The Pico Attack Decay comes with a message to all who desire its compact charms: captivating swells and luscious volume envelope effects await! From a design introduced in 1980, Electro-Harmonix brings you a smaller, more compact version of the Attack Decay. Dubbed the Pico Attack Decay, you’ll find the same classic synthesizer-like control over the attack and decay of the notes you play. With this pedal-born magic in tow, you can experiment with tape reverse effects to slow volume swells to bowed-instrument effects. Like its forebears, the Pico offers users two modes: Mono and Poly. Don’t let its intuitive exterior misguide you, however, the Pico Attack Decay is filled with powerful volume sorcery. Music Experience agrees the Electro-Harmonix Pico Attack Decay is as enjoyable as it is inspiring!
The Pico takes the envelope effect from the reissued Attack Decay pedal and repackages it into a smaller chassis. Music Experience guitarists have found the smaller chassis does not affect the powerful nature of this pedal’s effects. Plus, you can still rock the boat with a selection of Mono and Poly modes. Mono applies a single volume envelope to all the notes you play. On the other hand, Poly applies a volume envelope to each individual note — this is an excellent tool to craft cascading swells or leads with spirited attack that smooths out. As for the knobs, start with the Attack to set your volume envelope’s swell/fade-in speed and the Decay to set the fade-out speed. A high Attack setting will bequeath you with languid volume swells, while a high setting on the Decay will give you artificially staccato notes with synth-esque swagger. Sens can adjust the threshold that triggers the envelope. Plus, you’ll have a blend control for tweaking your level of wet vs. dry signal. With four knobs and a Mode button, the Pico Attack Decay carries everything you need to get in, get out, and travel light. It’s about time you found a pedal you could get creative with!
The original Attack Decay Tape Reverse Simulator is known for producing volume and reverse swells, backward tape sounds, artificially short staccato notes, and bowed instrument effects. In 2019 the digital Attack Decay reissue was released, and now the Pico Attack Decay gives us volume envelope effects in a simplified, compact package. The Pico Attack Decay allows you to dial in volume swells and decays, both in Mono mode—one volume envelope for all notes you play—and the revolutionary Poly mode where each note to has its own volume envelope creating cascading swell effects and leads with agile attack smoothing. With intuitive functionality and simple controls, the Pico Attack Decay opens up creative avenues for any player interested in pushing the (volume) envelope. The Pico Attack Decay is both powerful and simple with four knobs and a mode button that let you create a wide variety of effects. The ATTACK knob sets the swell or fade-in speed of the volume envelope while the DECAY knob sets the fade-out speed of the volume envelope. Set the ATTACK higher for languid volume swells. Set the DECAY higher for artificially staccato notes for synth-like punches. SENS adjusts the threshold for triggering the envelope. VOL controls the overall output volume. A hidden BLEND control allows you to blend wet and dry signals for even more flexibility in tone!
Seductive swells and reverse tape effects push the envelope on any pedalboard!
