Continuing their line of effects pedals designed to render keyboardists obsolete (just kidding), the Electro-Harmonix Synth 9 Synthesizer Machine pedal allows you to coax classic synth tones from your guitar or bass. And it doesn't require a special pickup system either — just add it to your pedalboard like any other effects pedal. Nine presets give you access to some of the most iconic synth sounds from the '70s and '80s. And thanks to an extremely wide playable range, the Electro-Harmonix Synth 9 pedal delivers precise tracking with both guitar and bass.
Just like the Electro-Harmonix B9, C9, Key9, and Mel9 emulation pedals, the Synth 9 Synthesizer Machine boasts ultra-precise tracking for glitch-free performance. The playable range is huge — it'll track accurately on your guitar all the way up to the 23rd fret on your high E string. On bass, the Synth 9 tracks accurately all the way down to your open A string.
The polyphonic SYNTH9 Synthesizer Machine transforms your guitar or bass with 9 presets that were precisely tuned to emulate the most sought after, vintage synthesizer sounds ever! From searing lead synths to spacey synth pads and deep, funky, synth bass grooves, it’s all accessible. The SYNTH9 is also super easy to use with DRY volume, SYNTH volume, CTRL1 and CTRL2 knobs that provide precise control over each preset’s parameters. If you dig the kind of classic synth sounds made famous on recordings by groups like ELP, EVH, Kraftwerk, Joy Division, P-Funk, Peter Gabriel and more, we think you’ll love the SYNTH9.
TIPS ON GETTING OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE FROM THE SYNTH9
1. The SYNTH9 is generally best used as the first pedal in an effects chain. Place modulation, delay, and reverb effects after the SYNTH9. The unit will not perform well if placed in the effects loop of a guitar amp.
2. For optimal playability, set the guitar’s pickup selector to the bridge pickup and turn the volume knob all the way up (“10”).
3. Avoid placing a distortion or overdrive in front of the SYNTH9, which could muddy up the input signal and cause the tracking to be unstable. If you want to add overdrive or distortion, place it after the SYNTH9.
4. The SYNTH9 has a built in compressor that is active on the synth sounds at all times. We recommend you do not insert another compressor into your signal chain while the SYNTH9 is in effect mode.
