Electro-Harmonix Pico Attack Decay

The Electro-Harmonix Pico Attack Decay is a shrunken, digital version of the original, a rather unique effect able to produce volume and reverse swells, backward tape sounds, staccato notes, bowed instrument effects, and now also volume envelope effects in a simplified, compact design.

It does all this in Mono mode (one volume envelope for all notes) and the innovative Poly mode, where each note has its unique volume envelope, creating cascading swell effects and attack smoothing.

With just four knobs and a mode button, the Pico Attack Decay allows guitarists interested in experimenting with volume and dynamics to create a range of unusual effects.

The ATTACK knob sets the swell or fade-in speed, while DECAY controls the fade-out speed. Adjusting SENS alters the triggering envelope’s threshold. VOL manages the overall output volume. A hidden BLEND control allows blending wet and dry signals for added tonal flexibility.

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Electro-Harmonix Pico Attack Decay, Builder’s Notes

The original Attack Decay Tape Reverse Simulator is known for producing volume and reverse swells, backward tape sounds, artificially short staccato notes, and bowed instrument effects. In 2019 the digital Attack Decay reissue was released, and now the Pico Attack Decay gives us volume envelope effects in a simplified, compact package.

The Pico Attack Decay allows you to dial in volume swells and decays, both in Mono mode—one volume envelope for all notes you play—and the revolutionary Poly mode where each note to has its own volume envelope creating cascading swell effects and leads with agile attack smoothing. With intuitive functionality and simple controls, the Pico Attack Decay opens up creative avenues for any player interested in pushing the (volume) envelope.

The Pico Attack Decay is both powerful and simple with four knobs and a mode button that let you create a wide variety of effects. The ATTACK knob sets the swell or fade-in speed of the volume envelope while the DECAY knob sets the fade-out speed of the volume envelope. Set the ATTACK higher for languid volume swells. Set the DECAY higher for artificially staccato notes for synth-like punches. SENS adjusts the threshold for triggering the envelope. VOL controls the overall output volume. A hidden BLEND control allows you to blend wet and dry signals for even more flexibility in tone.

Features

  • Compact Pico chassis
  • Volume envelope effects of the EHX Attack Decay Reissue
  • Mono Mode: single volume envelope for all notes you play each time envelope is trigged
  • Poly Mode: Individual envelopes for each note played
  • VOL adjusts overall output volume
  • SENS sets threshold volume to trigger envelope
  • ATTACK sets fade-in time of volume envelope
  • DECAY sets fade-out time of volume envelope
  • Hidden BLEND control adjusts from 100% wet signal to 100% dry signal
  • Power adapter included