this is how to get the sound of a dream pop pedalboard with only one guitar pedal. the kind of sound that evokes a sense of awe and wonderment, with modulated reverb floating like a cloud over reverse delays, shimmering with pitch. meet reminiscer.
reminiscer is a lofi multi-effects pedal with a curated selection of dreamy guitar effects dreamt up by shoegaze bands violet oscillation & abstract in sound in collaboration with maneco labs.
so, what is a multi-effects pedal exactly?
it's a guitar pedal that has multiple different effects, versus the traditional kind of pedal that is dedicated to just one effect type. why are multi-effects favoured by many guitarists? because reminiscer's multiple guitar effects can be layered, similar to how guitar pedals on a pedalboard are stacked to build up a sound - except, reminiscer is just one pedal, making it an affordable alternative.
so, how do i get the sound of a dreamy pedalboard with just one guitar pedal?
first, let’s look at each of reminiscer’s dreamy guitar effects.
dual modulated reverb
reverb is my favourite effect, but it’s not just mine. reverb is one of the most popular guitar effects for good reason. i always describe it as making everything instantly more dreamy. reminiscer has modulated reverb, which is a type of reverb that is infused with modulation for a more euphoric sound. but, reminiscer’s modulated reverb is special. modulation appears twice for double the nostalgia. a dream pop pedalboard wouldn’t be complete without it.
90s style delay
delay is a dream pop pedalboard essential. it creates an echo, repeating back what you just played - mesmerising.
reverse delay
reverse delay is a unique type of delay i find evokes a sense of nostalgia in a way not quite matched by any other effect. how perfect for a dream pop setup. reminiscer’s hazy reverse delay can be blended with the forward delay for ambient bliss, a unique dual delay setup.
pitch shift
pitch shift is an effect that can change the pitch of a guitar’s sound. in reminiscer, it can also be used to create dream pop detune. pitch detune is a type of effect that is a heavenly ingredient to the perfect dream pop guitar sound. it creates lush shimmering guitars. you can actually pair this with the dual modulated reverb i mentioned earlier for creating shimmer reverbs or with reminiscer's delay and reverse delay for shimmer (reverse) delay.
this is where it gets dreamy
in reminiscer, each effect can be blended together to taste. layering reminiscer’s ethereal effects creates a dream pop guitar tone instantly. mixing the mesmerising qualities of reverb and the euphoria of pitch shift with reminiscer’s swirling delays makes for an ethereal palette of sounds that fit right into a dream pop song. how would i know? i’ve used my reminiscer pedal on many of my shoegaze songs, like reminiscer
how to layer the effects
it’s pretty easy. reminiscer has a reverb/delay control. for more reverb, roll the control counter-clockwise. for more delay, roll the control clockwise. or just set it right in the middle for sound drenched in both.
how to use reverse delay
reminiscer has a reverse textures control. use this to melt reminiscer’s reverse delay with forward delay for immersive echoes that shift backwards & forwards in time like a distant memory. the more you turn the reverse textures control up, the more prominent the reverse delay sound will be.
how to use pitch shift
the pitch shift blend controls how much pitch is mixed in your signal. the pitch shift control decides how your sound will be shifted. set it clockwise for awe-inspiring shimmer reverbs & delays or counter-clockwise for moody, dark ambient pedal sounds. set this control right in the middle for the dream pop detune sound i explained earlier.
the cherry on top
part of what makes reminiscer so good for dream pop is its lofi sound. the pedal is 14 bit, capturing the nostalgic sound of the 80s & 90s, the era when dream pop emerged from the uk.
your very own reminiscer pedal awaits you through maneco labs.