Relevant pages for ambient/shoegazer guitarists are also the Best Reverse Pedals for Shoegaze article and the Modulated Reverb Category. For a more comprehensive article on all types of reverb see our Best Reverb Pedals piece.
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Updated on Sept. 22, 2023.
Once upon a shoe-gazing time, guitarists had few choices when it came to pedals that could create washes of ambiance. Many players used multiple delay and reverb pedals at the end of their signal chains to generate deep, blooming and lingering soundscapes. These days, thanks to advances in digital signal processing (DSP) chips, pedal makers can create stompboxes dedicated to this particular brand of reverb.
As it happens, pedals that excel at creating ambiance are all the rage right now. We’ve spent some time with the current crop of offerings and have collected 18 that we consider the best. All of the pedals listed here will allow you to create cavernous reverbs with lingering tails, shimmer effects, delay, modulation, and much more. This is not to say they’re all one-trick ponies. Many of these entrants can cover a range of reverb densities and tail lengths, making them rather useful for other musical styles as well.
NOT ALL REVERBS GAZE AT SHOES
We should note that there are many full-featured pedals not included in this article that offer a full palette of reverb types, including ambient algorithms – you can find them in this article about Multi-Function Reverb Pedals. But for this group, we decided to focus on devices that are more or less devoted to that shoegaze/ambient thing we all love and crave – here’s a jump-to-category list:
The Best Ambient & Shoegaze Reverb Pedals
We organized this article in three categories – click to jump to the content you are interested in:
- Ambient/Shoegazer Reverb Pedals
- Ambient/Shoegazer Reverb Pedals with Delay
- Ambient/Shoegazer Pedals with 3 Effects (including Reverb)
If you don’t know what shoegaze is, here’s an illustrious (and rather mind-blowing) example of it:
My Bloody Valentine – “Only Shallow” (Official Music Video)
And here’s another one, less edgy and more ambient. This musical genre oscillates between these two extremes.
Slowdive – “Crazy For You”
And, in case you are wondering, the word shoegaze is a misnomer: it should have been “pedalgaze,” since the guitarists in these bands are so busy stomping on effects they have to constantly stare at them – hence the genre’s name.
Originally, we decided to organize this list into four categories: pure reverb stompboxes, circuits that feature both a reverb and a delay circuit, and stompboxes with three or four effects including reverb. Then in 2023 we decided to add a fourth category focused on stereo pedals.
Read through the entries below, watch the videos, and visit the manufacturers’ websites to learn more, and as usual… Click/tap on the galleries’ thumbnails to see a video of each pedal.
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AMBIENT/SHOEGAZE REVERB PEDALS
This list is organized according to the perceived popularity of the listed units and includes reverb pedals that are ideal for spacious soundscapes and reverberating textures typical of shoegaze and ambient music.
Walrus Audio Slöer
it’s the stereo version of the Slötva, with two new algorithms: Rain (Delay Tap Diffusion) and Light (High Octave Shimmer) . Two faders set the inherited, mode-dependent X parameter, and control the new Stretch function, which changes the reverb’s sample rate for lo-fi effects. A 3-way Width toggle, which delivers three stereo modes from normal to wider.
Meris Mercury7
Meris has carved out its own niche with the Mercury7, which features two stereo reverb algorithms inspired by the score to the 1982 film Blade Runner. Mercury7 gives you the option of two reverbs: Ultraplate, a lush plate-style reverb with fast buildup; and Cathedra, a massive, ethereal and slow-building reverb. The pedal has controls for Space Decay, Modulate (to set the overall mod rate of the reverb algorithm), Mix, Lo Frequency, Pitch Vector (to set the pitch interval of the reverberated signal) and Hi Frequency, and an additional parameter is available through the pedals’ Alt function. With a premium analog signal path, stereo output, selectable true-bypass or analog-buffered bypass, Midi integration and an expression pedal input, Mercury7 offers deep-sounding studio-quality reverb in a stage-friendly pedal.
