Chase Bliss & Empress Effects Reverse Mode C | Secret Weapons Demo & Review

The Empress Super Delay set the pace for nearly every ambitious delay release we've seen in the following decade and a half. It offered a path towards practical, all-in-one delay solutions as well as some of the most ambitious and creative delay implementations. Today we take a look at a standout mode from that modern-turned-original classic; lovingly called Reverse Mode C, rebuilt and recontextualized as an ambitious, modulated, and drifting reverse delay sound design tool.
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Signal Path:
Chase Bliss Preamp mkii
Benson Boost
UAFX Ruby
Chase Bliss MOOD MKII
Chase Bliss / Empress Reverse Mode C
Chase Bliss Generation Loss MKII
Chase Bliss CXM 1978
Timecodes:
00:00 Intro Song
02:19 Review
06:48 Context & Clean Tone
07:58 Mix & Feedback
10:27 Filter
13:06 Balance - Isolated Voices
15:47 Balance + Spread
18:14 Balance + Spread - Mixed Voices
22:11 Time
24:27 Offset
33:57 Modulation - Isolated
44:56 Modulation - In Context
53:53 Sequencer
01:13:20 Footswitches - Infinite Hold & Half Time
01:19:07 Cascading Octaves
01:24:03 MIDI
Recorded in Universal Audio LUNA
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[@wargo6263]

So this is a delay, reverse delay, vibrato, chorus, tremolo, phaser. And that’s barely scratching the surface. And in STEREO. no brainer for me. Preordered.

[@the_cleantone]

Dude, these long form videos are superbly appreciated for the sheer amount of effort they must take and, of course, the inspiration you provide.

[@winstonsmith8236]

Thanks for such a well thought out breakdown of the pedal. I just ordered one. The (vintage modified) SuperDelay was the first fancy pedal I bought (used) when I went to rehab for drugs and alcohol and could actually afford it. I remember the reverse modes being some of the earliest effects I tried that absoluely blew me away and transported me to another world. Now it's getting its makeover as I celebrate my 10 year anniversary (California) sober today, decided to treat myself. It's even called "reverse mode C" which is what I basically came, a reverse/sober mode of myself-Chris. Anyways, take care and thanks for the stellar content as per usual.

[@dancingclair]

Congrats on 10 years.

[@grantsrawesome]

🤟🏼

[@rtroupe7580]

What a great comment. Congrats on your 10 years and well done indeed. 🎉

[@ben-alexandercassell1615]

When I got the email about the pre-order I said to myself, "can't wait until Mark does a video on this".

[@chrislink73]

The knobs demo was great, but the song compositions and deep dives you make are also super helpful in getting an idea of how to use this pedal in a more full band situation. A lot of pedals out there can do wacky and crazy stuff, but only a handful can do that stuff and also sound musical, expressive, and fit into a real song while enhancing the overall sound of it. Thank you.

[@scottmartin5492]

This isn't a demo, it's a video manual. And a darn good one. Thanks for this! Definitely nudging me closer to a purchase.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Honestly the goal kind of is “this will teach you as much or more than any manual” so that’s great to hear

[@78awhite]

@@markjohnstonofficial I keep coming back to listen to this while we wait for these to ship. It was great to meet you at the CBA party last weekend. As I mentioned there, I love and appreciate what you do! Cheers.

[@erichofmann17]

I love your long videos. This one is my fav.

[@onehellofameme6166]

This may be the only chase bliss pedal I have felt a real desire and connection too. I hope they do another run cause I cant afford one atm.

[@Sinesquares]

What a stellar demo as always! Your videos should be handed over as manuals for every pedal out there.

[@thetimberowlsband]

The longer this video went on, the more I wanted it. And then you had to save the cascading octaves until last. I'll be thanking/blaming you at checkout.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Happy to help / hurt.

[@Grant_Ferstat]

Spectacular demo. And I wish I had purchased one of these when I had the chance. 😞

[@dvomk]

Really instructive and easy-to-follow demo as I wait for mine this week. Thanks!

