Hardwire RV-7 Stereo Reverb - Lingering Longer

You can stop telling me that I need to try out the RV-7 now. This pedal is a super high quality stompbox implementation of those famous rich Lexicon reverbs. What else is there to say? Well, a lot... but that's what the video is for.
All music by me
Chapters:
0:00 - Demo Track #1
2:06 - Demo Breakdown
2:47 - To Buy or Not To Buy
3:46 - The Knobs
5:00 - What is “The Reverb”?
6:25 - Room Reverb
6:48 - Plate Reverb
8:17 - Why Lexicon?
9:59 - Reverse Reverb
10:45 - Modulated Reverb
11:28 - Gated Reverb
12:28 - Hall Reverb
13:41 - Spring Reverb
14:30 - Thoughts on the RV-7
17:13 - Demo Track #2
18:28 - Thanks!

[@jonathanwapner6262]

This pedal always makes me give my Boss RV-6 dirty looks.

[@bilalnachabeh]

I prefer the Rv-6

[@pestianK]

Rv-6 doesn't sound quite as good but the fact that you can get a 0% dry /100% wet output from it makes it more useful I think. Hook it up to a mixer aux and you have a pretty good external reverb for anything.

[@rickr7115]

I've used this pedal for 8 years gigging and love it. The spring reverb (for surf music) rivals most pedals out there (Source Audio True Spring, Boss FRV-1). I also have a Surfy Bear spring reverb unit which is a high bar to compete with. The RV-7 is not a as good as the real deal regarding spring reverb but very close and perfect live. It doesn't have a long spring reverb tail like the real thing but it's long enough. Furthermore, it seams to add a slight EQ to your tone when active (the guitar tone comes to life and sounds less dull) so it's slightly less passive than other pedals I've used. You won't be disappointed with this thing. I sound like a salesman but the truth is I've had a couple Manhattans and now I'm confessing my love for this pedal.

[@davemish4163]

The RV-7 is quite possibly my favorite pedal ever. The DigiTech Polara is essentially the same pedal. I have one of those too.

[@randysutton2120]

Really cool pedal. I actually really like the gated option...you don't hear that very often. Great demo, as always! The subscriber numbers are well deserved, and I'm sure they'll only continue to rise. The hard work definitely shows up.

[@cdclaxton]

Really enjoying this channel 🙂 Always interesting content, no filler, just informative narration It'd be great to see a video on your rack processors

[@Guidojackson1965]

Brilliant content and explanation as ever. Keep ‘em coming mate 👍🎸

[@Rothdrop]

I am blown away with the content you make, man. So good on so many levels! Keep doing what you're doing. You earned a subscriber (:

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Thank you so much, it's very appreciated!

[@thisisfrankie]

I bought this pedal in 2009 and it’s still on my board. I had no idea back then it would become a classic and a rare gem. Turn all the knobs to 10 while on the modulated reverb and enjoy.

[@alexmurphy5289]

Really great stuff man. Keep up the hard work and I guarantee you your channel will grow! Cheers

[@BrandonBames]

Absolutely incredible content you’re making man! Can’t wait til this channel explodes.

[@StompboxBreakdown]

That’s makes two of us! Thank you

[@al271987]

Congratulations! Your content deserves a good bit more subscribers than 2.5k. Keep it up!

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Thank you!

[@macsarcule]

Excellent points about brand and how willing people are to pay for extra levels of goodness. Seems spot on. 🙂👍

[@StompboxBreakdown]

I'm convinced Digitech simply lost the war of people's opinions in the moment. It feels like they got caught being not as industry standard as Boss, not as exciting as the Boutiquey shops, and not as cheap as Behringer and the Amazon brands.

[@pauldeatherage6112]

Love your show good work one of the best demo channels on you tube

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Thank you so much!!

[@saraivabraamcamp2576]

You are doing a great job. Way to go!

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Thank you so much! That means a lot

[@mspr100]

Bought a Supernatural after watching your video. And this Lexicon story you told is really true. It sounds so good to my ears. Bought a hardwire RV-7 too, and I don't regret at all. Good advice, thanks !

[@StompboxBreakdown]

That’s awesome! You’ve got the best reverbs in the game right there, you’re gonna have so much fun with the Supernatural. It’s like a living breathing thing in there.

[@benwebb7698]

Got my RV7 from a good old friend about 3 years ago for $100. I wasn't expecting nearly what I got. If you're out there, Thanks Joe! 😉

[@caseybutt5553]

I have an RV-7. I bought it because I'm a stereo devotee and needed something that could handle two channels. I love it.

