The Neunaber Inspire Tri-Chorus Plus is a digital chorus pedal from Neunaber Technology LLC, designed by Brian Neunaber and released on November 24th, 2017, Black Friday, at a launch price of $2491. It is a stereo chorus with three independent voices, and it captures eight stereo chorus effects in one compact case, all of them built around variations of the tri-chorus algorithm12. Neunaber's newly designed circuitry offers increased headroom while maintaining low noise, according to the announcement1.
The pedal is now listed among the maker's discontinued products2.
What it does: eight stereo chorus effects built on the tri-chorus
The core of the pedal is the tri-chorus, which the manual calls "the classic tri-chorus effect" and Delicious Audio describes as the classic rack chorus effect34. A tri-chorus layers three independent chorus voices, and every one of the pedal's eight effects is a variation on that algorithm1. Guitar World's Paul Riario described it as "a pedal that captures eight stereo chorus effects"5.
The eight modes are3:
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| TRI | The classic tri-chorus effect |
| HEX | A further variation on the tri-chorus algorithm |
| TRI 2 TONE | Two tri-chorus effects in series create a rich, lush effect |
| TRI 2 VIBE | A tri-chorus and a tri-vibrato in series makes for a complex sound |
| HI/LO VIBE | Low-frequency tri-chorus and high-frequency tri-vibrato, more subtle than Tri 2 Vibe, works well with overdrive |
| HI/LO DETUNE | A further variation on the tri-chorus algorithm |
| +DETUNE | Tri-chorus plus detune, described by Delicious Audio as the ultimate rack chorus tone |
| +ECHO | Tri-chorus plus stereo echo, which the manual calls a classic combo |
Delicious Audio's coverage used the names Cascade Tone, Cascade Vibe, Harmonic Vibe and +Detune for several of these modes, matching the manual's TRI 2 TONE, TRI 2 VIBE, HI/LO VIBE and +DETUNE4.
The modes and controls
The pedal carries controls for Effect Select, Mix, Depth, Rate, and Effect Adjust, with Effect Adjust changing function depending on the selected effect1. The footswitch bypasses the effect, and the LED lights when the effect is active3.
Two of the modes are worth a closer look for how they stack effects:
- TRI 2 TONE (Cascade Tone): two tri-chorus effects run in series, which the manual says creates a rich, lush effect34.
- TRI 2 VIBE (Cascade Vibe): a tri-chorus and a tri-vibrato in series, which the manual says makes for a complex sound34.
- HI/LO VIBE (Harmonic Vibe): a low-frequency tri-chorus paired with a high-frequency tri-vibrato. The manual notes it is more subtle than Tri 2 Vibe and works well with overdrive34.
Power and connections: 9 to 12V, 95mA
The power jack accepts a standard 5.5 mm OD x 2.1 mm ID center-negative pedal power adapter, running at 9 to 12V DC with a current draw of 95 mA3.
The pedal has no battery option. The power adapter is not included, so you need a standard center-negative 9 to 12V DC supply capable of at least 95 mA.
The input and output wiring is flexible3:
- Input 1: mono only, 1/4" phone connector
- Inputs 1 and 2 together: accept stereo
- Input 2: stereo TRS only
- Output 1: summed mono, 1/4" phone connector
- Outputs 1 and 2 together: stereo
- Output 2: stereo TRS only
Using both outputs creates a stereo signal from a mono input, so a player with a single mono guitar signal can still run the pedal in stereo into two amps3.
The LED and voltage monitoring
The LED does more than show the effect status. It monitors the power adapter voltage: if the voltage is too low, the LED blinks twice per second, and if the voltage is too high, it blinks five times per second3. This gives a quick visual check that the supply is within the pedal's 9 to 12V range.
Where it came from
Neunaber Technology LLC designs and manufactures its products in Orange, California, USA3. The Inspire Tri-Chorus Plus was announced in November 2017 and released on Black Friday, November 24th, 2017, at $249 from neunaber.net and their resellers1. By March 2018, Guitar World reported the pedal was available for $2495. It now appears on the maker's discontinued products page2.
What reviewers said
Guitar World's Paul Riario demoed the pedal and described it as "a pedal that captures eight stereo chorus effects," noting it was available for $2495. Delicious Audio called it "a chorus pedal hosted in a compact case sporting 8 different modes," and placed it in the context of Neunaber's lush digital effects4. Delicious Audio also highlighted the +Detune mode as "tri-chorus+detune for that ultimate rack chorus tone"4.
"Inspire's newly-designed circuitry offers increased headroom while maintaining low noise."
Videos
Pete Thorn
Guitar World
Neunaber Audio
Questions
Is the Neunaber Tri-Chorus Plus analog or digital?
It is digital. Neunaber built the pedal around a tri-chorus algorithm, with all eight of its effects being variations of that algorithm. The maker describes it as a stereo chorus with three independent voices, and press coverage of the pedal placed it among Neunaber's lush digital effects.
Does the Inspire Tri-Chorus Plus take a battery?
No. The pedal has no battery option and requires a power adapter, which is not included. It takes a standard 9 to 12V DC center-negative adapter with a 5.5 mm OD x 2.1 mm ID plug, drawing 95 mA.
Can the Tri-Chorus Plus run stereo from a mono input?
Yes. According to the maker's manual, using both outputs creates a stereo signal from a mono input. Input 1 is mono only, while Inputs 1 and 2 together accept stereo, with Input 2 accepting a stereo TRS input only. Output 1 is summed mono, and Output 2 supplies a stereo TRS output only.
Is the Neunaber Tri-Chorus Plus true bypass?
Yes. The manual states that the Inspire implements relay bypassing, which the maker identifies as true bypass. The footswitch bypasses the effect, and the LED lights when the effect is active.
What does the LED blinking mean on the Neunaber Tri-Chorus Plus?
The LED monitors the power adapter voltage. If the voltage is too low, the LED blinks twice per second. If the voltage is too high, it blinks five times per second. A steady LED means the supply is within range.
Sources (5)
- Neunaber Launches Inspire Tri-Chorus Plus Pedal, Premier Guitar, 2017-11-20
- Discontinued Products, Quilter Labs
- Inspire Tri-Chorus Plus User Guide, Quilter Labs, 2017
- Neunaber Inspire Tri-Chorus Plus, Delicious Audio, 2018-02-27
- Video Demo: Neunaber Inspire Tri-Chorus Plus, Guitar World, 2018-03-16
