Universal Audio UAFX Dream '65

Would be great, if it didn't have a low-headroom frontend that clips, introducing nasty digital artifacts. A lot of the point of a Deluxe is slamming it with pedals; can't really do that here. With an active pickup guitar, I couldn't actually get it to be clean.

Also, UA's terms of service means that they could revoke my access to the necessary app because they don't like this review. Won't matter to me - I refuse to give them any further money while such an egregious policy is in place. The pedal - when it was approached gently - does sound great. My original review is below, untouched. :)


Original continues below.

Better than the real thing? Eh, who cares: it's delightful, sounds and feels great, and allows for classic cranked California sounds without reaching volumes that will explode household pets.

Reverb sounds right.
Tremolo sounds right.
Feels responsive.
Even has the same overpowering bass response when cranked (cutting lows before hitting the amp is recommended: but the result is a sludgy grunge tone that would make your flannel shirts proud)

It's quite good!

Than mij real tube amps. The app that goes with it is fantastisc. I dial in and save the sound for each of my guitars. Works sooo easy. I gigged with it and it was fantastic. I took this and an Orange Tiny Terror Stamp. Just put the Dream ' 65 in the loop-return of the Stamp and used that as a power amp. And could transport this in my guitar gig bag! Just a gig bag with guitar and amp and a small 10" Raging Cajun speaker cab. Sound was awsome. best buy 'ever'

I bought this when I compared my Walrus Audio ACS 1 with a friend's UAFX Dream.

Noticing that I was using the Fullerton voicing in the Walrus 95% of the time, it seemed like no doubt I would be better off with this pedal, which to me has a superior sound, with a lower price that the Walrus.

This is basically a Vibrato channel Deluxe Reverb in a box. The way it reacts to your playing and the way you turn the knobs is eerily similar to the real amp. In fact, if put side to side with a Tone Master version of the amp, I really doubt someone would notice the difference, if there is any.

Really, the only way I could tell a difference was when the "amp" was set to edge of breakup and playing as fast as I could. There is something in the way the top end is tamed as opposed to a real amp, which sags a little differently. When I pushed the master volume, the sound gets so compressed I can't tell any difference.

The mods are great, I have mine set to use the D-Tex mod when using the boost function, with the boost knob at full CCW. This way I get a more mid-pushed EQ, without the actual increase in volume, which is great for when you want to be heard without being of top of everyone else.

Other than that, I am always set at edge of breakup and use pedals to get more overdrive.

Stereo in and out is great for a wet/dry or true stereo rig and the build itself is excellent.

Now for the bad stuff: I had bought a Golden Reverberator, which I absolutely loved, but had to return because it's impossible to turn on trails mode without using the UAFX app, which NEVER works.

In fact, in three months with two pedals, I had it successfully connect to ONE of the pedals ONCE, to never being able to connect again. If had done that with the Reverb, I would've activated the trails mode and kept the pedal, because other than the actual pedal settings, I have no interest in artist settings or presets that I have to access with an app instead of using the physical switch of the pedal.

Instead I was able to connect the one time to the Dream '65, changed the switch functions to boost and live/preset and I'm home. I don't need anything else.

But why the hell does UAFX force us to use an app to change these things. Please, use dip swiches like everyone else, if you have no other way.

I got lucky with this one, to be able to connect to the app that one time. But I can guarantee I will never again buy another UAFX pedal if they force me to use the app, even if it comes with rainbows and unicorns.

Soundwise though, I mean, I returned the Walrus the next day...