Prometheus uVibe
An authentic UniVibe recreation in the smallest form factor currently on the market
The Uni-Vibe was created in the late 60s by Shin-Ei, a Japanese company looking to create an electronic effect that could emulate the sounds of a Leslie rotating speaker. This goal was not really achieved but the sound of Uni-Vibe has a character all its own and went on to become one of the all-time classic guitar modulation effects.
The Uni-Vibe, often cited as a "vibe" enhances guitar playing without overshadowing it, is known for its ability to inspire creativity and add a touch of vintage magic to a player's sound. Unlike some other modulation pedals, the Uni-Vibe's sound is described as organic and musical, adding depth and dimension without sounding artificial.
Examples of use:
- David Gilmour: famously used on Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon album on "Breathe" , "Any Colour You Like" and other tracks, creating the iconic swirling and shimmering sound.
- Jimi Hendrix: used the Uni-Vibe, notably on "Machine Gun" from Band of Gypsys.
- Robin Trower: incorporated the Uni-Vibe into his signature sound on songs like "Bridge of Sighs".
In short, the Uni-Vibe pedal is a highly sought-after effects pedal known for its unique and organic sound, ability to inspire creativity, and timeless appeal. While it can be finicky to dial in and may not suit all playing styles or situations, it remains a popular choice for guitarists looking to add a touch of vintage magic to their sound.
Design Philosophy
Our goal was to keep as close to the original design as possible but to make small improvements where they would add some value. For example, we thought it was super important to keep the CdS photo-resistors and incandescent lamp as these are at the heart of the Uni-Vibe’s sonic character. However, we chose to replace the bipolar junction transistor (BJT) input buffer amplifier with our TransValve™ gain block, and we replaced the BJT output buffer with a JFET buffer. We did this because these circuits provide a more pleasant sound characterised by even-harmonics rather than the odd harmonics produced by BJT circuits.
