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Average Price: $137

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$150

$601+

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Description

Embark on a sonic adventure with the Matthews Effects The Chemist V2, a versatile multi-effects pedal that transforms your guitar playing into a rich tapestry of sound. This innovative pedal features three distinct modulation algorithms – Cobalt, Lithium, and Iridium – that offer a range of sounds from lush choruses and vibrant phasers to polyphonic organ-style octaves. With its unique dual-row design, you can effortlessly switch between two sets of settings, customizing your sound on the fly without any complicated programming. Whether you're crafting a dreamy soundscape or adding texture to your riffs, The Chemist V2 provides the tools to bend the elements of sound to your will.

Constructed with the touring musician in mind, The Chemist V2 boasts a rugged build and high-grade components, ensuring it stands up to the rigors of the road while delivering superior sound quality. Its top-mounted jacks and side-mounted toggles offer easy integration into your pedalboard and quick algorithm selection, making it a breeze to dial in your desired sound. Whether you're experimenting at home or performing live, The Chemist V2 is your laboratory for musical innovation.

Key Features:

  • Three original modulation algorithms: Cobalt (Chorus/Vibrato), Lithium (Organ Octave), and Iridium (Phaser)
  • Dual-row design for easy switching between two sets of settings
  • High-grade components and rugged construction for reliability and superior sound
  • Top-mounted jacks for effortless pedalboard placement
  • Side-mounted toggles for quick algorithm selection
  • Soft-touch footswitch designed to withstand the abuse of touring
  • Alternate jack out for remote control of the Alt and bypass switch using a TRS cable
  • Analog dry path signal maintains the integrity of your original tone
  • Expression jack for dynamic control over the "Formula" knob using an expression pedal

Product specs

Effects chorus, octave, phaser, vibrato
Power 9V
Bypass true bypass, buffered bypass
Analog/Digital digital
Current Draw 65ma
Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Matthews Effects The Chemist v2 Modulation Pedal Demo

Video thumbnail for Matthews Effects The Chemist v2 Modulation Pedal Demo by Sweetwater

Matthews Effects The Chemist v2 Modulation Pedal Demo

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for Matthews Effects The Chemist V2 by MatthewsEffects

Matthews Effects The Chemist V2

MatthewsEffects

MatthewsEffects

Video thumbnail for Matthews Effects - The Chemist V2 - CHORUS/PHASER/OCTAVE by 60 Cycle Hum

Matthews Effects - The Chemist V2 - CHORUS/PHASER/OCTAVE

60 Cycle Hum

60 Cycle Hum

Video thumbnail for Matthews Effects The Chemist V2: Let's get Weird! by Living Room GD

Matthews Effects The Chemist V2: Let's get Weird!

Living Room GD

Living Room GD

Video thumbnail for Chorus! Phaser! Octave! OH MY!!! Matthews Effects The Chemist V2 Demo & Review | Stompbox Everyday by Sean Pierce Johnson

Chorus! Phaser! Octave! OH MY!!! Matthews Effects The Chemist V2 Demo & Review | Stompbox Everyday

Sean Pierce Johnson

Sean Pierce Johnson

Video thumbnail for Matthews Effects The Chemist V2 by shnobel

Matthews Effects The Chemist V2

shnobel

shnobel

Video thumbnail for Matthews Effects THE CHEMIST V2 : Atomic Modulator of delicious fun by gearmanndude

Matthews Effects THE CHEMIST V2 : Atomic Modulator of delicious fun

gearmanndude

gearmanndude

Reviews

PROS

  • Unique science-themed design stands out

  • High-quality build for durability

  • Octave effect tracks well with unique organ vibe

  • Encourages experimentation for discovering hidden qualities

CONS

  • Confusing control layout and labeling

  • Cannot run effects in parallel; limited flexibility

  • Expression pedal functionality is limited to "alt" effect

  • Some effects (chorus, phaser) considered average by users

  • Loose jacks cause cables to disconnect easily

  • Some users report undesirable glitch sounds at high volume

  • Learning curve may deter those seeking simplicity

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Matthews Effects The Chemist V2.

Features and functionality

  • The phaser effect can achieve a neutral tone without the pronounced midrange hump typical of the Phase 90, offering a more versatile sound palette.

    Source
  • Users appreciate the pedal's ability to set two different presets using the dual switch and knob rows, allowing seamless transitions between effects like chorus and phaser.

    Source
  • Users report unexpected volume boosts in the chorus and phaser settings, which can disrupt band practice if not managed.

    Source

User experience

  • The Chemist's chorus is described as lush and pristine, appealing even to those who typically avoid heavy chorus effects, adding a subtle dimension to clean tones.

    Source
  • Users appreciate the Chemist's ability to combine multiple effects (phaser, chorus, organ/octave) with two preset channels, enhancing its versatility on pedalboards.

    Source
  • The pedal's octave effect is noted for its stable, pure sound even when playing up and down the neck, with no reported movement or glitchiness.

    Source
  • One owner highlighted the pedal's ability to deliver both subtle and extreme vibrato, suitable for noise-making or standard chorus applications.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Chemist's phaser is noted for its wide range and sensitivity, requiring careful adjustment to find sweet spots, unlike the simpler controls of the Phase 90 and 95.

    Source
  • The Chemist V2 shares a similar knob/preset layout with Matthews Effects' The Cosmonaut reverb, noted for high-quality independent brand standards.

    Source

Other

  • The Chemist V2's side-mounted switches are a point of contention, with some preferring the V1's face-mounted toggles for easier access during performance adjustments.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Combining the Chemist with a univibe pedal, like the JHS Unicorn, can create a layered effect, amplifying the intensity of the univibe even at low settings.

    Source
  • The Chemist V2 is recommended to be placed early in the signal chain for optimal octave performance, with modulation effects being more flexible in placement.

    Source
  • The pedal's phaser and octave settings are found to be unexpectedly appealing, leading some to use them over initially desired effects like vibrato.

    Source

Build quality

  • Owners praise the robust, silent switches and solid enclosure, highlighting the impressive resistance in the knob sweep and visually appealing artwork.

    Source

3.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
johnly

Pretty solid pedal for offering three effects!

I plan to replace this pedal eventually, but I did enjoy using it! Any two of three effects (chorus, phaser, octave up/down) can be assigned to the two rows, but none are exceptional at what they do. You also can't run multiple effects at once from this pedal.

From Gear Setup

Artist usage

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See how Eirik Stordrange uses Matthews Effects The Chemist V2

Eirik Stordrange

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Uses it in this video.

Genre Usage

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Used With

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johnly

johnly

Gear IQ 222

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