[Amazing Reverb] Hands-On Review of Electro-Harmonix’s Latest Reverb Oceans Abyss

This time, we’ll be exploring the sound and potential of the newly released reverb from ELECTRO-HARMONIX, Oceans Abyss!

01 What is the Oceans Abyss?

This effect workstation utilizes the reverb technology that Electro-Harmonix has developed over the years.

• Two stereo reverbs that can be used simultaneously
• Custom signal path routing with up to 8 effect blocks
• 10 types of reverb: Room, Hall, Spring, Plate, Reverse, Dynamic, Auto-Infinite, Shimmer, Polyphonic, Resonant
• Additional FX blocks: Delay (Digital, Analog, and Tape emulations), Tremolo, Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Graphic EQ, Saturation, Bit Crusher, External FX Loop, Volume
• Footswitch capable of producing infinite reverb sustain
• Stereo SEND/RETURN FX loop via TRS jack
• 128 customizable presets
• MIDI IN/OUT

What’s more—this reverb is packed with features that allow for highly versatile sound creation.
The enclosure is similar in size and design to the company’s POG3, hinting that this is part of ELECTRO-HARMONIX’s high-end lineup!

02 Usability & How to Use

Live Mode and Preset Mode

In Live Mode, the knobs and sliders (PAN, BLEND, PRE-DELAY, TIME, EQ LOW, EQ HIGH for Reverbs A and B) become active, allowing you to directly control the reverb parameters.

Basic Operation

• You can easily access and control Reverb A/B within a preset using their respective knobs, sliders, and switches.
• Using the compass-shaped NavCoder knob in the center (which functions as a switch, knob, and directional pad), you can move between presets, adjust various effect parameters, add effect blocks, and edit their order and routing.

03 Sound Check

Out of the many available presets, I’ve selected a few to showcase along with sample audio clips!

■ Equipment Used
Audio Interface & Amp Simulator: BOSS / GT-1000, AMP TYPE: CLEAN
Guitar: FENDER JAPAN STRATOCASTER

1 BIGLUSH

Right off the bat the first preset is simply amazing!! The expansive spatial spread and enveloping reverberation feel incredibly pleasant.
Turning up the Blend reduces the dry signal, creating a dreamy sound with a slow attack.

59 TAP PONG

This preset includes delay. The stereo feel of the ping-pong delay is really satisfying!

64 Lo-Fi

A preset with added saturation and EQ blocks that result in a distorted, lo-fi sound.
It’s hard to believe this sound is coming from a reverb pedal (lol).

67 Dimension E

A recreation of the DIMENSION C! The quality of the modulation effect is also excellent, and when combined with reverb or delay, it allows for a very pleasing sound design.

81 ANALOG REVERB

A wild preset that recreates reverb using only delay!!
The unique reverberation is seriously addictive. Among the built-in presets, this is one of my personal favorites.
Seeing multiple delay blocks arranged and intricately connected really hits home.

83 RAINY DAY

A preset where delay and reverb intertwine beautifully.
I think it pairs perfectly with slow arpeggios.

87 80s dream

A preset that recreates a dreamy sound.
Combined with distortion, it sounds like an instant fit for genres like dream pop or shoegaze!

04 Sound Making Experiment

Oceans Abyss offers a very wide range of sound creation possibilities, and as I started to feel how fun it is to craft sounds with this pedal, I tried building a sound from scratch using an empty preset!
One of its biggest appeals is the high freedom in sound creation that’s not limited to just reverb—allowing you to arrange effect routings like a multi-effects unit and use various effect blocks.

In the video, I add effect blocks, select the routing (connection method) for each block, and manipulate each effect’s parameters in that flow to create the sound.
There are many types of connectors like this just for linking effect blocks, inputs, and outputs... By using various connectors, you can connect effects in parallel, blend them, and create complex sound designs. For example, you can apply plate reverb to the left signal, delay to the right signal, and then add hall reverb—creating various routings and combinations!

05 To Summarize

This time, I reviewed the reverb Oceans Abyss released by ELECTRO-HARMONIX while trying it out—how did you find it? Don’t underestimate it as just another reverb effect! It’s quite a substantial effect pedal. The reverb quality is unquestionable, and it’s packed with modulation, distortion, equalizer, and other effects that allow you to enjoy versatile sound creation.
Although I couldn’t use it this time, by utilizing the FX LOOP to incorporate external effects into the Oceans Abyss routing, you can definitely expect even more interesting sonic chemistry to come!
For pedal geeks and anyone searching for a great reverb, I highly recommend trying out Oceans Abyss!