The Universal Audio UAFX Heavenly Plate Reverb is a compact pedal that emulates the EMT 140 plate reverb, the huge studio hardware unit that cost thousands of dollars in its day, in a stompbox form1. It is part of Universal Audio's UAFX Compacts line of smaller, more affordable pedals, launched in August 2023 alongside the 1176 Studio Compressor, Evermore Studio Reverb and Orion Tape Echo23. Its algorithm draws on Universal Audio's Pure Plate plugin experience, and Delicious Audio called it "probably the most authentic digital recreation of the ginormous vintage units"3.
Where the original EMT 140 was a giant steel plate suspended in a frame, the Heavenly puts that plate sound on a pedalboard, and adds controls the original hardware never had, such as Decay, Predelay and a post-reverb modulation effect1.
The three plate algorithms
A mini toggle switch on the pedal selects between three different Plate 140 algorithms: Plate A, Plate B and Plate C1. Plate A is based on an older type of plate, described by MusicRadar as "bright, softer response and a shorter decay"1. The reviewer also found that the differences between the three algorithms are more subtle than the modes offered on the other UAFX compact pedals, so expect variation within one plate character rather than three wildly different reverbs1.
Controls and what they do
The control layout is similar in structure to the Evermore Studio Reverb, Universal Audio's compact studio reverb pedal released in the same series, for dialing in sounds quickly4. The full control set:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Decay | Sets the length of the reverb tail, a feature not available on the original plate reverbs3 |
| Mix | Balances dry and wet signal1 |
| Plate A/B/C toggle | Selects one of the three Plate 140 algorithms1 |
| Predelay | Sets the time before the reverb begins, also not available on the originals3 |
| EQ | Shapes the tonality of the reverb1 |
| Mod | Adds post-reverb modulation to the tail3 |
| Rate | Works with the modulation section3 |
| Slow/Fast switch | Adjusts the modulation speed4 |
| Bypass footswitch | Engages and bypasses the effect1 |
| Trails/True Bypass switch | Chooses whether the reverb rings out after bypass1 |
The Modulation control is the feature the original EMT 140 never had. It adds a post-reverb modulation effect that gives the trails a liquid character3. Pedal of the Day describes it in more detail: it "lets you subtly increase dispersion and reduce ringing, and make the reverb tail noticeably thicker with more movement"4. A Slow/Fast switch on the top panel adjusts the modulation speed as well4.
Bypass and trails
The pedal offers switchable true/trails bypass4. With Trail mode on, the reverb's reflections end naturally once you turn the pedal off, rather than being cut dead3. This matters for players who like to kick the reverb off mid-phrase and let the last chord wash out.
How it differs from the Golden Reverberator and Del-Verb
The Heavenly's plate algorithms are not new. MusicRadar's reviewer had heard them in two earlier UAFX pedals, the Golden Reverberator and the Del-Verb Ambience Companion1. The Heavenly follows in the footsteps of the Golden Reverb release from a couple of years back4, but packages the plate sounds in the smaller, cheaper Compacts format.
That overlap shaped MusicRadar's verdict:
"If you want the greatest pedal emulation of the greatest studio plate reverb hardware, this is the gold standard. But it"1
The reviewer's overall conclusion was that while the Heavenly is the gold standard pedal emulation of studio plate reverb hardware, the same algorithms are found in two other UA pedals, so players should consider their pedalboard needs and budget overall before choosing1.
The other key difference from the larger UA pedals is connectivity: the Heavenly is mono only, with no stereo options, something the reviewer lamented and noted applies to all the UAFX compact pedals1.
Build and power
The enclosure is ruggedly constructed for years of solid use onstage and in the studio4. Power comes from a 9V DC pedalboard isolated power supply, with a 250mA power draw1.
At 250mA, the Heavenly draws more current than a standard battery or a basic daisy chain is meant to supply. Use an isolated 9V DC output on your pedalboard power supply.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's reviewer, writing in 2026, called the Heavenly's plate emulations the best around, saying Universal Audio "offer the best reverb pedal emulations of the late '50s EMT 140 plate tube reverb around"1. The verdict balanced that praise against the fact that the same algorithms appear in the Golden Reverberator and Del-Verb1.
Delicious Audio highlighted the pedal's additions over the original hardware, the Decay, Predelay and Modulation controls, as features that "weren't available in the original plate reverbs"3.
Videos
Sweetwater
Universal Audio
Pedal of the Day
Questions
Is the UAFX Heavenly Plate Reverb stereo?
No. The pedal offers mono output only, with no stereo options. MusicRadar's reviewer noted this applies to all of the UAFX compact pedals, not just the Heavenly, so players running stereo rigs will need to look at UA's larger pedals such as the Golden Reverberator instead.
Does the Heavenly Plate Reverb have trails?
Yes. A switch on the pedal selects between true bypass and Trail mode. With trails on, the reverb's reflections continue to ring out and end naturally after you switch the pedal off, rather than cutting dead the moment you bypass it.
What power supply does the UAFX Heavenly Plate Reverb need?
It runs on a 9V DC pedalboard isolated power supply with a 250mA power draw. That current draw is well beyond what a standard 9V battery or a simple daisy chain can comfortably deliver, so plan on a proper isolated output on your pedalboard power supply.
What are Plate A, Plate B and Plate C?
They are three different EMT 140 plate algorithms selected by a mini toggle switch on the pedal. Plate A is based on an older type of plate, giving a brighter, softer response and a shorter decay. MusicRadar's reviewer found the differences between the three more subtle than the modes on other UAFX compact pedals.
How is the Heavenly different from the Golden Reverberator?
The Heavenly's plate algorithms are the same ones already found in the Golden Reverberator and the Del-Verb, but the Heavenly is a smaller, cheaper compact pedal dedicated to plate reverb alone, and it is mono only. MusicRadar's verdict was to weigh your pedalboard needs and budget, since the algorithms exist in all three pedals.
What does the Modulation control do on the Heavenly Plate Reverb?
It adds a post-reverb modulation effect that gives the reverb tail a liquid character. Pedal of the Day describes it as letting you subtly increase dispersion, reduce ringing, and make the tail noticeably thicker with more movement. A Slow/Fast switch on the top panel adjusts the modulation speed.
Sources (5)
- Universal Audio UAFX Heavenly Plate Reverb pedal review, MusicRadar, 2023-10-30
- New Pedal Line: UAFX Compacts (Orion, Evermore, Heavenly And 1176), Delicious Audio, 2023-08-22
- UAFX Heavenly Plate Reverb, Delicious Audio, 2023-08-28
- Universal Audio UAFX Heavenly Plate Reverb, Pedal of the Day, 2023-11-18
- Compact UAFX Pedals Review: Orion, Heavenly, 1176 & Evermore., gearnews.com, 2023-10-05
