The UniVibe is perhaps one of the most unique effects ever created and its hypnotic tone still fascinates new generations of guitarists. In this feature we’ll look at a handful of models and how to incorporate these in your rig, with David Gilmour’s tones in mind.
The UniVibe was designed in 1968 by Japanese company Shin-ei. The idea was to replicate the doppler effect or the sound of a rotating speaker but the result turned out to be very different sounding. The circuit is basically a 4-stage phaser based on a pulsating light bulb surrounded by four photo cells (see this excellent article for technical details). The original UniVibe featured an expression pedal for adjusting the speed but lacked true bypass switching and it was quite noisy.
As Pink Floyd premiered and toured their new suite, Eclipse, in early 1972, Gilmour upgraded his pedal collection (they were still lying straight on the floor) with a couple of new items, including a UniVibe. The pedal was featured on almost all the songs, adding a haunting texture to his tone. Later, when Dark Side of the Moon was released in 1973, the UniVibe was featured on only a couple of songs, including Breathe.
Best of all, the new pedal expertly reproduces the classic Fuzz Face square-wave distortion—undeniably over-the-top, but still incredibly warm and smooth. The distortion cleans up nicely when the guitar’s volume control is backed down just slightly, allowing players to easily dial in the desired fuzz effect, from just a touch of hair to full-on fuzz assault at will. For a Univibe clone the best I've ever heard, and way out in front of whoever is number 2 in my arrogant opinion, is Bob Sweet's UltraVibe, I own a UltraVibe so I can comment on it, I would imagine the MojoVibe is every bit as good but don't have experience with it.
The UniVibe was featured in David’s pedal boards between 1973-77 although rarely used. In 1994 David got a custom rack unit of the UniVibe and the effect was featured on live performances of Breathe and Time. The unit is still in David’s rig.
UniVibe or phaser?
It’s always a matter of taste but in general I would say that in terms of recreating Gilmour’s tones, you’re probably better off with a vintage style 4-stage phaser – if you have to choose.
A phaser can easily cover songs like Breathe and Any Colour You Like but a UniVibe on Shine On or Have a Cigar doesn’t quite cut it. That being said, nothing sounds quite like a UniVibe and if you’re into Trower, Hendrix and all the other UniVibe masters, then you should seriously consider getting one.
UniVibe on the pedalboard
There are different opinions about where the UniVibe and modulation effects in general should be placed on a pedal board. Of course, it’s your choice but in my opinion, the UniVibe sounds best before gain effects. The reason for this is that UniVibes tend to make heavier overdrives and fuzz sound harsh and thin, when these are placed in front of the UniVibe. Placing the UniVibe first, creates a warmer and more natural sounding effect.
Gilmour always used the UniVibe with a clean sounding amp and perhaps just a very mild overdrive. Hendrix, on the other hand, would place a Fuzz Face before the UniVibe but he also cranked his Marshalls for dark overdrive tones. This combo did often produce some very strange and wild sounds, but on songs like Machine Gun, you can still hear that creamy, warm UniVibe and the cranked Marshall controlled by the guitar volume control.
Unlike other modulation pedals, UniVibes needs a bit of volume to really open up for that liquidy, swirling tone. On low volume levels and perhaps even a dark sounding amp, the UniVibe can sound muffled, thin and flat. Try increasing the volume on your amp or use a clean booster for a bit more bite and the UniVibe will sound much more dynamic and characteristic.
I also find that UniVibes sound more authentic and natural when paired up with vintage style low output single coils like CS54, CS69 or Texas Specials (or similar from other brands). Perhaps this is because most of the UniVibe tones we know, were recorded with a Strat but personally, I think that humbuckers doesn’t suit the effect that well.
Which UniVibe is the best?
Everyone seem to have their own opinion of UniVibes and how they should sound. Perhaps it’s because very few of us has actually played an original unit but instead have all those classic recordings as a reference. However, what you hear on those recordings is a manipulated tone. Amp settings, mics and mic positions, mixing techniques etc is all a part of the tone we all love.
The overall sound quality of all the UniVibe clones I’ve played is very high. Which model you should choose comes down to personal preference and how well a unit fits your rig. Some have more mid range and others might have a more pronounced throb at lower speeds. Unlike Big Muff clones, which vary from dark overdrive to screaming mid rangy fuzz, a UniVibe clone is pretty much a UniVibe – peirod. It’s down to nuances.
All pedals listed below were tested on a Stratocaster featuring D Allen Voodoo 69 neck and middle pickups and a Seymour Duncan SSL5 bridge pickups and a Radix Deluxe PRS model with Seymour Duncan Phat Cat P90s into Reeves Custom 50 and Laney Lionheart L20h tube stacks.
Effectrode Tube-Vibe
Effectrode has one philosophy – making the best pedals possible and base them all on tubes. The Tube-Vibe feature an all tube preamp stage and the classic controls of the original unit. Of all the UniVibes I’ve played, this is by far the warmest and most dynamic sounding. It’s pure sweetness and you want to leave the pedal on all the time. The tube preamp aslo makes it possible to boost the volume and drive the front end of your amp for a bit of that tube punch. This doesn’t affect the vibe effect as the TubeVibe as tons of headroom. One slight drawback in terms of recreating Gilmour’s tones is that the pedal doesn’t do those deep tremolo sounds at high speeds. See my full review here.
Bedroom setups: 10/10

