Equipment File #12: Alesis effects unit

Alesis QuadraVerb GT

For most of 1991, the Studio had been using the DigiTech delay/sampler pedal for most of its guitar, drum, and vocal effects. But more effects were on the way...

Around November 1991, the Studio purchased the Alesis QuadraVerb GT effects unit. It did the same as the pedal, it had delay and a built-in sampler, but it also had distortion, flange, phaser, reverb, and many other effects. The difference in the Mune Mud Olympus and Underwater Problem Factory albums was the effects used. Olympus only had the pedal to work with, UPF had the effects unit. And probably the song with the most effects was "The Smell of Earthworms" on UPF, each line of the song was sung with a different effect.

In May of 1993 the Alesis was expanded even further. The Studio ordered a second effects chip to replace the first, so now the unit had an entirely new set of effects patches to use. Throughout the years the chips would occasionally be exchanged to take advantage of the different sets of sounds.

The Alesis has been the primary source of effects for the Studio since it was purchased over fifteen years ago. Patch #11 is the default distorted guitar sound Mune Mud has used in many songs. And this rack unit will provide the Studio with effects for years to come.