UniVibe Shootout: Good Vibes vs Uni-Vibe vs Viscous Vibes vs Unicorn vs The Depths

This week on Seth's Tone Zone, Seth compares five modern Uni-Vibe pedals: Electro-Harmonix Good Vibes, MXR Uni-Vibe, TC Electronic Viscous Vibe, JHS Unicorn v2 and Earthquaker Devices The Depths
Electro-Harmonix Website:
www.ehx.com/
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Dunlop (MXR) Website:
www.jimdunlop....
Shop Dunlop (MXR):
alvasmusic.com...
TC Electronic Website:
www.tcelectron...
Shop TC Electronic:
alvasmusic.com...
JHS Pedals Website:
www.jhspedals....
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EarthQuaker Devices Website:
www.earthquake...
Shop EarthQuaker Devices:
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Alvas Socials:
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[@els1f]

4:15 MXR Univibe 9:04 EHX Good Vibes 11:32 TC Electronic Viscous Vibe 13:30 Earthquaker Devices The Depths 15:48 JHS Unicorn

[@stephenkottemann2627]

Elsif thank you!

[@legacysantiago]

Thanks !!! You rock!

[@Jordan-rb28]

Thank god

[@JJBMusic0]

Thank you!!

[@tomthumb4325]

Thank you sir all demos should have this option

[@nathanrobertschultzmusic2609]

If Jimi was still with us, he’d say that they were all groovy in their own unique ways.

[@alvasllc1313]

i agree

[@alvasllc1313]

Thanks. Yeah i agree he would also find a use for all of them somehow.

[@JesusTorres-zg3ew]

I decided to buy the EHX Good Vibes pedal from watching your video. Groovy, dude, keep up the good work!!! 👍👍

[@alvasllc1313]

@@JesusTorres-zg3ew Thanks man it means alot.

[@fartzerelli1385]

*were

[@noAPlease]

Thanks for the killer demo! Really appreciate you going into depth with all of these.

[@kentissue2215]

Gotta give a shout out for my Voodoo Lab Micro Vibe! Thanks for the vid!

[@mr.astrophysics9115]

I have the Fulltone Deja Vibe MDV-3 and the Fulltone Deja Mini Vibe and Electro Harmonix Good Vibes all 3 are incredible..in this shoot out it the Electro Harmonix Good Vibes hands down

[@wolfgangbeeber2086]

Which do you prefer? The EHX or Deja?

[@gabe2869]

The JHS DOES do the vibrato. You have to flip the little wet/dry swith to wet. When the switch is on "wet" the dry signal is removed and it becomes a vibrato. Chorus and Vibrato are the exact same effect, it's just that chorus blends your dry signal, and vibrato does not. This is why a lot of chorus pedals can do both.

[@roughcutguitars]

Yep, that was a tad frustrating to watch.

[@bumblefritz]

This was a fun comparison/demo. I really like your style!

[@alvasllc1313]

thank you

[@saucybaka4439]

Terrible video. Coulda spent half the time on it

[@trevorgwelch7412]

I bought the MXR and OCD pedals , into a Clapton Strat and 65 Fender Deluxe Reverb .

[@LukeVidler]

Nice review thanks man !! really start to dig the EHX pedals more and more

[@a1s1pinky]

The JHS Unicorn has a strong vibrato style on it but you have to turn the toggle to the “wet” side... the “dry” side of the toggle is for chorus style...

[@jorisleegwater5645]

Yes, vibrato is only the wet signal and the chorus vibe is with dry added in. 😉

[@sashaplaysguitar]

Easily Viscous Vibe is the best sounding one. I have one myself, loved it since I first saw it. A runner up is either Rotovibe (amazingly expensive), or The Depths.

[@autobotsNdecepticons]

Thanks for the demo. I never heard of this effect till today but good to hear what it's like.

