Dive into the world of the Universal Audio Heavenly Plate Reverb, a pedal that’s more than just another name in the sea of reverb options. This compact powerhouse aims to model the iconic plate reverbs of the 1950s, offering a trifecta of modes and intuitive controls for sound sculpting. From its unique metallic tonality to its knob-per-function design, the UAFX Heavenly doesn’t just emulate; it elevates, providing a signature sound that sets it apart.
Whether you’re a producer dialing in expansive atmospheres or a guitarist looking for that extra layer of sonic texture, this pedal delivers. But it’s not all roses; there’s a feature – or lack thereof – that might deter some from investing in this pedal. Intrigued? Well get ready to dive in, because we’re breaking down what makes this pedal a standout and where it could use some fine-tuning.
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What Is The UAFX Heavenly Pedal?
The Universal Audio Heavenly Plate Reverb is a compact effects pedal designed to offer a range of plate reverb sounds. It features three distinct reverb modes—Vintage Bright, Vintage Dark, and Modern Full—that aim to replicate the sound of 1950s studio plate reverb units. The pedal provides a set of controls for Decay, Mix, Predelay, and EQ, allowing users to fine-tune their reverb effects. Additionally, it has a Predelay knob and a Modulation section to add echo and other sonic textures.
The pedal includes two top-mounted switches to customize your sound further. The Trails/True switch allows users to choose between true bypass, where the reverb cuts off when the pedal is deactivated, and a trails mode, where the reverb effect continues to decay even after deactivation. The Mod Rate switch offers slow and fast settings to control the speed of the modulation effect.
Built with studio-grade algorithms, the Heavenly Plate Reverb offers high-quality sound effects but in a simplified design meant for both studio and stage use. Unlike some of Universal Audio’s more complex pedals, this one focuses on an intuitive knob-per-function design. It is part of Universal Audio’s UAFX series and is inspired by UA’s Golden Reverberator pedal.
Now, with the more technical stuff out of the way, let’s dive into our favorite features of this pedal.
What I Liked Most About The UAFX Heavenly Pedal
It Has A Signature Metalic Tonality
Far too often, pedals try to attract a wider audience by aiming to have a sound that is as widely usable as possible by the broadest range of its users. And while it’s a justifiable goal, more often than not, it ends in having a predictable sound that everyone’s heard before, one that brings nothing new to the table.
But the UAFX Heavenly, in its aim to faithfully emulate a specific device from decades ago (which we’ll cover here in a second), achieves a uniquely metallic sound that sets itself apart from even other plate reverbs (both plugin and pedal alike). That being said, the metallic timbre of the signal isn’t overly tinny like so many other devices whose sound shares a similar “tinny” property. No, and I would go as fast as to say the sound is a unique and tasteful blend of metallic and lush, two qualities I would never have expected to find wrapped into one device.
It’s As Big As You Need It To Be
The Decay knob does its fair share of heavy lifting on the sound and sweeping it from zero-to-full really showcases just how much space this pedal can bring to a sound.
When used is small amounts, it adds a nice sense of space and adds a light amount of coloration and character to the signal; about as much as you would expect it to. But when cranked up to the extreme, the reverb explodes across the soundscape and manages to turn even the smallest sound into a larger-than-life tone.
I found a TON of use in the Decay knob alone when used on my synths to create sweeping transitions that really cut through the mix. The aforementioned metallic quality to the reverb really helped keep the washed-out signal present in the mix and pleasing to the ear and sweeping the Decay and Mix knobs during my builds and turnarounds might just be the new secret sauce in my productions!
The Pre-Delay Is Unique
I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with Predelay, as I’ve all too often found that they are an essential parameter to dial in but all too often I find that the timing of the pre-delay to work against the groove and vibe of the track. This frustration is even more pronounced when longer Predelay are needed and desired, so much so that I usually found myself reaching for the Predelay last as it was always the least inspiring parameter on any reverb I find myself using.
I’m not sure what magic Universal Audio worked on this pedal, but all the frustrations mentioned above are a none-factor with the Heavenly. On the contrary, I found whatever algorithm or slope that the Predelay uses is rythmic and musical, creating more detailed movements in the reverb that always seemed to mesh with the track instead of work against it.
It’s A Great Emulation At A Fraction Of The Price
Its emulation of the late ’50s EMT 140 plate tube reverb isn’t just another reverb sound; it’s a meticulous homage to an iconic studio mainstay, giving it a distinctive metallic resonance that separates it from the sea of plate reverbs out there.
Crucial here is the context of Universal Audio’s long-standing expertise in reverb emulations, originating back in 2007. This is where its value really becomes apparent. So when you’re comparing this pedal to others, especially those using similar algorithms like the Evermore Studio Reverb, know that the UAFX isn’t just a throwback; it’s a result of years dedicated to capturing the true essence of iconic reverbs.
And better yet, it pulls this off without having to drop thousands of dollars on an original unit. The fact that the pedal is priced at just over $200 (at least at the time of writing this article) allows you to tap into the iconic reverb sound of the late ’50s without having to spend enough for a down payment.
What I Wasn’t Crazy About
There’s No Stereo Options
One gripe that I did have about this pedal is its lack of stereo output, which I can easily see being a dealbreaker for many producers and guitarists. Afterall, you often reach for reverb to add width and space to a sound; two qualities were are seriously hamstrung by a pedal that only outputs a mono signal.
This was far from a dealbreaker for me personally for all of the reasoned mentioned above. This pedal has a unique and signature sound, meaning that it’s far from a workhorse pedal to be used on every instrument and in every situation. In the situations that I find myself most often using this pedal, I am not phased by the lack of stereo and have a few tricks up my sleeve to make the mono-issue not an issue at all. But I did want to voice my concerns here, as I know this could be a point of hesitation for those looking into new reverb pedals for their studios and pedal boards.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the UAFX Heavenly Plate Reverb is an asset for any studio or pedal board, offering a character and depth often reserved for much pricier units. Its metallic resonance is a compelling feature, presenting a sound that’s both distinctive and practical in a mix. The robust Decay and Predelay parameters provide dynamic control, contributing to its versatility for various applications. However, it’s important to note the lack of stereo output, which could limit its utility for some.
At a price point of just over $200, it’s offering a whole lot without requiring you to break the bank. The pedal strikes a balance between quality and cost, making it a strong contender in today’s crowded market of reverb options.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
