DigiTech Polara review

Multi-talented atmospheric reverb pedal

  • £109
  • €155
  • $199
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DigiTech has kept the Polara simple: select a mode, dial in the liveliness and decay, and you're away

MusicRadar Verdict

While ambient fans may be left wanting, anyone after a versatile compact reverb won't be disappointed.

Pros

  • +

    Diverse array of quality reverbs. Rock-solid build quality. Looks great, too!

Cons

  • -

    Ambient reverbs are not particularly enthralling.

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Being part of American behemoth Harman Professional has its advantages: just ask DigiTech, which has the license to use sister company Lexicon's studio-grade reverbs.

The latest in its line is the Polara, which bridges the gap between the discontinued HardWire RV-7 and the HardWire Supernatural, by serving up the usual reverb suspects alongside ambient settings.

"Plate is a dream for Jeff Buckley-style arpeggiated chords, while fans of My Bloody Valentine will swoon over the reverse mode"

With no pre-delay control, DigiTech has kept the Polara simple: select a mode, dial in the liveliness and decay, and you're away.

The spring setting is solid if a little overexcitable, while the hall and room sounds capture those spaces with a pristine sheen.

Plate is a dream for Jeff Buckley-style arpeggiated chords, while fans of My Bloody Valentine will swoon over the reverse mode.

The atmospheric settings are pleasant, but won't usurp the Supernatural as king of ambient 'verbs: the halo's shimmer are surprisingly subtle - and although cranking the liveliness makes the effects more prominent, we'd like a more extreme synth pad-like sound.

There's lots of competition in the compact reverb market, but with seven diverse types, the Polara more than holds its own.

Michael Brown
Michael Brown

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.