The Mastro Valvola Area is a multi reverb pedal from Italian pedal maker Mastro Valvola, a company whose name translates as "tube master"1. It launched in March 2016 as the maker's entry into the reverb market234, and an updated version, the Area Multi Reverb MkII, followed on March 25, 20192.
The pedal reproduces four different reverberation effects using digital algorithms Mastro Valvola created itself, while keeping the dry signal path completely analog5. The maker describes its range as running "from short reverberations to huge spaces and celestial atmospheres, without clouding the Dry signal"5. Delicious Audio's reviewer called it "a fairly simple reverb that can cover a lot of space with 3 foot-switchable presets"1.
Four reverb modes
The Area offers four reverb types, selectable from a Type control56.
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Reverb | Room, Plate and Hall reverberations, shaped by the Decay, Damp and Pre-Delay controls5 |
| Modulation | A double-voice chorus modulation added to the reverb atmospheres5 |
| Shimmer 8th | The reverb tail is enriched by symphonic shimmers tuned two octaves higher5 |
| Shimmer 8th + 5th | Symphonic shimmers tuned to the higher octave and fifth5 |
Gearnews described the Mod and Shimmer modes as adding "information to the reverb like a double voice chorus, 'symphonic' shimmers tuned two octaves above or an octave plus 5th"3. Delicious Audio's write-up listed the four flavors as Reverb (Room, Plate or Hall), Mod (chorus with reverb), Shimmer 8th (two octaves higher) and Shimmer 8th + 5th (higher octave and fifth)1.
Controls and presets
The control set covers the main reverb parameters, with one control doing double duty depending on the selected algorithm1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Type | Selects one of the four reverb types6 |
| Decay | Sets the length of the reverberation1 |
| Damp | Modifies the emphasis on the reverberation frequencies5 |
| Pre-Delay | Modifies the separation between the dry and reverberated signal5 |
| Pre-Delay/Shimmer | Adjusts pre-delay, or shimmer volume, depending on the selected algorithm1 |
| Mix | Analog mix control, varying from 100% dry to 100% wet58 |
Premier Guitar's announcement also noted a dedicated shimmer volume control on the MkII8. Delicious Audio found that the controls "allow for a fair amount of tweaking," and that the analog Mix control and dry signal path "prevent the effect from getting too washy"1.
The pedal stores three presets, easily managed with the preset button5. Three presets are selected via the preset footswitch, which Gearnews noted makes it "a fairly versatile reverb pedal in a live scenario"3. On the original Area, the pedal carried two footswitches: the left one accessed the three memories, and the right one bypassed the effect6.
Bypass and trails: the Timed Bypass System
The MkII's headline addition is the Timed Bypass System, designed by Mastro Valvola to manage the reverb trails2. MusicRadar called it a "cunning" system that automatically switches between buffered and true bypass4.
Here is how it works:
- With Trails mode engaged and the effect switched off, the pedal uses buffered bypass so the reverb trails die out naturally5.
- While trails are still being produced, the pedal stays in buffered mode3.
- Once the trails have ended, the pedal switches to true bypass3.
Gearnews summed up the benefit: "The pedal has an analogue signal path, so when the signal is dry, it won't mess with your guitar's tone"3. The same reviewer called the automatic switching between true-bypass and buffered settings "an added bonus"3.
Area vs Area MkII
On bass
Mastro Valvola lists the Area MkII as a pedal for guitar and bass5. The analog dry signal path is a relevant point for bass players: MusicRadar noted on the original Area that it "keeps your core guitar tone unaffected"6, and the dry signal never passes through the digital conversion.
What reviewers said
- Delicious Audio added the pedal to its list of Best Multi-Mode Reverbs1.
- Delicious Audio's reviewer called it "a fairly simple reverb that can cover a lot of space with 3 foot-switchable presets"1.
- Gearnews described the original as "this pretty lush sounding reverb" and called the automatic bypass switching "an added bonus"3.
- MusicRadar called the Timed Bypass System "cunning"4.
"It's a fairly simple reverb that can cover a lot of space with 3 foot-switchable presets."
Videos
Pete Thorn
Mike Hermans
Eirik Stordrange
Questions
Is the Mastro Valvola Area true bypass?
Yes, with a twist. The Area MkII is true bypass, but when Trails mode is engaged and you switch the effect off, the pedal stays in buffered bypass so the reverb tail dies out naturally. Once the trails have ended, an internal relay switches the pedal to true bypass. Mastro Valvola calls this the Timed Bypass System.
What is the difference between the Area and the Area MkII?
The MkII has all the same features as the first Area multi reverb, with the addition of the Timed Bypass System, which manages the reverb trails by switching between buffered and true bypass automatically. The original Area launched in 2016; the MkII followed in March 2019.
Does the Mastro Valvola Area work on bass?
Yes. Mastro Valvola lists the Area MkII as a pedal for guitar and bass. Its analog dry signal path also means the core tone passes through unaffected when the effect is off, which matters for low frequencies.
How do the presets work on the Mastro Valvola Area?
The pedal holds three presets, managed with the preset button and selected via the preset footswitch. On the original Area, the three memories were accessed with the left footswitch, while the right footswitch bypasses the effect. This makes it a practical reverb for live use.
Sources (8)
- Mastro Valvola Area Multi Reverb, Delicious Audio, 2019-03-25
- Mastro Valvola Pedals Unveils 'Area Multi Reverb MkII' now with 4 reverbs, 3 presets and 'Timed Bypass System', MusicPlayers.com, 2019-03-25
- Mastro Valvola Area Multi Reverb V2 adds a nifty Timed Bypass System, gearnews.com, 2019-03-27
- Mastro Valvola announces Area Multi Reverb MkII pedal, MusicRadar, 2019-03-26
- Mastro Valvola pedals, Mastro Valvola, 2023-05-23
- Mastro Valvola launches Area reverb pedal, MusicRadar, 2016-03-15
- LEM - lysergic emotion module - limited - Mastro Valvola, Mastro Valvola, 2022-01-20
- Mastro Valvola Launches Area Multi Reverb MkII Pedal, Premier Guitar, 2019-03-25