[@jmacc9876]

Super nice sound (i prefer a fairly slow/medium slow univibe sounds) listen to Pink Floyd "Breathe" Jimi Hendrix "Machine Gun" and I think Nazareth "Love Hurts" (that one may be some mix of chorus flanger and phaser though.

[@davidsparks6146]

I have the MXR Uni Vibe...but it seems broken to me.... can't get that Robin Trower sound. The JHS seems to come close... I wonder why the Fulltone Deji Vibe wasn't included here... I'm leaning to the JHS ... thnx

[@rogalaphotography]

Thanks for the video and comparing these vibes. I have the Depths and with some tweaking it sounds the best to my ears. However I also have the Deja Vibe which I can't believe you left out of your review! I just re-structured my board and wanted the Deja Vibe on there but just couldn't get it to fit. On a side note...how can you do a review on vibes and NOT put them through a fuzz!!? Vibes completely change their personalities when going through a fuzz pedal. I use both the Deep Trip BOG and the Wampler Velvet Fuzz...That is the true test of a good vibe! When through a fuzz the Depths sounds great since you can tweak the voice & throb to compensate for the frequencies of the fuzz!

[@gilmouring]

I had the chance to try the MXR, the EHX and the JHS...among these I think the JHS is the best. My favourite so far though is the Vibe Machine V2 by Drybell!!

[@alvasllc1313]

yes the drybell is my favorite too. i have one and love it!

[@afterstars]

AlvasMusic agreed Dry Bell is the best

[@gobeco]

+1 for TC Electronic Viscous Vibe

[@josephstreppone9814]

Hello Alvas, very much enjoyed uni-vibe demo. Would like to point out that Josh prefers the vibrato mode when using a uni-vibe. There has to be more vibrato In there somewhere. Please Excuse me if this has already been pointed out, I realize i'm almost 2 years after demo was published.

[@gregguepy763]

I'm having better luck getting the diffs between these pedals here than anywhere else, thanks Seth!

[@thepatriot4355]

The electro harmonix good vibes is probably the best uni vibe out there today it sounds incredible

[@coldwar1977]

yup

[@darkwanderer9328]

I agree, it’s only downside is its wonky power supply. Probably the biggest complaint people have about it.

[@tepevan]

@@darkwanderer9328what’s the issue with power?

[@darkwanderer9328]

@@tepevan So, like a lot of EHX pedals these days, it uses a 9.6 v power supply. If you use a regular 9v(which is pretty much the standard voltage for pedals these days) the pedal won't work properly. Personally it's not a huge issue for me because I just use the power supply it comes with, but for people dealing with pedalboards and power bricks and all that it might be an issue.

[@darkwanderer9328]

@@tepevan It's a great pedal though, I'd definitely recommend it.

[@carlhart9604]

'57 Strat, Univibe and Plexi style amp is Robin Trower 👍

[@resistor27]

It all sounds like Robin Trower to me!

[@epierofkindoms]

i love how the first thing he plays is breathe, watched for the information stayed for the shared love

[@johno1405]

The unicorn sounds classic. I love jhs pedals

[@Julius_Seizure]

1. The MXR uses FET 2. The TC Electronics is digital 3. The rest use photocells That being said, in my opinion the EHX Good Vibes is the best value for the sound.

[@alvasllc1313]

thanks for the info

[@Severinate]

I've got an MXR and honestly, it sounds weak compared to units that use photocells. Wish I'd known that before I bought it.

[@AuntAlnico4]

The ehx good vibes sounds the best to me ! If I could afford one I WOULD enjoy it and use it everyday as it's a very inspiring EFFECT to me.

[@alvasllc1313]

@@Severinate Yeah i wish it had real photocells!

[@mikelewis3643]

Severinate I just picked up the unicorn, it’s VERY lush. You might wanna check it out!

