The Malekko Omicron Spring is a spring reverb pedal in a mini enclosure, made by the Oregon-based effects maker Malekko. Delicious Audio called it "The first pedal to offer spring reverb in a mini enclosure" when it appeared in 20181. It is a smaller, updated take on the company's Malekko Spring Chicken line of spring reverbs, developed from the Chicklet reverb with a range of small upgrades2.
What it does
The Omicron Spring produces a spring reverb effect digitally: a trio of Princeton Technology echo chips handle the spring reverb emulations2. Delicious Audio's write-up highlighted two things about the sound: "Very low noise, and a near bottomless depth of spring reverb sound due to its dwell circuit"1. The dwell circuit is what lets the pedal push the spring effect into deeper territory than its size might suggest.
MusicRadar's reviewer, Jamie Dickson, put the character of the effect this way:
"the Spring has more of a splashy slapback delay character than a true reverb."
That places it on the vintage, surf-adjacent side of spring reverb rather than aiming at a faithful reproduction of a full-size tank. The same review summed the pedal up as follows21:
"It's impossible not to like the Spring's time machine tones, but it is niche."
Controls and power
The pedal keeps its control set small, in keeping with the mini enclosure1.
Power is worth planning for on a board:
The micro enclosure leaves no room for a battery. The Spring runs off a nine-volt Boss-style power supply2, so it needs a adapter or a pedalboard power supply output rather than running on batteries.
The footswitch is another detail that separates the Omicron from its relatives: it was up-spec'd to banish a slight pop as the buffered effect engages2. Bypass is buffered rather than true bypass, which is part of that fix.
Omicron Spring and the Chicklet
MusicRadar describes the Spring as "developed from the company's Chicklet reverb, incorporating a range of small upgrades"2. The published upgrades are the improved footswitch that removes the engagement pop and the dwell circuit that gives the effect its depth21. For Malekko's larger-format take on the same idea, see the Malekko Spring Chicken.
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Questions
Does the Malekko Omicron Spring take a battery?
No. MusicRadar's review notes that the Spring's micro enclosure means there is no battery compartment. Instead, the pedal runs off a Boss-style nine-volt power supply, so you will need a suitable adapter or a power supply output on your pedalboard.
Is the Malekko Omicron Spring true bypass?
No, it is a buffered effect. MusicRadar's review notes that the footswitch was up-spec'd to banish a slight pop as the buffered effect engages, so the buffer is part of the design rather than an afterthought.
What does the Mix knob do on the Omicron Spring?
The mix knob adjusts the wet/dry balance, setting how much of the spring reverb signal is blended with your dry guitar tone, according to MusicRadar's review.
How is the Omicron Spring different from the Chicklet reverb?
MusicRadar describes the Spring as developed from Malekko's Chicklet reverb, incorporating a range of small upgrades. Those upgrades include a footswitch up-spec'd to banish a slight pop when the buffered effect engages.
Does the Omicron Spring sound like a real spring tank?
MusicRadar's reviewer found the Spring has more of a splashy slapback delay character than a true reverb, so it leans toward the vintage surf-flavored side of spring rather than a faithful reproduction of a full-size tank. The same review praised its time machine tones.
Sources (2)
- Malekko Omicron SPRING Reverb, Delicious Audio, 2018-03-04
- Malekko Omicron Spring review, MusicRadar, 2012-10-26