Catalinbread Soft Focus
A digital pedal that recreates the Yamaha FX500 patch used by Slowdive in their album “Souvlaki.” A time-adjustable modified plate reverb is sent in parallel to an octave up and a chorus. The Mod knob controls the rate of the chorus and the Symphony knob controls the level of the octave.
Walrus Audio Slötva Multi Texture Reverb
An upgrade to the popular Slö adding presets, this is a take on the creative atmospheric reverb that specializes in creating ” lush, modulated, sleepy and ambient soundscapes” through three dreamy algorithms and an X knob that controls varying settings depending on the selected mode: Dark adds a lower octave to the reverb’s trail – X controls the octave’s volume; Rise is an auto-swell reverb – X controls the length of the rise after a note is played; Dream is the lushest of the three and features a latching pad function through the Sustain footswitch – a second press will make it fade with length related to the Decay knob setting. The X knob here adds vibrato to the effect, controlling its depth.
Death By Audio Rooms
A multi-function stereo digital reverb that treads new sonic ground with some unusual algorithms targeting the adventurous guitarist (Room, Digit, Peak, Gate, Wave, and Gong). Long trails, gong tones, gated reverbs, and mangled long trails are just some of the stereo effects you can add to your sound. From the one-of-a-kind scientists at DBA.
EarthQuaker Devices Afterneath v3
EarthQuaker’s otherworldly reverberator creates its digital reverb from many short delays. Controls for Length and Diffuse let you adjust decay length and reverb spread, respectively. But the big control here is Drag, which separates all those little delay lines for a cool warped speed effect, creating more delay as you rotate the control counterclockwise and more reverb as it’s turned clockwise. With a Reflect control that regenerates the reverb into self-oscillation at maximum levels, Afterneath has everything you need to create deep, spacey washes of ambience. V3 adds Mode control that opens up expression pedal or CV source connectivity.
Neunaber Immerse MkII
Neunaber has built a reputation for their organic, haunting reverbs redolent of a “choir of angels.”The Immerse houses eight stereo reverbs, including Wet, Hall, Plate, Spring, two varieties of Shimmer, Wet+Echo and Wet+Detune. Each has been painstakingly crafted so that, together, they cover the full range of reverb requirements. Five controls for Effect Select, Effect Level, Reverb Depth, Tone (or Echo Time) and the effect-dependent Effect Adjust make it easy to dial up sounds on the fly.
Eventide Blackhole
An ambient reverb with modulation featuring six knobs, all offering an alternate function. Gravity is the most original control here, affecting the direction of the decay (forward or inversed), and replacing in an interesting way the “size” function. The Q control adds resonance to a frequency controlled through the following Lo and Hi knobs. A Freeze footswitch creates the classic momentary effect.
Red Panda Context 2
An ’80s-style digital experimental reverb with 8 algorithms including the shoegazer classics gated and reverse. It features enough knobs to let you get the right combination of pre-delay, reverb time and tone. V2 adds modulation, “spring” and “grain” settings, and also delay on demand. Plus, stereo in/out, USB MIDI, fully assignable expression pedal, delay plus reverb in all modes, separate high and low-frequency damping controls, modulation, dynamic reverb, and infinite hold.
Keeley Realizer Reverberator
Based on the left side of the Loomer (also a great pedal for shoegaze, since it has a fuzz circuit in it), this is a 3-mode reverb for shoegaze/ambient guitarists mostly inspired by the patches in the Yamaha rack units of the ’90s. The three modes are Focus (recreation of the popular Soft Focus patch from the Yamaha FX500 rack unit), Reverse, and Hall (with an octave up). A Warmth knob controls the high frequencies. Also available in a limited edition with art by a shoegazer YouTube channel: the Pedal Partners Realizer.
Mooer A7
A new addition to Mooer’s New Micro Series, which offers multi-mode mini pedals with presets capabilities and a signature 7 LED layout. The A7 delivers 7 ambient reverb modes, including original ones named Warp, Crush, Dream and Shake but also Shimmer, Plate and Hall. Prolonged pressure on the footswitch enables Infinite Trails option. The Chaos knob adds a touch of unexpected to each mode.
