Diamond Pedals bring back their well-loved VIB1 Analog Vibrato, now with MN3007 BBD Chip onboard, and only half the size of the original!
Diamond Pedals’ original VIB1 and Boss’s VB-2 / VB-2W are most likely historically the go-to Vibrato units for most pro pedalboards - each with a deep and loyal following. So it’s great news for Vibrato lovers - to see the Diamond Vibrato back on the scene, now in smaller compact size enclosure - and with an even greater range of flavour onboard - courtesy of its 9-18 Volts power capabilities.
The original square format had mostly the same controls as this new unit, just in a different order really - Volume, Jazz Switch (darker vintage voicing), Chorus, High (Increased Depth of Modulation Range), Depth, Speed. Obviously there were 2 toggle-switches on the original unit - Jazz and High, where Diamond Pedals’ Greg says of the new one :
"The ’Jazz’ switch now has 2 different intensities, ’Jazz’ switch up is a very subtle high trim, ’Jazz’ switch down is slightly less subtle, with a more intense high cut. There’s no ’High’ mode (switch) on this one, because you get that type of depth from the LFO when you’re in 9V operation. If you want more clarity and less depth using 18v will do that!"
Controls - Level, Speed, Chorus, Depth, Jazz EQ (High-Trim) : Subtle High-Trim / No-Trim / More Trim, Hold footswitch for Double Speed.
I have several of the Diamond Pedals on my wishlist, where this one goes to the top of that list. The Diamond Pedals Vibrato is one of the true greats of that genre - it really is that and the VB-2 flying the flag for this genre of modulation. If you like things slightly wobbly - then this is definitely the way to go.
As expected this comes in a purple sparkle enclosure, with a smart Footswitch that you can set up as either Momentary or Latching, where it also ’doubles’ as a Speed Doubler - ramping up the rate of Vibrato significantly.
A really smart more pedalboard friendly unit with real depth to its modulation. Note that Diamond Pedals have secured enough NOS Panasonic MN3007 BBD Chips for the first 800 units - so there is some urgency if you want to land one of those. Available for course from the Diamond Pedals Webstore for $279 | €319 | £279 - and imminently at International Dealers.
I feel that this one ir really going to fly off the shelves - there was so much pent up demand for this one - as soon as Diamond Pedals relaunched - the fans were asking - where is the Vibrato! Well fret to more - the Vibrato is back!
Key Features
- Vibrato Effects Pedal
- All-analog bucket brigade circuitry
- Sound and character of the original paired with improved modern features
Updated Compandor design for increased clarity, less distortion and lower noise floor - Legendary MN3007 Bucket Brigade Delay chip - Using original NOS Panasonic BBDs in first run of 800 pcs.
- Variable chorus control for blending dry and wet signals
- Standardized negative-center 9-18 V DC input with polarity and over-voltage protection - for more headroom at 18V or added colour and warble at 9V input voltage
- Tone-shaping jazz switch
- Momentary or latching speed doubler - doubles the set speed of the Vibrato
- Wide speed range going from 0.1 Hz to 20 Hz
- Pedalboard-friendly enclosure with top-mounted jacks for ease of pedalboard use
- Soft touch relay-based true bypass switching
- Hand-made in Montreal, Canada
- Powered by a regular (opt.) 9-18 V DC PSU (centre -, 2,1 mm, ~45 mA current draw)
- MAP / RRP : $279 | €319 | £279
Demos