[@PedalExperiments]

Great work, dude. As you know, this is one of my favourite reverb pedals, and it was a mainstay on my board for several years, until I got the Supernatural, and more recently, a Ventris. I still miss this little, burgundy-brown bastard, though! 😄 You should work through the Source Audio Soundblox range next. There are a whole load of underrated, studio quality effects on offer, and most of them can be picked up pretty cheap these days. Also, huge congrats on the epic success of your channel! You've more than earned it. 😊👍

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Heck yeah! Thanks for the suggestions and of course all of your help, man. Ventris looks tempting, though I'm absolutely all reverb'd out at the moment.

[@billsspaceshow2998]

Back in 2011 I played a gig at a bar I'd played a lot, but the sound was totally different. Super dry. It really messed me up. The sound guy said "How'd you like the new sound proofing?" I didn't have the heart to tell him I hated it. Notes went nowhere. Just dead. So, I thought, I need a reverb pedal. The next day I was informed that I had won this one (amongst other Hard Wire pedals) in a sort of door prize. WHOO! This thing is GREAT! I recently tried to use another, smaller reverb on my trimmed down board, but I'm spoiled! I'll just have to make room for my RV-7. Great job on the production!

[@kennethhoneycutt4513]

Thank you so very much for the video I love using Reverb it's one of my first go to as far as effects go but after watching this video I understand how different reverbs work and what they all mean and the difference between them all and I've always wondered the spring reverb in the back of my amp what it mostly was modeled after now I know and understand there's not much out there about it not that I found but after viewing this it sums it up and gives me a completely different understanding and what difference is different reverbs make again thank you sir

[@alexandrelunelli7402]

The relation between this and the supernatural is akin to that of TC's Hall of Fame and Trinity reverbs. HOF is classic and Trinity is more "ambient" oriented. Great sounds on the RV7, especially the modulated verb. Congratulations on the 2500 subscribers. Your content is excellent and I'm sure this number will be multiplied dozens of times.

[@ryanrowe9559]

So a question I've had on my mind is "What media field does this guy have experience in that makes him so do this so well?". It's not easy jumping in from the getgo with full script writing, smooth edits, and quality camera+mic setups. Maybe you worked your butt off for 6 months before you started uploading and made sure it was up to your quality standards? Regardless, your work has been entertaining and very insightful. I'm excited to see more!

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Wow, thank you for the high praise. So my day job involves doing some technical training videos, I've been doing podcasts for a while, and I've been into photography for years, so I had *some* experience with a lot of the bits and pieces. Having to do a lot of self-filing and production during COVID-times got me real familiar with Final Cut Pro and Logic, but yeah... I just kind of let "What I want" and "What I can do" fight it out in my head for a while until I came up with a reasonable production method. It really is amazing what can be done in just software these days, but knowing some things about focal lengths, lighting techniques, and script writing definitely help. So far, every video follows *some* sort of framework, but there's always at least something that is 100% spur of the moment and adds an element of "oh my god this might not work at all", so that keeps it fun. It's been a lot of fun so far. I appreciate your comments, and maybe some day I'll do a behind-the-scenes for people who are interested.

[@alecjeans5394]

@Stompbox Breakdown let’s get that behind the scenes video going please. You could provide tons of knowledge and inspiration for us aspiring players. Big fan.

[@gersonjanuario]

Great vídeo! I have a hardwire chorus amazing pedal!

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Thank you! I love that chorus, they picked some amazing models for it

[@hekakain4108]

Just ordered the Hardwire RV-7 Stereo Reverb for £240 (stupid price I know) along with the Supernatural at £140 (a much better price). I also own the Polara and Obscura £220 for both brand new from Amazon several years back... Excellent work Mr Stompbox.

[@StompboxBreakdown]

I hope you really enjoy them. They truly are cutting-edge rack-mount delays shoved into pedal form, and even in 2024, I come to appreciate the design of the algorithms. It's hard to believe, but those are only going to appreciate in value with years, too.

[@texanfournow]

For years I did not use reverb, and then I saw/heard Andy Martin of Pro Guitar Shop demo the Supernatural (actually, he did several demos of the pedal in different modes). When I heard what he could do with "Wicked Game" using Plate Mod mode, I was sold. So I have the Supernatural. Bought it new from PGS, with a discount, for $143. Good luck getting one now for less than $200. And wouldn't you know it, it does not have Reverse, tho the RV-7 and even the older Digi reverb had it. Anyways, I appreciate your very well done video that explains & shows in clear and understandable ways the ins-and-outs of reverb.