Mixed with gain effects: 10/10

Vintage UniVibe tones: 10/10

Gilmourish.com score: 10/10
MXR M68 Uni-Vibe
MXR’s new Uni-Vibe is based on the original Shin-ei unit from the late 60s, even with matching looks and the usual controls for speed, level and depth (intensity). Like the original, this one’s got that noticeable low-fi throb and a vintage flavour, which some might find a bit too thin sounding but that’s kind of the nature of the true Uni-Vibe. There are better units out there and among the vintage sounding ones, I think the MJM 60s Vibe and Electronic Orange Moon-Vibe does a far better job but the MXR is definitely worth checking out and perhaps easier to come by than some of the clones.
Bedroom setups: 10/10

Mixed with gain effects: 8/10

Vintage UniVibe tones: 8/10


Gilmourish.com score: 8/10
TC Electronics Viscous Vibe
The Viscous is a fully digital recreation of the original late 60s Uni-Vibe. It’s got the classic speed, intensity and volume controls, as well as switchable chorus (Uni-Vibe), vibrato and Tone Print. TC has done an impressive job with this one and you can definitely hear the classic tones. The Tone Print also allow you to fine tune the tone and create some really nice custom sounds. It’s not quite up there with the best, in my opinion, as it sounds a bit too clean and pristine, but it’s definitely worth checking out and the price should fit most budgets.
Bedroom setups: 10/10
Mixed with gain effects: 8/10
Vintage Uni-Vibe tones: 8/10
Gilmourish.com score: 8/10
Dry Bell Vibe Machine V-2
The Vibe Machine houses a unique 4-photo mini cell circuitry in a pedal board friendly chassis. This unit is packed with features, which, in my opinion makies it the most versatile vibe on the market. The Vibe Machine produce well pronounced phasing even at the lowest speed settings, smooth and deep throb at higher speed and dead silent operation. The Vibe Machine also tackle heavier gain and fuzz without getting thin and fissy. Compared to the Tube-Vibe, the tone is slightly brighter and perhaps a bit more defined. The smaller footprint is definitely a pluss but this is one of the most lush and sweetest sounding UniVibes on the market. See my full review here.
Bedroom setups: 10/10

Mixed with gain effects: 10/10

Vintage UniVibe tones: 10/10


Gilmourish.com score: 10/10
Electronic Orange MoonVibe MkII
The MoonVibe got a facelift recently and the result is an even better sounding UniVibe with some very cool new features. The classic four photo cell circuitry delivers everything from haunting lo-fi phasing to heavy throbbing rotary. In addition to the usual speed, intensity and volume controls the new Moon Vibe also feature a Symmetry control allowing a fine tuning of the low and high throb. This is a slightly darker UniVibe but also one of the most dynamic and musical out there. High speed settings are clear and defined thanks to the Symmetry control – excellent for Any Colour You Like. See my full review of the MoonVibe MkII here.
Bedroom setups: 10/10

Mixed with gain effects: 10/10

Vintage UniVibe tones: 10/10
Gilmourish.com score: 10/10
MJM Sixties Vibe
The Sixties Vibe was one the first UniVibes I owned and it’s still a favourite. Very similar to the MoonVibe, this one delivers creamy and smooth classic tones from Hendrix to Gilmour. Of all the typical vintage sounding UniVibes, I find this to be the best companion for fuzz pedals and germaniums in particular. Thumbs up for a silent circuitry and deep throbbing on even the lowest speed settings. It’s also worth mentioning that MJM now offer a much smaller chassis than the one pictured on their website. See my full review here.
Bedroom setups: 9/10