JPTR FX Kaleidoscope
A very unusual reverb circuit with a Gain & Compression circuit placed after the reverb, that can squash your tails prolonging them for an ambient sustain and even producing fuzzy results. Two of the three footswitches have a momentary function: Hold will trigger self-oscillation, while the Dry-Kill will remove the clean signal and only leave you with the effected one.
Flux Liquid Ambience
Liquid Ambience combines hall reverb with polyphonic octave generation that translates your input signal up and down the frequency scale. A Voice control lets you blend between octave and suboctave or between a fifth and sub-fifth, or cancel out pitch with the control at 12 o’clock. There’s also a Bend mode that creates a slightly detuned note instead for a syrupy-thick tone. The Space knob controls the hall reverb’s size and damping, but the key to the Liquid Ambience lies in the Evolve control. It adds a dynamic effect by recirculating some of the output back into the pedal, resulting in shimmers on super octaves and super fifths, synthy sounds on octaves, crystals on fifths, and reverbs that melt through the frequency spectrum on suboctaves and sub-fifths. In Bend mode, Evolve turns the detuned note into a continuous bend up or down. A stereo version of Liquid Ambience is also available, which adds an expression input for either pedal or control-voltage control of the Voice knob.
GFI System Specular Reverb v3
A lush, modern delay with Spillover, Auto Intensity features and preset capabilities, it offers one “normal” reverb mode called Spatium plus six atmospheric reverb modes. Each one of the six atmospheric modes (Modulated, Shimmer, Echo, Tremble, Voices, and Infinity) has the same basic character as the Spatium, whilst adding its own unique twist. This is the core concept of the pedal: one great-sounding reverb and the ability to add unique atmospheres on the fly.
Crazy Tube Splash MkIV
A multi-mode reverb designed mostly for ambient effects. MK IV gathers all the algorithms from the Splash Mk III and Psychic pedals and adds on top three entirely new ones. The new Expression input lets you control the effect’s Decay or Excite parameters, which can also be controlled by the momentary footswitch on the right, for extra special effects.
Wampler Reflection
Just as the Wampler Reflection features two reverbs in on pedal, namely spring and plate. The spring setting faithfully replicates the boing and drip of the classic effect, while the plate places your tone in 3-dimensional spaces that add character to everything you play. Internal switches let you control if reverb tails ring through when the pedal is switched off and add or remove your guitar’s original signal from the signal path. As for lingering reverbs, check out 1:32 in this video.
Mr. Black Eterna Gold Modified
With a reverb tail exceeding 60 seconds in length, the Eterna Gold Modified belongs on anyone’s shortlist for an ambient pedal. This shimmer pedal features a new algorithm that delivers four-octave processing for a fuller effect. The midrange has been revoiced as well to help the pedal cut through in live settings. The Shimmer control adjusts how much of the octave signals are fed into the reverb, allowing you to create conventional modulated room and hall reverbs at low settings and haunting modulations at higher settings. The addition of multiple early reflections and a shimmer-swell that’s added in beneath the standard shimmer make the Eterna Gold sound truly gigantic.
Lichtlaerm Audio Untiefe
A hand-made modulated reverb with 3 modes: PHASE (Large Room + Mu-Tron-style phaser), SHIVER, (alarge plate with tremolo) and SIREN (based on the shoegazer Soft Focus patch). Rate+Depth knobs control the modulation, Decay+Dampen the reverb, Mix+Level the effect blend and output. The right footswitch can do momentary effect applied to feedback (swells), rate or decay. It also has an FX loop and ins for Exp and Ramp.
Walrus Audio Descent
The Descent has modes for Hall, Reverse and Shimmer, each of which can produce tones one octave above and below the original signal to create a symphony of sound. Tone sculpting is facilitated with eight rotary controls, several of which change function depending on the mode selected. In addition, you can place an auxiliary momentary switch in the Fav input to switch the pedal on and off and call up three of your own custom presets. There’s also an expression pedal input to give you foot control over a single parameter or multiple parameters.
Fuzzrocious Afterlife V2
A streamlined, two-knob lush ambient reverb with controls for Mix and Repeats, the Afterlife features an extra knob for momentary oscillation effects. Check out V1 for a take on a 2-in-1 reverb idea.
