Beetronics puts its own unique spin on the Analog Chorus - with its innovative Seabee Harmochorus Stereo Chorus Harmonizer

As is Beetronics’ way - they’ve taken a classic BBD Analog Chorus template and then thrown out the rule book. So you get that lush analog modulation goodness - output in either Wet / Dry split Stereo or Inverted Wet Phase Stereo. As per their recent Zzombee Filtremulator this is a highly complex pedal with a steep learning curve - and one that cannot really be navigated without the use of a manual.

You do though get 4 banks of 4 presets - for a total of 16 presets, with 8 factory presets and 8 blanks by default. You can of course also run the pedal in Manual / Panel Mode - which is an in-between selection for the Preset Banks.

The main innovation for the Seabee Harmochorus is the various Harmonising uses of the Chorus - or the 3 Harmo Modes in particular - which include the intriguing Mad / Randomizer Mode.

Essentially we have 3 Harmonising Modes, and 3 Chorus Modes selected by Effect Type :

• DUAL - Similar to ROTO Mode as this Ramps between 2 Speeds / Pitches
• ARP - Arpeggiator-like Modulation Movement with selectable Pattern and Chord Stack
• MAD - Thousands of Random Pitch Patterns with selected Chord Stacks
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• ROTO - Leslie Rotary Speaker style Mode - with 2 speeds that you can Ramp between
• DEPTH - Modulation Depth Ramping Chorus
• STING - Chorus Delay Time Ramping 

For Chorus types the MIX knob obviously takes you into Vibrato or Vibee mode, while there are multiple permutations achievable through the interaction of the 3 knobs and 3 switches - all with alternative, and some even with multiple functions.

Controls - Ramp / Tone / Pattern, Rate / Mix, Depth / Feedback / Harmonies, Ramp Shape : A stop B stop / Up-Down / Up Only, MODE : Dual / Arp / Mad & Roto / Depth / Sting, Effect : < Harmo / Chorus >, Tap-Tempo / Ramping Footswitch, Bypass / Ramp Direction / Alt Footswitch, Tap both Footswitches simultaneously to Access Presets and navigate Up/Down via 2 Footswitches, Press-Hold to save Preset.

I’m not going to replicate the manual here - I’ve tried to include most of the specifics in my above visual - while there is so much under the surface - that said visual can only really scratch the surface.

This is definitely the Year of the Chorus - with this and the recent Jackson Audio New Wave - leading the wave of innovation - and several more heavy-hitter due to be launched this year.

I’m big Chorus fan and this is my 19th Chorus to date - 6th Stereo Chorus I believe. It will weirdly be going onto the board at largely the same time as the New Wave - so will be interesting to see what I settle on longer term.

As per my recent Beetronics Acquisitions - I decided I needed a Custom edition - and I spent a fair few minutes picking out my favourite Custom Edition (SB097). I chose it in the end because I liked the colour-combination and the inclusion of sky-blue colour which is synonymous with Chorusing - while the options for this release thus far haven’t been as vibrant as for the Zzombee. There is nothing close to my Zzombee Custom Colourway. The other main reason I selected the SB097 was the legibility of its legends - which in the above visual - you cans see stand out the most of those 3 types.

The Standard edition is already gorgeous - while I thought the use of gold for the labels wasn’t the most legible - Standard goes for $349 and Custom Editions are $449 - with around a 100 option at launch. The $100 premium for a Custom Edition is a lot, while I seem to have fallen into the Beetronics Custom way of things - where those custom editions are typically prettier than the Standard one! Obviously mileage will vary per your own budget ceiling and overall preferences.

These intricate Beetronics devices can be something of a challenge to get to grips with - but a little perseverance and due diligence usually leads to stellar results.

It’s amazing how Beetronics can sustain this relentless pace of innovation. The Seabee has supposedly been in development for 3 years - and delivers a very unique and compelling take on the Analog Chorus.

I really love these kinds of pedals - and Beetronics’ attention to detail is always extraordinary.

I’ve often talked about Pedals as and art form - and these Beetronics types are a leading ambassador for that movement!

Anyone tempted by one of these - Standard or Custom?