NAMM 2024: Ever since its arrival back in 2021, Eventide’s ultra-powerful H90 Harmonizer has been at the forefront of the multi-effects pedal market.
Building upon the precedent set by the pioneering H9 Harmonizer and H9 Max stompboxes, the next-generation unit promptly received rave reviews upon its release – a near-perfect score from Guitarist, no less – and the format has merely improved over the years thanks to its many algorithm expansion packs.
At this year’s NAMM show, Eventide was on hand to demonstrate another all-new effects algorithm, as well as perhaps its biggest functional update to date, which has been heavily requested by loyal Eventide users for quite some time now.
The headline-stealer is a new software upgrade that enables Bluetooth control for the first time, and as such the H90 can now be controlled entirely wirelessly from an iPad. In practice, that means all algorithms, parameters, presets and patches can now be fine-tuned from a smart device without the need of wiring up the H90.
“We have another free update which is Bluetooth support for iPad, so now you can control everything you need to do right on your iPad wirelessly,” Eventide's Patrick Flores said. “That’s been a huge request for us, so we’re pretty stoked about that one.”
The new Bluetooth update is joined by a new, totally free effects patch – PolySynth – which aims to further expand the tonal potential of your rig (while also keeping band personnel costs down).
“A couple of months ago, we released a brand-new algorithm called PolySynth. This is a polyphonic synthesizer you couldn't previously do with any other Eventide product,” Flores explained. ”The cool thing about it is you don't have to hire a keyboard player anymore!”
Guitar World’s Paul Riario – who said he was “blown away” by the H90 upon its release, calling it “one of the most amazing stompboxes out there” – was on hand at the Eventide booth, where he was given an in-depth demo of both new updates.
While at the Eventide booth, Riario was also able to revisit one of his favorite new releases – the Riptide, which he gave a glowing review “because I thought it was pretty spectacular”.
“We put two algorithms into one of these really small boxes: a really, really awesome overdrive and a true emulation of Shin-ei Uni-Vibe,” Flores went on. “It’s a really versatile pedal, especially for those people who just want to play guitar and get a good tone right away, this is the pedal for you.”
Check out the full clip above and for more information on both the H90 ($899) and Riptide ($299), head over to Eventide.
