In 2015, we introduced you to the Unicorn V1, the world's first bulb-based photocell modulator with tap tempo, the JHS Uni-Vibe. Since spring 2018, we are proud to offer you the Unicorn V2!
Pink Floyd's "Breathe," Jimi Hendrix's live performance at Woodstock of "The Star-Spangled Banner," and Robin Trower's "Bridge of Sighs" cemented the sound of a photocell-based vibration effect as electric guitar standard. The JHS Pedals Unicorn is our version of this heralded effect, pursuing the inspiring modulation/phase/rotation sounds that never fail to push musical boundaries. And just like the originals, we've included a toggle to choose between a Uni-Vibe* effect and a traditional vibrato setting. What sets Unicorn apart from all other vibe style circuits is that it is the first ever fully analog photocell based vibration with tap tempo as well as ratio, external tap control and a External rate control via expression pedal (optional). And the Unicorn does it all with just four buttons and a mini toggle switch. In an era where everything has been seen and done, we bring you the first ever 100% analog photocell modulator with built-in tap tempo. It was nothing.
SOUNDS AS GOOD AS YOU REMEMBER
The Unicorn is full of all the lush, washed-out pulses that changed the sound of the electric guitar in the 1960s. And it's not a digital emulation. The Unicorn sports the actual analog photocell topology of the original units.
- Sounds like the original because it is built like the original
- Fully analog signal path delivers warm, touch-sensitive tone
- The Dry/Wet toggle allows you to choose between a Uni-Vibe* effect and a vibrato effect
IN-DEPTH TEMPO CONTROL
There are other analog ambience pedals and there are pedals with tap-tempo control, but - if you'll allow us to brag briefly and humbly - the JHS Unicorn is the first to put them together. Add an optional external speed control and a ratio knob that determines rhythm subdivisions (or, as we like to say, the amount of pixie dust going into the Unicorn's flux capacitor) and you have one of the most versatile vibration pedals on the market.
- Control the speed of the effect with the Speed button or the built-in tap-tempo footswitch
- Do you want quarter note, dotted eighth note or triplet rhythms? They are all on the Ratio button
- LED indicator lets you know the effect tempo, even when turned off
EXTERNAL CONTROL OF TEMPO AND EXPRESSION
But wait, there's more! One of the things that makes the vintage Shin-ei* Uni-Vibes* so desirable is your ability to control the rate of the effect in real time with an external expression pedal. How could we not include this! ? And to take it even further, you can slave the pedal to other tap-controlled pedals for rhythmic consistency across all your effects.
- Internal Tap/Expression mini switch controls the side-mounted Tap/Exp TRS jack
- Unicorn rate expression pedal control in the Exp setting
- Use an external source to control the speed in the Tap Out setting (which, coincidentally, works great with our Panther Cub Delay and Emperor Chorus pedals)
COULD NOT BE EASIER TO USE
One of the things we're most proud of with the Unicorn Uni-vibe Photocell Modulator* is how easy it is to dial in the exact pulse of a mystical unicorn running through a field of 4-leaf clovers. .but only if you dare.
- Four knobs and a mini toggle are all you need for a world of syrupy, modulated sounds
- The left two controls are your tone, the right two controls are your speed, the toggle is your effect. It's so simple.
VERSION HISTORY
V1 = larger housing.
V2 = smaller case.
THIS PEDAL REQUIRES A STANDARD 9V DC CENTRAL NEGATIVE POWER SUPPLY, DRAWS 100MA AND MEASURES 2.2" X 4.8" X 1.6".