Electro-Harmonix, a company renowned for its innovative and top-quality effects units, has once again proven its mettle with the Micro Synthesizer. Designed for guitarists who crave for variety and versatility in their sound, this effects pedal is a powerful tool, capable of delivering a wide array of tonal possibilities. This article will delve into an in-depth review of the Electro-Harmonix Micro Synthesizer, exploring its features, functionality, and overall performance. From its analog design to its multi-functional controls, the objective here is to present a comprehensive understanding of what this remarkable pedal has to offer, helping musicians make a well-informed decision about this enticing piece of gear.
Contents
Unboxing and First Impressions
The Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer arrives in a standard cardboard box with the company’s logo and an image of the pedal on top. When you first open the box, you are greeted by a user manual and warranty card, both of which are handy for understanding the functionalities of the Micro Synthesizer.
The Micro Synthesizer itself is packed securely with foam to prevent any potential damage during transportation. The unit is robust, with a nice heft to it that feels assuring in terms of its build quality. The chassis is made of die-cast metal which should be able to withstand typical usage from musicians.
Aesthetically, the micro synthesizer carries the classic look of Electro Harmonix pedals, with a footprint slightly larger than the average stompbox but less than their Big Muff series. There are an impressive 10 sliders on the unit, each labeled clearly with its function. Additional controls include an input jack, an output jack, and a true bypass stomp switch.
By looks and feel alone, the Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer appears to be a well-constructed machine designed to give musicians maximum control over their tone. The materials used convey a sense of durability, suggesting that the pedal can stand up to the rigors of tour-life or studio-use. And while the number of sliders may seem daunting at first glance, the layout is inviting, clearly inviting the user to engage and experiment.
| Product Name | Amazon Link |
|---|---|
| Electro Harmonix Synthesizer Analog Guitar Microsynth | Find more info on Amazon here! |
| Electro Harmonix Bass Micro Synthesizer Analog | Find more info on Amazon here! |
Key Features and Functionality
The Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer is an analog guitar synthesizer that has been delighting musicians with its unique range of sounds for years. Below are some of the key features that make this unit standout.
Analog Circuitry
The Micro Synthesizer is a true analog synthesizer, which means it generates and modifies its sound through analog circuitry. This results in a warm, rich sound that’s highly sought after by many musicians and producers. This unit reproduces the fat and robust tones of classic Moog synthesizers, making it a strong pick for fans of vintage synth sounds.
Controls and Sliders
One of the standout features of the Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer is its set of intuitive controls. The pedal has four voice mixers (Guitar, Sub-Octave, Octave up, Square wave) each with its own adjustable slider that allows for a vast range of tonal shaping. This allows players to craft their own unique sounds to suit whatever mood, style, or piece they’re playing.
Built-in Filters
The Micro Synthesizer also comes with built-in analog filters: a resonant Band-Pass Filter and a sweepable High Pass/Low Pass Filter. These create even more sound-shaping possibilities, and are another reason why this synth pedal is renowned for its versatility.
Rugged Design and Construction
The Micro Synthesizer is built for the rigors of the road, with a sturdy, robust design that can cope with the inevitable knocks and drops. Its design features a die-cast chassis for durability and authenticity.
Extensive Connectivity
On the connectivity front, the Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer has a standard 1/4-inch input and output jacks. It also comes equipped with an instrument direct output and power supply making it easy-to-use and install on any pedalboard setup.
In summary, the Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer boasts robust functionality wrapped in a compact and durable chassis. Its user-friendly design is packed with a range of adjustable parameters allowing musicians to explore and create an extensive range of tones and sounds. With this pedal, the possibilities are only bound by the user’s creativity and experimentation.
Sound Quality and Performance
The Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer truly shines when it comes to sound quality and performance. This analog guitar micro synthesizer is recognized for its exceptional sound generation and manipulative capabilities. Once plugged in, the rich tonal palette and virtually unlimited range of this synthesizer become immediately evident.
The Micro Synthesiser’s sound generation primarily revolves around its four voices—Guitar, Octave, Sub-Octave, and Square Wave. The guitar voice retains the untouched pure analog sound of your instrument, while the Octave voice introduces pitches one octave above your original input, giving a fascinating harmonic richness to your output. The Sub-Octave voice, on the other hand, takes your original pitch down an octave, adding a strong, sonorous depth to your tones.
