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Average Price: $176
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Description
Unleash your creative prowess with the Electro-Harmonix Superego Synth Engine, a true innovation in the realm of guitar pedals. This game-changer seamlessly amalgamates elements of sampling, synthesis, and infinite sustain, allowing you to freeze sound, glide between frozen tones, and layer enticing soundscapes. Its unique functionality enables you to effortlessly sustain new notes or chords automatically, bypassing the need to constantly step on the footswitch.
The Superego is adorned with three distinct modes - Latch, Momentary, and Auto, all accessible via a central toggle switch. The Momentary mode, symbolized by the center (or eye) position of the 3-position toggle switch, is an uncharted territory waiting to be explored.
With its all-analog circuitry and a built-in effects loop, the Superego takes you on an auditory adventure, from ethereal pad-like effects to synthesizer-esque leads, all emanating from your guitar. This pedal is perfect for those looking to add a touch of uniqueness to their sound, or simply to experiment with new sonic possibilities.
Key Features:
- Unique blend of sampler, sustainer, and synthesizer in a single pedal
- Allows for sound freezing, tone gliding, and sound layering
- Facilitates automatic sustain of new notes or chords
- Features three modes: Latch, Momentary, and Auto
- Employs all-analog circuitry and a built-in effects loop
- Enables creation of pad-like effects and synthesizer-like leads
- Ideal for adding depth to arrangements and creating unique tones.
Owner's manual
Electro-Harmonix Superego Synth Engine User ManualProduct specs
| Pedal Type | Synth, Sustain |
| Inputs | 1 x 1/4" (instrument), 1 x 1/4" (Loop return) |
| Outputs | 1 x 1/4" (out), 1 x 1/4" (FX Loop Send) |
| Power Source | 9V DC power supply included |
| Height | 2.25" |
| Width | 4.0" |
| Depth | 4.75" |
| Weight | 1 lb. |
FAQs
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What kind of sounds can the Electro-Harmonix Superego Synth Engine create?
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The Electro-Harmonix Superego Synth Engine can create a wide range of synth-like tones, including glissando, drone, and freeze effects. It excels at sustaining notes and producing ambient textures that can enhance your guitar playing.
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Does the Electro-Harmonix Superego Synth Engine work with bass guitars?
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Yes, the Electro-Harmonix Superego Synth Engine is compatible with bass guitars, allowing bassists to explore unique synth textures and sustained effects.
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Can the Electro-Harmonix Superego Synth Engine be used with other effects pedals?
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Absolutely, the Superego Synth Engine features an FX loop, enabling you to integrate other effects pedals and further shape your sound.
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Does the Electro-Harmonix Superego Synth Engine require a specific power supply?
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The Superego Synth Engine requires a 9V DC power supply, which is included with the pedal.
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Is the Electro-Harmonix Superego Synth Engine easy to use for beginners?
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While the Superego offers complex sound possibilities, its straightforward controls make it accessible for beginners who want to experiment with synth effects on their guitar.
Videos
EHX
Electro-Harmonix Superego Synth Engine Pedal (Demo by Bill Ruppert)
Reviews
PROS
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Achieves infinite sustain, mimicking expensive gear like MOOG guitar
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Allows layering of notes for rich, droning chords
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Can cancel notes in succession for dynamic play
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Compatible with other effects for diverse sound creation
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Generates lush, orchestral textures from simple inputs
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Ideal for ambient soundscapes with added tone textures
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Supports polyphonic playing, enhancing chord sustain
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Built-in effects loop for expanded sound manipulation
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Durable construction with intuitive control knobs
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Unique capability to play over sustained chords sets it apart
CONS
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Requires forceful playing to activate, especially for bass finger players
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Effects loop only functional when the unit is engaged
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Auto mode activation may be inconsistent, needing strong pluck/strum
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Some may find practical use limited despite creative potential
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Switch sensitivity needs improvement for better control
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Electro-Harmonix Superego Synth Engine.
Use cases and applications
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The pedal is used extensively by Turnover and Pianos Become The Teeth for freezing and droning root notes, enhancing song texture.
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In live setups, it replicates synth-pad-like effects, providing a lush background to guitar playing, akin to having a synth player accompany the band.
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Players have used the Superego+ with an EHX 8 Step to add motion to drones, utilizing it as a highly programmable Filter Sample Hold.
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The pedal is effectively used for live looping setups, with users employing A/B/Y switches to manage loop dynamics and prevent staleness.
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Features and functionality
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Owners utilize the Superego to freeze notes and create chord progressions, often combined with pedals like Pitch Fork and POG2 for expanded harmonic possibilities.
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The Superego+ allows full programmability of all parameters with an expression pedal, expanding its functionality beyond preset saves.
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The 'Latch' mode with mid to long gliss settings is preferred for creating sweet sustained effects, especially for synth-like applications.
