The Suhr Alexa Multi-Wave Dual Chorus/Vibrato is an analog stompbox that covers both chorus and vibrato duties in one enclosure. Suhr describes it as offering "a wealth of warm modulation and spatial effects for your guitar, bass or keyboard," and it works for any of those instruments1.
Two independent channels
The Alexa's defining feature is its pair of channels. With two independent channels, you can easily preset two distinct chorus/vibrato sounds and switch between them mid-set. Suhr's own example of how players might set it up: "Channel A can be a traditional warm and smooth chorus, while Channel B is set to a fast vintage rotary"1.
Each channel is equipped with dedicated controls, so the two sounds are set independently rather than sharing one set of knobs1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Wave-form | Shapes the character of the modulation sweep on that channel |
| Speed | Sets the rate of the chorus or vibrato |
| Delay | Sets the delay time in the modulation circuit |
| Depth | Sets the intensity of the effect |
All four controls are duplicated per channel1.
The analog circuit
The heart of the Alexa's signal path is a 3207 BBD, or bucket brigade device, the chip that produces the delayed signal a chorus or vibrato is built from1. Suhr says the engineering "ensures the purest analog tone, with ultra-quiet performance," and that the pedal was designed "to deliver all of the warm analog tones that vintage choruses are revered for"1.
Where it came from
The Alexa was introduced in 2017. Delicious Audio posted the first video demo of the pedal, made by ProGuitarShop, in September of that year1.
Videos
Suhr Custom
Suhr Custom
Suhr Custom
Questions
Is the Suhr Alexa analog or digital?
The Alexa is an analog pedal. Its signal path is built around a 3207 BBD (bucket brigade device) chip, the same kind of component used in vintage analog modulation circuits. Suhr says the design delivers the warm analog tones that vintage choruses are revered for, with ultra-quiet performance.
Can the Suhr Alexa run chorus and vibrato at the same time?
The Alexa has two independent channels, each with its own set of controls, so you can preset two distinct chorus or vibrato sounds and switch between them. Suhr's example is Channel A set as a traditional warm and smooth chorus while Channel B is set to a fast vintage rotary.
What does the waveform control do on the Alexa?
Each channel of the Alexa has a dedicated wave-form control alongside speed, delay and depth. The waveform shapes how the modulation sweeps, which is why Suhr calls it a multi-wave design: different waveforms move the delay time in different ways, from smooth chorus to faster rotary-style motion.
What BBD chip does the Suhr Alexa use?
The heart of the Alexa's signal path is a 3207 BBD (bucket brigade device), the chip that creates the delayed signal the chorus or vibrato effect is built from.
Is there a user guide for the Suhr Alexa?
A first video demo of the Alexa was posted by ProGuitarShop when the pedal was announced in 2017. That demo is the documented walkthrough of the pedal's features and sounds.
Sources (1)
- Suhr Alexa Multi-Wave Dual Chorus/Vibrato, Delicious Audio, 2017-09-27