Electro-Harmonix Cathedral

24-bit A/D/A converters
True stereo inputs and outputs
8 programmable reverb styles with the ability to load and save
Tap Tempo to set pre-delay section
Damping/Tone control available for each reverb mode
Grail Spring, Accu Spring, Hall, Room, Plate, Reverse, Grail Flerb, Echo
Hold tap tempo for infinite reverb


UTILIZATION

At first look, this strikes me as a reverb pedal with the perfect "not too many but not too few" knobs. It's not like a boss reverb where it has 3 knobs. But it's no eventide where you will spend an hour on it. The cathedral is a fairly visual and menu free affair. You have your typical blend, time, and damp knobs. Then you have feedback and pre-delay which I think are a little excessive but hey, at least I don't have ti access a menu to get them. It has 7 total modes plus an echo. All stereo sound. You get about every style of reverb you would need. This is also a great studio pedal in case you haven't guessed that by now.

Bottom line, with all the knobs you are allotted, if you can't dial in the reverb you are looking for then I pity you. I use this in an ambient instrumental band and it can basically dial in any sort of reverb tone you need. There's a point with units like this where adding more tweakable parameters is just peanuts. You don't need more than this. Serious.

SOUND QUALITY

The question really isn't whether it has enough bells and whistles to work. Clearly on paper it's a sick pedal. But does it sound good? Well short answer, yeah. It's not going to sound like a real vintage spring reverb or a high end Lexicon hall reverb. Don't realistically expect that. But it does sound very good for a pedal in this price range. And better yet, pretty much every mode is usable. How bout that? It doesn't color the sound as much as I thought it would. Kind of depends how you set it really. The tap switch is a great idea and I think it puts this pedal into the must have area.

OVERALL OPINION

The only gripe I have is how cheap it feels. Granted, it has not gone south on me, but I've only owned it for a year and I haven't used it as much as a lot of people would. So we will see. It's not noisy. I don't think this pedal is a deal by any means. But unless you wanna shell out money for a space echo or something, this is about as good as it gets under $250. Kind of a bummer that there aren't a whole lot of verb units out there right now.

Whenever I think of this pedal I often think of the song cathedral by Van Halen. I know the two are not connected however the sound of that song in conjunction with what this panel actually does it just brings them two together in my mind. This is a stereo reverb unit by the company electro harmonics. They are really known for their big muff pedals as well as many other effects and modulation pedals such as the delays and reverbs in their series. This is a great sounding reverb pedal that has a lot of options to choose from. This is probably the most heavily laden feature that they have. You can get pretty much any reverb sound that you can't imagine from this battle. It is a quite big unit that will fit on your pedal board but it will take up a large amount of space.


UTILIZATION

electro-harmonix's Cathedral Programmable Stereo Reverb Pedal Features:

24-bit AD/DA convertors
True stereo I/O
8 programmable reverb styles with the ability to load and save
Tap Tempo to set pre-delay time up to 2 seconds
Feedback control for pre-delay section
Damping/Tone control available for each reverb mode
Grail Spring, Accu Spring, Hall, Room, Plate, Reverse, Grail Flerb, Echo
Hold tap tempo for infinite reverb
9VDC-BI power supply included

SOUND QUALITY

The sound of that was quite nice. There probably isn't any reverb sound that you cannot achieve with this unit. You have six control knobs that change today parameters of this unit. You have a blend knob which allows you the dry and wet signal to come through. And then you have your reverb time which is facing a delay control. You have your damping tone which is basically a EQ control knob. Then you have your feedback which allows you do you repeat and how long the signal gets drawn out. And then you have your pre-delay which is way your normal reverb delay setting actually is. Your final control knob is a mode control that gives you eight possible mode operations as well as a favorite preset.

OVERALL OPINION

At new you can find these pedals for right around $220 which is a steal of a price. That is a great deal for what this panel can actually achieve. Overall if you are really into reverb settings then this would be the best so that you could probably get it. It's going to be a great sounding pedal and it's good to give you a load of operations and features that can give any guitarist is really into the reverb effect and operation. Overall this is a very cool pedal and if you can muster up the money then I suggest getting one. If I had to pick one pedal for reverb it would be this pedal. if I liked the sound of a tube reverb pedal than it would be the T Rex pedal.

