The Universal Audio UAFX Golden Reverberator is a digital stereo reverb pedal from Universal Audio, built around a four-core ARM processor that runs emulations of classic spring, plate and studio hall reverbs1. It was announced in January 2021 alongside the Starlight Echo Station and Astra Modulation Machine as Universal Audio's move into stompbox-format effects21.
MusicRadar's round-up named it the best studio reverb pedal, describing it as setting the standard for premium digital emulations of classic studio and amp reverbs in one portable place on your board, with three choices in each category of spring, plate and hall3.
Spring 65, Plate 140 and Hall 224
The pedal's three reverb families each point at a different piece of recording history, and each offers modulation on top of the base effect5.
| Reverb type | What it emulates |
|---|---|
| Spring 65 | Spring reverbs found on 60s Fender-style amps2 |
| Plate 140 | Plate reverbs found in studios in the 50s and 60s, modeled on the EMT 14028 |
| Hall 224 | Digital studio reverbs from the 70s and 80s2 |
Gearnews' reviewer found the Spring 65 mode "conjures up the spring reverbs found on 60's Fender-style amps," and noted the Hall 224 is based on digital studio reverbs from the 70s and 80s2. MusicRadar's guide likewise describes algorithms based on classic Fender spring reverb tanks and the EMT 140 plate reverb8.
The pedal ships with nine reverb algorithms: three Fender-style spring simulations, clones of three analog EMT plates, and hall reverbs, with three additional algorithms unlockable after registering the pedal, for twelve in total1. Each active effect also has A, B and C variations selectable from a mini-toggle2.
The controls
The control surface is two footswitches, six knobs and three mini-toggles1.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Decay | Sets reverb length2 |
| Predelay | Sets the gap before the reverb begins2 |
| Mix | Blends dry and wet signal2 |
| Bass | Cuts or boosts reverb low end2 |
| Treble | Cuts or boosts reverb high end2 |
| Mod | Adds a flutter to the reverb2 |
| Type toggle | Selects the reverb type2 |
| A/B/C toggle | Selects variations within the active effect2 |
| Store toggle | Saves the preset2 |
The Mod knob adds a flutter to the reverb rather than a chorus-style wash, which suits the vintage character of the emulations2. One quirk Gearnews' reviewer noted: in Hall 224 mode, flicking the A/B/C switch stops self-oscillation abruptly, a handy escape hatch if a long decay setting starts to run away2.
Presets and switching
A third toggle stores a single sound in memory, which means you always have access to two reverb tones: the stored preset and your current control settings1. Premier Guitar's reviewer highlighted this as a practical way to keep a subtle room sound and a big ambient wash available at once.
The UAFX pedals' dual processors allow a saved preset to be switched over while running the pedal on a different setting, so the transition between the two tones is seamless2.
Bypass, stereo and power
Universal Audio's launch announcement specified true or buffered bypass with trails and silent switching for the Golden Reverberator, along with analog dry through and stereo or dual mono operation5. GuitarPlayer's buying guide lists the same true-or-buffered bypass4.
It is a high-end stereo reverb pedal, in Gearnews' words one that "gets you the lush, dimensional sound" players look for in a stereo rig9. Output 2 carries the second channel for stereo connections6.
At 400mA of current draw on 9V DC, this pedal needs a dedicated power supply output. It is too hungry for a typical daisy chain alongside analog pedals4.
How it compares
The Golden Reverberator sells for $349 in the US, £335 in the UK, and €355 in the EU7, though Sweetwater lists it at $3993. It runs on a 9V DC supply drawing 400mA4, and UA houses it in a 5 ½" x 3 ½" x 1½" enclosure, slightly larger than a standard B-sized box41. Reviewers found the reverb itself lush, with the settings offering up several very useful tones2.
Universal Audio has since released smaller, cheaper reverb pedals in its UAFX Compacts line, including the Universal Audio UAFX Heavenly Plate Reverb and the Universal Audio UAFX Evermore Studio Reverb, and the two-in-one Universal Audio UAFX Del-Verb Ambience Companion.
What reviewers said
Gearnews' reviewer found "the reverb itself was lush and messing around with the settings offered up several very useful tones"2.
"The UAFX Golden Reverberator's tones stand head and shoulders above"
Premier Guitar's reviewer also noted that the pedal brings Universal Audio's studio effects "in a relatively inexpensive stompbox format"1.
Videos
Sweetwater
Universal Audio
Corey Congilio
Questions
How many reverbs are in the UAFX Golden Reverberator?
It ships with nine reverb algorithms: three Fender-style spring simulations, three analog EMT plate clones, and three hall reverbs. Registering the pedal unlocks three additional algorithms, for twelve in total. Each of the three main types also has A, B and C variations selectable from a mini-toggle.
Is the Golden Reverberator true bypass or buffered?
It can run either way. Universal Audio's launch announcement specified true or buffered bypass with trails and silent switching, and GuitarPlayer's buying guide lists the bypass as true or buffered. The pedal also keeps the dry signal analog through the whole path.
Can the Golden Reverberator save presets?
It stores one sound in memory alongside your current knob settings, so you always have two reverb tones available: the stored preset and whatever the controls are set to. A dedicated Store mini-toggle saves the preset, and the dual processors let you switch between the two seamlessly.
Is the Golden Reverberator easier to use than the Strymon NightSky?
Gearnews' reviewer thought so, calling the Golden Reverberator much simpler to use than the Strymon NightSky. Its control surface is six knobs and three mini-toggles, with no menus to navigate.
Does the Golden Reverberator work in stereo?
Yes. It is a stereo reverb pedal with stereo inputs and outputs, and it can also run in dual mono. Output 2 carries the second channel for stereo connections.
Sources (9)
- Universal Audio UAFX Golden Reverberator Review, Premier Guitar, 2021-03-24
- Review: UAFX Golden Reverberator, Starlight Echo Station and Astra Modulation Machine, gearnews.com, 2021-04-04
- "A stunningly good reverb pedal that sounds and operates like one twice the price": Hotone NC-200 Verbera review, MusicRadar, 2026-06-12
- Best reverb pedals 2026: embolden your guitar tone, GuitarPlayer (www.guitarplayer.com), 2022-10-04
- Universal Audio Announces UAFX Effects Pedals, Premier Guitar, 2021-01-27
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2021-08-16
- "When it comes to sound, I'm convinced there isn't a bad tone in this pedal": Crazy Tube Circuits Mirage JR reverb pedal review, MusicRadar, 2025-11-21
- Best reverb pedals: Top picks from subtle to extreme, MusicRadar, 2022-04-29
- Best Spring Reverb Pedals 2025: Sunny Sounds for Surf Rock and Skate Punk, gearnews.com, 2025-07-07
