Empress Nebulus review

A modulation toolbox stompbox

  • £259
  • €349
  • $349
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Each of the eight onboard preset positions is indicated by a different coloured LED

MusicRadar Verdict

A great choice if you want a single pedal with a relatively small footprint.

Pros

  • +

    Nine effects in one box. Tasteful tones. Great gigging tool.

Cons

  • -

    Not much.

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An all-in-one modulation stompbox from Canadian effects maker Empress, the Nebulus delivers chorus, vibe or flange, each with three variations for a total of nine effects (basic or multi-chorus, chorus with tremolo, univibe, vibrato, rotary, tape flanging, 70s pedal flanger or thru-zero flanging).

"The sounds are classy, and offer real flexibility for gigging"

On top of that, each can have a switched tonal character of 'bright' or 'warm' besides the normal sound, and can likewise have 'little' or 'lots' of an effect-specific modification, such as regeneration for the flanger.

There are standard rate, depth and output knobs, plus a mix knob that sets a dry/wet blend. Eight onboard presets can save all knob and switch positions, and these can be scrolled through with the preset footswitch - each indicated by a different coloured LED.

Chosen well to cover the most favoured modulation types for guitar, the sounds are classy, and offer real flexibility for gigging.

Trevor Curwen

Trevor Curwen has played guitar for several decades – he's also mimed it on the UK's Top of the Pops. Much of his working life, though, has been spent behind the mixing desk, during which time he has built up a solid collection of the guitars, amps and pedals needed to cover just about any studio session. He writes pedal reviews for Guitarist and has contributed to Total Guitar, MusicRadar and Future Music among others.