The Neon Egg Planetarium 2 Stereo Reverb Echo Compressor is a stereo multi-effects unit that puts reverb, echo and compression in one pedal, built by the UK maker Neon Egg. Pedal of the Day described it as "a vintage looking-and-sounding machine with loads of options," with an enclosure that has "a kind of throwback, vintage, synthesizer, arcade game type of vibe"1. Although Neon Egg calls it a guitar pedal, Robin Vincent at gearnews wrote that "this is a box that's going to be awesome regardless of what you feed through it"2.
Neon Egg has since updated the Planetarium to a V3 version, reported by Delicious Audio in March 2025, so the Planetarium 2 covered here is no longer the current version.
Reverb, echo and compressor in one stereo unit
The Planetarium 2 runs all three effects across a stereo signal path. Pedal of the Day's reviewer was emphatic about running it in stereo: "You gotta run this one in Stereo, too, as it opens everything up and fills the room with wide-ranging" sound1. The input jack detects whether a mono or stereo plug is connected, so the earlier version's switch was removed2.
The echo section keeps the usual Mix, Time and Feedback controls, where Feedback sets the echo feedback1. On character, the reviewer found the echoes age gracefully: "The echoes get a bit dirty and degraded at longer times, which brings a real analog feel into the mix"1.
The reverb section is deliberately simple, with a Reverb Mix control to blend the signals and an Input Trim knob that helps set the signal strength entering the unit1. A toggle switch chooses between three algorithms: Reverb 1, Reverb 2 and Chorus1.
Controls at a glance
| Section | Control | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Reverb | Reverb Mix | Blends the reverb signals1 |
| Reverb | Input Trim | Sets the signal strength entering the unit1 |
| Reverb | Algorithm toggle | Chooses Reverb 1, Reverb 2 or Chorus1 |
| Echo | Mix, Time, Feedback | The usual echo set; Feedback sets echo feedback1 |
| Compressor | Attack, Release, Ratio | Sets compression attack time, release time and ratio1 |
| Compressor | Sidechain | Sets the volume for an external sidechain signal1 |
| Compressor | Short/long switch | Makes the compressor easier to dial in2 |
The second version of the pedal also added a pad switch on the reverb/delay output2.
The compressor controls
The compressor is the section reviewers singled out. Pedal of the Day called it the standout of the unit1:
"The Compressor portion is incredible, with Attack, Release and Ratio controls."
The same review found the compression "spot on," letting you dial the unit in to fit any rig or recording setup1. Alongside the three main controls, the Sidechain knob sets the volume for an external sidechain signal1, and the short/long switch added in the second version makes it easier to dial in what you are after2.
Guitar, bass, keys and vocals
Pedal of the Day noted that "You can use the Planetarium 2 on keys, vocals, bass and more, so while it sounds great with a guitar, its uses don't jus"1. Robin Vincent at gearnews went further for synth players: "The Planetarium 2 would make the perfect accompaniment to any synthesizer especially if they are lacking in the effects," naming the Deckard's Dream, Crave and Pocket Operator Modular among instruments it suits2.
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Dennis Kayzer
Questions
Is the Neon Egg Planetarium 2 stereo?
Yes. Pedal of the Day's reviewer urged running it in stereo, saying it "opens everything up and fills the room with wide-ranging" sound. The input jack detects whether a mono or stereo plug is connected, so no switch is needed, and the unit's reverb, echo and compressor sections all operate across the stereo signal path.
What reverb algorithms does the Planetarium 2 have?
The reverb section offers three algorithms chosen by a toggle switch: Reverb 1, Reverb 2 and Chorus. A single Reverb Mix control blends the reverb signals with the dry sound, and an Input Trim knob sets the signal strength entering the unit.
Can the Planetarium 2 be used on bass or keyboards?
Yes. Pedal of the Day notes you can use it on keys, vocals, bass and more, so its uses go beyond guitar. Robin Vincent at gearnews called it a perfect accompaniment to any synthesizer, especially ones lacking effects, and named the Deckard's Dream, Crave and Pocket Operator Modular as instruments it suits.
Does the Planetarium 2 compressor have a sidechain input?
The compressor has a Sidechain control that lets you set the volume for an external sidechain signal, according to Pedal of the Day. The Planetarium 2 also added a stereo compressor detection circuit in its second version, and a short/long switch that makes the compressor easier to dial in.
Sources (2)
- Neon Egg Planetarium 2 Stereo Reverb Echo Compressor, Pedal of the Day, 2020-10-04
- Neon Egg Planetarium 2: Synth styled effects pedal that'll make anything sound epic, gearnews.com, 2020-07-16