The Rainger FX Reverb X is a mini reverb pedal with a twist: instead of putting an overdrive before the reverb as most players would, it places an overdrive and a noise gate after it. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio describes it as a pedal that "subverts an effect routing commonplace, placing an overdrive and a gate AFTER a reverb, rather than before"1. The practical result, as gearnews.com put it when the pedal was announced at NAMM 2018, is reverb "based on placing your reverb pedal before your overdrive pedal, so that the reverbs decays become overdriven and raucous"2. De Gregorio calls it "a modern take on '80s gated reverb"1.
The controls
The Reverb X packs its controls into Rainger FX's mini-pedal enclosure with top-mounted sockets1. The controls reported across the pedal's coverage are:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Distn | Dials in desired amounts of distorted reverb1 |
| Input | Knob for optimum performance, paired with an Overload LED1 |
| Level, Size, Distortion, Input/Output | Mini controls reported at the NAMM 2018 announcement2 |
Guitar World's mini-pedals guide sums up the arrangement as "boasting a dedicated distortion pot to allow you to control the crazy"3. The Input knob and Overload LED exist, per Delicious Audio, "for optimum performance", giving you a way to set the level hitting the distortion stage1.
The Igor expression pedal
The Reverb X ships with Igor, Rainger FX's pressure-sensitive expression pedal, which was included in the price at the pedal's 2018 announcement2. Guitar World explains what it does: "the Igor pressure-sensitive expression pedal allows for momentary activation of the reverb sound"3. In other words, you can stamp on Igor to bring the reverb in for as long as you press, and lift off to cut it, which suits the gated, dramatic character of the effect.
Delicious Audio's verdict on the combination: "The results are very intriguing, in particular when used with the Igor expression controller."1 The same publication's hybrid-reverb guide makes the same point, noting the pedal "can be operated with the Igor expression controller to momentarily trigger" the effect4.
Igor is part of the deal rather than an extra purchase: gearnews.com reported at NAMM 2018 that the pedal came "with Igor included in the price", at an RRP of GBP 1472.
Where it sits in the X series
The Reverb X belongs to a family of small pedals from Rainger FX. Delicious Audio describes the company's Flanger X as "the third pedal in a series of creative mini digital pedals released by London's eccentric builder David Rainger", following the Echo X and the Reverb X5. The Echo X is the delay counterpart, reviewed by Delicious Audio as "another cool creative pedal by Rainger FX, one that experimental and psych-leaning guitarist will love"6. The series shares the mini enclosure and the Igor controller, so the Reverb X fits alongside its siblings on a crowded board.
What reviewers said
Guitar World's mini-pedals guide lists the pedal's strengths as "Huge, fuzzy reverb sounds", the Igor expression pedal allowing for unique sounds, true bypass, and price, with the caveat that it will not suit a player who needs a more straightforward reverb3. Delicious Audio's De Gregorio found the results "very intriguing, in particular when used with the Igor expression controller"1.
On players: Guitar World reports that Mk.Gee, the guitarist the publication links to Eric Clapton's praise, "is a champion of the pedal"7. Guitar Pedal X has separately noted that the Reverb-X picked up a cult following after Mk.Gee revealed how he uses it, and that it became one of Rainger FX's current bestsellers8.
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Questions
Is the Rainger FX Reverb X true bypass?
Yes. Guitar World's buying guide lists the Reverb X as true bypass, meaning the pedal is removed from your signal path entirely when switched off. That matters on a pedalboard where several digital pedals can stack up and dull the tone, and it is one of the points Guitar World counted in the pedal's favour alongside its huge, fuzzy reverb sounds and its price.
Does the Reverb X come with the Igor pedal?
Yes. When Rainger FX announced the Reverb X at NAMM 2018, gearnews.com reported that the Igor pressure-sensitive mini foot pedal was included in the price, with the RRP given as GBP 147 including Igor. Igor allows momentary activation of the reverb sound, and Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio found the results very intriguing when the pedal is used with the Igor expression controller.
Where is the Rainger FX Reverb X made?
The Reverb X is built in the UK. Delicious Audio's product page describes it as the UK-built Reverb-X, in Rainger FX's mini-pedal enclosure with top-mounted sockets, and notes the company's unique styling. The maker is run by owner and designer David Rainger, who is based in London.
Who designed the Rainger FX Reverb X?
The Reverb X was designed by David Rainger, the London-based builder behind Rainger FX. Delicious Audio describes him as the company's owner and designer, and he demoed the Reverb X in person at Delicious Audio's Stompbox Booth at NAMM 2018, where the pedal was newly announced.
Which players use the Rainger FX Reverb X?
Guitar World reports that Mk.Gee, the guitarist described by the publication as Eric Clapton-backed, is a champion of the Reverb X pedal. Guitar Pedal X has also noted that the Reverb-X picked up a cult following after Mk.Gee revealed how he uses it, and that it became one of Rainger FX's current bestsellers.
Sources (8)
- Rainger FX Reverb X, Delicious Audio, 2022-09-16
- NAMM 2018: Rainger FX Reverb X, gearnews.com, 2018-01-28
- Best mini-pedals for guitarists: top space-saving stomps, Guitar World, 2020-09-25
- The Best Reverb Pedals With Modulation Or Fuzz/Distortion In 2023, Delicious Audio, 2023-01-30
- New Pedal: Rainger FX Flanger X, Delicious Audio, 2023-02-21
- Rainger FX Echo X V2, Delicious Audio, 2022-08-23
- Rainger FX's Razor Fuzz: digital guitar pick modeling pedal, Guitar World, 2025-06-26
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2023-12-19