Westminster Chalcedonian
A dual Reverb with an ambient reverb on the right side and a hall one on the left running in parallel. The combo can deliver an entire swath of reverb possibilities. It also features soft-touch relay bypass.
Swindler Mineshaft
With its rich, spacial tones that can range from a subtle wash to a thick, ambient soundscape, this pedal offers dual knobs allow the user to select two different Reverb mixes and Tone levels, and alternate between then by pressing the left footswitch. Holding the ?on / off switch will throw the reverb into a runaway oscillation based on where the reverb level is set.
AMBIENT/SHOEGAZE REVERB + DELAY PEDALS
The pedals in this list offer the possibility to blend two of the most popular non-gain effects in shoegazer and ambient music: delay and reverb. They are organized in order of perceived popularity.
Keeley Caverns Delay & Reverb V2
The Caverns Delay Reverb V2 combines reverb and analog-style tape delay with modulation options. It has three modes: Spring, a blackface amp-style spring reverb with Fender-esque tremolo; Modulation, which adds choral modulation to the reverb; and Shimmer, which emphasizes octave-up voices in the reverb trails. The pedal utilizes Keeley’s popular Magnetic Echo circuit to emulate analog tape delay lines, and its three-way switchable modulation gives you options for adding tape-like wow and flutter to the repeats.
Source Audio Collider
Two popular pedals built by Boston’s Source Audio embedded in the same box, allowing you to mix and match algorithms of both devices in a single Delay+Reverb effect. Powered by a dual DSP architecture featuring two completely independent chips, the effect includes a choice of five delay algorithms that can be combined to seven reverb ones for resulting effects ranging from the subtle to the sci-fi. Double functions are assigned to 4 of the 6 knobs through a three-way toggle switch. Control knobs affect varying parameters depending on the selected algorithm, while full MIDI functionality, delay tap tempo, reverb hold (a.k.a. “freeze”), and external expression capabilities round up the features.
Earthquaker Devices Dispatch Master v3
An evergreen delay + reverb with a character that’s luscious and haunting at once. Its dark and ambient quality doesn’t sound unnatural. It’s extremely simple to use, with only four knobs for Mix, Time, Reverb (length) and Repeats (delay).
GFI Systems Specular Tempus
In a horizontal case slightly bigger than a Boss compact pedal, this stereo device packs 32 algorithms (13 delays, 13 reverbs and 6 delay+reverbs) that can be combined in two different banks triggered by the two footswitches (A and B). Four knob gives you instant access to the most commonly used controls, and while a lot of the parameters can be changed through the edit menu, to get into the finer details you can use the free app that allows you to edit the algorithms via USB. The Tempus also offers extensive routing options, including aux in/out and an effects loop, and also features tap tempo and Midi compatibility. The pedal also features a momentary effect activated by pressing both footswitches at once: the Auto Knob Swell function. It can be associated to one knob to slowly sweep it to the maximum value, hold it there, and then sweep back to the original setting when the footswitches are released.
Universal Audio UAFX Del-Verb
A dual delay + reverb with separate footswitches and three modes for each effect. The delay has a separate knob for modulation and is first in chain with modes for Analog, Tape, and Digital. The reverb modes are Spring, Plate, and Hall. All algorithms here are borrowed from Universal Audio’s library of pro audio plugins. A free app allows tweaking settings and managing presets.
EarthQuaker Devices Avalanche Run V2
With up to 2 seconds of delay and lush stereo reverb, Avalanche Run creates floating ambient tones in a pedal that’s deep but still easy to use. It has modes for Both (standard delay and reverb) and Reverse (reverse delay and standard reverb), but the real prize here is Swell, where the Avalanche Run reacts to your picking dynamics, adding an undercurrent of movement you can ride while you riff along. Other features here include an assignable expression pedal control and a Tails mode that fades out the wet signal when the effect is switched off.
