The The Nocturne Brain ANOINTED is what the maker calls a "3 for 1 Echo'Verb": a single pedal that combines a vintage EP3-style tape echo, a Chess Records-style studio chamber reverb and a fat boost modeled on the EP3 preamp1. The tape echo side covers the Echoplex-style delays of the late 1950s and 1960s, while the reverb side aims at what the maker calls "that vintage ambient mono sound was immortalized through the late 50s & 60s on S. Michigan Ave in Chicago", a reference to the Chicago studio sound1.
The maker lists the ANOINTED at £225.00 GBP on its own product page1. No US dollar price is given there, so the figure is stated in the currency the maker publishes.
What it does
The ANOINTED stacks three effects in one small enclosure. The tape echo side is modeled on the vintage EP3 Tape Echo, the reverb side on the studio chambers used for Chess Records sessions, and the boost on the EP3's preamp circuit, which the maker describes as a fat boost1. The pedal is laid out with three knobs on the right and two knobs on the left, which the maker calls a simple pedal to operate1.
Controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| TAPE SPEED | Sets the echo time, from quick old school 1950s studio slaps up to 500ms of smooth, dynamic, classic ambient echo1 |
| TAPE AGE | Switches the echo character from fresh tape to the well-worn, smeared high end of the slapbacks1 |
| REPEATS | Goes from a single repeat to infinite feedback (self oscillation) if wanted1 |
| TAPE MIX | Blends the analog dry signal with the wet signal1 |
| REVERB MIX | A dual-gang pot: as the reverb wet mix goes up it also increases the decay, feedback and reflections, raising the overall volume a little1 |
| MASTER OUTPUT | Boosts or cuts the output level, with enough dB on tap to overdrive a tube amp; ties into the REVERB MIX control1 |
The TAPE AGE switch is the character control on the echo side. The maker describes it as "great to switch from fresh tape to well worn n smeared high end of the slapbacks", letting a player move between a cleaner tape response and a darker, degraded one without touching the delay time1.
The REPEATS control goes beyond a normal echo level knob: the maker states it "will go from single repeat to infinite feedback (self oscillation) if wanted", so the tape side can be pushed into runaway repeats1.
Power and size
The ANOINTED runs on 9-volt DC with true bypass silent switching1. The enclosure measures 4.8" x 2.64"1. The maker's page gives no current draw figure and no battery option, so a standard 9-volt DC supply is the stated power source.
Videos
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Questions
What does the Nocturne Brain ANOINTED do?
It is a three-in-one pedal the maker calls a 3 for 1 Echo'Verb. It combines a vintage EP3-style tape echo, a Chess Records-style studio chamber reverb and a fat boost modeled on the EP3 preamp. The tape side gives old-school Echoplex-style echoes, the reverb side gives a vintage ambient mono sound, and the master output has enough level on tap to overdrive a tube amp.
How long can the echo delay go?
The TAPE SPEED control brings what the maker describes as smooth, dynamic and classic ambient echo up to 500ms long, and goes down to quick old school 1950s studio slapback delays. The TAPE AGE switch alongside it changes the character of the repeats from fresh tape to a well-worn, smeared high end.
Can the ANOINTED echo self-oscillate?
Yes. The maker states the REPEATS control will go from a single repeat to infinite feedback, meaning self oscillation, if wanted. That lets you push the tape echo side into runaway repeats the way an aging tape machine can.
Is the Nocturne Brain ANOINTED true bypass?
Yes. The maker lists the pedal as true bypass with silent switching, running on 9-volt DC power.
What power does the Nocturne Brain ANOINTED use?
The ANOINTED runs on 9-volt DC power with true bypass silent switching, according to the maker's product page. No current draw figure or battery option is given on that page.
What is the Tape Age switch for?
The TAPE AGE switch changes the tone of the echo repeats. The maker describes it as great to switch from fresh tape to the well-worn and smeared high end of the slapbacks, so you can choose between a cleaner tape response and a darker, more degraded one.
Sources (1)
- ANOINTED pedal is a 3 for 1 Echo'Verb, The Nocturne Brain