There’s a moment, a little over a minute into the announce video, where Chroma Console by Hologram Electronics finally starts to make sense. Up until that point it seems like a really excellent, but rather straightforward multi-effect pedal. And if you’re familiar with Hologram Electronics at all, you know the company doesn’t really do “straightforward.”
It starts small. After introducing you to the four different effect modules — Character, Movement, Diffusion and Texture — a hand cranks a knob while someone plays the drums and this doubled phasing tape effect comes out of the speakers. Interesting. Then some text on the screen lets you know that, hey, you can rearrange the effect modules. So if you want everything to feed into the fuzz mode of Character, you can do that.
Then at the 1:37 mark of the video, we’re introduced to Gestures. It’s basically the same sort of motion controls and automation that you’ll find on many modern synths, except this is a guitar pedal. Instead of having to be glued to an expression pedal or implement some complicated MIDI setup, you can just press a button and turn some knobs. This allows you to crank the distortion of only part of a riff, or have pitch shifted sparkles erupt at regular intervals. This sort of simplified automation is all but unheard of on a guitar pedal.
The four modules themselves are pretty versatile, though. Each of them has five different modes, for a total of 20 effects. Character is where you’ll find overdrive, fuzz, compression and swell effects to shape your tone. Movement, unsurprisingly, is where modulation like doubling, vibrato, phaser and tremolo live. Diffusion is for time based effects, like delay and echo, including some with that trademark Hologram glitchy weirdness. And Texture is like a dash of finishing salt on your tone, here are filters, compressors, and tap emulators.
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There’s also a master Drift effect which introduces hints of randomness and instability. Plus Capture, which does dual (but very similar) roles as an infinite sustainer or a looper with up to 30 seconds of record time.
Hologram Electronics made sure to outfit Chroma Console with all manner of useful features beyond the effects, too. It’s got stereo ins and outs, MIDI over 5-pin DIN and USB-C, an expression pedal input, and 80 user presets. The two foot switches are also assignable, so you can turn off only specific effects without getting down on your knees.
The whole thing seems like a unique take on what appears at first glance to be a pretty simple multi-effect pedal. Chroma Console is available now direct from Hologram Electronics for $399, though quantities are limited.
The Chroma Console by Hologram Electronics is a revolution in the world of multi-effect pedals. It offers a level of versatility and customization that is unparalleled in the industry. The ability to rearrange the effect modules and utilize simplified automation with Gestures sets the Chroma Console apart from other guitar pedals on the market.
With a total of 20 effects and additional features such as the Drift effect and Capture, the Chroma Console provides musicians with endless creative possibilities. The pedal’s stereo ins and outs, MIDI capabilities, USB-C connectivity, and expression pedal input make it a versatile and powerful tool for any guitarist.
The Chroma Console is not just a multi-effect pedal, it is a complete tone-shaping and sound-sculpting solution. Its innovative design and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for any guitarist looking to take their sound to the next level.
At a price point of $399, the Chroma Console is a high-quality and affordable option for musicians of all levels. Whether you’re a professional guitarist or a hobbyist, the Chroma Console is a valuable addition to any pedalboard.
In conclusion, the Chroma Console by Hologram Electronics is a game-changer in the world of multi-effect pedals. Its innovative design, versatile features, and exceptional sound quality make it a standout choice for any guitarist. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to own this groundbreaking pedal and elevate your musical performance to new heights.
