MGR/Brian Johnston « Authentic Classic Sounds »
Published on 11/12/19 at 10:20
Best value:
Correct
Audience:
Anyone
SOUND:
Having worked with other similar pedals (with reverb/tremolo/vibrato), I found them to have a hint of modern flavor, whereas the RVT sounds very classic, vintage and authentic. This makes sense since this digital pedal emulates the reverb/modulation of 1960s amplifiers. If you’re after that quality, then you should consider the RVT. The Reverb has a great sounding and natural decay with that slight detuned quality you hear in amps with actual springs. The Reverb can be very subtle when turned low, or sufficiently prominent when cranked high. The higher you make the Reverb the more of a metallic sound in the signal (since it emulates springs), and so the treble on your amp/guitar tone knob may have to be adjusted if you want a darker sound. You can select either the Tremolo or Vibrato (optional with this pedal, as the Reverb works independent of the modulation). Both produce very organic and warm results (from a slow wavy throb to a nice sounding Surf pulse), and even when turned up full they don’t sound jarring or unnatural. I also found the trem/vibe functions fairly quiet in the signal when not playing. Some pedals produce that ‘whooshing’ sound when not playing, whereas the RVT’s whoosh is rather subtle (and only when the depth/mix approaches full).
GENERAL USE:
The RVT has two primary functions: Reverb and Modulation (tremolo or vibrato). You can use the Reverb with modulation or without. As well, you can use just the modulation without the Reverb. The Reverb is that classic spring sound found in vintage amps, and so the more you turn up the Reverb knob the more you hear the effect (the amount of decay remains the same). Once the Reverb is turned up to about 10-o’clock you definitely can hear it in the mix (it’s somewhat faint with less mix or depth). Even when turned up full the effect isn’t too exaggerated and sounds pretty great with Surf-type music. Selecting either Tremolo or Vibrato is done with a little push switch (up for Vibrato and pressed down for Tremolo). Once selected, the amount of mix is controlled by the Depth knob, whereas the rate of the modulation is controlled with the Speed knob. The Speed ranges from a slow pulse to a fast oscillation, although nothing too exaggerated or jarring (some trem/vibe pedals sound too harsh or grating when up full) . The modulation is very subtle with the Depth about 9-o’clock (completely silent when turned all the way down), and becomes more obvious around 12-noon and quite dominant in your tone when turned up full. Of course, the footswitch engages and disengages the RVT.
OTHER INFORMATION:
The RVT offers good bang for the buck at only $149 USD, particularly if you’re looking for a very authentic vintage sound in your reverb, tremolo and vibrato. Other such combination pedals may offer other types of reverb, or the ability to change the wave (e.g., from sine to triangle to square) for more tremolo/vibrato options, but I feel confident in stating that I doubt many other pedals emulate that vintage sound quite as well as the RVT. Although the RVT is a DSP (digital signal processing) pedal, its guts are based on vintage 1960s amps and it truly sounds like it. Consequently, if you’re looking for an old Fender Tweed reverb/trem/vibe quality (and want to use a different amp or don’t want to haul the old workhorse to a gig), then Mojo Hand FX’s RVT is a serious contender. As well, the first 100 RVTs include a WingMan foot controller (that allows you to adjust any of the three parameters [Reverb, Speed or Depth] with your foot and while playing, as though using an expression pedal). If the WingMan bonus no longer is available, you can buy this little widget through www.OKnob.com).
Measuring 4.42” (L) x 2.39” (W) x 1.24” (H) or 122 x 61 x 49 mm, the RVT has an aluminum metal chassis with inputs/output along the sides (which eats up a bit extra pedalboard space and some care in stomping will need to be considered). Both the footswitch and Tremolo/Vibrato switch feel solid when pressed (a solid click with the footswitch, but without any significant ‘clicking’ in the signal). The knobs/pots for Reverb, Speed and Depth all feel smooth and solid when turned, and without any noise (crackling) in the signal. There is sufficient space between the footswitch and the knobs, and so stomping damage to the controls are unlikely. The RVT is not battery-capable and requires a standard 9VDC power supply (with only a 65mA current draw).
