After the BlackHole and the MicroPitch, the Eventide | UltraTap delay is the third pedal in a new series of Stereo effects based on improved algorithms that made the fortune of the NYC company, being feautred in all their most successful products from pro audio (rack effects, plugins) to guitar pedals (“Factor” series, H9). The series is compatible with both Line and Instrument input signals.
The design at the core of the UltraTap is the result of forty years of development that began in 1981 with Eventide’s Digiplex and MultiTap Delay algorithms for its popular SP2016 Effects Processor, evolved to become the H3000’s UltraTap and culminating in the advanced UltraTap available as both a plugin and H9 algorithm.
The new UltraTap pedal optimizes this legendary effect for performing guitarists, providing the luxury of 6 dedicated knobs (missing from the H9) and bypassing the need for menu navigation required by the company’s previous line of do-it-all pedals, including the trend-setting Time Factor.
As the name suggests, this is a multi-tap delay. Besides all the features we have come to expect in this effect niche (Tap Tempo, 5 Presets, software expandability, Expression/Midi In, multiple Bypass options) the UltraTap shines for giving the player up to 64 taps (!!!) with deeper control of their volume and placement in the Stereo spectrum, and for adding a series of creative features like the extra LFO effect (Chop) accessible through the second layer of knob functionality, activated by the button on the top left.
The Slurm knob is also a welcome feature, which “smears/slurs taps together to create truly unique reverbs and choruses,” but the real icing on the cake are the two led lights on top of the footswitches, which are also buttons that change the switches functionality, allowing for momentary effects.
All in all, the Eventide UltraTap delay looks like an incredibly inspiring pedal that brings new life to an algorithm that already found its way in the production of many guitarists, musicians and producers. We added it to our list of the Best Advanced Delay Pedals with Unusual Features.
A Multiverse of Tone
UltraTap is a unique multi-tap effect pedal capable of rhythmic delays, glitchy reverbs, huge pad-like volume swells, and extraordinary modulation. It’s the perfect tool for staccato leads, swelling chords, and other evolving effects — everything from reversed reverbs to the sound of ripping it up in the Grand Canyon!
Think of UltraTap as the mother of all Echoplexes and you won’t be too far off. That’s basically how it operates but with the flexibility to add as many ‘tape heads’ as you want and expressively control their positions and levels.
UltraTap’s controls make possible new and unexpected effects. The controls that you would expect in a multi-tap delay pedal—Number of Taps, Delay and Feedback—are just the basics. Controls for Spread, Slurm, and Chop open up a new world of possibilities.
Features
- Control the stereo image of taps to alternate between hard-panned and mono.
- Five presets loaded at your feet with dozens more available with Eventide Device Manager (EDM) software.
- Dual-action Active Footswitch is latching or momentary.
- Onboard LFOs and envelopes to chop the sound source into stuttered rhythms.
- Rear panel Guitar/Line Level switch for matching levels of guitars, synths, FX loops, or DAW interface.
- Map any combination of parameters to an Expression Pedal.
- Use a single Aux switch to Tap Tempo or a triple Aux switch for easy preset changing (up/down/load).
- MIDI capability over TRS (use with a MIDI to TRS cable or converter box) or USB.
- Multiple Bypass options: Buffered, Relay, DSP+FX, or Kill dry.
- Catch-up mode helps dial in your sound when toggling between presets/parameters.
- Eventide Device Manager PC or Mac application for software updates, system settings, and creating/saving presets.
