The PastFx Chorus Ensemble MN3007, or CE-7, is a recreation of the Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble chorus and vibrato circuit, rebuilt in a pedalboard sized enclosure. PastFx describes it as "a faithful, meticulously crafted recreation of the classic BOSS ® CE-1 chorus/vibrato"1. Like the original, it offers both chorus and vibrato modes, and it is a modified version of the PastFx Chorus Ensemble Deluxe, swapping in the less obsolete NOS MN3007 bucket brigade chip1.
The heart of the pedal is an obsolete new old stock (NOS) Panasonic / Matsushita MN3007, a 1024 stage bucket brigade device (BBD). A BBD is the analog delay chip that makes analog chorus possible: it passes your signal along a chain of capacitors a step at a time, and modulating that delay time is what creates the chorus or vibrato effect. The chorus side uses a triangle wave LFO (low frequency oscillator) and the vibrato side a sine wave LFO, matching the original design1.
What it does
The CE-1 was a mains powered unit that featured both chorus and vibrato modes3, and the MN3007 carries both of those modes over into pedal form. Chorus mixes a modulated, delayed copy of your signal back with the dry signal for a thickened, moving sound; vibrato modulates the pitch of the whole signal with no dry blend. The pedal also incorporates what PastFx calls the "Noise Killer" circuitry2.
One behavior worth knowing about comes straight from the original circuit. PastFx says that when you clip the signal heavily with the Level control on high, "On some amps it can almost sound like a fuzz, and on others a more traditional crunch sound!"1. If heavy Level settings push your amp harder than you want, the Buffer mod (below) can help restore some of the high frequencies1.
Controls and footswitches
The pedal has two footswitches and a small set of controls, plus several internal mods2.
| Control or switch | What it does |
|---|---|
| Normal / effect footswitch | Turns the effect on and off2 |
| Vibrato / Chorus footswitch | Switches between the two modes2 |
| Intensity knob (chorus) | Controls both rate and depth of the chorus2 |
| Depth and Rate knobs (vibrato) | Set vibrato depth and speed2 |
| Level control | Sets output level; high settings can clip the signal1 |
The internal mods, activated by switches inside the enclosure, are where the CE-7 extends the original circuit21:
- Stereo True Bypass mod: Now standard. When activated, both outputs become true bypass. Both large internal pushbutton switches need to be activated. The effect works best in Low mode with this mod, because the High output setting is not at unity with the bypassed signal2.
- Depth Mod: Lets the Vibrato Depth knob control the chorus depth. The stock chorus depth is achieved with the knob fully clockwise2.
- Buffer Mod: Adds or removes the inbuilt buffer circuit. Activating the buffer can help restore some of the high frequencies, which is more noticeable when the input sensitivity switch is on high12.
- Pot Mod: Changes the default Level control potentiometer from 50K to 500K resistance, with a slightly different taper in stock mode12.
- Boost 'N' Blend: Two internal white trimpots let you customize the chorus output levels and the wet and dry signal balance1.
Power and connections
The CE-7 runs on the industry standard 9V DC, center negative 2.1mm supply1. PastFx specifies a regulated, isolated linear or transformer based supply2, which matters given the current draw of approximately 110 to 130 mA1. That is a substantial draw for an analog pedal, in the range of many digital units, so a shared or unregulated supply is a poor match for it.
Batteries can be used but will have a shortened life due to the pedal's high current requirements. PastFx notes a 9V battery adapter cable may accompany the pedal as a troubleshooting tool rather than as a practical power solution2.
For outputs, the pedal has stereo and mono jacks. In a stereo setup, the wet signal is directed to the Stereo jack and the dry signal to the Mono output jack2, so a two amp or stereo rig gets the effected and clean signals separately.
History and versions
The CE-7 sits in the middle of a family of PastFx chorus recreations. It is a modified Chorus Ensemble Deluxe, using the less obsolete NOS MN3007 BBD12. Because the MN3007, while still an obsolete NOS part, is easier to source than rarer BBDs, this version is the more sustainable take on the same circuit.
There is also a compact version, the Chorus Ensemble MN3007 Mini. It is a modified Chorus Ensemble Mini built on the same NOS MN3007 chip, with the same 110 to 130 mA approximate current draw and 9V DC center negative power4. The Mini trims the format: it has a single Normal / effect footswitch, a Vibrato / Chorus toggle switch instead of a second footswitch, and vibrato controls of Depth and Rate45. Its chorus is controlled by an Intensity knob plus a built in Depth Mod, so the Vibrato Depth knob always controls chorus depth, with the stock chorus depth achieved with that knob fully clockwise5. Its stereo behavior matches the full size pedal: in a stereo setup, wet signal goes to the Stereo jack and dry to the Mono jack5.
Videos
Blastfeet
Questions
Is the PastFx Chorus Ensemble MN3007 true bypass?
Not in its stock form. The pedal uses JFET switching, matching the original CE-1 circuit it recreates. A Stereo True Bypass mod is now standard, and when it is activated both outputs become true bypass. PastFx notes the effect works best in Low mode with the mod engaged, because the High output setting is not at unity with the bypassed signal.
Can the PastFx Chorus Ensemble MN3007 run on a battery?
Yes, but not for long. PastFx says batteries may be used but will have a shortened life due to the pedal's high current requirements, which run to roughly 110 to 130 mA. A regulated, isolated linear or transformer based 9V DC supply with a 2.1mm center negative jack is what the maker specifies.
How does the stereo output work on the PastFx Chorus Ensemble MN3007?
The pedal has stereo and mono output jacks. In a stereo setup, the wet (effected) signal is directed to the Stereo jack and the dry signal to the Mono output jack. With the Stereo True Bypass mod activated, both outputs can be true bypassed at once.
What is the difference between the PastFx MN3007 and the Chorus Ensemble Deluxe?
The Chorus Ensemble MN3007, also called the CE-7, is a modified Chorus Ensemble Deluxe. The difference is the delay chip: the MN3007 version uses the less obsolete NOS MN3007 bucket brigade device instead of the chip in the Deluxe, making the design easier to keep in production.
Why does my Chorus Ensemble sound like a fuzz with the level turned up?
That is the circuit behaving as the original did. PastFx says that when you clip the signal heavily with the Level control on high, on some amps it can almost sound like a fuzz, and on others a more traditional crunch sound. Turning the Level down, or engaging the Buffer mod to restore high frequencies, tames it.
Sources (5)
- Chorus Ensemble MN3007, pastfx.com, 2026
- PastFx_Chorus_Ensemble_MN3007_Manual_Final_dec_2020.pdf, PastFx, 2020-12
- TONEHOME, TONEHOME (www.tonehome.de)
- Chorus Ensemble MN3007 Mini, PastFx, 2026
- PastFx_Chorus_Ensemble_MN3007_Mini_Manual_final_2021.pdf, PastFx, 2021
