The Proverb LE is a reverb pedal from Mantic Effects, built as a newer version of the company's original Proverb Reverb. Pedal of the Day reviewed and demoed that first incarnation about five years before turning to the LE, and came away loving the original. The LE keeps the same core idea, a reverb with a self-oscillating streak, and adds a momentary OSC switch plus an expression pedal jack.1
What it does to your sound
At its core the Proverb LE is a wet/dry reverb. The Mix knob blends your Wet and Dry signals together, and the Dwell knob controls the amount of reverb that comes into play when the pedal is engaged. A quick turn of the Dwell control emits a long, lush and warm reverberated sound at higher settings.1
The character control is the Numb knob. Pedal of the Day describes it as like a Repeats controller, one that can move the Proverb into sweet self-oscillation territory with ease1:
"From a quick hit of reverb to long, drawn-out sonic passages to crazy, over-the-top feedback, this control does it all"
That range is the pedal's personality: it behaves as a conventional reverb at low settings and turns into a feedback instrument as the Numb knob climbs1.
Controls and jacks
| Control or jack | What it does |
|---|---|
| Dwell | Controls the amount of reverb that comes into play when the Proverb is engaged1 |
| Mix | Blends your Wet and Dry signals together1 |
| Numb | Like a Repeats controller; can move the Proverb into self-oscillation territory with ease1 |
| OSC switch | Momentary switch; sends your signal into self-oscillation as long as it is held down1 |
| Input / Output | Standard 1/4" jacks1 |
| Expression jack | 1/4" jack for controlling the reverb, letting you fade and swell your reverb tones1 |
The OSC switch is the new addition on the LE version. Because it is momentary, the self-oscillation lasts only while you hold the switch down, which makes it a performance control rather than a setting you park. If you want to explore that side of the pedal further, an expression pedal plugged into the jack lets you fade and swell the reverb under your foot. For more on the effect type itself, see Reverb Pedals1.
The LE is a distinct version of the original Proverb Reverb. Pedal of the Day reviewed the first incarnation about five years before the LE, so reviews of the two versions describe different pedals.1
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Questions
What is new on the Mantic Proverb LE compared with the original?
The LE version is a newer take on the original Proverb Reverb, which Pedal of the Day reviewed and demoed about five years earlier. The new addition on the LE is the OSC switch, a momentary self-oscillation control. The LE also carries an expression pedal jack alongside its Input and Output, letting you control the reverb by foot.
What does the OSC switch do on the Proverb LE?
The OSC switch is the new addition on the LE version. It is a momentary switch: as long as you hold it down, it sends your signal into momentary, self-oscillated bliss, and the effect stops when you release it. It works alongside the Numb knob, which can also move the Proverb into self-oscillation territory on its own.
Can I use an expression pedal with the Proverb LE?
Yes. The Proverb LE has a 1/4-inch expression pedal jack alongside the Input and Output jacks. It controls the reverb, allowing you to fade and swell your reverb tones with your foot while you play.
What does the Numb knob do?
The Numb knob works like a Repeats controller. Pedal of the Day describes it as able to move the Proverb into sweet self-oscillation territory with ease, covering everything from a quick hit of reverb to long, drawn-out sonic passages to crazy, over-the-top feedback.
Can the Proverb LE self-oscillate?
Yes, in two ways. The Numb knob, which behaves like a Repeats control, can move the pedal into self-oscillation territory with ease. The LE version also adds a momentary OSC switch that sends your signal into self-oscillation for as long as it is held down.
Sources (1)
- Mantic Effects Proverb LE Reverb, Pedal of the Day (pedal-of-the-day.com), 2021-03-23
