ART MULTIVERB ALPHA 2.0

The ART Multiverb Alpha 2.0 is a digital multi-effects processor built into a single-space 19-inch rack chassis, described by ART as the first result of its digital VLSI technology and a "New ASIC 24 bit digital integrated effects system"¹. For a player, it is a rack unit rather than a stompbox: it sits in a rack or on a shelf, takes your signal through 1/4-inch jacks at the rear, and offers preset-based effects with MIDI control, a combination aimed at players who want stored sounds they can recall by program change instead of knob settings they have to remember.

The unit is fully stereo, with stereo inputs and outputs on professional 1/4-inch mono phone jacks, and it carries full MIDI system exclusive support alongside standard program changes¹. It was designed and manufactured in the United States of America, in an all-steel single-high 19-inch rack mount case¹.

Presets and memory

The Multiverb Alpha 2.0 is a preset machine. The manual's feature list advertises 200 memory locations, while its specifications table lists Memory Locations as 90; the two figures come from different sections of the same document and the manual does not reconcile them¹. What the manual does explain in detail is how the memory is laid out and used.

• Presets 116 through 200 are null when you receive the unit or after a factory reset, so they arrive empty rather than loaded with factory sounds¹.
• Preset 100 is a factory preset deliberately left blank, and it can be used for deleting stored presets¹.
• User memory holds approximately 5500 bytes (5.5 Kbytes) of space when first accessed, and a preset uses approximately 30 to 50 bytes¹.
• A preset sequence of up to 127 presets may be programmed via the MPT and accessed with a momentary footswitch on the REMOTE jack¹.
• MIDI programs may be assigned to any preset number, so a program change from a controller does not have to map one-to-one with the preset list¹.

For a player coming from pedals, the practical difference is that this is a recall-based workflow: you build a sound, store it in a location, and step or MIDI-switch to it later, rather than bending down to turn knobs mid-song.

Controls and connections

All audio connections are made at the rear of the unit through 1/4-inch mono phone jacks, with MIDI IN, OUT and THRU alongside a 2.1mm (+)9 VDC output jack¹. The front panel includes an Input Level Control, a slide control that adjusts the input signal to accommodate a wide range of devices, which is how you match the unit to whatever is feeding it, from a guitar-level signal to a line-level mixer send¹.

The inputs and outputs are both single ended, meaning unbalanced. The left and right inputs present a 1M ohm impedance, which is guitar-friendly and the same ballpark as a typical amp input, while the left and right outputs have a source impedance of 1.0K ohm¹.

Power

Unlike most pedals, the Multiverb Alpha 2.0 is AC powered via a standard 3-conductor grounded power cable, drawing 105-125 Volts AC at 60Hz with an internal fuse, 140ma at 117VAC and 16.4W¹. There is no battery option and no 9V DC input; it plugs into the wall.

It does, however, give power back out. The Power Output jack on the rear panel provides a positive 9-volt DC output, and a 2.1mm female connector is the intended plug¹. That makes it possible to run a 9V pedal from the rack unit itself, though the manual does not state a current limit for this output.

MIDI

The MIDI implementation is thorough for its era. The send and receive channel can be set from OFF through 16, with a default of channel 1, and the receive channel can additionally be set to OMNI, which responds to all channels, or Off¹. Full MIDI system exclusive codes are supported¹.

System exclusive messages follow the format F0h 1Ah 0xh 06h, where 1Ah is ART's manufacturer ID number and 11h is the Multiverb Alpha 2.0's product ID code¹. Bypass can even be switched by sysex: Set Bypass OFF is F0 1A 0x 11 03 00 00 F7, and Set Bypass ON is F0 1A 0x 11 03 00 01 F7¹. For a player integrating the unit into a larger MIDI rig, this means a controller or sequencer can put the processor in and out of bypass without touching the front panel.

Factory reset and service

To return the unit to its factory state, press and hold the PRESET, 0/ENTER, and 4/MIDI buttons simultaneously¹. Remember that a factory reset returns presets 116 through 200 to null, so anything stored there is lost.

ART warrants the product to the original purchaser for one year from the date of purchase, repairing or replacing at its option defective product or component parts upon prepaid delivery to the factory service department or an authorized service center¹. Customer Service can be reached at (716) 436-2720, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday¹.

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