[@kylecasey7089]

I find myself watching this video once a week while I wait for this pedal to get made and delivered. Still have months to go and if I keep watching this, hopefully I will be ready when it’s on my board.

[@ThePedalboardOrchestra]

When I got the Chase Bliss newsletter about the Reverse Mode C today I thought: after Thermae, Habit, LVX, Tåken, El Capistan and H9 I don't need another delay pedal. After 10 minutes into this demo I'm getting more and more doubts about that. 😂 Your channel is dangerous! 😉

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

Same here. 🤦‍♂️

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

It’s just a sickness at this point

[@HyBr1dRaNg3r]

I’m loving mine!! Also picked up a Condor HiFi…and a Bliss Factory…And an Onward coming😂It’s fun to play around with, really ambient if you want it to be!

[@ThePedalboardOrchestra]

That intro sounds killer again. You just do the best pedal demos ever 🙌🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@andrew_franz_noise5903]

Incredible pedal, and demo, as expected! But shit, it's like the things I loved best about ct5, plus all kinds of sounds I can only get by combining / deep-diving multiple other pedals, AND sounds I don't think I could even get with my current setup! You're killing me...

[@OliverEvergreen]

oh, that headlines. every new release is every blogger's instant favorite of all time. even if a device is really that good, no one will believe anymore, like in that story with wolfs.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

It’s “wolves”

[@OliverEvergreen]

@@markjohnstonofficial appreciate the correction! not a native speaker, forgot about this one.

[@JosephCompton66]

Really helpful. I bought one used because you broke it down like this. Thanks.

[@aaronjones8162]

Incredible quality of a video here. Thank you so much for the work you put into this. It was definitely a pedal well spent on CBA's part! And you make great sounds. There's that too. Cheers.

[@freqfractal]

A millions thanks for your time and effort on this video!

[@coffeedudeguy]

I placed an order after seeing yours and Emily Hopkins' videos. Even so, I keep coming back to this video in preparation. Can't wait to get my hands on it!

[@jasonmcgary]

Of course u have a demo of this pedal.i don't know if it's right for me but this is my favorite reverse delay I've seen in your videos.always amazing and in depth use of any pedal.love your videos

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Yas!!! That intro was soo bad A$$ as always Mark!!! Luv it!! Chase bliss is so amazing!! You and Stefan from the pedal zone need to link up and make an album!!

[@markjohnstonofficial]

Haha I love that dude, would be so fun.

[@paulandreas7955]

youre probably the best youtube channel out there..can't understand why you don't have more subs..a studio tour one day would be awsome, to see where and how you work. And if you were to release an albul, i'd buy it right away!

[@ShawnyDsMusic]

Awesome video!! Great job!

[@indigosnow_]

Sheeesh, dream set up

[@carlvedang4239]

Great demo and music as always, I'm wondering if you are able to ramp the depth knob of the modulation if you have the swap dip switch engaged? So cool when Knobs does that on the Tonal Recall demo!

[@Gibson1976uk]

damn! this video made me pre-order

[@4gave1]

Whoa!...nice demo!...sweet pedal! Chase Bliss is gonna make me broke!...lol

[@davidsummerville351]

A very deep journey.

[@Zan_Halford]

Hey Mark, did you like smearing it with reverb? Degrading it with gen-loss? I actually forgot the thing had a filter for repeats - did you find that powerful? Also, does mood mkii feature the same true stereo ability as this pedal? That was a really cool showing! Overall, I like it’s power and control, and I’m hoping to hear you got along with the Filter knob often!

[@78awhite]

The Mood Mkii does feature the same true stereo ability! With the Rev Mode C, the Mood Mkii, the Generation Loss Mkii, and the CXM 1978, you've got an incredible stereo field and a lot of options as to where you place the first three pedals. I personally think my order will be Rev Mode C, then Mood Mkii, then Gen Loss Mkii, and CXM 1878.

