The Magnetic Effects Vortex is a boost pedal with a built-in echo, released by the London, England maker on April 7, 2016 as a limited edition, handmade pedal with a street price of $1651. The maker describes it as an open and transparent boost whose gain range covers tones from super clean to overdrive, with the echo adding ambience and space on top1. It sits in the company's line of boost designs alongside the Zola clean boost and the Satellite overdrive/booster1.
A boost with a built-in echo
The Vortex puts two effects in one enclosure, which Magnetic Effects calls a real space saver on pedalboards, with top mounted jacks and DC socket1. The boost side is described as open and transparent, and the gain range runs from super clean tones through to overdrive territory1. The echo side adds ambience and space, with delay settings that range from slapback to short echo1.
Two design points matter for how it fits a rig. First, the pedal accepts a 9V to 18V DC center negative adapter, and the maker notes that higher voltages offer increased headroom, which can be beneficial for boosting1. Second, the high input impedance and low output impedance are there, in the maker's words, to help ensure compatibility with other effects in your signal chain1.
The Vortex was announced as a Limited Edition pedal1. As a handmade, limited run release from a small maker, it is not a pedal you would expect to find in ordinary retail stock.
The controls
The Vortex keeps its layout simple: three knobs for the boost and three for the echo1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Spans a range from clean to gritty; higher gain settings add increased sustain and harmonic richness1 |
| Volume | Has plenty of level available to drive any amp1 |
| Tone | Allows you to go from bright to smooth and warm1 |
| Time | Part of dialling in delay settings from slapback to short echo1 |
| Mix | Turning it down disables the echo so the boost can be used alone1 |
| Repeat | Part of dialling in delay settings from slapback to short echo1 |
The Mix control is the key to using the two sides separately: the boost can be used without the echo simply by turning the Mix control down1. On stage, the ability to engage both effects with one footswitch makes the Vortex easy to use live, according to the maker1.
Where it sits in the Magnetic Effects range
Magnetic Effects released the Vortex on April 7, 2016, as a Limited Edition pedal1. The maker describes it as "a fantastic sounding, open and transparent boost with a gain range that can cover tones from super clean" to overdrive, with the echo adding ambience and space1. Players weighing it against other pedals in the same category can compare it with other Boost Pedals and Delay Pedals on the site.
Questions
Can I use the boost on the Magnetic Effects Vortex without the echo?
Yes. According to Magnetic Effects, the boost can be used without the echo simply by turning the Mix control down. That makes the Vortex usable as a straight boost when you do not want the echo in the signal, and the two effects can also be engaged together with one footswitch.
Is the Magnetic Effects Vortex true bypass?
Yes. The Vortex uses true bypass switching, as stated in Magnetic Effects' April 2016 release announcement. The pedal also has a high input impedance and low output impedance, which the maker says helps ensure compatibility with other effects in a signal chain.
What voltage does the Vortex run on?
The Vortex runs on a 9V to 18V DC centre negative adapter. Higher voltages offer increased headroom, which Magnetic Effects notes can be beneficial for boosting. There is no mention of battery operation, so plan on using an adapter.
Can both effects be switched on with one footswitch?
Yes. Magnetic Effects says the ability to engage both effects with one footswitch makes the Vortex easy to use on stage. If you want the boost on its own, turning the Mix control down disables the echo.
How much did the Vortex cost?
The Vortex carried a street price of $165 when Magnetic Effects released it in April 2016, according to the announcement published by Premier Guitar. It was a limited edition, handmade pedal.
Sources (1)
- Magnetic Effects Introduces the Vortex, Premier Guitar, 2016-04-07
