The Gamechanger Audio PLUS pedal isn't your average sustain effect; it's a revolutionary audio processing engine that redefines sonic possibilities. This innovative pedal acts as a smart looper, capturing and extending notes or chords to create rich, evolving soundscapes far beyond the capabilities of traditional sustain pedals. With its intuitive design and multiple operational modes, the PLUS offers unparalleled control and flexibility, allowing musicians to craft lush textures and dramatic swells with ease.Explore the world of layered sustain effects with the PLUS, a pedal that seamlessly integrates multiple layers for complex soundscapes or single, frozen sounds for impactful moments. Control the fade-in and fade-out times with precision, and further enhance your sounds with a dedicated effects loop for processing the sustained signal. This comprehensive review delves into the PLUS pedal's capabilities, highlighting its versatility across various musical genres and demonstrating its potential as a truly transformative piece of gear for any musician seeking to expand their sonic palette.
Pros And Cons
- Offers piano-style sustain effects in real time.
- Allows stacking up to five layers.
- Includes a blend knob to control sustain layer volume.
- Features sustain, rise, and tail knobs for adjusting sound.
- Offers single or group switch for layer selection.
- Includes an effects loop for the wet signal.
- Provides wet-only mode for swell effects.
- Can be operated with a foot switch or mix/split toggle.
Read more: 5 Best Piano Pedals for Your Digital Piano
Core Functionality: Smart Looper for Sustain
The Gamechanger Audio PLUS pedal is a unique audio processing engine offering real-time piano-style sustain effects. It acts like a smart looper, capturing a segment of your note or chord and using it to create a warm, sustained sound. The blend knob controls the volume of the sustained layers, while the sustain knob has multiple functions depending on other settings.
This intelligent looping system allows for layering multiple sustain effects, creating rich, evolving soundscapes. The pedal's intuitive design makes it easy to experiment with different sustain lengths and textures. The overall effect is a significant expansion of your sonic palette.
The ease of use and the creative possibilities offered make this a captivating piece of gear, particularly for players seeking lush and expansive sounds.
Layering and Control: Stacking Sustain for Complex Textures
The PLUS pedal allows you to stack up to five layers simultaneously. The single/group switch lets you choose between stacking individual notes or chords, or creating a single frozen sound. Rise and tail knobs control the fade in and fade out speeds, allowing fine-grained adjustments to the transitions between layers.
The ability to create such layered soundscapes is quite compelling, offering a wide range of sonic options from subtle swells to rich textures. It invites experimentation and the creation of unique sonic identities.
This functionality opens up new creative avenues for both solo and ensemble work, with the potential for complex and evolving soundscapes.
Effects Loop and Operational Modes: Enhancing Versatility
An effects loop dedicated to the wet signal allows you to apply modulation or other effects exclusively to the sustained sounds, adding another dimension of sonic exploration. The wet-only mode enables impressive swell effects.
The flexibility offered by the effects loop and operational modes enhances the overall usability and creativity of the pedal. Players have more space to tailor their sounds to their exact preferences.
The inclusion of these features makes this pedal far more than just a sustain effect; it is a sonic tool that can be integrated into a variety of musical contexts.
In Use: Examples and Applications
The reviewer demonstrates various uses of the pedal, including group mode with limited layers for chord changes and transitions, and single-note mode for sustained chords. The wet switch creates cool swell effects when the dry signal is cut.
The examples illustrate the versatility and ease of use of the pedal, showcasing different approaches and artistic applications. The different modes and functionalities cater to a variety of playing styles.
From subtle ambience to dramatic swells, the Gamechanger Audio PLUS offers a wide array of sonic possibilities, regardless of genre.
Conclusion: Is the Gamechanger Audio PLUS Worth It?
The Gamechanger Audio PLUS pedal is a powerful and versatile tool for creating unique sustain effects. Its innovative features, such as layering, rise/tail control, and an effects loop, make it a standout in the market. The intuitive interface and a wide range of operational modes enable easy integration into diverse musical settings.
While the price point is substantial, the sonic possibilities and creative potential make it a worthy investment for musicians seeking to expand their sonic palette. The creative control, flexibility, and ease of use are key selling points.
Overall, the Gamechanger Audio PLUS is a highly recommended pedal for musicians looking for innovative sustain effects and a unique creative tool.