Mission Engineering SP-H9 Expression Pedal Review [Eventide H9]

5/9/2020

Mission Engineering SP-H9 Expression Pedal Review

Mission Engineering SP-H9

Without a doubt, one of the finest multi-purposed digital effects processors to have ever adorned a musician’s pedal board is Eventide’s “H9 Harmonizer”. If you haven’t already checked out my previous installment on the H9, I invite you to do so (Eventide H9 Max Review Link). It is my considered opinion that there are only a couple of ways to improve a pedal board that has been armed with an H9:

A) Add a second H9.
B) Pair it with a compatible expression pedal.

Fortunately, the latter suggestion is what we’re taking a look at in this review; thanks to Mission Engineering’s decidedly apropos SP-H9 Expression Pedal.

At first glance it’s obvious that Mission SP-H9’s stylish fascia perfectly matches that of Eventide’s digital wonder box; however, its likeness isn’t the only adjunct that has been meticulously designed to seamlessly integrate with an H9. You’ll be pleased to know that this expression controller also provides a TS (On/Off) toe button to facilitate on-the-fly bypass functionality and other handy momentary control. What’s more, a solitary ¼ “ TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) cable is all that’s required to make the necessary connection.

Mission Engineering’s MSRP lists the SP-H9 at $149 (USD) / $202 (CAD). While it’s true that there are some lower priced expression pedals on the market, none of them - and I do mean NONE – are so perfectly compatible with an Eventide H9. It’s also worth noting that Mission’s Made in USA build quality is top-notch, to boot!

0 Comments

[Deep Review] Eventide H9 Max | Reviewer's Revival

6/6/2019

1 Comment

[Exciting Deep] Review of Eventide H9 Max | Reviewer's Revival

DISCLAIMER! This is a deep, investigative editorial.
As such, it is presented in two parts.

Click to Zoom (new page)

Eventide – an illustrious, respected name in most nearly every serious studio since the early 1970s. The wizardry-in-a-studio-box that got it all started for the fledgling New Jersey-based company was their revered H910 Harmonizer ® – this one is still an oft sought after effects processor. As the company continued its tireless pursuit of digital reverberation par excellence, Eventide blasted into the 1980s with one of the quintessential digital reverb units of all time: The Eventide “SP2016”. Next came an amazing multi FX contraption that could manipulate an audio signal’s pitch, delay, modulation and filter curves like theretofore unheard of – it was christened, “H3000”.

Suffice it to say, Eventide is a deservingly well-established, highly regarded force in the audio production industry. Since the company’s inception, they have proven themselves to be not only innovators, but also purveyors of exceptional, professional-grade processors. Thus it caused no small ripple in the mid 2000s when Eventide started emulating their highly hailed studio rack effects in plug-in form. Keeping no stone unturned, they also developed an outstanding line of high-powered effects pedals – known as the Factor series.

And . . . in 2009 Eventide gave many guitarists and keyboardists cause for celebration when they unleashed a rack full of their fan favoured effects in a single, rugged stomp box. In keeping with their own famous naming conventions, that little box of digital supremacy was knighted, “H9”. In essence, all of the exquisite algorithms found in Eventide’s “Factor” series of effects-pedals have been culminated into one exhaustive collection – otherwise known as the H9 Max. Although the outward appearance has remained unaltered, the H9 has undergone a few subtle, under-the-hood changes on the inside. So too has it price tiers.

The H9 is presently available in three tiers: H9 Core, H9 Harmonizer, and H9 Max. There aren’t any physical or electronic differences between the three — the distinctions are entirely software dependent. Core offers 25 presets from the original H910 / H949; Harmonizer increases the kitty to include Ultra Tap Delays, Advanced Modulatons, Shimmer & Hall reverbs, Vintage Delays and Tremelo/Pan. Finally, the H9 Max ships with all available algorithms pre-loaded and ready to rock! H9 Core and H9 Harmonizer can each be ‘Max’ed’ out with the full roster of algorithms; of course, the upgraded content comes at a cost. Obviously, it costs more to ‘Max’ out the basic Core unit since it requires 48 additional algorithms to be brought up to full-meal-deal status.

So just how much wallet-paper does it take to get an H9 Max onto your pedal board?

Eventide’s MSRP and most nearly every retailer’s listing comes in at $699 (USD) / $899 (CAD). If you’re thinking, “Sheesh! That’s a big chunk of change”, I would agree with you – on the surface. However, when you take into consideration that most nearly every one of Eventide’s enviable algorithms has been gleaned from their entire stomp box line, the price makes a lot more sense. This includes, but is not limited to, all modulation, harmonizing, pitch-shifting, delay, reverberation and tremolo algorithms. In addition, exciting H9-exclusive algorithms are here as well: UltraTap, Resonator, SpaceTime, PitchFuzz, EQ Compressor, Sculpt, CrushStation and HotSawz. Moreover, any algorithms released in the future will automatically be available for H9 Max users to download – at no additional expense. Purchasing algorithms a’ la carte costs $20 apiece (applicable to H9 Core and H9 Harmonizer units only).

1 Comment