The Mr Black Ambience Echoverb is a delay and reverb pedal that runs two modulated delay taps into reverb, so the two effects work as one wash of sound rather than two pedals in a row. MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen put it this way: "Delay and reverb combine for a whole that's greater than the sum of its parts."1 It sits in the territory covered by our Delay Pedals and Reverb Pedals pages, but with the two built into a single circuit.
What it does
The pedal's signal path is two modulated delays feeding a reverb, and the three knobs shape how that combination comes together. At full Decay and minimal Span, Curwen found settings that produce what he called "seasick oddness," while the overall effect is "to create a complex wash of ambience that can be massive."1
The controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Level | Brings the two delay taps into the mix; at full clockwise they sit at the same volume as the dry guitar1 |
| Span | Sets the time between the two delay taps: slapback with chorus-like pitch modulation at minimum, two distinct taps shifting further apart as it rises, like adjusting tape speed on a two-head tape echo1 |
| Decay | Increases the regeneration for more repeats while simultaneously adding reverb1 |
The Span control is the one that sets the character of the delays. Because the two taps move apart as it turns up, the pedal moves from a tight, modulated slapback to a wider, more open echo pattern, all of it feeding the reverb stage1.
Build and switching
Delicious Audio's launch coverage lists a rock solid housing, true bypass, and what they describe as "solid/noiseless switching," with battery or adapter power rounding out the features.2 Curwen's verdict on the build was brief: "Well made."1
What reviewers said
Curwen's review treats the pedal as a single ambience machine rather than a delay plus a reverb bolted together, and his findings on the controls above carry that reading: the Decay knob adds repeats and reverb at the same time, and the two delay taps are voiced with modulation built in.1
Delicious Audio, covering the announcement in October 2015, took the long view of the maker: "Mr. Black keeps offering fresh ideas to the market, and it will be interesting to see what they come out with next."2
The Ambience Echoverb combines two modulated delays running into reverb, and reviewers have described the build as well made.1
Videos
Eric Ferguson
thegearshark
L.A. SOUND DESIGN
Questions
Is the Mr Black Ambience Echoverb true bypass?
Yes. Delicious Audio's coverage of the pedal's launch notes true bypass switching, along with what they describe as solid, noiseless switching, a rock solid housing, and the choice of battery or adapter power.
What does the Span knob do on the Ambience Echoverb?
Span sets the time between the pedal's two delay taps. At minimum, MusicRadar's reviewer described it as sounding like slapback with chorus-like pitch modulation; turned up, the two taps separate into distinct repeats shifting further apart, which he compared to adjusting tape speed on a two-head tape echo.
Sources (2)
- Mr Black Ambience Echoverb review, MusicRadar, 2016-07-17
- New Pedals: Mr. Black Ambience Echoverb, Delicious Audio, 2015-10-07