[@rocknrollmonkey8668]

The old Dunlop Univibe with the foot controller was much better than MXR's version. I've tried tons of budget vibe pedals, and landed on a Danelectro Big Spender. It's not bad. Picked up another Rotovibe(had one 20 years ago), but haven't tried it with my current setup. I'm looking for something more Univibey, and I'm thinking the EHX Good Vibes because of the expression pedal option, and because it seems to get that Robin Trower thing really well. The equal bridge between chorus and phaser. The 4th gen EHX Small Stone is a good substitute, especially if you have a vintage model. The reissue didn't quite hit my memory right at the time I bought it. Anyway... going this week out to get a Good Vibes and expression pedal. Hopefully it'll get me there.

[@rareform6747]

sent good vibes back . Had them all sold the Deja vibe 200 last week . Love the Univibe Head Room🖤🖤🖤

[@haldumille5594]

I have owned all of the pedals you have demoed here except for the EHX. I found the MXR fun, but limited in tonal variety and moved on. I had the TC for a weekend and returned it, finding it to be forgettable. I then purchased the JHS, intrigued with the addition of a tap tempo and also sporting an expression pedal input. A quality pedal for sure, build wise, but I found it uninspiring and kind of dull. I returned it. I purchased EQD's The Depths. Musical, gorgeous sounding pedal. Had me hooked in minutes. I still have my old Fulltone MDV rocker pedal, but it's seen better days, needs work and I wanted something smaller to fit on the board. No regrets.

[@TheDans7300]

Some of the best most knowledgeable reviews I've seen 👍

[@ElitesGuardian]

What most people don't realize is that the original univibe sounds different from one another. No matter what the 'definite' sound is subjective. What's most important when finding a clone is if the pedal has the photocell caps, 4 stage phasing, and has the volume speed and intensity (depth) controls. I am trying to mod my old small stone with these things so I can switch between a stone and a vibe with the flick of a switch.

[@ElitesGuardian]

@Gupster 23 so I did mod my small stone with the univibe controls and caps values but there are limitations. The Vibe and small stone are 2 different styles of phasing which means that merely adding the photocells will not make the small stone sound exactly like a vibe. I’ve been doing research and found that in order to get a true vibe sound out of the small stone you would need to change the LFO and wave of the phase in order to get it to match. I’m getting my small stone re enclosed so I can switch between the LFO and caps without molesting the small stone’s original sound and make switching more convenient.

[@ElitesGuardian]

@Gupster 23 Here is my google drive link to my re-enclosure project. It contains a comparison video of what I described earlier and I have a detailed gear list that goes along with the video.drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1Lr7Kwr1upWzBgpATUCRvGphN0YPDDxTa

[@ElitesGuardian]

@Gupster 23 Thank you 😊, it still isn’t exact but it’s a work in progress for sure!

[@chriswilson8062]

I liked the EHX, Viscous and JHS best

[@alvasllc1313]

yeah jhs is awesome

[@Kurjistaja]

I have the Viscous Vibe pedal. With TonePrint software you can make the pedal sound anything between phaser-chorus-tremolo-flanger-vibe and make the control knobs do what you like. The best thing about this is that you can change the volume knob to be dry-wet mix knob. Very useful! And it also has the "mash" function on the footswitch... it fastens the speed when stepped down. I wish someone could do Viscous Vibe vs Harmonious Monk.

[@MaxPaws]

I’m getting a good vibe from this video...

[@alvasllc1313]

ha ha

[@ericlitts9917]

Based on your demo, th TC is the pedal I like the best for me.

[@theadamnahas]

Great video. Thank you!! Helped me pick the JHS.

[@zeke6461]

Josh makes some awesome pedals. Easilly the best in the demo. The EHX one is the best value for an optical circuit.

[@jagtone]

The "chorus" sound in these guys is the vibrato with the straight signal mixed in. You get "vibrato" just by cutting out the straight signal. So it's not actually a separate circuit, just a switch.

[@lundsweden]

Sleeper second hand buy: Boss PW-10, has a killer Univibe mode!