Having worked with other similar pedals (with reverb/tremolo/vibrato), I found them to have a hint of modern flavor, whereas the RVT sounds very classic, vintage and authentic. This makes sense since this digital pedal emulates the reverb/modulation of 1960s amplifiers. If you’re after that quality, then you should consider the RVT. The Reverb has a great sounding and natural decay with that slight detuned quality you hear in amps with actual springs. The Reverb can be very subtle when turned low, or sufficiently prominent when cranked high. The higher you make the Reverb the more of a metallic sound in the signal (since it emulates springs), and so the treble on your amp/guitar tone knob may have to be adjusted if you want a darker sound. You can select either the Tremolo or Vibrato (optional with this pedal, as the Reverb works independent of the modulation). Both produce very organic and warm results (from a slow wavy throb to a nice sounding Surf pulse), and even when turned up full they don’t sound jarring or unnatural. I also found the trem/vibe functions fairly quiet in the signal when not playing. Some pedals produce that ‘whooshing’ sound when not playing, whereas the RVT’s whoosh is rather subtle (and only when the depth/mix approaches full).
GENERAL USE:
The RVT has two primary functions: Reverb and Modulation (tremolo or vibrato). You can use the Reverb with modulation or without. As well, you can use just the modulation without the Reverb. The Reverb is that classic spring sound found in vintage amps, and so the more you turn up the Reverb knob the more you hear the effect (the amount of decay remains the same). Once the Reverb is turned up to about 10-o’clock you definitely can hear it in the mix (it’s somewhat faint with less mix or depth). Even when turned up full the effect isn’t too exaggerated and sounds pretty great with Surf-type music. Selecting either Tremolo or Vibrato is done with a little push switch (up for Vibrato and pressed down for Tremolo). Once selected, the amount of mix is controlled by the Depth knob, whereas the rate of the modulation is controlled with the Speed knob. The Speed ranges from a slow pulse to a fast oscillation, although nothing too exaggerated or jarring (some trem/vibe pedals sound too harsh or grating when up full) . The modulation is very subtle with the Depth about 9-o’clock (completely silent when turned all the way down), and becomes more obvious around 12-noon and quite dominant in your tone when turned up full. Of course, the footswitch engages and disengages the RVT.
OTHER INFORMATION:
The RVT offers good bang for the buck at only $149 USD, particularly if you’re looking for a very authentic vintage sound in your reverb, tremolo and vibrato. Other such combination pedals may offer other types of reverb, or the ability to change the wave (e.g., from sine to triangle to square) for more tremolo/vibrato options, but I feel confident in stating that I doubt many other pedals emulate that vintage sound quite as well as the RVT. Although the RVT is a DSP (digital signal processing) pedal, its guts are based on vintage 1960s amps and it truly sounds like it. Consequently, if you’re looking for an old Fender Tweed reverb/trem/vibe quality (and want to use a different amp or don’t want to haul the old workhorse to a gig), then Mojo Hand FX’s RVT is a serious contender. As well, the first 100 RVTs include a WingMan foot controller (that allows you to adjust any of the three parameters [Reverb, Speed or Depth] with your foot and while playing, as though using an expression pedal). If the WingMan bonus no longer is available, you can buy this little widget through www.OKnob.com).
Measuring 4.42” (L) x 2.39” (W) x 1.24” (H) or 122 x 61 x 49 mm, the RVT has an aluminum metal chassis with inputs/output along the sides (which eats up a bit extra pedalboard space and some care in stomping will need to be considered). Both the footswitch and Tremolo/Vibrato switch feel solid when pressed (a solid click with the footswitch, but without any significant ‘clicking’ in the signal). The knobs/pots for Reverb, Speed and Depth all feel smooth and solid when turned, and without any noise (crackling) in the signal. There is sufficient space between the footswitch and the knobs, and so stomping damage to the controls are unlikely. The RVT is not battery-capable and requires a standard 9VDC power supply (with only a 65mA current draw).