Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
PastFX unleashes another classic with its elevated and compact 4-Mode PolyChorus Analog MN3007 BBD Multi-Modulator
Key Points
PastFX's compact PolyChorus MN3007 BBD Multi‑Modulator recreates the classic EHX Polychorus/Echoflanger lineage (late 70s–80s). Verlie shrank the original to under a third of its size while maintaining the same soundstage; the circuit was used on Nirvana's In Utero, notably "Radio Friendly Unit Shifter."
Four modes: Double Track/Slapback Delay, Chorus/Vibrato, Flange, FilterMatrix. External controls: Rate, Modulation Width, Tune (Delay Time), Feedback, Blend, Mode. Dual LED system: Blue for Double Track/FilterMatrix; Green for Chorus/Vibrato/Flanger. Internal trimmers: Input Level/Refine, Threshold, Level — consult a qualified tech before opening or adjusting factory trimmers.
Preferred Flanger and Chorus settings are listed in the text. As of 2026-07-13, the price was £310.
Electro-Harmonix first released the Echoflanger circuit back in 1977, that then became the Polyflange in 1979, and ended up as the Polychorus in circa 1981. Mostly the exact same circuit throughout - just with different names and artworks applied - where the final jade-accented Polychorus is the prettiest of the lot. Those 3 editions are distinct from the later 1997 Stereo PolyChorus Reissue - so we’re keeping ourselves to the 70’s and 80’s here alone!
Verlie has done her usual magic in shrinking the original down to less than 1/3 of its size while maintaining the same classic soundstage, fidelity and dynamics. Most notably the Polychorus was used all over Nirvana’s 3rd and final In Utero album, and particularly on the track ’Radio Friendly Unit Shifter’. It is sometimes referred to as the ’In-Utero Flanger’.
PastFX followed the same cycle as EHX - initially releasing the Echoflanger version first, and then the later and current PolyChorus edition which I have and am reviewing here.
Verlie is Queen of the Chorus and Flanger in particular - I generally refer to her as ’The Queen of Modulation’ - where I have all the key editions of her modulation pedals - and they all sound exceptional. I particularly like this one for the fact that you have Chorus, Vibrato and Flanger all in the same unit, but also Parked-LFO Matrix Filtering, and subtle Double Tracking and Slapback delay - which also sound great, but which I have much less use for.
The PastFX New Division also covers Chorus / Vibrato / Flanger - while the PolyChorus delivers a better Flanger voicing for my preferences.
Verlie has introduced a Dual LED system - with the Blue One lighting up for Double Track and FilterMatrix, and the Green one responding to the Chorus/Vibrato and Flanger. There's 6 parameters - and I use all of them. Somewhat unusually - the Feedback control also works on the Chorus voicing - while I usually wind it back for that, and wind it forward for the Flanger.
The filter is pretty cool, but I don't have much use for that, and as the TC Electronic Mimiq has been a permanent part of the board almost since the start - it's generally the Flanger voicing I live on the most, with the Chorus also used on occasion - that sounds fantastic too. This is another distinct voicing of flanger, and I've yet to decide how I rate it against the super versatile 80/A Flanger - typically that one's my favourite Past FX Flanger, and the Kurt's Cologne is my favourite PastFX Chorus - but for a 2-in-1 / 4-in-1 - this PolyChorus is probably the prime candidate.
External Controls - Rate, Modulation Width, Tune (Delay Time), Feeaback, Blend Wet/Dry Mix Mode : Double Track / Slapback Delay | Chorus / Vibrato | Flange | FilterMatrix.
Internal Controls - Input Level / Refine, Threshold, Level. [all other Trimmers are intended solely for Factory setup - meddle at your own peril!]
Preferred Settings
- For Flanger : Rate @ Noon, Modulation Width @ Noon, Tune @ 2 o'c, Feedback @ 3 o'c, Blend @ Noon, Mode : Flange.
- For Chorus : Rate @ 3 o'c, Modulation Width @ Max, Tune @ 9 o'c, Feeback @ 9 o'c, Bledn @ 2 o'c, Mode : Chorus.
This is a fantastic multi-modulator which goes for $310 on the PastFX Reverb.com store - really well worth it. There's very few similar pedals at this size or quality that can compete!
Modulation fans should definitely spring for one!
Demos
