Gamechanger Audio Light Optical Spring Reverb Pedal

The brains behind Gamechanger Audio never settle for anything conventional. Their "mad scientist" approach to guitar pedal design has earned them a rock-solid reputation for pioneering exciting, inspiring and boundary-pushing effects that go far beyond what many standard stompboxes can achieve.

Let There Be Light!

Gamechanger's new Light pedal exemplifies this ethos, and is arguably one of the coolest reverb units we've ever seen in years. Light is the world’s very first analogue optical spring reverb system to use infra-red sensors, which harvest the full timbral and harmonic range of its built-in spring tank.

This unit therefore combines the best features of a traditional spring reverb, capturing classic "boing-y" ambient tones, while opening up countless new types of reverbs and colours thanks to its innovate optical tech and powerful effects section. It's simply a dream for experimental players seeking ethereal sounds!

Key Features

• Light offers 6 unique ambient effects: Optics, Sweep, Tremolo, Reflect, Feedback and Harmonic (with multiple effect stacking options).
• A generous control-set gives you plenty of sound-sculpting ability, providing a wide palette of tantalising reverb textures.
• Colour LEDs inside the spring tank allow you to monitor the reverb’s output and input signal levels and multiple effect parameters in real-time, for an engaging visual feedback experience.
• Assignable expression pedal input enables flexible parameter manipulation — completely on-the-fly!
• Switchable latching or momentary modes let you configure the pedal to preference.

"Game-Changing" Optical Sensor Design

The Light pedal uses extremely sensitive optical sensors directed at different points of its internal spring tank, which detect very subtle movements on the surface of the springs as sound-waves travel through them. This method allows the Light pedal to pick up a much wider range of frequencies and overtones lost in the typical mechanical reverberation process — producing a richer, high-definition sound.

The optical sensors also open doors to effects that are new to spring reverbs, such as tremolo, modulation, feedback and added harmonics. The result is a wide variety of possible reverb textures — ranging from classic to otherworldly!

6 Inspiring Effects

• Optics – Lets you choose a specific combination of optical sensors, each with a slightly different textural and timbral quality.
• Sweep – A modulation mode that rhythmically scrolls back and forth through the different optical sensor pairs. The different frequency response properties of each sensor results in a modulation-style effect.
• Trem – A tremolo effect is produced by rhythmically switching the optical sensors on and off. The tremolo effect can also be applied to the spring output together with the optical signal, or separately.
• Reflect - This setting is a lo-fi delay that will send the instrument’s signal back into the reverb tank several times. Long delay times can create powerful, lengthy reverb decays.
• Feedback – This mode sets the spring tank into self-oscillation, which lets you produce various drones and wall-of-sound-type pads. Lots of potential uses when paired with an expression pedal or when in momentary mode.
• Harmonic – In this setting, the spring tank is driven by a special circuit designed to produce added overtones and harmonics. Think of it as a shimmer reverb effect, but only produced naturally within the spring tank.

All of the above effects are controlled with the dedicated 'Ctrl' knob, which can be responsive to your playing dynamics. The first three effects (Optical, Sweep, Trem) can be stacked with one of the remaining three modes, letting you form immersive and layered ambient textures!

Versatile Control Panel

• 3 Mix Controls – Dry, Spring (classic spring sound) and Optical (optical spring reverb sound).
• Tone – Shared between the spring/optical sounds, and does not apply to the instrument's dry signal. Ranges from rumbling lows to piercing highs.
• 6-Way Effect Selector Knob – Allows you to switch between Light's six effects modes.
• Ctrl – Effect parameter control knob.
• Drive – For adjusting the signal level sent to the reverb tank, thus affecting its response and behaviour.
• Gate – Primary function: Gated and ducking reverb control. Secondary function: Ctrl knob envelope response control.
• Tails – Turns reverb tails on or off.
• Latch – Sets the pedal into latching mode (on) or into momentary mode (off).
• Shock Sensor - Shuts off the wet signal output when mechanical impact or a shaking motion is detected. Three levels of shock protection: off, soft and hard.
• Soft Footswitch – Primary function: Toggling bypass. Secondary functions: Effects stacking, adjusting the envelope control over the effects and entering the footswitch assignment mode.

Expression Pedal Input

Light also features an 'Exp' input for 1/4" TS and TRS jacks and is compatible with all expression pedal types, as well as CV signal (active range to +3.3 V). The expression pedal can be assigned to the Ctrl, Spring, Optical, Drive or the Gate knobs — allowing you to manipulate a raft of parameters for tone-warping sounds!

Specifications

• 6 Unique Effects: Optics (frequency and texture calibration), Sweep (modulation), Tremolo, Reflect (delay), Feedback and Harmonic (added harmonics and octave tracking). Multiple effect stacking options.
• Sounds ranging from classic spring tank tones to colourful optical spring reverb tones with modulation and added harmonics.
• Separate level controls for the dry signal, spring and optical reverbs. The dry signal can be attenuated and boosted.
• Assignable expression pedal input.
• Adjustable shock sensor to control spring noise produced by sudden movements, mechanical impact.
• High quality buffered bypass.
• Powered by a standard 9V DC centre negative power supply with at least 500 mA. Power supply is not included.
• Product Dimensions (W x L x H): 105 x 190 x 40 mm (4.1 x 7.5 x 1.6 inches)
• Product Weight: 1060 g (2.3 lbs)

Please Note: As the Gamechanger Audio Light contains a real spring reverb mechanism, the unit can produce noise when knocked with your foot.