Universal Audio UAFX pedals

U
niversal Audio’s rep
as a developer of
coveted hardware is
matched only by its
digital division’s
status in the world
of software effects
modelling. Its latest releases are a
step away from their predominant
Apollo interface and software
emulation products however,
providing three debut effects pedals.
Whilst these have understandably
made big waves in the guitar-playing
community, the feature set should
appeal signifi cantly to those of other
musical persuasions too. Accordingly,
here are the Golden Reverberator, the
Starlight Echo Station and the Astra
Modulation Machine.
The Golden Reverberator bases its
spatial effects on a variety of
mid-1960s spring reverbs, three EMT
140 plate emulations and three
algorithms from the digital Lexicon
224. The layout of features is broadly
self-explanatory, with Decay, in the
top left-hand corner, controlling the
reverb tail. Then come fi xed-shelf
Bass and Treble rotaries for tone
control, variable pre-Delay and Mix
dials. Switches between the two rows
of dials let you select effects type,
whilst the Effect Mode switch toggles
between variations of the current
effect. As with the other units,
126 Flanger/Doubler and a Tremolo
unit derived from Fender’s mid-
1960s amps. Sound is consistently
sumptuous and, like the other pedals,
Astra provides a creative space in
which to get lost in sound.
So what are the downsides? While
the download options on registration
are welcome, some parameters can
only be adjusted via an app, a pain if
you’re in the zone. Another thing is
that, while they’re beautifully
designed, the Golden Reverberator’s
labels, in particular, are hard to read
in low light. There is also provision for
only one preset per unit. Minor gripes
aside, all is forgiven as soon as you
start experimenting. Don’t be fooled
by the stomp-box exterior; there’s
masses here for everyone.
registering the pedal provides access
to a download of an additional vintage
plate algorithm, which bodes well for
future updates. The sound quality is
sumptuous and there’s huge variety in
the range of spatial effects you can
shape here. Want introspective,
yearning, slightly wonky reverb for a
to-picture cue? Look no further.
The Starlight Echo station also
takes its cues from a variety of
modelled Delay units, the fi rst of
which, Tape EP-III, is a recreation of
the Echoplex EP3. Alongside this are
Analog DMM (a faithful emulation of
the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory
Man) and UAD’s own Precision digital
Delay, which is the cleanest option,
albeit one that combines echo with
chorus or fl anging. The bonus
download option ports UAD’s esoteric
Cooper Time Cube across to the
Starlight hardware. Delay Time is
controlled by the Division dial in
tandem with the Tap Tempo stomp
switch in the bottom right.
Tonally, each Delay line offers
users huge character but the
tape-based effects are the ones I
can’t leave alone; they’re addictive.
Last but not least is the Astra
Modulation Machine, which ships
with three emulations and two further
bonus ones available upon
registration. These emulate Boss’
CE-1 Chorus Ensemble, the MXR
THE PROS & CONS
+
Class-leading sound
D eceptively control-
packed front panel
Additional effects
downloadable for
free on registration
-
Not easy to read
front panel in lower
light setting
Only one preset can
be stored per unit
Some parameters
can only be accessed
via the app
FM VERDICT
8.9
Glorious-sounding
processors with a
surprisingly broad selection
of options hiding below a
concise parameter set
Universal Audio UAFX pedals | Reviews
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FMU374.rev_ua.indd 91FMU374.rev_ua.indd 91 05/08/2021 11:1705/08/2021 11:17