SolidGoldFX releases a brand new take on VibraPhase - the Aurras 2-Stage Optical Phase-Shifter

Interestingly this is SolidGoldFX’s second take on a 2-Stage VibraPhase pedal - where it originally had the Athena VibraPhase out back in 2019 - which seems to have been discontinued for a while now. I’m not sure how much overlap there is between the two - while the new Aurras seems to be more of a carte blanche re-development than a straight-up evolution or iteration.

The text for the Athena does not mention the Optical components / Opto-Isolators - while both are described as being sort of Uni-Vibey VibraPhase Phase-Shifter type modulations. The Athena variety had knobs for Speed, Depth, and Level, and Toggle-switches for Mode and Color. The brand new Aurras seems a lot more specialist / expansive with a few more uniquely labelled controls.

Aurras Controls - Speed, Offset Adjust, Level, Depth, Offset Mode, Frequency / Phase, Dry Mix, Tap Tempo Footswitch / Hold for Ramp Up, Bypass Footswitch / Hold for Ramp Down.

The Aurras certainly seems improved in every area vs the Athena, while it still has an ’arch’ motif to its artwork - but the Aurras seems a lot more imposing and flavoursome than its predecessor.

Another interesting tangent is Zvex’s VibroPhase - which I already have - i.e. Vibro rather than Vibra but essentially the same component word, and conceivably a similar concept. I always found the Zvex VibroPhase a little subtle - still pretty classic, but could have done with a little more intensity. That part seems to be taken care of by the Aurras.

There’s so much to like here - especially the classic Analog Heart / Digital Brain approach. And readers will already know how much I like dual-footswitch compacts! This sits very much within the Uni-Vibe family, and for sure goes straight in on the wishlist for me!

It’s very reasonably priced at $209 - and available for order right now from the SolidGoldFX Webstore. Hopefully imminently at International dealers too! I think I like everything about this pedal - its output, form factor and artwork!

KEY FEATURES :

• Optical Phase-Shifter effects pedal
• 100% analog audio path from input to output
• 2-stage asymmetric phase shifter built around a pair of selected and individually controlled opto-isolators
• Dry Mix for tones and textures ranging from soft Vibrato to lush Uni-Vibe like sounds
• Dual LFO setup powered by a microprocessor, providing limitless sonic flexibility
• 2 modes for increased versatility
  
  • Frequency Offset - adds rhythmic patterns by slowing down the second LFO
  • Phase Offset - fine-tunes the throb by introducing asymmetry between the LFOs
• On-board tap tempo, speed ramping and expression pedal input
• Soft-touch relay-based True bypass switching
• Hand-made in Montreal, Canada
• Powered by a regular 9V DC PSU (centre -, 2,1 mm, 25 mA current draw at 9V)
• MAP / RRP : $209