Electro Harmonix Pitch Fork Pitch Shifter

Let me start stating that my sound is forged upon three axis: distortion, delay and pitch shifting. For that reason, I have tried, rented, used, purchased or currently own many, many pitch shifters since the 80?s, being witness of the evolution of pitch shifting, as technology evolved, since its very inception.

Today, I?ve got three points in the sound chain with pitch shifting, as follows: Boss PS3 & PS2 MIJ, Digitech Whammy (various incarnations, today the chromed limited edition), EH Slammi (now replaced by the pitch fork), Eventide Pitch Factor, Eventide Ultra Harmonizer, TC Electronic G Major 2 (pitching effects) and POD XT Pro (pitching effects).

So what?s with the Pitch Fork? Quality of sound is very modern, similar to the Slammi I might say, in particular if you do not overdo it. At 35% mix, is smooth and still natural. It handles gives you true bypass capabilities and polyphony with no issue, lags, delays or annoying shimmering, lows are reasonably "analog" sounding, and highs are sharp and not brittle. Loved it. I sincerely believe that, given the market status at present, sound quality is not open to debate. Same goes to building quality. If you ever work with EH small sized pedals, same standards will be found here. 100% capable of handling tours, gigs, rehearsal with the fellas and most certainly your bedroom studio rigors for the next 100 years.

What I would like to address here is my admiration on the design of this effect. Envisioning the ability to select octaves on programs that are based on harmonies (even getting a fantastic chorus effect for free!), the possibility to convert switching from latching to unlatching, the simplicity of controls and (to top it off marvelously!) the added flexibility of an expression pedal in, is difficult to overlook the genius in the concept.

As a tool, everything is inside, Tom Morello, Dimebag Darell, all the sounds are here. Just spend some time with the pedal and you will be flying in no time. If you are not concerned about real state in your pedalboard, adding an expression pedal is a MUST.

Only con? From my perspective, clearly none. This has everything a great effect should have, executed beautifully (damm, it even looks good!). All you need had been included in the price (AC adaptor included!) right from the box and sound, construction, handling and looks are irreproachable.

If you?re in the market for a pitch shifter in stomp ox format, look no further.

I bought this so I could use a whammy type of effect, although it does more than that.
So first of all, the sound. It's good, I've never tried the Whammy 1, so I don't know if it's better or worse but, having no reference, all I can say is that all octaves sound in tune, it tracks easily and the bending is continuous. No control for mixing in dual mode (as in the POG), only a blend knob that mixes dry and wet.
Harmonies sound good as well. No minor 3rd however, which might be a drawback for some.
the footprint is small, which is nice for crowded boards, and if you use an exp pedal you can put them apart in your board, which is also good.
Also, if you don't want/have an exp pedal, you can use momentary mode (it as a latch mode on/off switch) and you can calibrate the bending speed (by using an exp pedal, just for a one time calibration)
Very easy to use.
But pricey.
Pros: sound, small footprint, use of expression pedal, or momentary mode (which can be calibrated). Up/down/dual modes allows to choose the octave direction. Goes up to three octaves.
Cons: pricey (and extra if you want an expression pedal), so it becomes more expensive than a whammy. Doesn't allow to control the mix of the octaves independently.
4 stars because of the price, and the lack of octave mix.