Mixed with gain effects: 9/10

Vintage UniVibe tones: 10/10


Gilmourish.com score: 9/10
Fulltone Mini DejáVibe
Fulltone boldly claim that the Dejá is the only exact replica of the original 1968 UniVibe. That may be and the Dejá does sound vintage and authentic. It has that same slightly lo-fi character and a fat throb on the lower speed settings as well. Still, it doesn’t quite make it in my opinion. Perhaps it just too authentic, I don’t know, but to me it sounds a bit thin and it doesn’t blend as well with heavier overdrive and fuzz as some of the other clones listed here.
Bedroom setups: 7/10

Mixed with gain effects: 7/10

Vintage UniVibe tones: 9/10
![Pedals Pedals](https://guitargearfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ehx-good-vibes.jpg)
Gilmourish.com score: 7/10
Sweetsound MojoVibe
The MojoVibe feature all classic controls and a nice pedal board friendly footprint. The tone is unmistakably UniVibe-ish with a vintage character true to the original. Personally I find the vibe or throb a bit too…erm… throby (in lack of a better word) and not as smooth as some of the others. The Mojo Vibe has also a bit of mid range and a bit too much noise for my taste. Still, a great sounding unit that gets a lot of praise.
Bedroom setups: 8/10

Mixed with gain effects: 7/10

Vintage UniVibe tones: 8/10
Gilmourish.com score: 7/10
Voodoo Lab MicroVibe
The MicroVibe is pretty much a scaled down UniVibe but the classic tone is still there and this should be an easy choice for tight budgets. The pedal has a slight volume boost and a quite a bit of mid range but the MicroVibe is one of the better vibes for your typical bedroom setup. Even at the lowest amp volume levels, this pedals sounds creamy and warm. The MicroVibe also blends very well with gain effects because of its slightly darker character. 

Bedroom setups: 10/10

Mixed with gain effects: 9/10

Vintage UniVibe tones: 6/10
Gilmourish.com score: 7/10
Dunlop RotoVibe
The RotoVibe has been treated a bit unfair in my opinion. This is not a UniVibe but rather a mix between a UniVibe and 4-stage phaser (score below is based on this and not that the pedal is a UniVibe). The RotoVibe easily produce all the classic tones and the fact that the pedal is a sweep unit, allows you to easily control the phase speed. It also blends very well with high gain effects. If you’re having doubts about whether to get an UniVibe or phaser, then look no further.
Bedroom setups: 10/10

Mixed with gain effects: 10/10

Vintage UniVibe tones: 6/10

![Best Best](https://d4f29v9wclo2e.cloudfront.net/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/best-univibe-pedal.jpg)
Gilmourish.com score: 9/10
MXR Phase 45
This little gem is actually a two-stage phaser but sounds more like a very subtle UniVibe. Much like the RotoVibe the Phase 45 blends very well with all types of gains and adds a haunting texture to your tones. The recent 1975 reissue from MXR’s Custom Shop is spot on the original but I also recommend checking out the excellent Ripple from Jam Pedals, which has a slightly more pronounced effect and true bypass switching.
Bedroom setups: 10/10

Mixed with gain effects: 10/10

Vintage UniVibe tones: 6/10

Gilmourish.com score: 8/10
Lovepedals Pickle Vibe
Technically, the Pickle Vibe is a phaser and not a UniVibe. Still, Lovepedal has managed to tweak the circuit and come up with a remarkable little unit that both fits nicely on any pedal board and delivers a pretty convincing tone. In addition to the visible rate control, there are several trimpots inside allowing some fine tuning of the tone. The Pickle Vibe got a slight volume boost and quite a bit of mid range allowing the pedal to cut through and tackle the more demanding setups.
Bedroom setups: 8/10