[@StompboxBreakdown]

I hear you on that. Andy makes everything sound dreamy.

[@monsirto]

Freakin' love my Polara (essentially the same pedal).

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Yeah, Tom Cram said as much in a Facebook group. The split pedal design, the add-ons, the knobs…. that series of pedals was basically a less bulky and less serious update on the Hardwire series. Nothing but good sounds out of both those lines (ok maybe the tube distortion could use some work)

[@beerwolf8518]

I have the Digitech Supernatural. I have not tried this reverb pedal, though. I think reverbs these days are kind of like computers - the newer pedals are best due to having more processing power and complex algorithms. I think that this pedal and the Boss RV-5 were the beginning of something great for digital type of reverb stomp boxes. I think my favorite reverb at this time is the Walrus SLO. I also have a Surfy Bear Metal which is basically a real spring tank like Fender's except without tubes. Good stuff. Love these videos.

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Beer Wolf and Surfy Bear sounds like an amazing Saturday morning children's cartoon. Agreed, once you get faster processors and more memory, you don't have to sacrifice as much when designing algorithms. I do think the Lexicon and Eventide teams went pretty far down their own rabbitholes exploring what could be done from a sonically-pleasing perspective with effects. I just grabbed the Eventide Blackhole DSP plugin and they definitely built something special in that code. Haven't tried out the SLO, but I keep seeing it recommended.

[@NoelHaven]

Great video!! 🤘🏻🔥 I was fortunate in my timing of finally buying my first reverb pedal when these were fresh on the shelves. I didn’t know what I wanted but I think I must have had a similar resistance to digitech cuz the sales guy at guitar center convinced me to get it. I’m happy he did 😎❤️‍🔥

[@NoelHaven]

And I did hit that sub button too 🥂

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Thank you so very much!!

[@StompboxBreakdown]

I definitely remember our music store had the Boss pedals... and the OTHER pedals, which included Arion, Roktek, and all the others. In hindsight, really should have just tried 'em all and went with my ear. I remember when they were basically giving away Grunge and Punkifier and all those other Lamb series pedals.

[@NoelHaven]

@@StompboxBreakdown Hah absolutely! I’m the type of player that always has my amp reverb on but never felt the need to get a pedal to do that, but I took the plunge at the right time apparently 😅 Unless I feel like I need to get crazy strymon levels of reverb options, I feel like I’m set with this guy 👌🏻🔥

[@michael_caz_nyc]

I've owned many rack units, and my Lexicon MPX-1 was the "Go To Reverb" for Vocals and final 2-track master-mix. Lexicon does Amazing reverbs. oNe LoVe from NYC

[@StompboxBreakdown]

A buddy of mine had that MPX-1 in their hobby studio and I just remember being absolutely fascinated with not only the way it sounded, but how well everything was laid out. It just seemed like a skilled operator could dial up just about any sound they wanted with minimal input. Truly inspiring work. Right back at you from just up the Metro North a bit ;)

[@michael_caz_nyc]

@@StompboxBreakdown Phenomenal Sounding Unit. I'm sorry that I sold mine . . . Nothing like a Lexicon Reverb, ( but I do love my Big Sky ).

[@jiyukaze]

Thanks!

[@lundsweden]

The Digitech iStomp is another overlooked pedal. You can get them stupid cheap, and it has similar reverb models available. To change models you'll need an iPad or iPhone, the original cable, and a 30 pin to lightning adapter. It is all worth it IMO, as you get 40+ great sounding Digitech models to play with!

[@JasonAyalaSpare]

Got mine today 🎸

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Awesome!!! Enjoy it

[@tomw9875]

The Digitech Digiverb is also a very fine pedal.

[@IndyRockStar]

i just went on a quest to find an RV-7. 90% of the ones you find look like they've been run over by a truck. I finally found one in Japan in like new condition with the box and paperwork. It cost me $351 with shipping. Hoping this thing turns out to be a good as people say.

[@davemakesnoises]

glad you're so keen on how much you spent, doc

[@borealico]

I love the sound of this pedal BUT I think the decay is a bit short. I also have the supernatural, digiverb, the polara, verbzilla and big sky. Currently using two (big sky for strange reverbs and the RV7 for good standard reverbs). Sometimes I put the verbzilla just because it’s fun with reverb combinations.

