Released this past year at winter NAMM the Levitation Reverb pedal from EarthQuaker Devices is a fresh take on ambient, atmospheric reverb. Like most other EarthQuaker pedals the Levitation is like nothing else out there. Here is our impressions after our first brush with this pedal.
First off like all EarthQuaker pedals the Levitation is built like a tank. The input/output jacks are durable and extend out far enough from the enclosure ensuring that patch cables will stay connected. We also really enjoyed the 9v power supply jack. It also extended a few millimeters from the enclosure which should make connecting to multiple power supplies a breeze. The knobs and short/long toggle switch felt sturdy and durable.
We tried this pedal out through a Dr. Z Maz 18 and the new Z-Lux 1×12 Combo by Dr. Z. Through both amps the reverb fit right and never sounded harsh. For years the Strymon Blue Sky has been our go to ambient “shimmer” reverb and with the onset of Neunaber Audio Stereo Wet Reverb it’s hard to imagine something better. While those pedals are soon to be classics and staples on many worship guitarists boards we have our criticisms. The Blue Sky for example has a slight pause in the feedback on the shimmer settings. The Wet Reverb had a darker characteristic that worked with most guitars but when paired with a 335 or similar guitar got lost a little bit in the mix. In our opinion the Levitation is great middle ground.
With the short/long switch set to long the atmosphere just a hair past 3 oclock, the decay cranked, the mix just a hair past 3 and the tone just past 12 there was enough shimmer to cut through the mix but remained musical. The onset of the shimmer hit right after the the actual notes and chords as well which was perhaps our favorite characteristic. While not as dark as the Wet Reverb at it’s core the Levitation could get that territory tone wise as you backed off the tone control.
The big difference between the other pedals is that this pedal does not get near as wet. The original notes and chords ring out through the reverb and some guitarists could possibly find this a downfall. My favorite way to set it up was a middle ground between the hall reverb and shimmer settings on the Bluesky. It sat well right in the middle and as a second stage reverb if you will.
Overall we loved this pedal. It is not likely to overtake the Bluesky, Bigsky and Wet Reverb but it is a must try for reverb lovers. Oh and did we mention how much we love that they are made right next door to us in Akron Ohio! Great work on this one guys!
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