The Area Multi Reverb MkII is a reverb pedal from the Italian maker Mastro Valvola, announced in March 2019 as an update of the original Area Multi Reverb. It offers four effect types, three footswitch-selectable presets, and a bypass scheme Mastro Valvola calls the Timed Bypass System, which handles reverb trails in a way a plain true-bypass pedal cannot12.
Reverb, modulation and two shimmer modes
The pedal has four types: Reverb, Modulation, Shimmer 8th, and Shimmer 8th + 5th1. The two shimmer modes add information to the reverb, described by Gearnews as working like a double voice chorus, with "symphonic" shimmers tuned two octaves above the played note, or an octave plus a fifth above it1. The Modulation type sits alongside the reverb modes, giving the pedal chorus-adjacent movement within the same box.
Controls cover the usual reverb parameters plus one aimed at the shimmer modes2:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Decay | Sets the length of the reverb decay12 |
| Damp | Modifies the emphasis on the reverberation frequencies, according to Mastro Valvola1 |
| Mix | Blends effect and dry signal2 |
| Pre-delay | Dedicated control for the gap before the reverb starts1 |
| Shimmer volume | Sets the level of the shimmer voices1 |
Three presets are stored and recalled with the preset footswitch, which Gearnews' Jef called a fairly versatile arrangement for a live setting1.
The Timed Bypass System
The MkII's key addition, as MusicRadar put it, is Mastro Valvola's Timed Bypass System, which automatically switches between buffered and true bypass2. The way it works matters for anyone who plays reverb-heavy parts:
- When trails are being produced, the pedal stays in buffered mode, so the reverb tail keeps sounding after you switch the effect off1
- After the trails have ended, it switches to true bypass1
A conventional true-bypass reverb cuts its tail dead the moment you stomp, which is why many players leave reverb pedals always on. The Timed Bypass System is Mastro Valvola's answer to that problem, and it is what separates the MkII from the original Area Multi Reverb12.
The Timed Bypass System is new to the MkII version. The original Area Multi Reverb does not have it1.
Signal path and what reviewers said
Gearnews reported that the pedal has an analog signal path, so when the signal is dry, it will not mess with your guitar's tone1. As with any reverb pedal, the reverb itself is generated digitally; the analog claim concerns the dry signal passing through the box.
On the sound, Gearnews' Jef wrote: "Listening to the demo sounds, it certainly sounds like a good reverb pedal, with some studio-quality algorithms onboard."1
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Questions
Is the Mastro Valvola Area MkII true bypass?
It uses Mastro Valvola's Timed Bypass System, which switches automatically between buffered and true bypass. While reverb trails are being produced, the pedal stays in buffered mode so the decay can finish naturally, and it switches to true bypass after the trails have ended. MusicRadar called this the MkII's key addition over the original Area.
How many presets does the Area Multi Reverb MkII have?
Three presets are available, selected with a dedicated preset footswitch. Gearnews' Jef noted that this makes it a fairly versatile reverb pedal in a live setting, since you can move between saved sounds without bending down to turn knobs.
What shimmer intervals does the Area MkII offer?
The pedal has two dedicated shimmer modes: Shimmer 8th and Shimmer 8th + 5th. Gearnews described these as adding information to the reverb like a double voice chorus, with symphonic shimmers tuned two octaves above, or an octave plus a fifth, above the played note.
What changed between the Area and the Area MkII?
The MkII is an update of the original Area Multi Reverb. Its main addition is the Timed Bypass System, which switches between buffered and true bypass depending on whether reverb trails are still sounding. Otherwise the pedal keeps the same four types as the original: Reverb, Modulation, Shimmer 8th and Shimmer 8th + 5th.
Does the Area MkII have an analog signal path?
Gearnews reported that the pedal has an analogue signal path, so when the signal is dry, it will not mess with your guitar's tone. The reverb itself is produced digitally, as with any reverb pedal, but the dry signal path is analogue.
Sources (2)
- 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
