Rating:
knob to set the effect at 100-percent wet.
The envelope filter detected each pick stroke
accurately, and the Sensitivity knob lets
you adjust the envelope follower to suit any
attack or pickup level. The same control
also enables changes in direction of the filter
sweep from EE-ER to ER-EE.
One of the more notable aspects of the
various Voices is that they all have different
tonal colors. For instance, EE-ER has an
overall dark and smooth/soft tone, while I-A
sounds midrange-heavy and very resonant.
The fact that EHX designed these formants
to have such unique tonal palettes contributes
significantly to the versatility of the Talking
Machine. In addition, the Attack and Decay
knobs facilitate detailed control over the
speed at which the envelope ramps up and
down. A short Attack and short Decay can
produce a cartoony, bird-like chirp that’s
great for funky hooks and lead lines. Slower
settings can produce undulating filter sweeps
perfect for creating a psychedelic backdrop
with atmospheric chords. Plugging in an
expression pedal allows complete manual
control over the sweep direction and speed
The Verdict
Electro-Harmonix has always aimed high
when it comes to be the versatility and eccentricity of their products. In that sense, the
Stereo Talking Machine is classically Electro-
Harmonix. With a wide variety of voicings,
multiple means of controlling envelope sweeping, preset storage, a distortion circuit, and
sensitivity controls, it will be a hit with any
musician who’s well versed in envelope filters.
But given its musical versatility, it could also
attract players otherwise on the fence about
something as colorful as a talk-box effect.
If you have little experience with envelope-filtering effects, a chat with the Stereo Talking
Machine may yield a world of surprises.
Strymon_Lex_PG.pdf 3/2/11 5:25:03 PM
between formants. And if this weren’t enough
flexibility, the Auxiliary controls—accessible
by pressing the Presets knob—enable you to
control the filter sweeps with a triangle or
sawtooth LFO. A Fuzz circuit with Gain and
Tone controls is also accessible via the Aux
controls. While it’s not remarkable as a stand-alone fuzz, the effect is very midrange focused
and useful in conjunction with the filters.
Buy If...
you love the idea of getting versatile
vowel sounds without having a plas-
tic tube in your mouth.
Skip If...
all the knobs and multi-function
controls are more daunting than a
mouth tube.
Electro-Harmonix
Street $215
ehx.com
or use a mobile device to download
audio clips of the pedal at
CLICKHere…
premierguitar.com/sep2011
C
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CM
MY
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CMY
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• Faithful, Meticulous Rotary Speaker Algorithms • Adjustable Fast and Slow Speeds, Acceleration, Drive, Mic Distance, Cab Direction, Horn Level • Rotary Brake, Bi-Amping • Stereo Out • Expression Pedal Input • True Bypass
rotary
®
www.strymon.net