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Mods and upgrades
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Some users modify the Superego to drop effects chain pedals into the regular guitar chain, enhancing versatility in live performances.
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Users have successfully used a piano sustain pedal with the Superego, effectively creating a budget-friendly alternative to the Gamechanger Plus pedal.
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Comparisons
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The Superego's usage in Turnover's album is often compared to its application in Jazz Chorus, highlighting its role in creating expansive soundscapes.
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The Superego+ has been noted for its unique soundscape capabilities, comparable to the Meris Enzo, but presents a distinct learning curve for users.
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Setup and maintenance
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An optical compressor can help alleviate high-frequency tracking issues, providing smoother operation during performance.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 6 Reviews and 65 Ratings
249
YES
Basically I use this pedal to form ambient pads and long sustained chords and solos. It's very particular and it's beautiful to twin its knobs during your playing. The Superego is the main pedal used on the track "Introduzione" by Le Piccole Morti: https://lepiccolemorti.bandcamp.com/track/introduzione
Secret Weapon
I've been using this to freeze the tonic chord of some songs add it as a layer in the background of songs. It adds a lot of nice depth to the mix.
387
Its the Freeze on stereoids!
A great little bit of kit, which works like the EHX Freeze, but is expanded with additional in/outs and is much more controllable over the sound whether you're freezing chords or making crazy sounds. Great addition alongside POGs.
222
instant love
For the style of music i've been playing, this was a no-brainer. the freeze is a great concept and this takes it even further. Right now, I have a pitch fork in its effects loop and makes for some great organ like sounds.
201
Cool, but hard to find a use for
I've had this for a while and absolutely love it. You can get some awesome sounds out of this when you really start experimenting,but trying to find a practical use for it can sometimes be quite hard. Good fun though!
75
So original
It's like an evolution synth-type of the Freeze. Lots of options. They just have to fix the switch sensibility, it's the worst of this pedal.
Artist usage
Add artist
Colin Newman's pedalboard. Some of the pedals include: MXR Phase 100, Electro-Harmonix B9 Organ Machine, Electro-Harmonix Micro POG, MXR Distortion+ (custom), Electro-Harmonix Superego, Malekko Ekko 616 analogue delay, Crowther Double Hot Cake, Malekko Diabolik fuzz, MXR Stereo Chorus, Eventide H9.
In the bottom left corner of bassist Thomas Warmsley's pedalboard, the Electro-Harmonix Superego pedal can be spotted. This photo was taken at a Temples show at the Parish in Austin, TX in Oct 2014.
Anna Calvi confirms her use of the Electro-Harmonix Superego Synth Engine in a Substack post where she describes her pedalboard for the 2018 "Hunter" tour.
Mentioned in this November 15, 2019 guitarguitar interview.
GG: Ah yes, I know exactly the one! That’s interesting! Ok, cool! And have you got any pedals at your feet, for a typical Dead Can Dance gig?
BP: I’ve got a lot of pedals. (laughs) My basic set up is, I use two stereo combos. I loop in my pedalboard through a Kemper profiler and I also use a BOSS ES-8, you know the switching system?
GG: Yes, I know the one.
BP: And it’s all MIDI-linked, so I can change all the effects and everything, just stepping through the switching system, through the songs, basically. I do it all at my feet, and the Kemper responds to that. As for the pedals, I have the Waza Craft Vibrato.
GG: Oh yeah! The (Boss) Waza Craft stuff’s amazing.
BP: Yeah. I have it on really subtle, really low. I prefer Vibrato to Chorus and it gives such a subtle movement, you know? Modulation to the string? So, I pretty much have that on all the time. And then I also use an Electro-Harmonix Super Ego. I use it almost more like an audio exciter, it’s a very subtle doubling which widens the sound a little bit.
GG: Got you.
BP: Then I have an Eventide H-9 for all of my modulated effects and then that goes through a Strymon Big Sky for all the reverbs.
GG: That’s a good set up! You don’t tend to go for the more distorted or fuzzy tones, do you?
BP: No, I mean, I use them in a couple of songs, and I’m got an Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Big Muff, which kind of covers all of the kind of distorted, fuzz sounds. To be honest, I prefer fuzz to distortion anyway.
GG: Yeah, you can sort of manipulate your fingers and get different results out of fuzz effects, can’t you?
BP: Yeh, yeah, it’s more forgiving, I think.
This interview was accompanied by the image above, which showed Laner's pedalboard as of 2014. It included a SuperEgo.
In a picture posted on Reddit showing Naoya Ogura’s equipment from 2021, it is evident that he has the Electro-Harmonix Superego Synth Engine on his pedalboard.
At 0:17 minute mark, the EHX Superego Synth Engine is visible in his pedalboard.
In this image from Underworld's Instagram account, Karl has posted a photo of his EHX Superego pedal.
Album Usage
The Electro-Harmonix Superego Synth Engine has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Electro-Harmonix Superego Synth Engine, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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