Keeley Parallax
A new version of the popular delay + reverb pedal Caverns (see below) squarely built with the shoegaze crowd in mind, since it features the Cavern’s delay circuit followed by the reverb section of the Realizer, a pedal built specifically for shoegaze rock. The reverb types are Hall (which has a shimmer effect), Reverse, and Soft Focus, with the latter recreating the patch of a ’90s Yamaha rack multi-fx used by Slowdive. Its TRS In/Outs that allow you to insert a chain of pedals between the delay and the reverb, as in an FX loop.
NUX Atlantic
A super-compact, digital, stereo three-mode Delay with an added three-mode Reverb. The delay modes are authentic recreations of Tape-Echo (;70s), Bucket Brigade Devices (’80s) and clean Digital Delay (’90s) while on the Reverb side the modes are Spring, Plate and Hall. Each effect has its own footswitch, with the left footswitch also controlling tap tempo and the right one producing a Shimmer effect when held. Inside routing lets you decide what effects is first in the chain or whether to run them in parallel or series.
Old Blood Noise Endeavors Dark Star V2
The Dark Star is a reverb at heart, but from there it can be passed through three possible modes: Pitch, Delay and Crush (as in bitcrush). Two mode-dependent knobs—CTRL 1 and CTRL2—give you control over octave (Pitch mode), delay time and feedback (Delay mode) and octave and bit crush (Crush mode). The Mix and Reverb knobs control the mix of dry/wet signal and the decay of the reverb, respectively. In addition to a standard on/off true-bypass switch, the Dark Star has a momentary Hold footswitch that locks in whatever note is being played and sustains it through the effect as long as the switch is held. If the Mix control is set to less than 100% wet, you can continue to play over the sustaining signal.
EarthQuaker Devices Disaster Transport
If your ambience is all about adding loads of delay to your reverb, the Disaster Transport is your ticket to sonic bliss. It’s a dual delay with reverb and modulation that excels at creating washes of swirling, lo-fi tape-style echo. The path here is Delay A > Reverb > Delay B, with the option to have both delays running in series (A into B), parallel (A and B) or series/parallel (A and B, with the Bleed control feeding A into B). While B has up to 300ms of delay, A offers up to 600ms plus Depth and Rate controls to adjust the intensity and speed of modulation from zero to seasick pitch bends. Delay A’s repeats can also be controlled by expression pedal, as can Bleed, giving you more sonic options for live performance.
Old Blood Noise Minim
An ambient machine offering a newly voiced reverb with harmonic tremolo, a modulated delay, and a reverse section selectable between normal speed or double speed activated with a footswitch for momentary or latching operation. The placement of the two effects can be changed through the Order toggle switch.
Wampler Ethereal
The Ethereal reverb and delay pedal is all about ease. Its five knobs for Feedback, Tone, Delay, Delay Mix and Reverb Mix give you everything you need to create luscious ambient drones. But the Ethereal’s secret is that it’s actually two delays. The first beats in quarter notes, while the second is layered atop it and can be selected via the Delay Modes button for triplets, dotted 8ths and other rhythmic patterns. The pedal will happily function as a standalone reverb or delay pedal, giving it greater versatility for guitarists who play a variety of music styles.
KMA Audio Machines Cirrus
A creative Tap Tempo enabled “Spatial-Temporal Modifier.” Delay + Reverb are the main effects but Modulation, Octave and Filter effects are accessible through the pedal’s many knobs and switches…). Three different modes for delay and reverb sport a special dynamic feature that is controlled by your picking attack. A host of controls open up infinite sonic options, including momentary latch features for both footswitches.
Keeley Delay Workstation
A very flexible and straightforward multi-mode Delay/Reverb pedal with Tap Tempo and Stereo Out powered by a dual DSP processor. Eight modes per effect with dedicated footswitches (two delays in the reverb bank allow for ping-pong effect). The Morph control creates creative twists on some reverb patches. The modes include vintage delay emulations from tape to multi-head and the reverb ones range from Spring to Hall and chamber.
Quiet Theory Prelude
The dreamy-sounding Prelude analog delay and reverb pedal uses the PT2399 delay chip to create up to 1,000ms of delay. The chip is notorious for being somewhat gritty above 500ms, which adds greatly to the sound’s character at lengthy delay settings. The two footswitches let you engage the effects together or separately. In addition, either footswitch can be put into Burst mode, in which the effect is engaged only when the footswitch is held down. There is a toggle to choose how the pedal behaves when switched off: True Bypass cuts off the effect, while Trails allows the echo and reverb to naturally decay. Two other toggles select the tone for the reverb and delay effects, with a choice of Bright, Medium and Dark settings.
