This month we take a look at the Pigtronix EP-1. An all analog envelope controlled phaser.
Just as at home with DJs,keyboards,bass players and guitarists, we are focusing on its abilities with an electric guitar.
Upon first glance our first thought was hmm thats alot of options! Not only is it LFO controlled but it has a footswitchable EF section. Depending on how hot of a signal the EP-1 gets the more pronounced the envelope filter effect is. We were actually able to use very light dynamics on the guitar and not trigger the effects at all which to me is a plus. I use alot of dynamics when i play. Basically i can have the effect "on" and use my picking technique to turn it off and on. A very cool feature when you want to "turn the funk on" without stomping the box on and off. The envelope phase could actually replace a wah in your arsenal, its that expressive. Quack Quack.
The LFO side is a treat. As i stated before this review is focusing on using an electric guitar with the EP1. I have read reviews on the EP1 and feel that its "vintage" guitar effects capabilities have been greatly under appreciated. The EP-1 is a 4 stage Phaser as was the original UniVibe. Being a big Univibe fan my first mission was to see if the Univibe "throb" and "swallow" are in this box.Not only was it there but you can get it slower, faster and deeper than an actual Univibe. Not saying its better but saying the Univibe sound is there and much more flexable than a vintage or even cloned unit. Kicking up the speed and slightly adjusting the character and resonance BAM! theres a killer Leslie cabinet type tone. Using our Pigtronix speed control pedal we are able to ramp up and down the Leslie sound. Very cool! Calling this funky box just a Phaser we feel really does a disservice to it. It really is more than that. It can do phaser,univibe, leslie, and vibrato effects. It can replace ALOT of your pedals on your board.
The phase reminds us alot of the EH Small Stone phaser. Thick,liquidy, chewy tones are there and virtually noise free, something you dont get from the old vintage units.
Ever wanted a very slow phaser sound? Its in there! The EP1 is slower and faster than any other phasers i have encountered. Its very handy to have this much control. Some folks actually dont want or need this many options in a pedal but for the hardcore tone tweakers out there it is an unreal phase/modulation pedal.
We werent able to try out the trigger input but Dave told me you can actually plug in a drum machine or any other outside source and have it trigger the Envelope filter. Sounds cool!
One slight drawback for some might be the fact that the EP1 does not accept batteries. The required adaptor is included with the unit and posed no problem whatsoever for me.
Totally pro packing, box and manual are all very attractive. There are foam inserts on the inside that are professionally made/molded to fit the EP1 like a glove. The graphics on the box are spot on pro and look amazing. While these things are not a must have with any piece of equipment but they do show Pigtronix' attention to detail and putting out a great looking/sounding product.
Anything but a one trick pony we feel the EP-1 is a great product and lives up to the marketing press. Check out the EP-1 at www.pigtronix.com. There is a demo video and lots of great sound files there to check out.
