The Pigtronix Emanator is an analog delay pedal from Pigtronix, built around a pair of genuine bucket brigade IC chips, the new-production high-voltage MN3005 BBD chips used in its delay line1. Pigtronix says it can achieve up to 600ms of warm, glowing echo, covering everything from vintage studio slapback to long delays with enough feedback to reach self-oscillation1. It comes in a mini pedal format, and Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio described it as "this mini, limited edition analog delay" when it launched in May 20222.
The MN3005 chips and the analog circuit
The Emanator's delay line runs on MN3005 bucket brigade device (BBD) chips, the kind of chip that defined the sound of vintage analog delays. These particular ICs were out of production since the mid-1980s, and Pigtronix notes they have been reissued "in all of their analog glory and put to use" in this pedal1. Delicious Audio's buying guide likewise describes the pedal as "Based on legendary high-voltage MN3005 BBD chips that were out of production since the mid-'80s"3.
For a player, that means the Emanator is a straightforward analog delay in the classic sense: no presets, no tap tempo, no digital modeling, just a delay line on genuine BBD chips. Pigtronix describes the tone as "warm, analog delay tone of the highest quality"1.
Controls
The pedal has a straightforward three-knob layout that Pigtronix says provides easy access to a wide variety of sounds1.
| Knob | What it does |
|---|---|
| Time | Sets your delay time. Clockwise for slower, counter-clockwise for faster.1 |
| Repeats | Sets the amount of feedback in the delay line.1 |
| Mix | Sets the level of the delay signal.1 |
With the Time knob covering up to 600ms and the Repeats knob able to push the delay line into self-oscillation, the three controls span short slapback echoes through to long, repeating washes1.
Size, power and specifications
The Emanator is a mini pedal, so it takes up little room on a board. Its specifications from Pigtronix's product page1:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 1.5 in |
| Width | 3.75 in |
| Height | 1.75 in |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs |
| Input impedance | 10M |
| Output impedance | 150ohms |
| Voltage | 9VDC |
| Current draw | 100mA |
| Bypass | Buffered |
| Category | Delay |
| Function | Analog Delay |
The Emanator draws 100mA at 9VDC1, which is more than some low-current mini pedals. Players powering several pedals from one daisy-chain supply should check that their supply has enough current headroom for it.
The pedal uses buffered bypass rather than true bypass1. A buffer keeps the guitar's signal driving consistently through long cable runs, which matters on larger boards, though players who want the signal to pass completely untouched when the pedal is off should know the difference.
Availability and where it sits in Pigtronix's range
Pigtronix lists the Emanator as a Dealer Exclusive, "Available exclusively at Guitar Center"1, and Delicious Audio reported the same exclusive arrangement at its May 2022 launch2. As a limited edition mini pedal2, it sits apart from Pigtronix's standard lineup.
Within Pigtronix's delay range, the Emanator is the simple, compact option. Players who want more features can look at the Pigtronix Echolution 3, a stereo multi-tap delay, or the Pigtronix Constellator Mini and Pigtronix Constellator Modulated Analog Delay, which add modulation to an analog delay. For more on the effect type generally, see Delay Pedals21.
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Questions
Where can I buy the Pigtronix Emanator?
Pigtronix lists the Emanator as a Dealer Exclusive, available exclusively at Guitar Center in the United States. Delicious Audio reported the same exclusive arrangement when the pedal launched in May 2022. Because it is a limited edition mini pedal, availability may vary from store to store, and it is not part of Pigtronix's standard full-size lineup.
How long can the Emanator's delay be?
The Emanator can produce up to 600ms of delay, which Pigtronix describes as warm, glowing echo. That range covers vintage studio slapback echoes at the short end and, with the Repeats knob turned up, longer delays with enough feedback to reach self-oscillation, according to the maker's product page.
Is the Emanator analog or digital?
The Emanator is fully analog. It uses a pair of genuine bucket brigade IC chips, specifically new-production high-voltage MN3005 BBD chips in the delay line. These chips were out of production since the mid-1980s and have been reissued, which is what gives the pedal its analog delay character.
Is the Emanator true bypass?
No. Pigtronix specifies the Emanator as having buffered bypass, not true bypass. A buffer keeps the signal path consistent when the pedal is off, which can be useful on long pedalboard cable runs, though players who prefer a completely untouched signal path should be aware of the difference.
How big is the Emanator?
The Emanator is a mini pedal measuring 1.5 inches long, 3.75 inches wide, and 1.75 inches high, and it weighs 0.5 lbs. That compact footprint makes it easy to fit onto a crowded pedalboard alongside other pedals.
Sources (3)
- Emanator, Pigtronix (www.pigtronix.com), 2025-01-02
- New Pedal: Pigtronix Emanator Analog Delay, Delicious Audio, 2022-05-09
- 2023 UPDATE: The Best Analog Delay Pedals (Mono & Stereo), Delicious Audio, 2024-01-04