Hungry Robot The Wash V2
The Wash Delay-Reverb is dedicated to creating that low-in-the-mix slurry of reverb and delay that has long characterized shoegaze guitar. With just over 1000ms of delay time, this analog-voiced delay can be used as a standalone delay pedal or combined with its internal Wash circuit for organically trailing ambiance. The circuit features a network of internal feedback loops with a subtle tape-delay effect based on a Binson Echorec to create what Hungry Robot calls the “ripple effect,” in which each successive delay trail slowly scatters and transforms into reverb. The Ripple knob controls the effects, the large central Wash knob governs the mix/level of the wash, and the Resonance knob fine-tunes the Wash circuit’s resonance and decay. The pedal features a manual delay time control and can also be purchased with tap-tempo control.
Alexander Pedals Sky 5000
The Sky 5000’s reverb engine is based on affordable digital rack units from the 1980s and 1990s whose hardware quirks caused the reverb to build in intensity. The reverb can be played with an extra upper or lower octave and is combined with a crystal-clear, tap-tempo-enabled digital delay that can be mixed to your liking with the reverb. The key elements here are three well-tailored modes—DIG(ital), BBD (analog-style), or OIL (Oil can delay-style)—and a Hold button that can give access to alternative parameters like Ramp Rate, for the reverb and Division for the delay. Holding the left footswitch engages the Neo Morph function, which transitions between two presets on the fly.
Foxpedal The Wave
The Wave combines reverb with emulations of three classic tape delays: the Binson Echorec, the Roland RE-201 Space Echo and the Echoplex EP-3. The Modulation control adds tape-style warble to the delay, and the Decay control adjusts the room size and amount of modulation applied to the reverb. Coolest of all is the Wash momentary stomp switch: Hitting it maxes out the feedback knob, creating spacey oscillations that instantly return to the Feedback knob’s setting when you let up on the switch.
Sinvertek Space Station
This is an affordable, compact, Stereo Digital Reverb + Delay + Modulation with rather deep functionality that can run all three effects together thanks to a clever tap function for the knob on the bottom right, offering three types of modulation (and six levels). A control input makes it compatible with Expression pedal and other external controllers.
Horizon Devices Flux Echo
A Stereo delay/reverb with Tap Tempo and Freeze function, it offers a wide palette of possibilities for ambient tones with a “less is more” approach, through three separate modes: Middle Position: Ambient Reverb + Analog Delay, Up Position: Lightly Modulated Reverb + Reverse Delay, Down Position: Shimmer Reverb + Tape Echo.
Wonderful Audio Ancient Echos
A creative pedal that sends your signal through lo-pass filter (Dampen) delay (Echo), Reverb (Resonance) and modulation (Rate + Depth), in this order. The Reflections knob controls the feedback loop within the delay line, producing different results depending on the Echo knob position, from traditional to droney and self-oscillating. The Summon footswitch momentarily turns the Reflection control all the way up.
Cusack Park Theatre
A simple delay + reverb unit voiced to simulate the sound you would get hear when playing in a theatre type of space. Choose the room size and reflection you like, and get from a very short doubling effect to a long sustaining hall, with extra range for ambient fans.
Henretta Engineering The Valley Reverb
Designed to emulate “the haunting echoes heard in the [Great] Smoky Mountain valleys,” the Valley Reverb has standard controls for Delay Time, Delay Repeats, Delay Level and Verb Wet and Verb Dry levels. Its secret, however, is a toggle called The Hollar, which applies reverb only to the delay repeats to maintain clarity while providing a wash of echo and reverb underneath your playing.
PEDALS WITH 3 EFFECTS IN ONE (INCLUDING REVERB)
For guitarists interested in reducing the footprint on their boards even further, there are a series of multi-effect pedals that offer three effects in one box. All the stompboxes in this list include reverb plus two more effects normally used in shoegaze (delay, chorus or a fuzz/distortion).
