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Two instantly accessible sound variations combined with the preamp’s drive options make this a flexible vintage-flavoured asset for your signal chain.
Pros
+
Classic phasing sound.
+
Two different sounds available at all times.
+
Adjustable switchable transitions.
+
Tap tempo.
+
Preamp can add dirt.
Cons
-
Preamp adjustment can be a little fiddly if you’re trying to dial in cleaner sounds.
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Side-mounted jacks may be a no-no for some.
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Beetronics has been on a run of releasing dirt pedals recently, but its latest offers modulation (plus a modicum of dirt).
The Larva Morphing Phaser is a six-stage analogue phaser pedal with an element of digital control, which has morphing capabilities between two adjustable presets, and also sports a preamp – inspired by Moog’s Moogerfooger pedals – that adds practical tonal variations.
There are three toggle-switched options for the sound the Larva delivers: you can have phaser, vibrato (wet signal only) or just the sound of the preamp with no modulation effect.
The Preamp has a natural warmth and is controlled by gain and master volume knobs that can be turned up to build in valve-like overdrive. The basic effect architecture of the pedal offers Phaser 1 and Phaser 2, which can be toggled with the left-hand footswitch, the transition between the two being determined by a choice of three ramp shapes and a knob that sets the ramp speed.
Each phaser has its own Rate and Depth knobs, but there’s also a knob, common to both, that adjusts the resonance for greater intensity and a flanger-like metallic ring at its extreme. The core sound is that of nice, thick classic 1970s phasing or vintage vibrato.
That Resonance knob, plenty of depth adjustment and a very wide range of speeds offers plenty of variation, but there’s even more from a secondary parameter that allows an offset shift in the LFO’s centre point.
(Image credit: Future)
There’s lots of scope available via the ramping options for onstage performance. The first ramp shape switches from one phaser to the other and stays there.
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While using this and setting the ramp speed at minimum gives you instant switching back and forth between the two, you can also set the ramp speed for evolving transitions – perhaps emulating a rotary speaker if you set up slow and fast rates for the two effects.
The second ramp shape lets you move from one phaser to the other while the footswitch is held down, and it will ramp back when you release it. And the third ramp shape does the same but delivers an immediate switch back, making it great for momentary blasts of a more intense effect.
Verdict
Verdict: ★★★★½
Guitar World verdict: Two instantly accessible sound variations combined with the preamp’s drive options make this a flexible vintage-flavoured asset for your signal chain.
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.
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