Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
Electro-Harmonix's Effects Interface Hardware Plugin Device connects your D.A.W. and Digital Plugins to your Pedalboard and vice-versa
Generally guitar players can mostly split into 3 categories - Just the Amp / Digital Plugins / Pedalboard (stompboxes).
Studio musicians and those that do a lot of guitar recording typically use quite a hybrid setup - while day-by-day they mostly use Plugins and Digital Effects - but switch to an amp when performing. Ola England is a good example of this - as most of the time you see him on YouTube, including SWOLA - he is playing direct into his laptop / PC. But then uses a full fat amp typically when performing with one of his bands!
I am the diametric opposite - as I only use pedalboard stompboxes, and favour a clean pedal platform approach. I’ve not yet had any great need to connect say Neural DSP or Universal Audio Plugins or similar to my pedalboard - while it would probably come in handy if I wanted to make recordings - you can then route everything thought that single source and run Plugins alongside your Pedals.
You kind of wonder if this is the start of the end for pedals in some way, as younger players are currently typically favouring DSP and Plugins, where the Middle Aged Semi-Affluent Man is still the mainstay of the Pedal ecosystem.
Of course Cost of entry and convenience are key considerations here - and this bridging interface will give you a really elegant solution for a relatively reasonable amount - or $359 and equivalent. Pricing presumably down to the use of audiophile components - as in many ways this is just a dual-channel stereo mixer of sorts. While admittedly with some smart internal blending and balancing abilities.
Controls - Level Volume, Direct Monitor Button, Power Button, USB Indicator, Left and Right Output Sliders, Status LEDs, Left and Right Input Sliders.
Rear Panel - 1/4" Left Input, 1/4"Right Input, 1/4" Left Output, 1/4" Right Output, 1/4" Headphones Out, USB-C, 9V DC [-] 200mA.
The 3 Key Intended Uses
- 1 : Hardware Plugin Mode - Connect your Pedals to your D.A.W. and Digital Plugins
To use a physical guitar pedal as a plugin in your DAW, open your DAW of choice and select 'Effects Interface' from your list of installed plugins. Open the Effects Interface plugin’s menu, hover over Select Device, and choose 'Audio' mode.
- 2 : Pedalboard Mode - Integrating Plugins into your Pedalboard
To use one of your plugins as a guitar pedal on your pedalboard, add the 'Effects Interface' to a track in your DAW. In the Select Device menu, choose 'Pedalboard>IN'. Add your desired plugin(s) to the track, then add another FX Loop plugin and select 'Pedalboard>OUT.'
- 3 : Audio Interface Mode - Using the Device to Connect Instruments or Devices direct to speakers
To use the Effects Interface as an Audio Interface, open the preferences for your DAW, and select Electro Harmonix FX Loop as your audio input/output device.
Overall I feel this is a pretty neat Audio Interface and Bridging Device - yes it has multiple uses - albeit the core function of this device is relatively simple and straightfowrad. It certainly serves a purpose.
In some ways this continues the progress we saw with the Boss PX-1 Plugout FX - which also seeks to bring together Plugin and Pedalboard types. I feel those are the first of a slew of similar devices that serve to connect those different elements elegantly together.
I certainly see the need for such a device by many players - while currently I'm not really in that number. I am dedicated to keep the stompbox ecology alive - as it's definitely somewhat deminished these days as most of the younger players seem to favour Plugins.
$359 is not too expensive - while I always question whether conjoint pricing analysis has been down - and if this device might not do better at $299?
The Manual is super handy - which can be approached [here]!
Key Features
- Multipurpose interface pedal for the studio and stage
- The Effects Interface acts like a standard DAW plugin but your tracks are processed through any real pedal(s) you choose
- Hosts any plugin from your computer to use live on your pedalboard
- Works alongside your main audio interface
- Integrates with DAWs such as Pro Tools®, Ableton Live®, Cubase®, Logic Pro®, Reaper®, and more
- Stereo inputs and outputs with dedicated level control sliders
- Headphone output with volume control
- Power through USB, supplied AC Adapter, or most third-party pedal power supplies
- Power Requirement : 9V DC [-] 125mA
- Dimensions : 146 x 114 x 57 mm
- MAP / RRP : $359
Demos