[@Teachering]

Of all five pedals I prefer the Electro-Harmonix Good Vibes; though, the JHS Unicorn is cool. I have been scouting around for a UniVibe and this channel, AlvasMusic, has been the biggest help in my decision making.

[@peteg9069]

Bought a MXR Uni-Vibe and found that it cut the top end, even when the unit was not switched on - though this may have been fixed in newer units. I changed it for a TC Viscous Vibe and got exactly the sound I was looking for: Daydream, by Robin Trower. A note about the TC Electronic Toneprint function, it doesn't work through a digital radio system. I use the excellent Shure GLX 16, but it's not an issue for me as I don't need to change the sounds all that much. But for players that do need a lot of sound changes, it could be a bit of a disappointment.

[@FukEmUp145]

7 Months ago, but anyway... The MXR Univibe sucks. I just got a brandnew unit (for testing/comparison) and it DOES suck off more highs than Sasha Grey. To my ears, it sounds like they took a cheap blockletter Phase90 and modified it a bit. And failed. I love MXR, lots of great stuff and very well build, but the Univibe is a shame. I also have the JHS, sounds really amazing (although for some reason I don´t like most JHS pedals, but I love Josh´s channel. He just has a completely different taste of sound than I have and thats ok), a bit different than the Fulltone Deja-Vibe, I love both. The tap-tempo and expression-pedal feature on the JHS are great, too! Best vibe to my ears is the good old Roger Mayer Voodoo Vibe, but its expensive and too big for my board... The TC VisciousVibe is completely fine, had it for a while. Like all TC Pedals, it sounds good and does a great job without busting the bank. But I never knew the thing with the Radio System, nice info, thx!

[@neoaureus]

What’s a digital radio system in a guitar pedal....don’t tell me you use a radio to do the tone print?

[@peteg9069]

@@neoaureus Yep. I love the Shure GLX but like I say, the toneprint function does not work through it, probably due to the AD/DA conversion. Anyway, I ditched the TC and bought a DryBell Vibe machine.

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Robin Trower in the mid 70's was a master at Uni Vibe , Wha Wha and smoking blues

[@99waggins]

4 minutes in before you even play a note. Less talking, more rocking! Thanks for the shootout

[@minisurfbanana]

jeremy Wagner fast forward idiot

[@99waggins]

@@minisurfbanana You're missing the point, idiot.

[@minisurfbanana]

jeremy Wagner no really fast forward dumb ass...you know there a button for that 😂😂😂

[@maxrockatansky8399]

Great video, really sold me on the EHX, but they all sound great

[@metalduder6766]

Great comparison Seth!! Definitely gonna pick up the JHS. Thx man !

[@GuitarLuis1]

Sweet video, thanks guys 🤘🏻

[@StefanvanderKlooster]

Just what I was looking for, thanks!

[@ArtBabbitt]

I’m very happy w my EHX Good Vibes.

[@jonathanfrieze8497]

Just bought 1 about 10 mins ago and I'm already super giddy over it I really hope it sounds great. But I love ehx I have almost all there pedals it's stupid I didn't mean for it to end up that way it just happend definently best for bang for your buck

[@tomthumb4325]

@@jonathanfrieze8497 Totally agree I'm a gigging player and for the money you can't go wrong with EHX pedals they just do the job they're meant to do very admirably

[@PaulIsbell]

EHX always impresses me

[@tomisfer]

Do you have a separate power supply (the original one) for the Good Vibes or is it using the power board you have there? I’ve read a few times that although it’s great, it’s kind of finicky when it comes to voltage. Like it needs 9.8v or something. Anyway, cool video!

[@-drakrats-]

The EHX pedal uses a Photocell too.

[@EdgeOfFuzz]

I have a Viscous Vibe. Not a fan personally. It cuts the volume rather harshly and I can't get it to blend right with the rest of my sound.

[@billtice5057]

EHX Good Vibes hands down!

