Source Audio
105
MARCH 2018 GUITARIST
Tech Spec
ORIGIN: China
TYPE: Dual reverb pedal
FEATURES: Selectable
buffered or true bypass,
expression control,
external switching,
complete MIDI
functionality, editing app,
external loop mode
FRONT PANEL
REVERBS:
Room, Hall L, E-Dome,
True Spring, Plate, Lo-Fi,
Modverb, Shimmer,
Echoverb, Swell,
Offspring, Reverse
CONTROLS: Time, Mix,
Pre-Delay, Treble, Control
1, Control 2, Reverb
Engine selector, Option
switch, Control Input
switch, Exp/Switch
switch, preset select
switch, Option footswitch,
bypass footswitch
CONNECTIONS:
Standard input (1 and 2),
standard output (1 and 2),
MIDI In, MIDI Thru,
Expression pedal input,
control input (for Neuro
Mobile app), USB
POWER: 9VDC 400mA
adaptor (supplied)
DIMENSIONS:
114 (w) x 114 (d) x 51mm (h)
9
(with preset numbers 5-8 indicated by an
unlit rather than lit LED).
SOUNDS
The outstanding impression of hearing
the Ventris in action for the first time is the
quality of its reverbs. We get emulations of
various spaces, plate and spring analogue
reverbs, more esoteric options like the
popular ‘shimmer’ reverb, and practical
working solutions like combined reverb
and delay. Particular highlights include
the Spring which may just be the most
accurate digital repro of the real thing
that we’ve heard in a pedal. Surf guitarists
looking for that specific set of reactive
characteristics that typify a good spring
reverb should be impressed.
E-Dome is an ethereal effect that
lets your sound float in a mist of huge
ambience – similar in scope to Strymon’s
Cloud setting, while Modverb combines
tremolo and spring reverb for some of the
flavour of a vintage Fender amp.
VERDICT
Any pedal providing two high-powered
reverb pedals in a single enclosure has to
be something special, especially where
the individual signal processors make
it possible to change from one preset
to another while letting the reverb trail
of the original linger. The Boss RV-500
appearing first with its A/B Simul mode
supporting two reverbs may have stolen
some of the Ventris’ thunder but the two
are quite different, both with features
that will attract their own set of users.
What we like about the Ventris is its
pedalboard-friendly footprint and easy
hands-on functionality. If you want
simplicity it’s there straight out of the
box but you can get as complex as you
like with the Neuro editing app. But the
main plus point is the provision of a set
of reverbs that seem expressly tailored
to guitar players’ needs; a thoughtful
combination of the vintage (Spring,
Modverb) and modern (Shimmer,
E-Dome, Offspring) that just make you
want to plug-in and play. Taking those
and being able to use them together
makes this a formidable ambience
workhorse that many players are going
to want in their signal chain.
01. INPUTS
OR OUTPUTS
With two inputs and
outputs the unit
supports true stereo
operation but has a
full range of mono/
stereo possibilities.
Input and Output 2
can be used as an
external effects loop
02. PRESET
BUTTON
You can press and hold
this to store presets.
Short presses scroll
through and recall the
presets indicated by
the LEDs
03. A + B
TOGGLE
SWITCH
Here you can select
and set up reverb A and
reverb B. To hear both
together put the switch
in the middle position
04. OPTION
FOOTSWITCH:
When the pedal is
bypassed this footswitch
scrolls through the
presets but when the
effect is engaged it can
have two functions via
quick taps or holding it
down. You can configure
it for other tasks with
the Neuro app
2 3
4
1
PROS
Two powerful reverbs in one box,
range of dual routing options, modest
footprint, easy hands-on operation
CONS
Neuro app was not available at launch
GIT430.peds_ventris.indd 105 17/01/2018 17:13