The Keeley Parallax Spacial Generator is bound to become one of the favorite new pedals of shoegaze and ambient guitarists.
The reason behind it is very simple: it expands the reverb section of a circuit that’s already a favorite among that niche of musicians (the Keeley Caverns modulated delay + reverb) with three modes inherited from the Keeley Realizer (modulated, pitch bending, or reverse reverb) – a reverb pedal built specifically for shoegazers.
With its two-channel/two-footswitch Reverb/Delay configuration, the Parallax has an almost identical control layout as the Caverns, with the only exception of a Depth knob replacing the Rate knob on the reverb’s side. Like in the caverns, the two effects feature separate Blend controls.
The main difference is in the selection of reverb modes at hand: where the Caverns offered Shimmer, Spring and Modulated reverbs, the Parallax delivers Hall (which is actually a Hall with shimmer effect), Reverse and Soft Focus modes, the last two a clear nod to the shoegazer crowd.
The delay has a modulation effect that can be controlled through the Rate knob and 3-way toggle under it, with Deep, Light or Off options, while the reverb circuit, placed after the delay, has controls for Decay, Depth and Warmth.
Here’s a little more info about the reverb modes;
Soft Focus A lush, surreal recreation of the popular Soft Focus patch from the Yamaha FX500 multi effects processor, a late 80’s rack unit that was used to achieve many signature delay and modulation effects used in the early 90’s. Adjusting the DECAY control changes both decay time of the reverb and feedback for the dual delay. DEPTH controls depth of all 4 chorus voices.
Reverse (Reverse Reverb) – Inspired by the two most popular rack mount reverb effects of the 80’s and 90’s, the Yamaga SPX90 and the Alesis Midiverb II. DECAY switches between 8 different fixed delay times from a quick 150ms all the way up to a half second.
No tremolo bar, no problem! Reverse mode also features an envelope triggered vibrato that emulates the pitch bend from a Jazzmaster tremolo bar. Change the DEPTH control will set how deep the ‘term bar’ is pushed. The WARMTH control in this mode is designed to work like the Jazzmaster rhythm pickup tone control.
Hall (Hall Reverb with Ascending Shimmer) – Hall reverb with an octave up. The output of the reverb is fed into an octave up which then feeds back into the input of the reverb, creating an infinitely ascending octave feedback loop. The DEPTH control will change how noticeable this pitch effect is.
As an extra useful feature, the Parallax has TRS In/Outs that allow you to insert a chain of pedals between the delay and the reverb, as in an FX loop.
Here are the first videos of the Keeley Parallax, we added it to our article about the best pedals for Shoegazer and Ambient music!
[Wanna get this baby and be supportive? Buy it through our Sweetwater affiliate program – at no extra cost.]
Keeley Parallax Spacial Generator, Builder’s Notes
The Parallax offers the delay side of the legendary Caverns paired with unique Shoegaze inspired reverbs of the Realizer in one pedalboard friendly enclosure. On one side of the Parallax, analog-style modulated delays create a soft bed of warm repeats, while the other side builds Reverse setting-vibrato swirls (great for those who don’t have a vibrato arm on their guitar) to ambient modulations to form perfect pools of reverb reflection. When both sides are paired together, the Parallax offers the perfect end-of pedalboard solution for Shoegaze, Ambient, and Experimental tone seekers.
Reverb Side of the Parallax:
Three finely-tuned reverb effects for shoegaze and ambient guitarists who have already found their perfect drive or fuzz tone. Grab your favorite offset guitar, pick your favorite reverb mode, and take a slow dive into the hazy, atmospheric sounds that you’ve always dreamed of.Parallax Reverb Modes:
Soft Focus – A lush, surreal recreation of the popular Soft Focus patch from the Yamaha FX500 multi effects processor, a late 80’s rack unit that was used to achieve many signature delay and modulation effects used in the early 90’s. Adjusting the DECAY control changes both decay time of the reverb and feedback for the dual delay. DEPTH controls depth of all 4 chorus voices.Reverse (Reverse Reverb) – Inspired by the two most popular rack mount reverb effects of the 80’s and 90’s, the Yamaga SPX90 and the Alesis Midiverb II. DECAY switches between 8 different fixed delay times from a quick 150ms all the way up to a half second.
No tremolo bar, no problem! Reverse mode also features an envelope triggered vibrato that emulates the pitch bend from a Jazzmaster tremolo bar. Change the DEPTH control will set how deep the ‘term bar’ is pushed. The WARMTH control in this mode is designed to work like the Jazzmaster rhythm pickup tone control.
Hall (Hall Reverb with Ascending Shimmer) – Hall reverb with an octave up. The output of the reverb is fed into an octave up which then feeds back into the input of the reverb, creating an infinitely ascending octave feedback loop. The DEPTH control will change how noticeable this pitch effect is.
Delay Side of the Parallax:
The Delay side of the Parallax offers three way switchable modulation that gives you access to even more analog textures. These carefully voiced echoes sit well in the mix whether clean or paired with your favorite drive or fuzz.Parallax Delay Modulation Modes:
Off – No modulation, classic analog-style warm delay.Deep – Heavy, swirling modulation added to the delay trail.
Light – Softer, gentle modulation added to the delay trail.
Use the Rate, Blend, and Repeats knobs in conjunction with the mode switch to unlock the full palette of Delay sounds in the Parallax.
