homemade noize

Maker: Electro-Harmonix

Type: Compressor

Year: Currently in Production

Fame: Its uniqueness sets it apart from the herd.

Mojo Factor: Tubes and vintage style circuit doing compression the old fashion way earns serious mojo points. Plus there is a sense of danger stomping on 300 volts.

Price: Expensive.

General Sound Description: An analog chorus and digital echo(that sounds pretty analog) pedal that is highly tweakable.

Who it’s for: Someone that wants true tube compression in pedal form. Or some that wants the relative transparency of tube compression in pedal form.

Circuit: 2 12ax7 tubes running at a full 300 volts! On tube gain one tube for the photocell compressor section. LED’s and incandescents as light sources.

Info: Review Manual

Manufacturer’s Sales Pitch:

THE BLACK FINGER IS THE ONLY OPTOISOLATOR PHOTOCELL, DUAL VACUUM TUBE COMPRESSOR PEDAL ON THE MARKET! SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

It means that the Black Finger uses the same professional-grade techniques that the most revered, vintage and mega-thousand dollar, high-end studio compressors use, except that it’s in the form of an affordable, compact foot pedal! Two different light sources (LED and lamp) provide distinctly different readings and offer uniquely varied compressions. One tube handles the compression stage while the other manages the gain stage. And unlike other “tube” hyped products on the market, which use 9 to 50 volts, the Black Finger’s design allows a full 300 volts of swing to be utilized. This makes it a true tube compressor in every sense.

Whether used as part of an effects loop or with direct guitar, bass or voice, the Black Finger will give music the type of treatment that simply cannot be achieved via plug-in emulation or with any other analog or digital product that doesn’t cost thousands of dollars.

The Black Finger breathes life and warmth into any musical instrument or recording and makes it sound magical. It’s further proof the Electro-Harmonix is changing the way players think about their pedals.