[@tomthumb4325]

You are correct sir if you like a pedal that's all that Matters no matter who makes them or what they cost

[@jonathanwapner6262]

I have the Unicorn and Good Vibes. They're my favourite so far especially with a driven amp or in front or a Big Muff. However, neither do clean sounds really well. Even with the pedal volume down, I always get some harsh clipping. Anyone else have similar experience? It could be my Billy Corgan pickups which are pretty hot.

[@coldwar1977]

definitely the pickups bro

[@vintagepipesnightmares]

Electro harmonix sounds the best !!!

[@carlosgulotta]

the vibrato mode sucks, sounds like a tremolo but chorus mode is great.

[@coldwar1977]

@@carlosgulotta I love the vibrato mode too

[@nocturnalferalguitarist]

I appreciated that maximum speed in the demos! Nobody does that. I'm looking to get the vibe Blackstone Cherry gets on " In Our Dreams" if anyone can help, I'd appreciate it. Seems like a rotary, chorus combo idk what else it could be

[@noamaassen4646]

nice video man, really helpful, thanks!

[@jonathanwapner6262]

The digital ones cab still sound good. I enjoy my ME-80's Uni-Vibe setting.

[@thefirstmanonthemoon6332]

which one would be better Tc electronics viscous vibe or EQ devices with the Depths??

[@markjeffery3237]

Very cool comparison. For me, EHX followed by JHS. I had a VV and it was pretty good, but here it's sonic limitations are exposed. Depths is surprisingly weak IMO, and the MXR really muddy. Thanks again 👍🏻

[@jgmopar]

The Digitech Jimi Hendrix Experience pedal has a decent Univibe sound. I think I like the EHX the best. I do have the TC Electronics Viscous Vibe but no I am thinking of Getting the EHX

[@GabrielVelasco]

The EHX uses photocells as well.

[@KelticKabukiGirl]

It seems like the Unicorn and Good Vibes(Which I own but seems really quiet, maybe I need dirt after it too...) are the only ones here that are, I am REALLY Surprised that the EQD is just a fancy phaser too....

[@aleczugcic1240]

Having grown up in Ohio I have a soft spot in my heart for EarthQuakers.

[@CentaurusRelax314]

I spent a few (high school) years in Ohio. I don’t hold that against Earthquaker, though....

[@christopherburnett1745]

I prefer the EHX, especially for the price. I suppose that I shouldn't be surprised.

[@thehound2161]

I always seem to like the JHS example best in shoot out's. This one is no different. Nice video. Keep talking because feel, interaction, and personal thoughts are as important as what i can hear over the crushed KZbin sound.

[@BlueberryStinkFinger62]

The electro harmonix good vibes all day long over the others

[@peteraustin370]

My Roger Mayer Voodoo Vibe +...with it's foot speed controller can give these a run for their money...though larger on the floor..!!!!!

[@only5186]

Dude you didnt push the button in on the MXR lol it changes everything

[@zplapplap]

Thanks for making this 👍🏽

[@hugologowsky]

The fulltone dejavibe is the best!

[@alexfails]

They are all sounds pretty good and groovy

[@MisterGuitarItalia]

Dig this video, lots of great insight... thanks!

[@Davidthestratman7]

How come no new videos?

[@rypetkypar]

Great demo!

[@NoCoverCharge]

I love my Fulltone uni vibe

[@jmgmarcus808]

If you want a very cheap stater Univibe...the Monterey by NUX is incredible for price.

[@dspguitar]

To my ears, the EHX has the most "authentic" Univibe sound to me. Add to that the expression pedal option, and it's the hands-down winner in my corner.

[@dylans9405]

I like mxr in the chorus for movement

[@XxtwichedxX]

Ehx def makes the best vibe for the value. Pair it with an expression pedal to get the trippiest sound on earth

[@Ones_Complement]

So which ones are real photocell?