Mixed with gain effects: 7/10

Vintage UniVibe tones: 6/10

Gilmourish.com score: 7/10
Feel free to use the comments field below and share your experience, recommendations and tips!
Can you imagine a world without sound effects? What would our music be like if we did not have so many options on hand? I am pretty sure you are having a hard time picturing such kind of parallel universe. We are so used to having an abundance of choices that we often forget to appreciate how lucky we are to be alive in technological era. Sometimes we lose the ability of cherishing individual things on their own. Take a minute and think, if you had to choose only one audio effect, what would it be? For me, that would be vibrato. This will probably sound quite odd, because, let’s be honest, it is not a go-to-effect for many musicians. However, I fancy its somewhat unique and different nature and I absolutely love the way it changes my sound. If you have ever played with this one, you know what I am talking about. If not, then keep on reading, because I will help you find the best vibrato pedal, so that you can become a proud member of our modulation family.
Table of Contents
- 1 Top 5 Best Vibrato Pedals
Top 5 Best Vibrato Pedals
# | Image | Amplifier Model | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Diamond Vibrato - Analog Vibrato | (5 / 5) | ||
2 | Boss VB-2W Vibrato Effects Pedal | (4.9 / 5) | ||
4 | TC Electronic Shaker Vibrato Pedal | (4.9 / 5) | ||
3 | Dunlop M68 Uni-Vibe Chorus/Vibrato | (4.8 / 5) | ||
5 | BEHRINGER ULTRA VIBRATO UV300 | (4.8 / 5) |
Diamond Vibrato – Analog Vibrato
I always get excited when I start talking about boutique pedals. Even though they are a bit more expensive than others, their quality and performance make them worth every penny. Diamond Vibrato features all the sweetness and characteristics of an analog circuit. Its bucket brigade design allows this pedal do break the boundaries and take your music to a whole new level. It has simple controls: with typical Speed and Depth knobs you can change the rate and intensity of the effect; Volume knob modifies the level of the overall output, while Chorus takes care of chorus itself, which can be doubled due to the circuitry of the pedal. Additionally, Diamond Vibrato has two switches: Jazz makes the Vibrato a bit darker, while High does the opposite. This pedal is a true bypass, guaranteeing the elimination of noise when switched off. If you are looking for accurate and natural vibrato effect along with defined chorus, look no further.
Pros:
- Offers two effects
- Extremely powerful and durable
- Natural-sounding
Boss VB-2W Vibrato Effects Pedal
Boss VB-2W is an improved version of its predecessor. It features analog circuit and delivers all the remarkable qualities of the bucket brigade chips. Just like all the pedals of this brand, VB-2W is extremely durable and sturdy, featured in a classic Boss body. This model has added input jack and allows you to connect an expression pedal for more control. The knobs of this one are quite standard: the first two are Rate and Depth, which modify the speed and intensity of the effect; the third is Rise which sets how gradually the effect reaches its peak in latch mode; the fourth knob is a mode selector, giving you the option to choose between Latch, Bypass (guarantees full transparency and no signal interference when switched off) and Unlatch (activates the effect momentarily) modes. Below the knobs you will see a slide, which lets you choose between Custom and Standard modes. The former delivers a darker and deeper vibrato, while the latter replicates the sounds of original VB-2. In short, Boss VB-2W will provide you with amazing performance and natural sound.
Pros:
- Extremely durable
- Quiet operation
- Analog circuit
- Powerful vibrato effect
Cons:
- A bit expensive for the features it offers
- Rate cannot be controlled with the expression pedal
TC Electronic Shaker Vibrato Pedal
When speaking of TC Electronic, we cannot avoid praising the amazing qualities that TonePrint has to offer. This is an app that can be connected to an array of their pedals and provides an abundance of versatility. Shaker Vibrato is no exception. It goes up in high gear as soon as you turn the app on. This feature can be activated using a toggle switch (by setting to TonePrint), which also allows you to choose between Vibrato and Latch (the effect is activated when the footswitch is pressed and held) modes. In addition, this pedal has four knobs for controlling the parameters of your sound: Speed and Depth, that are essential to any vibrato pedal, modify the rate and intensity of the effect, Rise sets how fast the maximum potential of vibrato will appear, while the Tone strives to find the perfect balance between bright and dark notes. Shaker Vibrato is a quality pedal that delivers the effect precisely and leaves a lot of room for versatility.
Pros:
- Versatile sound due to the TonePrint
- Very durable
- Classic vibrato tones
Dunlop M68 Uni-Vibe Chorus/Vibrato
The original Uni-Vibe was introduced to the market back in ‘60s. Its classic design and quality sound made it popular with a lot of musicians. Dunlop decided to renovate it and created M68, which maintains all the good qualities of the original pedal. It is a combination of chorus and vibrato effects, which makes its sonic possibilities stand out in the crowd. The controls on its simple enclosure are very easy to operate: it has standard Speed, Depth and Level knobs. The first two alters the rate of the effect and the profundity of the shift appearing in signal frequencies. The Level knob modifies the volume of the output and can act as a boost and EQ as well. M68 Uni-Vibe has a small toggle switch that allows you to choose between vibrato and chorus modes. Its compact design and Leslie-like vibes make this pedal a must-have for every pedal board.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- An array of vibrato and chorus sounds
