The NativeAudio Ghost Ridge is a compact multi-reverb pedal from NativeAudio, the company founded by Mike Trombley. It offers four reverb algorithms: hall, room, plate and spring, and stores four user presets for fast access to your settings1. The pedal is digital with an analog dry signal path, mono in and out, and runs on 9V DC at 70mA with a 2.1mm center negative plug1.
The four reverb algorithms
NativeAudio describes each algorithm as its own take on a reverb space, with the room and hall voicings warmer and the plate brighter1:
| Algorithm | NativeAudio's description |
|---|---|
| Room | Small space with warmer reflections |
| Hall | Medium-to-large space with warmer reflections |
| Plate | Medium-to-large space with brighter reflections |
| Spring | Small-to-medium space with spring-like dynamics |
Delicious Audio, the pedal demo site run by Paolo De Gregorio, covered the pedal as the Ghost Ridge Reverb V1.5: "The Ghost Ridge offers four unique reverb algorithms: hall, plate, room, and spring"2.
Switches, presets and changing reverb type
The Ghost Ridge has two footswitches, and both do more than one job. NativeAudio lists the switching methods as momentary or latching1.
- On (Hold): turns the effect on and off. When the effect is on, holding the switch accesses the reverb and mod functions1.
- Preset (Save): press and release to cycle through the presets, or hold to enter the save routine1.
Changing the reverb type is done on the fly. Delicious Audio describes how the V1.5 version handles it: the reverb type is changed by holding the on footswitch and rotating the mix knob to one of four corners, with one of four LEDs indicating the selection, numbered 1 hall, 2 plate, 3 room and 4 spring2. Delicious Audio's notes on the preset switch match the maker's: "When pressed, the foot switch alternates between the four presets. Hold the switch to enter the save routine"2.
Bypass, trails and power
The Ghost Ridge uses buffered bypass switching rather than true bypass, with optional trails, so you can decide whether the reverb tail rings out after you switch the pedal off1. Delicious Audio's coverage of the V1.5 also notes "buffered bypass switching and top-mounted jacks"2. Top-mounted jacks make the pedal easier to fit on a tight board.
The Ghost Ridge draws 70mA at 9VDC1. That is enough to rule out some low-current daisy-chain outputs, so give it its own outlet on a supply rated for the draw.
On the board
At 2.6 inches wide by 4.77 inches long1, the Ghost Ridge sits in the compact standard of most single-footswitch pedals, and the top-mounted jacks help with spacing2. If you are comparing it within NativeAudio's own range, the maker's earlier Buffalo Days is also a compact four-mode reverb with mix and depth controls, optional trails and buffered bypass, as Delicious Audio described it in 20233. For where the Ghost Ridge sits among reverb designs generally, see the site's Reverb Pedals page.
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Questions
Is the NativeAudio Ghost Ridge true bypass?
No. NativeAudio specifies buffered bypass switching on the Ghost Ridge, with optional trails. Delicious Audio's write-up of the Ghost Ridge Reverb V1.5 also describes it as buffered bypass switching with top-mounted jacks. Buffered bypass means a buffer stage keeps the signal path consistent when the effect is off, and the trails option lets the reverb tail ring out after you switch the pedal off.
Does the Ghost Ridge have trails?
Yes. NativeAudio lists the Ghost Ridge's bypass switching as buffered bypass with optional trails, so you can choose whether the reverb tail continues to decay naturally after the pedal is switched off or stops immediately. Trails are a common preference for ambient playing where a cut-off reverb tail sounds abrupt.
Is the Ghost Ridge stereo or mono?
The Ghost Ridge is a mono pedal. NativeAudio lists its audio output as mono, so it takes one input and returns one output. It uses top-mounted jacks, which helps it fit on crowded pedalboards.
What power supply does the Ghost Ridge need?
NativeAudio specifies a 9VDC supply with a 2.1mm center negative plug, drawing 70mA. That current draw is higher than many compact pedals, so check that your power supply has a spare outlet rated for at least 70mA rather than sharing a low-current daisy-chain output.
How many presets can the Ghost Ridge store?
Four. NativeAudio describes the Ghost Ridge as having four user presets for fast access to reverb settings, and Delicious Audio's coverage of the V1.5 version likewise describes up to four programmable presets. You cycle through them with the preset (save) footswitch and hold that switch to enter the save routine.
Sources (3)
- NativeAudio: Native-owned effect pedal company, NativeAudio
- NativeAudio Ghost Ridge Reverb V1.5, Delicious Audio, 2024-06-13
- NativeAudio Buffalo Days Multi-Reverb, Delicious Audio, 2023-07-11
