The Tech 21 Boost RVB Trails is an analog reverb pedal with a clean boost built in. Tech 21 describes it as an "Analog Reverb Emulator with Clean Boost and Trails" that "uniquely combines reverb and clean boost, up to 9dB, in one pedal." The circuit is analog rather than digital: Tech 21 says it is "designed with user-tweakable, 'lo-fi' analog technology," and that by manipulating the controls you can infuse degrees of warmth and life characteristic of vintage reverbs, intentionally injecting the inherent imperfections of vintage units.1
It sits in Tech 21's Boost line of pedals, alongside the Boost RVB, Boost Chorus, Boost Comp, Boost Distortion and Boost Fuzz. For more pedals in this category, see Reverb Pedals and Boost Pedals1.
Controls
The pedal keeps its control set simple, with all-analog knobs:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Time | A single, continuously-variable control providing a full sweep of size |
| Modulation | Gently modulates the pre-delay of the reverb for additional dimensionality |
| Mix | Ranges from 100% dry to 100% wet |
| Feedback, Tone and Level | 100% analog controls for warm, organic sounds, together with the Mix control |
Tech 21 says you can custom tailor a wide variety of reverb styles with these controls, such as spring, plate and natural room/hall ambiance. The footswitch is a custom, silent-switching actuator.1
Boost and bypass
The clean Boost function goes up to 9dB. Tech 21 says that "by incorporating a clean Boost function, up to 9dB, your solos will jump out with greater dimension."1
The pedal uses buffered bypass rather than true bypass. Tech 21 says buffered bypass "eliminates the shortcomings associated with 'true bypass' (pops and clicks, and high-end loss when multiple pedals are connected together, as well as signal loss associated with other types of switching circuits)." The 1kOhm low-impedance output is specified to drive long cables without loss of signal integrity, even in bypass.1
Power
The Boost RVB Trails is operable with a 9V alkaline battery, which is not included, or with an optional DC power supply, Tech 21 Model #DC4-A. The power supply is optional, so the pedal does not ship with one.1
Videos
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NorCalBASSIX
Questions
Is the Boost RVB Trails true bypass?
No. Tech 21 uses buffered bypass, which the company says eliminates the shortcomings associated with true bypass: pops and clicks, and high-end loss when multiple pedals are connected together, as well as signal loss associated with other types of switching circuits. The pedal's low-impedance output is also specified to drive long cables without loss of signal integrity, even in bypass.
How much boost does the Boost RVB Trails add?
Up to 9dB of clean boost. Tech 21 says that by incorporating the clean Boost function, your solos will jump out with greater dimension. The boost is built into the same pedal as the reverb, so one unit covers both jobs.
What reverb types can the Boost RVB Trails make?
Tech 21 says you can custom tailor a wide variety of reverb styles, such as spring, plate and natural room/hall ambiance. A single continuously-variable Time control provides a full sweep of size, and the Mix control ranges from 100% dry to 100% wet.
What power supply does the Boost RVB Trails use?
The pedal runs on a 9V alkaline battery, which is not included, or on an optional DC power supply, Tech 21 Model #DC4-A. It does not ship with a power supply.
Sources (1)
- Boost RVB Trails, Tech 21 NYC, 2019-06-23