The Square Wave voice impressively runs your original signal through a fuzz circuit, morphing your guitar’s sound into a square wave. The result is a beautifully harsh, edgy tonality that works wonderfully for rhythm parts or heavy leads. For those who enjoy experimenting with their tonal palette, these variable voices make for an exciting and versatile playing experience.
One of the standout features of the Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer is its ten-slider interface. The sliders offer an effective means for musicians to manipulate the mix of the input signal, the four voices, and the attack decay, giving the player the liberty to sculpt unique and intricate sounds. With its responsive controls and a wide range of parameters to tweak, this unit invites endless experimentation.
Moreover, the Micro Synthesiser’s trigger and filter sweep operations ensure the pitch following and envelope shaping stay smooth, even with the most aggressive playing techniques. Those who indulge in high-gain setups and heavier playing styles, this synth unit is a perfect match. Not to mention, this pedal packs enough power to satisfy the needs of any genre, from funk and soul to rock, metal, and even jazz.
The Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer, with its distinct sound manipulation options and high-quality performance, is a brilliant addition to one’s setup. It offers professional live performance capabilities, inviting musicians to push the boundaries of conventional guitar sounds. Whether you’re a novice looking to venture into synthesized sounds or a seasoned musician seeking to add some grit and growl to your sound, the Micro Synth offers a world of possibilities to explore.
Connectivity and Integration
The Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer offers impressive connectivity and integration, making it an essential tool for any experimental guitarist or bassist. Connection on this unit is straightforward, offering a standard 1/4-inch input and output jack, suitable for any typical guitar/bass setups.
In addition to this, the power supply connection is also found on the front of the synth. On a side note, it may be worth mentioning that this unit requires a 9-volt battery or a 9.6 DC-200 power supply, which may be helpful to know before you purchase.
The real magic happens when it is integrated into a larger pedalboard setup. When combined with other effects pedals, the Micro Synthesizer opens up an entire universe of sound exploration. It plays well with other pedals, enhancing the effects rather than overwhelming them.
Every knob has its purpose in this synthesizer and serves to modify the filter sweep or the tone. It’s important to note that there is no dedicated MIDI or USB interface incorporated into the Micro Synthesizer. However, this does not significantly detract from the unit’s operability, as guitarists typically do not require MIDI control for their effects pedals.
The flexibility and ease of integration of this unit just add to the appeal, making it a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to expand their sound palette.
Pros and Cons
When discussing an instrument like the Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons for potential users.
Pros
-
Tone Quality: The Micro Synthesizer delivers an unmatchable analog synthesis that can carve out a range of tonal landscapes. It provides rich, unique tones that add depth and variety to your music.
-
Versatility: With 10 adjustable sliders for a variety of synth parameters, musicians have the power to shape their sound precisely; from a subtle thickening effect, to full-fledged vintage synth tones. This pedal is capable of a wide array of sounds, making it versatile and suitable for many genres of music.
-
Build Quality: Like all Electro Harmonix products, the Micro Synthesizer is built like a tank. It is sturdily designed for the rough and tumble world of gigging musicians, promising longevity.
-
True Bypass: The true bypass feature ensures the tone is preserved when the pedal is switched off.
Cons
-
Slightly Complex: The Micro Synthesizer might be intimidating for beginners because of the numerous sliders and parameters. It requires a learning curve to understand what each slider does and how they interact.
-
Price: The Micro Synthesizer carries a hefty price tag. While it offers a diverse set of features and excellent sound quality, it may not fit into everyone’s budget.
-
Lack of Presets: Unlike some modern multi-effects units or stompboxes, the Micro Synthesizer does not have memory for saving different sounds. This might require additional time to find your favorite sound for every performance.
-
Size: The pedal can take up quite a bit of space on a pedal board because of its larger footprint.
In reviewing these important facets, musicians can make an informed decision whether the Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer aligns with their needs and expectations.
