Description
Yamaha is not the first name you think of when it comes to effects pedals but, as they build pretty much every other kind of instrument, it’s not really a surprise
Although pretty rare, the CH-10M II attracted a number of big-name users – Jimmy Page used one (built into his Pete Cornish guitar rig)
The CH10-M II is a straightforward chorus pedal with two outputs for “stereo”. It has Speed and Depth controls: with depth turned up the pedal gives lots of pitch modulation, and it’s capable of a much deeper effect than most other pedals. This is clearly demonstrated on the Youtube demos. There’s also plenty of range from the speed control so the CH-10M will do everything from subtle chorusing to full-on, pitch-wobbling Leslie effects. This makes it very versatile
As you’d expect from a Yamaha product, it’s nicely-built with a tough metal case, metal battery compartment lid (retained by a screw with a large slot so a coin can be used to open it) and the obligatory 9V DC input for an external power supply
“The best chorus pedal…ever!”
“Dare I say it’s up there with the Arion SCH-1 for performance as a faux Leslie simulator…”
“There is a fidelity to this pedal that is really beautiful – in fact, it’s a thread that runs through much of Yamaha’s signal processing”
“The frequencies for shimmering chorus are pretty much spot on, the noise floor is low, and the range of the depth and speed are exactly where you would want them to be”
The Yamaha is from my chorus pedal collection. I use them when mixing – they’re quick & easy to work with and you know immediately if they’re right or wrong for the track
Chorus pedals work well inserted into a channel on a send. They give movement & width to otherwise-boring signals and are great for sitting sounds in a different perspective in the mix
