Two notes ReVolt Guitar & ReVolt Bass

These new all‑analogue simulations run a real tube on a high‑voltage supply, and cover a useful range of tonalities.

Two notes are well known for their digital amp and cab simulators, but several years ago they released the analogue LE preamp series, and in many ways the new ReVolt amp and speaker emulation pedals can be regarded as their successors. The ReVolt pedals not only feature analogue drive and tone circuits, but also all‑analogue speaker emulation. It’s a path that’s already been trodden successfully by Tech 21’s SansAmp range, and a refreshing change from the myriad digital emulations now available. There are two separate models, one intended for electric guitar, the other for bass guitar.

ReVolt Guitar

The Revolt Guitar is a three‑channel pedal that incorporates a 12AX7/ECC83 valve in the signal path, and this runs on high‑voltage power rails, with a view to ensuring that the pedal delivers an authentic valve tone and responsiveness. The pedal includes send and return jacks plus outputs on both an unbalanced jack and a balanced XLR DI feed. There’s also a 3.5mm ’phones output and a 3.5mm aux in jack for use with ‘play‑along’ tracks and the like. Note that the cab sim is applied only to the headphone and XLR outputs, which means that the always ‘unsimulated’ jack output of the pedal can be plugged into a guitar amplifier — obviously a handy feature for on‑stage performances, where you can plug into your amp while sending the speaker‑emulated XLR feed to the PA.

Measuring just 19.2 x 11.7 x 7cm this pedal weighs a reassuringly hefty 830g, and its three footswitches are used to select the three amp channels (bypass is achieved by pressing the first two pedals at the same time). Each switch has a different‑colour status LED, while the valve, which is visible through a small window, also has a backlight. The pedal requires a 12V DC power source capable of 600mA or above, and a suitable laptop‑style PSU with a short mains lead is included. An internal voltage multiplier provides the high voltage (200V) for the valve circuitry. The balanced XLR DI output is protected against the application of phantom power.

Of course, even those of us who use amps and pedals work with DAW software these days, so Two notes have thoughtfully included a lifetime licence for their Torpedo Wall Of Sound plug‑in, along with a selection of 10 of their DynIR cabinets, which means you can experiment with different speaker types and virtual mic setups when recording as an alternative to using the built‑in analogue simulator. (Further DynIR cabinets are available to purchase.)

The three channels are all based on the characteristics of real amps. Channel 1 is designated American Clean, and it wouldn’t be over‑reaching to...