Using The Eventide H9 With Synthesizers

The latest loopop video takes a look at the Eventide H9 multi-effects pedal and using it with synths.

Video Summary:

The H9 is an effects pedal from Eventide that as evolved over the past few years: it contains all the effects previously released in the Eventide Factor series pedals – TimeFactor, PitchFactor, ModFactor and Space, and quite a few more that are exclusive just to it, that don’t exist in any of the Factor pedals.

It’s basically all of Eventide’s hardware effects in one box, which is a pretty big deal, especially considering is doesn’t cost much more than one pedal. In the accompanying video I give an overview of the H9’s interface, and then explore my top favorite presets for synths. Finally I’ll summarize with pros and cons.

Topics covered:

0:00 Intro
1:10 Overview
2:30 Explanation of parameters
3:45 The HotKnob A-B parameter range control
4:20 H9 Control Application features
4:30 Using MIDI to control the H9
5:40 Defining HotKnob/Expression ranges
6:45 What are Algorithms?
8:15 TimeFactor preset demos
9:15 How the Looper works
10:05 ModFactor preset demos
12:00 PitchFactor preset demos
15:45 Space preset demos
17:00 The difference between Freeze and Infinity
19:00 Shimmer deep dive
20:15 Dual verb explained
21:30 H9 exclusives algorithms and presets

If you’ve used the Eventide H9, share your thoughts on it in the comments!

15 thoughts on “Using The Eventide H9 With Synthesizers

  1. I’m torn about it. On one hand I’m fascinated with the idea of having that degree of high quality effects in a small package. Also, I’m so impressed that it offers realtime control (via external expression pedal, MIDI, or that big knob). — correct me if I’m wrong about that.

    On the other hand, the core unit is $400 (US), the maxed out unit is $700. So it is $300 to get all the algorithms included, or roughly $20 each to get them one at a time via IAP in their app’s store. That’s a pretty intense price to pay for the thing you will be stomping on. I found it a little unclear to tell what is included with the H9 core version. From the looks of it, not much is included in that one.

    It’s also kind of a weird architecture. It might be fine, and more intuitive once I’ve had a chance to mess with it, but it is especially unclear what kinds of combinations you can make. Seems like the kinds of effects you can chain together are more based on what else is in your board.

    In any case, the sticker shock is enough to make me close that particular tab.

    1. Eventide Space = $500
      Eventide TimeFactor = $360
      Eventide ModFactor = $340
      Eventide Pitchfactor = $500

      Eventide H9 Max = Bargain

      1. Yea, I’d rather have an H9 than any of those. And if it is well-built, quiet, and doesn’t have some hidden issues, I’ll consider it. Eventide does make some cool things, and it does seem to be more tweakable than many like this.

      2. The H9 only lets you use 1 effect at a time. With the individual pedals you can have 4 effects at once. Its still a bargain, especially if you already have other effects.

        1. not a bargain at all if you consider additionally you lose ALL dedicated MIDI controllers (something like 40 or more controls, didn’t count precisely) – for me that’s the showstopper

    2. Check out the Zoom MS-70CDR maybe? It’s not much more than $100, comes with plenty of FX (some of which are really respectable in terms of sound) and you can chain multiple FX. It’s not the friendliest interface, but it’s not too hard to use either. Cheap enough to leave you some $$ for a couple of boutique pedals for the weirder stuff.

  2. the idea is you get more than one core unit and chain them together if you want multieffects – one license for max covers up to four units (I think)

    the algorithms are fixed, simplified but well structured in terms of what you need to get your hands on, so it’s pretty configurable and you can patch MIDI controllers for most (if not all?) parameters, so it’s also useful in a DAW context

    plus it just sounds lush

  3. Love the concept.

    But yet again, one of these devices that would have benefitted so much from having an LCD screen instead of such a limited LED display. Why do manufacturers keep doing this?? (and don’t tell me it’s “cost” especially on a $700 device, $5 pocket calculators have better LCD displays).

    1. Perhaps they were assuming people would be using their iOS/Android screens. But you’re right, for the price, they could have given us a better built-in GUI.

      They managed to avoid using a cursor diamond, I’m not sure their X, Y, Z thing gains any efficiency. Say what you will about an cursor diamond, it gives you a 3D mental map of where all the parameters are. OTOH, sounds like the app does give you very easy control of it.

      Does the app also do patch management?

      My only other experience with a bluetooth enabled pedal (also with IAPs) is the Zoom MS-100BT. It suffered from picking up a an “Induction Loop” at a local theater (which is designed for the hearing impaired). The Zoom plus my single coils created an excellent receiver. Don’t know if that was related to the BT capability or not.

  4. I’d wager that even a 70€ Casio keyboard would end up sounding pretty good if routed through an Eventide pedal hahahaha.

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