FIRST LOOK: Electro-Harmonix Microsynth

Fresh out of the box, a new take on an old classic...
Fresh out of the box, a new take on an old classic...

The Electro-Harmonix Microsynth is one of EHX's more esoteric stompboxes, dripping with warm analogue synth goodness.

The original Micro Synthesizer has long been one of the best pedals around for mangling your guitar sound, so we are pleased to see EHX continue the recent trend that's seen the company repackage some of its classic effects in more compact, road-proof housings.

Although the row of sliders may look a little daunting, the controls are fairly self explanatory and it wasn't long before we were making sounds that would make a purist weep.

The guitar tones on the following demo were created running the Microsynth on various settings into the 1964 Blackface 'Lux model on Line 6 GearBox. The only exception is the initial rhythm sound, for which we disengaged the pedal.

Hear it in action:

Chris Vinnicombe worked with us here on the MusicRadar team from the site's initial launch way back in 2007, and also contributed to Guitarist magazine as Features Editor until 2014, as well as Total Guitar magazine, amongst others. These days he can be found at Gibson Guitars, where he is editor-in-chief.