[@dt9r]

I agree about the decay

[@rickr7115]

I second that. The decay is too short

[@jacobbrown1690]

Digitechs best pedal was the timebender. What a beast of a pedal. Even had harmonized repeats.

[@borealico]

So good pedal! I have two of them

[@stuckinthepast]

From 2008? no wonder I actually remember that pedal. Was at the height of my window shopping for gear.

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Username checks out :)

[@CT68]

I should have gotten one of these when they were cheap. Harmon was getting rid of their stock, but I already had a reverb pedal (HoF.) I did get a carcosa fuzz pretty cheap, though.

[@jeffgreen4903]

Can we get a comparison video between the RV-7 and the new UA Evermore. ?

[@thetribalist6923]

Embiggins is a perfectly cromulent word 2:54

[@StompboxBreakdown]

🤜🤛

[@chinmeysway]

Great info on what the historic accounts are of reverb. Q: is the demo in stereo ? Thnks

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Thank you! Yup, I recorded this one in stereo.

[@its_just_berk]

so 2 things. are you an Our Lady Peace fan? that opening progressive sounded like Not Enough. also, ive watched huuuundreds (maybe more) of hours/individual videos. you really have some incredible, well done content. especially for a newer channel. keep pluggin!

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Hey Michael! Yeah, HUGE Our Lady Peace fan, they were one of the first bands I saw live when they opened for (oddly enough) Van Halen. I didn't put 2 and 2 together that I was basically sound-aliking Not Enough, but I at one point had most of the songs from their first few albums totally down. Really amazing and dynamic band. Thank you so much for watching and commenting, I really appreciate it.

[@its_just_berk]

@@StompboxBreakdown super cool, man. i basically like playing the Mike Turner songs. i love Mazur's style, but i like to play Turner's style much more.

[@franksaldana6570]

Love your videos man. Do you think you could review the dyno my roto by keeley, or really any keeley mod pedal. I’ve had the dyno for the last 6 months, and enjoy it a lot, but you always seem to highlight new settings to try

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Thank you! I had a Dyno my Roto but sold it. I did the Seafoam+ and Bubble Tron already, but I *am* working on a Monterey pedal video real soon. That one is a big favorite at the moment, it’s got a tremolo/univibe/wah that’s just amazing, plus a very nicely voiced fuzz.

[@franksaldana6570]

@@StompboxBreakdown sweet! Looking forward to that video. I’d love to hear your thoughts on chorus vs detune, since you are really good at explaining how guitar effects work and are different from each other (dimension c vs traditional chorus for example). Like yourself, I’m a huge chorus freak (main amp is a jc-22, I have the ce-20, dc-2w, and the dyno my roto) but was recently messing around with the detune setting on my brother’s ps-6. I must say, there is a quality to it that is so similar to chorus but ever so slightly different

[@StompboxBreakdown]

@@franksaldana6570 Oh MAN are you in for a good time. Next video is specifically ALL ABOUT chorus vs detune. I was doing some experiments to try and illustrate things and wound up learning I had a wrong assumption about the way it works, which is pretty neat. I was worried that it might be too theory-heavy, but I know it'll have at least one fan! CE-20 is an amazing pedal, it really changed my opinion on the effect. I can only assume the updated version is better, but I'm still faithful to that twin-pedal guy.

[@RJW14]

You should do some van halen with that plate, since it's what they used gratuitously on the older records.

[@blair530-]

good sir .... what is that microphone on ur desk and stand, please ... if u could direct me to were u purchased :)

[@StompboxBreakdown]

For my spoken parts, I use an Audio Technica AT875 shotgun mic. For the guitar, I record through a Strymon Iridium. There's a Shure SM58 on my desk, but I don't use it for anything you hear in the video. I hope that helps!

[@nadhitheband2164]

Great work man, I have a Rv-7 but unfortunately it has got a repair and the unit does not switch on, it was working fine until recently, the led switches on for few seconds and goes off. I have looked everywhere on the web, can’t find any leads to fix this issue, Could you please direct me in some direction if you know😊

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Hmm, digital pedals are tricky. Might want to try the DOD/Digitech Facebook group, there’s a few knowledgeable folks in there.

[@gingerAV]

that being said, i just saw someone on facebook marketplace post a pedal bundle for $300 with one of these in it and i almost want to get it just out of principle

[@PedalExperiments]

Do it! You'll regret passing up a deal like that.

