On the reverb side, the Mode switch picks between a closing High-Pass Filter, an opening Low-Pass Filter or Modulated reverb modes1. MusicRadar shorthand for the same three modes is MOD, LP and HP3. The Sensitivity knob then shapes the selected mode, setting modulation depth and frequency cut-offs1.
Routing, tap tempo and the effects loop
A Delay/Reverb toggle lets you choose the order of the two effects in your signal chain, delay then reverb or reverb then delay1. Guitar World's launch report adds that "there's also tap tempo, expression input, an effects loop and the ability to flip the routing with the reverb and delay"2. MusicRadar lists a serial effects loop among the features3.
The Tap Tempo switch does double duty: it sets your delay time, and holding it down maxes out your delay1.
Expression pedal control
The Cirrus has an input for an expression pedal so you can control parameters on the fly3. Pedal of the Day notes that "Time, Repeats, Sensitivity, Damp and Decay can all be controlled externally via an Expression pedal and the large middle" knob1. For players building around swells and ambient textures, that puts the delay time, the reverb blend and the decay under foot control; see Expression Pedals for how these controllers work.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day's verdict on the Cirrus was that it "is an incredible machine that will be talked about for years to come"1. Guitar World called the dual-effect unit a soundscaper's dream in its coverage, noting it boasts three different delay and reverb modes2. MusicRadar's Horsley framed it as a pedal that will leave your head in the clouds, combining delay and reverb with three modes for each1.
For how the Cirrus sits among its neighbors, see Delay Pedals and Reverb Pedals, or the KMA Machines Cirrus page.
Videos
The Pedal Zone
Sofa Jams
Devon Blue Whitaker (Devon Blue Whitaker music)
Questions
How long can the Cirrus delay time be set?
The Time knob on the delay side sets the delay time, up to 1.5 seconds if needed, according to Pedal of the Day's review. The Tap Tempo switch also sets delay time, and holding it down maxes out the delay for self-oscillating washes.
Can I control the KMA Cirrus with an expression pedal?
Yes. The Cirrus has an input for an expression pedal so you can control parameters on the fly. Pedal of the Day notes that Time, Repeats, Sensitivity, Damp and Decay can all be controlled externally via an expression pedal and the large middle knob.
What delay modes does the Cirrus have?
A Delay Mode toggle offers three choices: Modulated, Sample/Hold and Octave. KMA describes the Modulated Delay mode as fluctuating the delay signal for a dynamic, dancing, tape echo-inspired modulation that delivers everything from subtle sways to crazy pitch-bends.
What reverb modes does the Cirrus have?
A Mode switch on the reverb side lets you pick from a closing High-Pass Filter, an opening Low-Pass Filter or Modulated reverb modes. The Sensitivity knob sets differing aspects of each mode, such as modulation depth and frequency cut-offs.
Does the KMA Cirrus have a serial effects loop?
Yes. MusicRadar's report on the pedal lists a serial effects loop among its features, alongside tap tempo, the expression input and the routing toggle.
Can the delay and reverb be used separately on the Cirrus?
The two sides are blendable, and a Delay/Reverb toggle lets you choose the order of the two effects in your signal chain, delay into reverb or reverb into delay. Guitar World also notes the ability to flip the routing between the reverb and delay.
Sources (3)
- KMA Machines Cirrus Spatial-Temporal Modifier, Pedal of the Day (www.pedal-of-the-day.com), 2020-06-02
- The KMA Audio Machines Cirrus delay and reverb is a soundscaper's dream, Guitar World, 2019-09-20
- KMA will leave your head in the clouds with the Cirrus delay and reverb, MusicRadar, 2019-09-23