Comparisons with Other Synthesizers
The Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer shares the market with various other brand models, each with their unique specifications. Here are some notable comparisons:
Moog Sub Phatty Analog Synthesizer: Compared to the Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer, the Moog Sub Phatty has a much more complex interface with a plethora of knobs and controls. While this has its advantages, it can feel overwhelming for beginners. The Micro synth, on the other hand, is more user-friendly, with easy-to-understand controls.
Korg MS-20 Mini Analog Synthesizer: The Korg is an iconic synth known for its rich, warm sounds. However, it lacks the extensive sound-shaping capabilities of the Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer, making it a bit more restrictive in terms of customizing sounds.
Roland SE-02 Boutique Synthesizer: The Roland SE-02 offers a compact design and features like a built-in sequencer. However, its miniaturized controls can make intricate adjustments difficult. Conversely, the Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer provides well-spaced controls that are easier to adjust.
Arturia MiniBrute 2 Analog Synthesizer: The Arturia MiniBrute 2 offers a broad range of creative possibilities thanks to its impressive patchbay. However, there is a learning curve to fully leverage its capabilities. The Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer is comparatively easier to dial in, making it more approachable for musicians who are new to synthesis.
Behringer Model D Analog Synthesizer: The Behringer Model D is known to be a budget-friendly option. It offers similar sound capabilities to the Micro Synth but lacks some of the additional effects options that the Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer provides.
In sum, the Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer excels in its user-friendly interface, extensive sound-shaping capabilities, and the additional effects section – traits that set it apart from some other synthesizers in the market. However, the best choice of synthesizer ultimately depends on personal preferences and needs in terms of complexity, sound design capabilities, accessibility, and budget.
Price Point and Value for Money
The Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer is reasonably priced, considering its extensive capabilities and high-quality sound production. This unit falls in the middle range of guitar pedals, which makes it affordable for both professional musicians and hobbyists who are serious about enhancing their sound quality.
It is an incredible value for money considering the depth of features it contains. The Micro Synthesizer lets you tweak and create unique sounds, enabling you to explore a whole new dimension in music. The knobs and sliders provide endless combinations and the ability to precisely dial in your desired tone.
Furthermore, it’s reassuring to know that the product is made by Electro Harmonix, a reputable company known for their high-quality effects pedals. The Micro Synthesizer comes complete with true bypass, ensuring your signal path remains clean and unhindered when the pedal is switched off.
While there are cheaper pedals available, the Micro Synthesizer’s cost is justified by its functionality, flexibility and its status as an ‘industry standard’ among synth pedals, often imitated but never duplicated. It’s a serious piece of gear for serious musicians, and it comes from a company that stands behind their products.
So, at its moderately high price point, the Micro Synthesizer still presents great value for the money, opening the door to a world of unheard tones and unique sound shaping capabilities. This is a tool that will bring a new creative spark to your guitar playing, and based on the sturdy build, it is one that is likely to stick around for a very long time.
In conclusion, if you’re seeking a unique and versatile addition to your pedalboard without breaking the bank, the Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer offers high quality at a reasonable price.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
The Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer is more than worthy of praise. This piece of equipment stands out in the crowded field of guitar pedals for its exceptional capabilities and the novel range of sounds it can help to produce.
The Micro Synthesizer is not for the faint of heart, though – it requires a bit of learning curve and experimentation to truly uncover its potential. Those who are willing to put in the time will be rewarded with an amazing array of unique and fascinating sounds, from soaring psychedelic leads to thick, growling bass riffs. The sound shaping controls offers a lot of flexibility, thereby allowing a player to explore a broad sonic territory.
However, it might be slightly overwhelming for beginners or for those who desire a ‘plug and play’ type of equipment. For these people, simpler, more straightforward pedal designs might be a better fit. On the contrary, for those who favour unending creativity and crafting their own distinct tone, the Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer could be an ideal match.
Priced reasonably for the features it offers, it scores high on the value for money factor. Although the Micro Synthesizer isn’t your everyday basic guitar pedal, it provides endless opportunities for tone creation that make it a worthwhile investment.
We recommend the Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer for any serious musician or audio engineer. It’s a robust, remarkable piece of equipment that can bring something fresh and exciting to your sound, whether on stage or in the studio.