[@mattgilbert7347]

It was not intended to sound like a Leslie. It was inspired by the designer picking up different radio stations from Russia while he was working in his workshop in Japan. The radio waves were going in and out of *phase* creating a Doppler type effect. Depths is not Optical. JHS is, and I believe that the EHX is as well. Depths is LED based.

[@darwinsaye]

It’s kinda weird how many of the analog Univibe effects out there don’t sound very good. If you want a really accurate vintage Univibe sound, you pretty much have to buy a $500+ boutique pedal or buy a digitally modelled pedal. Kinda sucks if you’d like to create a vintage analog effects board. The EHX and JHS sounded pretty good here though.

[@atozee7189]

The EHX sounds the best by far. TC & JHS decent too but TC seems to be less clear. The MXR and Depths sound more like phasers to me.

[@glennprevost7140]

Fulltone Deja Vibe?

[@totallyunmemorable]

I don't think any of them totally nailed it. I've owned a real Univox Univibe, and currently own a Fulltone, among other lessers. I'd say they all got about 70-80% percent of the way there. The thing I wasn't hearing was the signature Univibe throb. They all seemed to be missing that.

[@peteraustin370]

My Voodoo Vibe + gives me that throb plus ext foot control..!!!

[@joaquin8637]

how it's possible that the one actually labeled as "Uni-vibe" it's the worst one

[@WHTMBassist]

bro, that's what I was thinking

[@LexanderMiller]

@@WHTMBassist They bought the name.

[@Moto_737]

Man I think it’s the best

[@AGM124PGT]

@Edward Gurrola how dare you

[@Teachering]

@@Moto_737 I like the MXR Uni-Vibe. If not for the EHX Good Vibes, the MXR would be my choice.

[@thevelointhevale1132]

The question is ... what Vibe does Trower use? And the answer ... Deja Vibe.

[@slow-mo_moonbuggy]

I think I am just going to get the Keeley dark side. Great video.

[@alvasllc1313]

Thank you! Glad you like it.

[@mattgilbert7347]

It really colours your tone. Idk if you already bought one, but I liked the Vibe on its own, Flanger/Rotary blend, but It seemed to colour my tone a bit. Might just be my rig. I'd love a DS V.1 (sold my V2) as you could use the insert to add EQ, boost, other effects (like a boost & buff) which would probably sort out that tone-suck issue and make the unit so much more useful.

[@jarrod9052]

The Unicorn 🦄 sounds best then the good vibe

[@jfjoubertquebec]

That was really instructive! Thanks!! Vibrato... in some pedals it's just volume up-down... others the pitch goes up-down MHO Best vibrato: MXR Best Vibe: Unicorn Best compromise: Electro-Harmonix ?

[@alvasllc1313]

yeah i would agree

[@HenritheHorse]

Vibrato modulates pitch and tremolo modulates volume.

[@belo1971]

Which one is noiseless ? And the warmest too ?

[@alvasllc1313]

i would say the unicorn.

[@resistor27]

Turn them all on!

[@saucybaka4439]

Would you say the ehx or the jhs was better, without taking price into consideration

[@kareemmonzer7894]

EHX!

[@peterbicker8389]

@@kareemmonzer7894 EHX sounded really good to me better then the JHS one even

[@dangeroushearts1]

The JHS needs to be on Wet for vibrato. It does it well

[@chanceterrill5346]

What's ur favorite.

[@deanmlshredder]

The goodvibes is also a photocell circuit.

[@georginaK21]

You seem like a cool guy. Maybe because you remind me of Mario Lalli back in the 90s

[@darryldoesit966]

EHX Good Vibes is the best !!!

[@christophermurphy7113]

To my ears, although they both sound good it's the EHX by a nose over the JHS.

[@ijamsum]

I want to hear a Fuzz pedal with lead passages going thru the Univibe ! It can get insane with sustained notes fading in and out and a wah wah pedal with it too at the end !

[@cleanmike7312]

Which are analog ?

[@owenmoore1976]

Im gonna need a good vibes pedal.