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Blog - #univibe #jimi Hendrix #guitar pedals #tone

DLS Versa Vibe and Vibe Theory

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Jimi Hendrix was one of the early adopters of the Univibe and is notably heard in the song "Machine Gun". This sound caught on by guitarists and became identifiable in music by Robin Trower (Bridge of Sighs, Day of the Eagle, Too Rolling Stoned), David Gilmour (Breathe, Dark Side of the Moon), and more recently Kenny Wayne Sheperd (Blue on Black).

Univibe effects featured a Chorus and Vibrato setting. The Vibrato setting does achieve some pitch bend as the name suggests. However, the Chorus setting was inaccurately labeled. It actually utilized an incandescent bulb for optical phase shifting. As the bulb increased and decrease in brightness, the 4 optical photocells changed resistance which fed into to transistors organized as phase shift circuits with feedback. This produced a deep throbbing bass swirl with associated phase shifting. The phase sound was blended with the instrument's dry sound (mixed) and routed to the Output jack.

However, one problem with the original Univibe is that it can be somewhat of a one trick pony. The bass throb can be so intense that it swamps your sound, and the pulsating throbs are hard to change and control.

DLS recognized this and designed the Versa Vibe in an attempt to address these issues. The Versa Vibe includes an adjustable Bass Throb and a Waveform pot to control attack from smooth to sharper pulsating Univibes. A Wet/Dry control mixes pitch bend with the Univibe phase/chorusing as desired. Also included is a Modern/Vintage switch so Modern is "brighter" and cleaner, and Vintage is heavier and "fuller".

Some purists will never stray from the original Univibe sound. However, many professionals are switching to the Versa Vibe for its advanced sounds and versatility, small size, plus 9vdc input with any polarity.