Hologram Microcosm
A multi-mode granular looper/phrase looper/delay with added filter and reverb. Features include: 11 unique granular and looping effects with 44 preset variations, Stereo In/Out, Expression In mappable to many controls, MIDI, 60 sec. Phrase Looper, Stereo Reverb, “Hold” function to freeze effects and patterns, pitch modulation, Resonant Lowpass Filter, presets, trails and Tap Tempo.
Strymon Nightsky
A Stereo “reverberant synthesis workstation” that combines reverb, pitch-shifting, a resonant filter, modulation with multiple waves shapes (which can be routed to pitch, reverb or filter), and even a step sequencer! Three footswitches allow several functions including preset storage/recall, sequencer control and momentary effects.
Walrus Audio Melee
A routable distortion + reverb pedal with a hidden modulation effect added at the end of the chain. The joystick controls the blending of distortion and reverb. The 3-way Tone and Decay toggles have low, medium, and high settings, while the Sustain footswitch increases the reverb to maximum settings.
Keeley Loomer
A modulated reverb + fuzz pedal with Focus, Hall and Reverse modes and Flat, Full or Scoop for fuzz. Hall mode includes an octave in a feedback loop for “ascension shimmer” effects, while Reverse creates rhythmic reverse reverbs. Soft Focus features a dense reverb with two parallel delays. Knobs for Tone, Warmth, Depth (modulation), Filter and Fuzz let you sculpt a vast range of tones.
Catalinbread Soft Focus Deluxe
An all-in-one effect for shoegaze guitarists consisting of an expanded version of the Soft Focus (found in this article’s first category), including also delay and distortion. It also features 6 separate algorithms with different effect order and combinations, although the distortion (which can be routed in parallel or series) is always separate and activated via the left footswitch. Tap tempo and expression pedal functionality facilitate control of delay time and selected parameters.
Collision Devices Black Hole Symmetry
A hand-built Delay + Modulation/Reverb with Pitch Shifting/Fuzz combo that can create a wide variety of textural and spacey effects. The delay is activated by the left footswitch and based on the PT2399; it’s modulated by two oscillators and its repeats can be pitch-shifted. The signal then travels to a long reverb based on a FV1 chip (center footswitch) and to a “Destruction Fuzz” (right switch) engaging the big “Disintegrate” knob, which allows you to raise the overall volume by a lot.
Collision Devices Nocturnal
A three-in-one effect, designed in collaboration with artist Noli, combining Modulated Delay (DUSK, a vintage echo with fluttery modulation reminiscent of tape echo units), Dynamic Tremolo (NIGHT, which responds to the velocity of your playing by increasing in speed the harder you pick), and Shimmer Reverb (DAWN, whose tone can be tweaked using the Colour and Filter knobs).
Keeley DDR
Designed to be the only pedal you’ll really need for the gig, the DDR combines two styles of overdrive (Crunch and Lead) with delay and reverb in one unit. Crunch has a dimed British combo flavor while Lead is a thick, mid-focused sound perfect for solos. The WET side of the circuit offers 2 types of reverb (Spring or Plate) and 2 styles of delay (analog or digital) selectable through switches.
Crazy Tube Circuits Sidekick MkII
An ’80s-inspired 3-in-one stompbox combining 2 delay and 6 reverb modes, and 3 modulation types (Dimension, Flanger and Ensemble) into one compact enclosure. The first two effect have a dedicated footswitch but either can be swapped to trigger the modulation. The delay modes are tape and digital, while reverb offers a variety of options from classic to modern, including Shimmer and Gated.
Alexander Pedals Fever Pitch
A creative ambient pedal with a set of 4 stereo pitch shifters followed by reverb/delay, stereo tremolo/pan, and stereo chorus/vibrato.
The left knob can be turned or pushed to navigate the intuitive user interface, organized in pages displayed on the high-resolution OLED screen. The other five knobs adjust the parameters on the current page, while the footswitch deal On/Off duties, Tap Tempo, Preset navigation, and momentary effect.
