The Eye To Eye is a limited edition phaser pedal from Magnetic Effects, built in collaboration with the New Zealand rock band The Datsuns and named after their latest album. It is a four-stage, OTA-based analog phaser with a completely analog signal path, handmade in London12.
Where it came from
Magnetic Effects joined up with The Datsuns for this limited edition pedal, announced on 28 July 2021. Both Guitar.com and MusicRadar covered the launch the same day: Guitar.com reported it available to preorder for $189, while MusicRadar listed it at £139 plus shipping and said it ships from 2 August12.
The controls
The Eye To Eye carries five knobs: volume, speed, sweep, mix and regeneration1. MusicRadar's rundown explains what each does:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level (volume) | Controls the output level of the effect, handy for adjusting volume in your signal path2 |
| Speed | Once the rate is set via the toggle, Speed dials in how fast you want it2 |
| Sweep | Adjusts the range of frequencies that are affected by the phaser2 |
| Mix | Sets the blend of wet and dry signal; at noon you get a 50:50 mix and a traditional phaser sound, all the way up for seasick pitch vibrato2 |
| Regen | Regeneration, sometimes called feedback, dials in extra resonance and intensity as the phased signal is regenerated through the circuit2 |
The Mix knob is the one that changes the character of the pedal most. MusicRadar described the extremes: parked at noon it behaves like a traditional phaser, while rolled up it produces what the reviewer called seasick pitch vibrato2.
The stationary filter mode
The toggle switch sets the rate, and its middle position does something less common on a phaser: it disables the LFO, the oscillator that sweeps the filter. With the LFO off, the Eye To Eye works as a stationary filter pedal, holding the phased filter in one place instead of sweeping it2. That gives the pedal a second use as a fixed tone-shaping filter alongside its standard phasing.
The Eye To Eye is a limited edition collaboration, announced in July 2021 with shipping from 2 August that year2.
Power, bypass and connections
The pedal runs on standard center-negative 9V power1 and is true bypass2. Its jacks are top-mounted, which saves space on a pedalboard12. For tempo syncing, it has a 1/4-inch jack for a tap tempo switch2.
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Questions
Is the Magnetic Effects Eye To Eye true bypass?
Yes. MusicRadar reports that the Eye To Eye is true bypass, and Guitar.com notes the pedal has top-mounted jacks and true-bypass switching. Top-mounted jacks also help save space on a pedalboard.
What voltage does the Eye To Eye use?
The Eye To Eye runs on standard center-negative 9V power, according to Guitar.com, so it will work with a typical pedalboard power supply.
Can the Eye To Eye work as a fixed filter?
Yes. The toggle switch has a middle position that disables the LFO, and MusicRadar notes this lets you use the Eye To Eye as a stationary filter pedal, with the phaser's filter sitting in one place rather than sweeping.
Does the Eye To Eye have tap tempo?
It has a 1/4-inch jack for a tap tempo switch, according to MusicRadar, so you can set the rate with a footswitch rather than only by ear.
Who is the Eye To Eye named after?
The pedal is named after The Datsuns' latest album, Eye To Eye. Magnetic Effects made it as a limited edition collaboration with the New Zealand rock band.
How much does the Eye To Eye cost in US dollars?
Guitar.com reported a preorder price of $189 from magneticeffects.com. MusicRadar listed the price as £139 plus shipping.
Sources (2)
- Magnetic Effects unveils the Eye To Eye analogue phaser, Guitar.com, 2021-07-28
- Magnetic Effects and The Datsuns team up for the limited edition Eye To Eye phaser, MusicRadar, 2021-07-28