[@andresrendon6581]

Hi Mark. I am starting in the music world. I am in love with frusciante first era and I am about to buy a reverse talk danelectro but after discovering your channel I would like to have something more complex. What would you recommend to me?

[@Musickbox8]

Could this do the Boss PS3 mode 7? Seems very similar

[@thecruddybug4437]

Can I ask how the feel of playing is with the time all the way down? Is there latency at all or does it feel the same as playing with the pedal bypassed?

[@markjohnstonofficial]

With delay at minimum and offset at maximum you basically can’t even tell the difference.

[@grimlyfiendish7474]

Do you have 250 or 500 pots with those burnsides?

[@GTChris]

True stereo in and out, but does the effect sum to mono before spreading to stereo again?

[@benjamincoggins6568]

No, it retains the true stereo signal throughout without summing to mono.

[@markjohnstonofficial]

True stereo in normal operation. The spread control with sum to mono in the wet path only and then apply a stereo spread to the delay, but that’s only with the spread dip switch engaged

[@mattysanford]

As I sit and contemplate committing to one of these bad Larry’s, the biggest question I have is, how close does it get to the Microcosm Mosaic sound??

[@SeanPierceJohnson]

Bro…and I say this will all the love in the world: I hate you. That ditty at the beginning was a perfect selling point for this pedal. So many sounds. Could I use them? IDK. But even the wife’s ears perked up. Just wish I didn’t have to pay a $300 electric bill this month…

[@scapegoatVJ]

You are running the Mood into the Reverse Mode?

[@michaelshellenberger5935]

🎉❤🎉

[@Farold_Haltermeyer]

It has a very wide frequency and digital tone, quite tiring on the ear. Is there a tone control of sorts?

[@patrickr6505]

It has a filter

[@pault4249]

love your videos, but you have way too many favorite pedals, i can’t afford them all, hehe

[@markjohnstonofficial]

I’ve just got favorites for specific uses; favorite distortion, favorite reverse delay, favorite chorus, etc. it would be awesome to have all my favorite delay in one unit but… alas it’s just not the case.

[@GastMusike]

Oh no! I really wanted to give this pedal a miss, but two minutes in and I am scanning through my brain to see how I can scrape up the cash!

[@ke72499]

Hi there!!! !!!ereht iH

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

I know everyone says it but honestly you have the best demos Also, I miss your live streams Arguing a little over the El Capistan. Jk. 😂 Hope you get back to doing those once in a while

[@markjohnstonofficial]

The long game is absolutely to get back to the occasional live stream. I miss the late night Ambient happy hours quite a bit.

[@DoglessEndeavor]

These long demos are massively important given we can't test these pedals before buying. In this case, it thoroughly convinced me not to buy the pedal. I love the 4 CB pedals I already own, but something you see a lot is people struggling to use them in bands and effectively only using a minor setting that's available in much cheaper dedicated pedals. This looks like the ultimate pedal of that kind, i.e. sounds really great alone at home but once you're playing with others, it ends up being a reverse delay or a vibrato. And that's not a €470 use case. I'm generally quite understanding of CB's pricing, but I genuinely do not understand the pricing for this since it feels like a mixture of things already available in their DSP for some of their other pedals, so the R&D costs must have been tiny this time, especially considering their fairly plug and play enclosure.

[@AmbientEndeavors]

first!

[@andrewshell788]

The worst thing about this pedal is that it won't be available until 2024

[@JohnWWarrenGuitar]

Reverse Mode C or Mood MKII? - that is the question.

[@user-zv7lm8uk7h]

C. stands for Classy.

[@leroyhung4737]

BOTH is the answer 🥸

[@user-zv7lm8uk7h]

Reverse mode will be the better in the long run. Empress is top shelf quality.@@leroyhung4737

[@patrickr6505]

Mood 2..More variation...

[@mickhasenfratz8109]

😴 Promo*SM

[@ReyYbarra]

Did he just say quality of life features??? 💀💀💀

[@markjohnstonofficial]

I did