- Small size
Cons:
- Vibrato is quite subtle at lower settings
- Mode button is too small
BEHRINGER ULTRA VIBRATO UV300
BEHRINGER has been a staple among affordable pedals for a while now. Their pedals do the job well, even better than some of the higher-end ones at the fraction of price. The same goes with Ultra Vibrato. It is true, though, that build quality is not that great and will not withstand too much abuse. If you are a gentle user, you will be fine. When it comes to the controls, everything is quite simple and mainstream here: it features Rise, Rate and Depth knobs, that modify the parameters their names indicate on. Additionally, Ultra Vibrato has a mode selector, which allows you to shift between Unlatch, Bypass and Latch modes. Keep in mind that the bypass is not true, so expect some sonic interference with this one. These features are quite surprising for a pedal at this price. Thumbs up to BEHRINGER for producing such a decent pedal.
Pros:
- Extremely affordable
- Simple to operate
- Adjustable latch mode
- Classic vibrato tones
The difference between vibrato and tremolo
Music history remembers many misunderstandings. Sometimes unintentional mistakes turn into lingering conceptions that confuse even the professionals. A simple fallacy that supposedly started in 1954 (when Fender developed a Stratocaster and labeled it as tremolo system) had a great impact on implementing interchangeable usage of vibrato and tremolo pedals. At first glance, you might think that the difference between the two is not that noticeable and, therefore, should be ignored but in terms of sound and performance they are far cry from each other. I will discuss each of them and, hopefully, put an end to this unreasonable misconception once and for all.
Vibrato is a modulation effect which occurs when the pitch of the signal is altered periodically. To put it simply, it changes up the frequencies and mixes wet signal with your initial sound. This way a sort of “vibrating”, “trembling” tone is created. On the contrary, tremolo modifies the sound without interfering with its pitch. Rather, it causes the volume to fluctuate, thus, producing rhythmical repetitions of the notes. In musical terms, they both thicken up the tones and create an illusion of more than one instrument being played. If you compare them side to side, you will notice that vibrato is way more natural than tremolo and that their sonic characteristics are easily distinguishable.
Now that you know what the effect does, let’s move on to discussing the features that perfect vibrato pedal should possess.
Qualities of the best vibrato pedal
When speaking of musical devices and their characteristics, I always say that it all depends on your taste and preferences. What I mean to imply is that when it comes to determining the best features of a certain unit, your individual views come into play. The type of musician you are and the techniques you employ will define how you perceive each and every parameter. Whether you play in a band or solo will make a difference as well. However, there are specific features that even the simplest vibrato pedal should have in order to deliver the effect properly. Let’s dive into describing them and find out, what are the things you require from a decent pedal.
Since vibrato is a rhythmical effect, it hugely relies on the speed of pitch shifting. That is why even the most basic pedal will have a Speed (might be labeled as Rate) control. Due to its wave-like nature, the intensity plays a huge role as well. For this reason, Depth falls under the category of essential knobs as well. These two together provide you with rudimentary control that might be enough for many, but too basic for the rest.
The majority of fancy pedals offer the Rise control. This is where things get a bit more interesting. It allows you to set how fast your vibrato reaches the peak of its sonic potential. Rise adds texture to your sound and creates a whole new dimension. If you like to tweak even the minutia of your tones, you should definitely look for this feature.
Apart from main controls, a lot of vibrato pedals offer additional effects, such as chorus. This two get on like a house on fire and can provide you with ethereal performance. Having an extra effect on hand is always a good idea and gives you the option to step up your game in a blink of an eye.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the best vibrato pedal is not that difficult. All you have to do is consider carefully the information I have provided. In the list above I tried to include all the best deals on the market, so that you would not have to. I really hope I have contributed to making this process easy for you, since I know all the head-wrecking even a single pedal can cause. Stop hesitating my friend, because the more time you waste overthinking, the less you have left on experimenting (but this does not mean that you should make a rash decision). Go out there, purchase the pedal of your choice and let the magic happen!