HardWire is a relatively new high-end guitar pedal manufacturer that until recently was distributed under the Digitech name. HardWire straddle the boutique and mainstream markets, producing rugged, hi-end digital effects pedals that, as their name implies, all have true hardwired bypass and constant high-voltage rails to maintain tonal clarity. They have become quite popular locally.
Their latest design is the SP-7 Stereo Phaser which offers seven classic phaser types, with true stereo I/O and with a tap-tempo speed control.
ANATOMY & SOUNDS
The SP 7 is housed in a boss-style stomp box with 4 controls:
Speed – sets the LFO rate.
Depth – sets the phase depth.
Modify – sets the bias, feedback and sensitivity depending on the type of phase selected.
Type – sets the phase type.
Phase Models:
2 Stage – A smooth, subtle vintage phase sound that I quite enjoy.
4 Stage – Reminiscent of the MXR Phase 90 or EHX Small Stone, depending on which way you set the modify control. Modern – A very deep and wide phase reminiscent of an MXR Phase 100 or a Mutron Bi-Phase depending again on the Modify setting. Think Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd or early Smashing Pumpkins.
Boutique – If you’ve ever heard Incubus you will recognise this type of phasing immediately. It is very deep and swirly. I am not a big fan of this sound but it is well represented with richness and colour.
10 Stage – Similar to Boutique in its depth but sounds more like the guitar is trying to talk to you with pronounced vowel type sounds when playing on the lower strings. Higher up the fret board it adds a nice colour to distorted leads.
Envelope – Each note triggers the LFO starting frequency allowing the phase to be triggered with each note much like an auto-wah does, although a lot more tasteful and subtle.
Dynamic – Interacts with your playing dynamics. Allows you to strum hard and hear no phasing then play delicately to bring out the swirl.
What strikes me about the SP 7 is that even at full depth there is little to no loss of definition, unlike even some classic phasers. It is, after all, a high-end digital unit and the sound is very clean yet at the same time very rich and detailed. Even though the unit offers a variety of phaser types, each type has a wide spectrum of sounds thanks to the great range of the Speed, Depth and Modify controls.
A very unusual feature, especially for a modulation type effect is the tap tempo function which, as on many modern delay pedals allows hands free control of tempo matching during a gig. On the SP 7 this is achieved by holding down the engage switch for 3 seconds, tapping the tempo, and then holding down the switch for another 3 seconds.
The retained definition that sounds great in mono really lets it down in stereo. No epic stereo swirls, or crazy psychedelic whooshes – just a polite jitter between speakers. There was, in fact very little difference in modulation between left and right.
SUMMARY
The SP 7 is an exceptionally good stomp box… in mono.
Any pedal where at least half the emulated models sound great and are usable is a winner in my book and in this case each model is rich and clear. It may be too clean sounding for analogue-Nazis, but the retained note definition is a strong plus for me. The Tap Tempo function is also an ingenious addition.
That said, this is marketed as a stereo phaser and as such it is far too subtle for my liking. In any case, there are very few guitarist I can think of who are willing to lug around a second amp to play in stereo. The SP 7 gets a big A+ for sound quality and flexibility but a D- for neglecting its main feature.
Distributor: Rockit Distribution
Tel: 021-511 1800
Suggested retail: R 1,795.00
Written By : Nic Roos
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