[@StompboxBreakdown]

What else is in that bundle? Asking for a me

[@pauldeatherage6112]

The black face rocktron intelefex has a pre set called stadium reverb, its the most realistic verb i ever heard, very nice

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Ooh, I have one of those! I’ll have to check it out

[@pauldeatherage6112]

Yea i love reverb, i use source audio ventris its a bad boy

[@Fuhgitboutit]

Rv-3🤙

[@StompboxBreakdown]

You know it!

[@RJW14]

also damn me the prizes at reverb are what I paid for my matthews or KHDK pedals, just a bit less than for my diamond memory lane.

[@pauldeatherage6112]

I had a peavey wolfegang, when they 1st came out, it was 1750.99 serial number was 401

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Nice! Mine’s in the 5000’s (but not 5150)

[@huuexx]

Can’t find this anywhere right now :(

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Wow, you’re right. They’re like… ALL gone

[@IndyRockStar]

i have the RV-7. I like it. But i'm coming to the conclusion there really isn't a better reverb than the Strymon Big Sky.

[@Producer4Realz]

Why is the demo in mono?😢

[@tomaselke3670]

The problem with the RV7 is that it's made out of unobtainium. If you do happen to find one for sale, they want stupid money for it. Although, from what I gather, the Digitech Polara is essentially the same pedal in a different form factor.

[@StompboxBreakdown]

That’s what I’ve heard, too. Haven’t managed to find one of those at a sane price, and probably never will. I think the world of reverb pedals is a pretty busy space these days anyway,

[@gurianboy]

I must have my Lexicon Reverb pedal repaired. Who can do it,?

[@gingerAV]

i,, i just wanna know why it’s so obscenely more expensive than the other hardwire pedals. for some of them, i get it. they usually offer a bunch of great variations on a given effect; way more than other pedals do and still at a high quality. but pretty much EVERY reverb pedal on the market has a bunch of reverb variations just like the hardwire. like, the RV-6 (and 5!) are practically ubiquitous and go toe to toe with the hardwire at a fraction of the price. i just don’t get the price hike. i think it was just a bunch of shoegaze nerds who loved it as a cheap reverse reverb, then everyone hopped on the bandwagon and drove the price up, lol. great pedal, but i don’t know if i’d recommend it for the price.

[@PedalExperiments]

I think you're partly right, however I think the main reason for its popularity is the fact that not only is it supremely excellent, simple to use, compact, with gig-proof construction and stereo in and out, but it's one of the very few, multi-mode reverb pedals you can buy with both a reverse and a gated mode. Seriously. Try and find one! There's the equally pricey Red Panda Context V2 (which doesn't sound as good as the RV-7, imo), and err....that's about it. Everything else I can think of has a screen and involves a bunch of menu-diving, which isn't always what people want.

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Agreed, and the limited amount of customization on this pedal is a bit of a double-edged sword. I think the price hike is two-fold; the uncertainty of Digitech's future plus people re-discovering them. I blind A/B'd this one with my Boss RV-6 (not in the video) and I preferred the way the Hardwire sounded on most of the modes, but it's just a difference in opinion. Neither has faults, just a different flavor. But yeah, we'll see what happens with these prices. You wouldn't think this would happen with digital pedals, but *shrug*

[@bernarddoherty2303]

The RV7 is 259 good Lord

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Yeah, it's kind of ridiculous. Not sure who's paying that much.

[@john3688]

"I'm not buying pedals just to make videos" he says, with 400 pedals on a wall behind him

[@StompboxBreakdown]

Haha, fair point. For a real long time, I was horse-trading stuff on and off my board, selling this to buy that, then repeating the process, exchanging maybe a pedal or two a week. Then maybe ten years ago, I realized that I was re-buying a lot of pedals I went and sold in previous years... usually for a bit more than I sold it for. Between that and the cost and inconvenience of shipping, I just stopped selling pedals... but I didn't stop buying them. So yeah, ten years of that, do the math, it adds up after a while.

[@john3688]

@@StompboxBreakdown I feel ya man. It just made me chuckle.

[@DavidRFIT]

Polara is better though.

[@benwebb7698]

They're exactly the same algorithms except the Gated on the RV7 was replaced with Halo on Polara.

[@markmills586]

I’ve had my RV-7 for ages now and love it. I just wish it would go 100% wet though. I think that was a serious omission. It meant I had to get another reverb pedal just for that feature. It was so nearly perfect…….

[@MeatyController]

"A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man" -Jebediah Springfield