The Electro-Harmonix Cathedral Stereo Reverb is a pedal designed for electric guitar, but suitable with any electronic instrument that you'd like to use reverb with.  The pedal is a stereo pedal, so it has two 1/4 inch connections for inputs and outputs and the pedal can be powered with a nine volt power supply.  Cathedral has eight different modes, and you can also preset your own.  The pedal has two buttons for bypass and tempo tapping; the pedal isn't rackable as it is a stomp box.

UTILIZATION

I've never found the Electro-Harmonix Cathedral Stereo Reverb to be hard to use, as everything is straight forward and easy to use.  The pedal has a variety of parameters to control your tone, including those for mode, pre-delay, feedback, damping/tone, reverb time, and blend.  I find that these parameters are more than enough to give me the tones that I want, especially when paired with the eight different modes.  I haven't seen the manual for Cathedral, but I don't think that one is necessary as the pedal is easy enough to use without one.


SOUND QUALITY

The sound of the Electro-Harmonix Cathedral Stereo Reverb is overall outstanding.  Most of the modes are really awesome, although a few of them do stand out to me.  I've used the pedal with a Fender Jazzmaster and a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, and found that within this configuration that I was able to get an accurate read on the pedal.  My favorite modes on the pedal are the two spring reverb setting, the reverse, and the plate.  This being said, the entire pedal has a very realistic and professional sounding tone and is one that I would recommend for use of any kind.  This collection of reverb sounds is one of the most complete that I have seen.


OVERALL OPINION

If you're looking for an extremely versatile reverb pedal, the Electro-Harmonix Cathedral Stereo Reverb is for you.  The pedal isn't the cheapest of the bunch, but it is definitely worth it in my opinion as you're getting an incredible amount of different reverb tones here.  Since it's made by Electro-Harmonix, you know you're getting a well built pedal as they're some of the best in the business when it comes to pedals.  If you're looking for a truly complete reverb pedal, do yourself a favor and check out EH's Cathedral Reverb.

What are the effects or types of effects available?

This is a Reverb, with 8 preset.

What technology is used? (Analog, digital, tube ...)

Analogue.

What is the connection? (Audio / MIDI)

Jack, mono and stereo.

I note 8 because I would have liked a 3rd switch to switch from one preset to another without having it fall.

USE

Is the general configuration is simple?

I have not even looked at the manual, so yes very simple and intuitive.
You turn the knobs and you listen ...

Is the manual clear and sufficient? ...dropoff Window

The answer is above.

Publishing of sound effects or is it easy?

Super easy, just turn to find its setting and PUSH the big white button and your preset is op Banke.

SOUND QUALITY

Are the effects effective, responsive and realistic enough?

Yes they are.
I had a reverb allowing me to soar, create shoegaze and post sounds / rock, I used.
What instruments do you use?

Hum ... Epiphone les paul standard, plugged into a VHT ST50, yes we keep good comments hahaha! it is the belle et la bete to resume.

Which ones do you prefer, you hate?

The preset Plate, Reverse are extra, over the INFINITE function opens up new sound <img class="smiley" src="/images/audiofanzine/interface/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt="" />
I do not hate any sound, you have to work them.


NOTICE GLOBAL

How long have you use it?

An evening to be honest

Have you tried many other models before buying it?

Not really, I had a boss DD7 Delay, but I missed a little dirty side and saturated Reverb.
I also tested a Boss RE20.

What thing do you like most and least?

Preset PLATEEEEEEEEE miammmmmmmm and infinite little gadget is really excellent.
Its look is nice, white base I'm not a big fan, but the top of the pedal is top notch.
The integrated tap tempo ++++

How would you rate the quality / price?

Bought 153 euros in the United States (Ebay) instead of about 219 euros in France, the report is correct.

With experience, you do again this choice? ...dropoff Window

For now yes, but tasted so change ... I do not get me on that.