The Massive Unity TAE 10th Anniversary is a preamp and drive pedal that takes its inspiration from Vox amp tone, built to put AC30-style sound on a pedalboard. It is an analog design, using what Massive Unity calls Tube Amp Emulator (TAE) technology to deliver realistic valve amp tones and dynamic response, and it can be used as an amp simulator, a preamp, or an overdrive unit12.
Guitar World's reviewer Trevor Curwen found it delivers exactly what it promises: "it will endow your amp with a very practical range of Vox-flavoured drive"1. It is made in Spain and commemorates 10 years of the original Danny Gomez design1.
Vox AC30-style tone in a pedal
The TAE is basically a preamp pedal built around Vox amp tone1. Where a typical overdrive pedal colors the front end of an existing amp, the TAE is a preamp pedal in its own right: it can drive a power amp, feed an amp's effects return, or stand in for an amp entirely through its speaker-simulated output. MusicRadar notes it can be used as an amp simulator, preamp, or overdrive unit, which makes it useful both as a pedalboard drive source and as a backup in case an amp fails at a gig2.
The sound is aimed squarely at the AC30 flavor of valve overdrive. MusicRadar described the pedal at announcement as inspired by Brian May's warm valve overdrive, a player long associated with the Vox AC3021.
The controls
The control set is simple: three knobs and a footswitch12.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Gain | Dials in the amount of dirt in the sound1 |
| Tone | Shapes the top-end1 |
| Volume | Sets the output level1 |
| Bypass footswitch | Switches the pedal on and off1 |
MusicRadar described the original announcement version as having three large dials for gain, tone and volume, with a footswitch for on/bypass, and top-mounted input and output jacks that make it a pedalboard-friendly setup2.
Two outputs: preamp and speaker-simulated
The TAE's most practical feature is its pair of outputs, which let it serve two completely different roles1.
- Preamp output: delivers the straight preamp sound, for plugging into a power amp or the effects return of an amp1.
- Speaker-simulated output: carries speaker emulation based on an open-backed cabinet with two 12-inch Alnico Blue speakers, in the style of an AC30, for going direct into a PA or a recording setup with no cab or microphone needed1.
MusicRadar describes the emulated output as profiling an open-back 2x12 cabinet loaded with "Alnico Blue" speakers2. That makes the pedal a complete amp-in-a-box solution for silent recording or direct-to-PA gigs, in the same territory as dedicated speaker simulation pedals, while the preamp output keeps it useful in a conventional rig.
History: a 10th-anniversary edition of the Danny Gomez design
The pedal commemorates 10 years of the original Danny Gomez design1. Gomez, a session player and designer, was also behind Orange Amps' OMEC Teleport audio interface, and the TAE 10th Anniversary Preamp was co-designed with Pablo Díaz de Rada2. Guitar World describes the pedal's namesake as a highly experienced session musician and designer, and notes the original design was also seen in a pedal made by another Spanish company, Thunder Tomate1.
Massive Unity announced the special 10th-anniversary edition of the TAE Preamp on 30 September 2019, opening preorders at €299 (around £269) with shipping from mid-October2.
What reviewers said
Guitar World's Trevor Curwen reviewed the pedal and summed up its appeal:
"If you like AC30-esque tones, this pedal is a very flexible purveyor of that sound. It can be a practical drive and boost working with your amp, but that speaker-emulated output will give you great sounds for recording and get you out of trouble if your amp goes down at a gig."1
He also found the tone authentically Vox-like, calling it a very practical range of Vox-flavored drive1. MusicRadar's coverage at announcement highlighted the realistic analog valve amp tones and dynamic response, and the pedal's portability and pedalboard-friendly format2.
Questions
Can the TAE 10th Anniversary go straight into an audio interface?
Yes. Alongside the standard preamp output it has a speaker-simulated output based on an open-backed 2x12 cabinet with two 12-inch Alnico Blue speakers, in the style of an AC30. That output is intended for direct use into a PA or recording setup, so no guitar cab or microphone is needed.
Is the Massive Unity TAE analog?
Yes. MusicRadar describes the TAE (Tube Amp Emulator) as an analogue design that offers realistic valve amp tones and dynamic response. It is a preamp unit built into a guitar effects pedal rather than a digital modeler.
Does the TAE 10th Anniversary come with a power supply?
No. Guitar World lists its power requirement as a 9V DC adaptor that is not supplied, so you need to provide your own power supply.
How much does the Massive Unity TAE 10th Anniversary cost?
Guitar World lists it at approximately $349 (also quoted as around £269 or €299). When the pedal was announced in 2019, MusicRadar gave the preorder price as €299, around £269.
Is the Massive Unity TAE true bypass?
Yes. Guitar World lists true bypass among the pedal's features, and it has a bypass footswitch for switching it in and out of the signal chain.
Sources (2)
- Massive Unity TAE 10th Anniversary review, Guitar World, 2022-01-18
- Massive Unity's TAE 10th Anniversary Preamp packs a whole lot of Brian May-esque tube-drive tones in a stompbox, MusicRadar, 2019-09-30