AC Noises Ama V2
An ambient reverb followed by a Bitcrusher with a modulation triggered by the Osc footswitch. The Reverb knob balances both the amount of reverb and the length of the decay. The bit crusher gets things grainy and noisy and can be activated through the toggle switch in the middle and features knobs for Resolution (Bit depth) and Sample Rate.
Keeley Super Mod Workstation
Mostly a (very popular) multi-modulation workstation, this dual-engine pedal offers 8 different effects in each channel including also delay and reverb. The channels are placed in parallel and feed each other when both on. It also includes tap tempo and expression pedal functions.
Neon Egg Planetarium
A bit of an oddball, this is a vintage-synth-shaped, non-reroutable creative multi-effect. It consists of a stereo modulated reverb running into an echo (with stereo modulation) and then into a compressor (with external sidechain). It excels at creating huge lush swirling reverbs and echoes, most at home in ambient and electronic genres.
Mooer Ocean Machine
A large stereo ambient machine, but the size gets you a lot of options: routable Delay, Reverb, EQ and Looper with very complex algorithms for lush, heavenly effects. 2 independent delays, with 15 types. Studio-quality reverb with 9 modes including shimmer. Tap tempo, freeze, presets, Midi compatibility and a ton of knobs to access any parameter directly.
Dr. No Moon Canyon
Born of a collaborative vision shared by Dr. No Effects and Sarah Lipstate of Noveller, this is a limited run multi-effect pedal with dual mono out that features everything you need to create mind altering soundscapes: Delay, Reverb, Loop and Drive – all accessible through separate footswitches.
Blackskycraft Unusual EAS
An uber-tweakable, modulated, creative ambient reverb with added filter and bitcrusher providing thick and lush reverberation and several ways to make it sound from textural to cosmic to downright weird. The bitcrusher has controls for resolution and sample rate. 16 LFO waves, Tap Tempo, and FX loop round up the features.
Southampton Pedals Indie Dream
Overdrive on the right side, delay and reverb on the left – both effects can be used separately or in series. The overdrive features a gritty OD with a huge sweep on the tone controls. Feedback and time controls for the delay and a toggle to switch between spring and hall reverb modes. The ‘Mix’ knob controls the level of the modulation signal while the dry level is not affected.
And here, for completion of information, are a few shootout videos of ambient stompboxes featuring also pedals not covered in our article.
Creative guitarists should also check out our list of the Best Hybrid Reverb Pedals with Modulation and Fuzz/Distortion and Psychedelic and Experimental Delays.
– by Christopher Scapelliti and Paolo De Gregorio
8 comments
bertrand says:
Jun 14, 2020
You have to be rich to afford such gear! Not for me.
Alejandro says:
Sep 21, 2020
What do you think of The Atmosphere? Its reverse reverb is unique.
AC says:
Feb 5, 2021
You don’t have to be rich to afford these pedals. You just have to be willing to work hard and to make sacrifices.
Chris says:
Feb 7, 2021
I’m curious… why are the Strymon Big Sky and Blue Sky missing from the reverbs? They’re pretty great-sounding.
LaurieB says:
Feb 5, 2023
Good point, I have a Big Sky and use a chorus pedal plus compressor. Sounds great.
Only issue is there is a lot of set up time but once sent into Logic its job done.
Not sure with playing live with Big Sky unless is easily stored, plus you don’t change the effect that often.
Paolo De Gregorio says:
Sep 20, 2023
This list is about “psychedelic delays” so more creative and unusual ones, mostly single mode, unlness all the modes are kind of wild.
We have other lists focused on more traditional Multi-Mode reverbs, you’ll find those Strymon pedals there: https://delicious-audio.com/best-multi-reverb-pedals-multi-mode-workstations/
Chris says:
Feb 7, 2021
Additionally… no Source Audio Ventris?
Paolo De Gregorio says:
Feb 18, 2021
Thanks for your comment, Chris. The pedals in this article are “niche” pedals that were created specifically for ambient atmospheres. As specified in the intro of the article, we have other “Best of Reverb” lists for multi-mode devices such as the Strymon and Ventris ones.