The Vongon Polyphrase is a stereo echo and looping device inspired by the early proto-digital delays of the 1970s, such as the Lexicon Prime Time1. It carries two delay lines that can be used in stereo or stacked in mono, with delay times from 5 milliseconds to 22 seconds, tap tempo and MIDI tempo sync1. At the long end of that range it works as a looper: Pedal of the Day notes it is unique in being able to generate loops as long as 22 seconds1.
What it does to a signal
Because the two delay lines can run in stereo or be stacked into one mono path, the Polyphrase can sit in a stereo rig or a simple mono board without rewiring. Pedal of the Day describes the range of sounds it covers broadly: "Polyphrase is capable of everything from rich, dubby rhythmic repeats, to metallic resonant flanges"1. The inspiration from 1970s proto-digital units like the Lexicon Prime Time shows in that character, where the delay line itself becomes a color as much as an echo1.
Controls, presets and MIDI
The pedal's timing can be set in two ways, and its level can be matched to three kinds of source1:
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Tap tempo | Sets the delay time by foot, in time with the song1 |
| MIDI tempo sync | Locks the delay time to an external MIDI clock1 |
| 9 user presets | Stored onboard, recalled via MIDI program change (PC) messages1 |
| 3 gain configurations | Line level, instrument level, or low instrument level1 |
The gain configurations matter when matching the pedal to the rest of a rig: a pedalboard, a rack setup or a quiet instrument each call for a different setting1.
The nine onboard presets are recalled through MIDI program change (PC) messages rather than onboard switches, so recalling them requires MIDI1.
Enclosure
Instead of the aluminum box most pedals use, the Polyphrase is housed in a single block of walnut that is CNC routed, then hand sanded and polished1.
What reviewers said
Pedal of the Day reviewed the Polyphrase in April 2023 and came away enthusiastic about the maker's direction1:
"The crew at Vongon keeps upping the ante with each new release, and this is probably our favorite of theirs yet"
The same review noted that the pedal can be hard to find, with the reviewer's advice to readers being "if you can find one, don't hesitate to grab one for yourself"1.
Pedal of the Day described the Polyphrase in 2023 as a pedal that is hard to find, so availability may be limited1.
Videos
Sarah Belle Reid
Mark Johnston
ambienttrash
Questions
How long is the delay time on the Vongon Polyphrase?
Delay times run from 5 milliseconds to 22 seconds, according to Pedal of the Day's review. At the long end of that range the pedal doubles as a looper, generating loops as long as 22 seconds, while the short end covers the tight repeats of a conventional echo.
Does the Vongon Polyphrase have tap tempo?
Yes. Pedal of the Day lists tap tempo among the Polyphrase's features, along with MIDI tempo sync, so the delay time can be matched to a song's tempo either by foot or from an external MIDI clock.
How many presets does the Vongon Polyphrase hold?
The Polyphrase holds 9 onboard user presets. They are accessed via MIDI program change (PC) messages, so recalling them requires MIDI rather than onboard preset switching.
Can the Vongon Polyphrase run in stereo?
Yes. The Polyphrase has two delay lines that can be used in stereo or stacked in mono, so it works in a stereo rig or with a single mono signal path.
What is the Vongon Polyphrase enclosure made of?
The pedal is housed in a single block of walnut that is CNC routed, then hand sanded and polished, rather than the metal enclosure common on most pedals.
Sources (1)
- Vongon Polyphrase Stereo Echo, Pedal of the Day, 2023-04-02
