The Essentials to Know About the CB Paint Pedal
- Digital reverb inspired by a classic: the "late-1900s" spirit of the Alesis Microverb, with its dense textures and characteristic reflection filters.
- 8 reverb modes: 6 iconic patches + Gate and Reverse to go from subtle to distinctly signature sounds.
- Finally complete Mix control: precisely balance the dry and effect signals, from a simple halo to 100% wet reverb.
- Onset (pre-delay) + 2-pole low-pass filter: place the reverb in time and sculpt the brightness to perfectly fit the mix.
A Modern Tribute to a Digital Reverb Artifact
The CB Paint is directly inspired by a cult studio piece: the
Alesis Microverb, a late 20th-century digital reverb that made these ambiances more accessible at a time when "digital reverb" was often expensive. To maintain a compact format and reasonable price, these machines used filtering and processing methods that today are part of their charm: a coloration and reflection options that immediately mark the era.
Here, the idea is not to "modernize to the point of smoothing out," but to
preserve the character of certain iconic patches while adding truly useful controls for a current pedalboard: Mix, filter, and Onset. The result remains decidedly vintage-inspired... but much easier to dial in daily.
Who the CB Paint Is For and Styles Where It Excels
The CB Paint is aimed at guitarists (or musicians using an effects chain) who want an
expressive, dense, and adaptable reverb, capable of ranging from a short room to a large wash without losing that very musical "hardware digital" feel. It suits both intermediate musicians seeking ready-to-play sounds and texture enthusiasts who like to let a take breathe with a strong signature.
In practice, it shines in
studio contexts (precise placement thanks to Onset, shaping with the filter) and
live settings (accessible modes, quick adjustments). Styles include alternative rock, indie, post-rock, shoegaze, ambient, synth-pop, hybrid electronic music, as well as unapologetic 80s sounds via the Gate and Reverse modes.
Features and Controls: Pedal Format Designed for Integration
The CB Paint is organized around four simple but very musical controls. The
Tone potentiometer controls a
2-pole low-pass filter: turned up, the reverb remains bright and detailed; turned down, it becomes darker and softer, ideal for preventing attacks and highs from taking too much space.
The
Mix adjusts the balance between your direct (dry) signal and the processed (wet) signal. At minimum, you keep only your original sound. At maximum, you get a fully reverberated output, perfect for ambient washes, intros, or layering in recording.
The
Onset control (pre-delay) determines
when the reverb appears after your note: immediate at minimum, up to about
200 ms at maximum. This is a key tool for maintaining clarity: you can let the attack pass, then have the space "swell" behind. In Gate mode, Onset sets the gate time. In Reverse mode, Onset adjusts the amount of "smear" to better anchor the effect in the mix.
Finally, the
Mode selector (8 positions) gives access to
8 patches. Modes 1 to 6 replicate patches from the original unit, with their characteristic filtering and processing methods, and a progression of room size and decay length:
1 is the shortest and most compact,
6 the largest and longest.
Mode 7 offers a classic 80s
gated reverb.
Mode 8 is a
reverse reverb with a very distinctive "rush" effect.
Sound Character
The CB Paint delivers a digital reverb with a
bold grain: lively reflections, a sometimes slightly "filtered" texture, and a sense of space that can range from compact realism to a more artificial and artistic ambiance. With the
Tone, you choose whether the reverb tail sparkles and cuts through the mix or rounds off to blend behind the playing.
Onset radically changes perception: with short pre-delay, the reverb sticks to the signal and thickens immediately; with long pre-delay, it detaches, creating depth and a very controlled "studio" effect. The Gate and Reverse modes add a more creative dimension, perfect for punchy riffs, sustained chords, or leads that need to leave a recognizable sonic imprint.
Technical Specifications
Effect Type
- Digital reverb pedal inspired by patches from a classic late 20th-century reverb unit
- 8 modes: 6 patches from the original unit + Gate + Reverse
Controls
- Tone: 2-pole low-pass filter (up = brighter, down = darker)
- Mix: balance between dry (direct) and wet (processed) signals, from 100% dry to 100% wet
- Onset: pre-delay from 0 to about 200 ms; in Gate mode sets gate time; in Reverse mode sets smear
- Mode: 8-position selector
Mode Details
- Modes 1 to 6: patches from the original unit, with increasing room size and decay length from 1 to 6
- Mode 7: gated reverb
- Mode 8: reverse reverb with a "rushing" character
Power Supply
- Required power: 9V DC, center negative
- Minimum current required: 63 mA (more is acceptable)
Included Accessories
Power Consumption
- 63 mA
- 9V DC (center negative)
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