The Shift-Line A+ Astronaut III is a compact reverb, delay and sampler pedal from the Russian manufacturer Shift-Line. It is the third generation of what Delicious Audio called "an intriguingly deep and surprisingly small reverb," and it carries 22 different reverb, delay and sampling algorithms, double the 11 reverbs of the previous version1. The pedal sits in the multi-mode reverb workstation territory covered in our Reverb Pedals and Delay Pedals pages, but it adds sampling and freeze effects that most reverb pedals do not offer.
What it does
The pedal's 22 algorithms cover reverb, delay and sampling effects. Among them:
- Mechanics Delay combines a short delay with longer reverb reflections, which Delicious Audio describes as being for futuristic soundscapes1.
- SkyNet 2 and SkyNet 1 are spacious, futuristic reverbs with controllable DECAY, where the CHARACTER knob provides mild low-pass filtering1.
- Force Roar and Force OctDn are differently voiced freeze reverb algorithms taken from the Shift Line Force. In these modes the DECAY knob is inactive, and CHARACTER controls a resonant low-pass filter. Pressing the BYPASS switch freezes another sound into the effect1.
The dry signal path is fully analog, so your clean tone never goes digital; only the wet effect is processed1.
The controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| PROGRAM | Selects the effect algorithm1 |
| DECAY | Controls the length and acoustic properties of the selected algorithm; determines tail fade speed and feedback in certain modes1 |
| CHARACTER | Controls an extra parameter depending on the selected algorithm1 |
| MIX | Controls the wet/dry signal mix1 |
| VOLUME | Controls the OUT volume, with an option to boost it1 |
Three LEDs provide indication, and the jacks are top-mounted for improved connectivity on a crowded board1.
The BYPASS switch and Infinity Mode
The BYPASS footswitch is multifunctional:
- Press once to turn the effect on or off.
- Press and hold for Infinity Mode.
- Press and hold while selecting an algorithm to reach Bank 2.
- Press while in Force Roar or Force OctDn to freeze another sound1.
Infinity Mode is the pedal's infinite sustain feature. It is entered by holding the bypass switch for more than 0.3 seconds. In this mode, reverbs become infinite or very long, lasting 2 to 5 minutes, and delays go into maximum feedback. The LEDs blink and spin while it is engaged1.
Bypass modes
The Astronaut III uses active bypass: the dry signal is completely unaffected, and because the switching is active there are no audible clicks1. Three global bypass modes are available:
- Tails
- No tails, no input monitoring
- Continuous input monitoring1
Active bypass means the pedal needs power to pass signal, unlike a true mechanical bypass. The three modes let you choose whether reverb tails ring out when you switch off, and whether the input keeps being monitored in bypass.
The third-generation version
The Astronaut III is the third generation of the pedal, and the V3 is hosted in a slightly wider case than the version before it, which is what made room for the expanded algorithm set12. Delicious Audio included it in its list of best multi-mode reverb pedals, calling it "an intriguingly deep and surprisingly small reverb"1.
Shift-Line's range includes related pedals such as the Shift-Line Everest II, the Shift-Line A+ Everest II Black Edition, which shares the fully analog dry signal chain and active bypass approach3, and the Shift Line Astronaut V.
Videos
Chords Of Orion
Brett Kingman
Рокин Факин
Questions
What does Infinity Mode do on the Astronaut III?
Infinity Mode is entered by holding the BYPASS switch for more than 0.3 seconds. In this mode, reverbs become infinite or very long, lasting 2 to 5 minutes, and delays go into maximum feedback. The LEDs blink and spin while the mode is engaged, giving you a visual cue that the pedal is holding or sustaining the sound.
How many algorithms does the Shift-Line Astronaut III have?
The Astronaut III contains 22 varied reverb, delay and sampling algorithms, arranged in two banks of 11. That is double the 11 reverbs offered by the previous version of the pedal. The PROGRAM knob selects the algorithm, and holding BYPASS while selecting an algorithm reaches Bank 2.
Is the Astronaut III dry signal path analog?
Yes. Delicious Audio describes the Astronaut III as having a fully analog dry signal path, so your clean guitar tone does not pass through digital processing. The MIX knob controls the wet/dry signal mix, and the active bypass keeps the dry signal completely unaffected when the effect is off.
What are the three bypass modes?
The Astronaut III offers three bypass modes: Tails, No tails no input monitoring, and Continuous input monitoring. The pedal uses active bypass, so the dry signal is completely unaffected and there are no audible clicks when switching, unlike pedals with true mechanical bypass switching.
What does the Character knob do?
The CHARACTER knob controls an extra parameter that depends on the selected algorithm. For example, on the SkyNet 2 and SkyNet 1 reverbs it provides mild low-pass filtering, and on the Force Roar and Force OctDn freeze reverbs it controls a resonant low-pass filter.
Sources (3)
- Shift-Line's A+ Astronaut III Reverb/Delay/Sampler, Delicious Audio, 2020-03-19
- 2024 UPDATE: Best Multi Reverb Pedals, Delicious Audio, 2024-10-25
- A+ Everest II Black Edition, Shift-Line, 2026
