Akai Professional Unibass UB1

I got this from Musician's Friend, paid about $170 for it. I was looking for an octaver and this one goes up & down various pitches, with or without distortion. I have had it about 2 years.

Easy to use. Very cool if you are in a band with only 1 guitar player. Switch it on when they go into a solo, and BOOM, instant rhythm filler. Even has a separate line out (with or without distortion) that you can run to another amp. Many options you can play with. Very versatile.

Chords freak this thing out. Tracking is VERY touchy. Can't be all over the fretboard, it won't keep up. Must be very precise in your picking & fretting. If they could nail down the tracking & chord interference, this pedal would rock! However, it can still be pretty useful, in the right situation.

Very good. Sturdy metal case. Rubber feet. Knobs and little switches seem good quality. LED's let you know how the input levels are. Heavy duty, stomp box style on/off switches.

For someone in a band with a guitar player that solos a lot, this would be great for filling in the 'hole' when they solo. However, fast picking/fingering/plucking, chords, and slap-pop all freak this thing out. If you play straight ahead at moderate speeds, check it out, but definitely try before you buy.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

- What are the effects or types of effects available?
a kind of bass harmonizer that simulates a rhythm guitar and more. octaver + distortion

- What technology is used? (Analog, numrique, lamp ...)
analog

- Are they ditables? Via an editor Mac / PC?
not

- What is the connection? (Audio / MIDI)
Between 1 for low, an output effect, an exit "mix" that sends the original sound if nothing is connected to the output "effect" (otherwise it returns the two sounds), an input e sector.
1 knob for output level, a knob for level of nitre with pseudo-saw a 3 LED, a knob for the level of distortion (the distortion is zero when the knob is at the minimum, which is not systematic distortion pedals), a knob of tonal effect, a knob for the noise-gate.
1 stompswitch to enable / disable the pedal, 1 other stompswitch to change the effect.
changes in effect: a switch to select the mode of stomp (toggle or not), a switch to select the change (a fourth lower in + / a straight upper + / mute the original bass)

- Is this a rack or rack MODEL?
not

UTILIZATION

- The configuration gnrale Is it easy?
yes, once the level of rgl is no need to change unless you change a bass or bass player. rglages the trs are simplistic.

- The edition of sounds and effects is it easy?
same, 2 volumes 1 noisegate a distortion and tonality. Nothing complicated.

- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
Absolutely, it is increasingly multilingual, is a page in french.

SOUND QUALITY

- Effects are they effective, suitable and adequate ralistes?
at the same Octaver in him we will say that it is not a luxury ... for each change (4TE infrieure, 5TE suprieure) must play in the top or bottom of the handle otherwise it flounders (which is pretty normal let's say). IEST that the primary purpose of simulating a rhythm guitar is met if we make power chords on the E string by adding 5TE. Personal I find the distortion too soft, I opt for an external distortion on the output of the effect. Tone is the inficace. the possibility to send the effect on a guitar amp is aprciable trs, which helps shape the sound a wish (notably with other pedals)

- Which instruments do you use?
Fender Aerodyne japan with a precision microphones to handle and jazz bridge. .

- What are those you prfrez, you dtest?
system generally very good, octaver fair, no distortion.

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
since just now.

- What is the particular feature you like best and least?
we repeated if I answer.

- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
octave too, but distos yes, and I RPET the distortion is intgre pourriTE. but the output is double trs cool.

- How do you report qualitprix?
this is normal for the price I pay (130 OCCAZ), after nine I'll have to buy. but it is no longer distributed, but only OCCAZ guys.

- With the exprience, you do again this choice? ...
I do not know too much, the top is to have a 2nd guitarist in the flesh, rather than using this type of pedal, but it is our 2nd scratch is often not available!