Univox

The Univox SR 95 is an old school drum machine consisting of a series of preset drum patterns. I believe that this is from the mid 1970's, but I don't know the exact dates of production. The SR 95 has two 1/4" outputs for both high and lo impedance, as well as a jack for a pedal. It's got it's own power cord built into it... UTILIZATION The Univox SR 95 has a make up that is definitely self explanatory. There are twenty different preset patterns to choose from, each with their button, and switch to choose between the top and bottom row of presets. It then gives you parameters to control the sound including a large knob for tempo, and sliders for three different percussive instruments (including tambourine). It also gives you volume and balance control. It would most likely be hard to find a manual for the SR 95, nor is one really necessary... SOUNDS While Univox SR 95's sounds are definitely cheesy, for me that's the appeal of the unit. Most of the patterns are definitely going to be familiar if you've used other drum machines or keyboards with built in drum patterns, as it's got everything from waltz to rock beats. You don't have too much control over the sounds, but it's cool that you can at least mix in some percussion to vary it up a bit. What you see is really what you get here, and what you get is a series of old school sounding drum patterns (which is awesome). OVERALL OPINION I would imagine that the Univox SR 95 is a pretty hard drum machine to come by these days, but the good news is that you can get these sorts of patterns in a number of places in terms of software and other old school drum machines that might not be as hard to come by as this one. This was one of the first drum machines out there as far as I know, so it seems like these preset sounds were sort of a template for drum machines to come. Don't expect anything close to a realistic drum sound with the Univox SR 95, but for getting cheesy, old school patterns, the SR 95 is a great little tool.

The Univox UEQ-1 is a unique effects processor, consisting of a real spring reverb and a seven band graphic equalizer. I believe that this was originally made for acoustic instruments, but I've only used it with an electric guitar and it's definitely more than suitable for any instrument that you'd like to use with it. On the side of the unit, it's got 1/4" connections for both hi and lo input, for hi/lo output, with a switch to choose between the two, and also a jack for a footswitch to engage or bypass the reverb. It has a built in power cord and isn't rack mountable as it sits in it's own casing that looks like a guitar amp head. UTILIZATION The configuration of the Univox UEQ-1 isn't too difficult to follow. The seven band graphic equalizer is straight forward enough, covering frequencies between 100 Hz and 7 kHz. It's got a dB range of 12 either way. The reverb section is also pretty easy to understand, with parameters for depth, tone, and volume, as well as a switch for turning the reverb on, which can also be done with an optional foot switch. I haven't seen the manual for the UEQ-1, nor do I think one would be necessary. SOUND QUALITY While I haven't used the graphic equalizer much on this, the reverb on the Univox UEQ-1 is awesome. I've only used it with electric guitar, but it sounds great for getting some spring reverb in place of the reverb you'd find on your amp. It's more than an effective reverb, as it's definitely comparable to a high quality spring reverb found on an amp. Even if you do have built in spring reverb on your amp, this has it's own color and brings it's own thing to the table... OVERALL OPINION The only Univox UEQ-1 that I've seen is the one that we have at the studio that I work at. It's from the 1970's, although I don't know how many of them were made since they seem rather rare. I don't really know how easy it would be to find one of these, but if you could find one at a reasonable price it would more times than not be worth it. The Univox UEQ-1 a nice asset to have around any studio.

The Univox Micro Fazer is a simply made vintage phaser pedal designed for use with electric guitar and other electric instruments like keyboards. It is an analog pedal and has standard 1/4" connections for input and output. It is on the smaller size for guitar pedals, but isn't unusually small. It isn't rackable - it is a foot pedal. UTILIZATION The make up of the Univox Micro Fazer is incredibly simple, as it really only has a single parameter to work with. It simply has an adjustable knob on the side to control the rate of the effect. There isn't any further control available with the Micro Fazer. For this reason, a manual isn't necessary under any circumstances. SOUND QUALITY The sound of the Univox Micro Fazer is overall very realistic and certainly has the sound that you'd expect a pedal from the '70s to have. I've used the pedal for a single recording session in tandem with a Gibson Les Paul and a Marshall JCM 800 amplifier. While the pedal does reduce the volume of your guitar a little bit, for the session it didn't really matter for us. However, I could see this being a pain for a live show. The pedal will undoubtedly draw comparisons the MXR Phase 90 and pedals in a similar vein due to the look and the single parameter, but is doesn't have the exact sound. The Micro Fazer is a bit less clean sounding than the Phase 90 and a bit muddier in general. OVERALL OPINION I definitely would never recommend against the Univox Micro Fazer, but at the same time it wouldn't be my first choice for a phaser pedal. Don't get me wrong, I like the way that it sounds a whole lot, but it is unfortunate that it doesn't have more control. While you get the same thing with the MXR Phase 90, the Phase 90 makes up for it in sheer tone quality and I don't believe that Micro Fazer. If you do however come across one I'd definitely encourage you to try it out for yourself...

The Univox Super Fuzz is an overdrive pedal designed for use with electric guitar. I've only used the pedal with electric guitar, but it can certainly be used with bass or electric piano if you so choose. This pedal is made up of all analog parts and has standard 1/4" TRS connections. It isn't in rackable form as it is a foot pedal. UTILIZATION The make up of the Univox Super Fuzz is very straight forward. It just has two knobs that control balance and expander. It also has a tone switch that has two different positions. Clearly, this is a simple configuration and should be one that most will find easy enough to use without the help of a manual. SOUND QUALITY The sound of the Univox Super Fuzz is one that is all its own. There are certainly a lot of fuzz and distortion pedals out there, but to date I haven't heard one that sounds quite like the Super Fuzz. There is a good reason that this was used by so many people - it has a classic, raw, overdrive sound that is great for playing both rhythm and lead guitar parts. I've used the pedal with a Fender Stratocaster and the '76 Fender Twin Reverb, and I feel that any type of vintage amp mixed with this pedal is an overall stellar combination! OVERALL OPINION At this point, the Univox Super Fuzz is a pretty rare pedal. They are highly sought after and will cost you a good amount of money to get a used one. Having said this, you're getting a one of a kind pedal that was a favorite of many guitarists before you. Even if you don't own one like myself, if you ever see one of them out there for sale or in the studio, check it out as this should be a pedal that guitarists are aware of!