The Sweet Sound Mojo Vibe is a compact phaser pedal built as a true vibe effect: a smaller version of Sweet Sound's earlier Ultra Vibe, designed to reproduce the sound of the original Shin-ei Uni-Vibe, the modulation pedal heard on records by Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower and Stevie Ray Vaughan1. Pedal of the Day described it as having "all the qualities and character of the original Uni-Vibe in a package about ¼ of the size"1. It is a current product, sold through Analog Man, at a list price of $289.00 US2.
The Mojo Vibe is an analog pedal with true bypass, and its aluminum case was chosen over steel for shielding and lighter weight2. It is half the size and weight of the Ultra Vibe it replaced3.
Where it came from
The Mojo Vibe was designed by Bob of Sweet Sound. The pedal is built at half the size and weight of the original Ultra Vibe, measuring approximately 4 1/2" X 5", which leaves, as the product page puts it, "more real-estate on your pedalboard than any other true vibe effect available"3. Pedal of the Day credited the pedal's build quality to the designer: "Bob's attention to detail was phenomenal"1.
The enclosure is an aluminum case, chosen over steel for superior shielding properties and lighter weight2.
The controls
The Mojo Vibe keeps the control set of the original Uni-Vibe: three knobs and a mode switch2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Adjusts the output to match the input level2 |
| Speed | Adjusts the speed of the sweep, "from a slow rolling phase to a bubbling, watery, pulsing throb"2 |
| Intensity | Adjusts the depth of the effect, and also affects the bias of the sweep to some degree2 |
| Chorus/Vibrato switch | Chooses either the original "chorus" / Uni-Vibe sound or a wild vibrato output, via a short bat miniature toggle2 |
The Chorus/Vibrato switch works the way it does on the original: chorus mode mixes your dry signal with the modulated signal, while vibrato mode gives you only the pitch-shifted signal, a wavier, more seasick sound45.
Inside the pedal, a miniature DIP switch selects between two input buffer configurations: a warm vintage input, or a modern FET buffered input for a brighter sound2. Pedal of the Day highlighted this "internally switched FET buffer pre-amp" as part of the design1.
Power and expression control
The Mojo Vibe will not run on batteries. It needs a 9V DC adapter, which it converts internally to 18 volts DC, so plan on a pedalboard power supply or a wall adapter2.
Analog Man offers a generic, properly regulated 9 volt DC center negative 200 mA power adapter as a separate item for $15.00, for US and Canada voltages only2.
For hands-free control, the pedal accepts expression pedals: just about any passive volume or expression pedal works through a 1/4" stereo (tip, ring, sleeve) switching jack, with an ideal pot value of a 100K reverse log taper2.
What reviewers said
Pedal of Day reviewed the Mojo Vibe and credited its build quality to the designer, saying: "Bob's attention to detail was phenomenal"1.
On That Pedal Show in June 2017, Mick compared vibe pedals and said of the Mojo Vibe:
"yeah I like the chewiness of the Mojo Vibe"
Mick liked the chewiness of the Mojo Vibe overall in that comparison6.
Videos
Prymaxe
Ludovico Cipriani
musictoyznetwork rasch
Questions
Does the Sweet Sound Mojo Vibe run on a battery?
No. The Mojo Vibe will not run on batteries. It is powered by a 9 volt DC adapter, which the pedal converts internally to 18 volts DC, so you need a power supply or pedalboard power source to use it.
Is the Mojo Vibe true bypass?
Yes. Analog Man states the Mojo Vibe is true bypass, with the internal buffer present in the signal path only while the effect is engaged. When the pedal is off, your dry signal passes straight through.
What does the Chorus/Vibrato switch do on the Mojo Vibe?
The switch selects between the original chorus, or Uni-Vibe, sound and a vibrato output. Chorus mode mixes the modulated signal with your dry signal, while vibrato mode gives you only the pitch-shifted signal for a wilder, wavier effect.
Can you use an expression pedal with the Mojo Vibe?
Yes. The Mojo Vibe accepts passive volume or expression pedals through a 1/4 inch stereo (tip, ring, sleeve) switching jack. Analog Man says just about any passive type will work, and the ideal pot value is a 100K reverse log taper.
Does the Mojo Vibe come with a power adapter?
No. A generic, properly regulated 9V DC center negative 200 mA adapter is offered as a separate item for $15.00, for US and Canada voltages only. Any suitable regulated 9V DC supply can be used instead.
Sources (6)
- Sweet Sound Mojo Vibe, Pedal of the Day (pedal-of-the-day.com), 2014-03-10
- Analog Man presents Sweet Sound MojoVibe, Analog Man (analogman.com), 2015
- Sweet Sound Ultra Vibe, analogman.com, 2017
- MXR® UNI-VIBE® CHORUS/VIBRATO, Dunlop (jimdunlop.com)
- MXR Uni-Vibe, Delicious Audio, 2023-05-26
- That Pedal Show, That Pedal Show (youtube.com), 2017-06-16
