The Keeley HYDRA is an exciting new Duo Guitar Effects pedal that combines a stereo reverb and a tremolo in one compact housing. For each of the two effects, you get three different variants.
The new Keeley pedals are designed for guitar, bass, and keyboards. After Keeley’s team had completed the ECCOS (Delay + Looper), they wanted to develop a suitable accompaniment pedal. We are sure that we will see more of this in the future. It has three different reverb algorithms (Spring, Plate, and Room) and three different tremolo types (Harmonic, Vibrato, and Sine-Wave). For fine adjustment, you get rate and depth for the tremolo, plus dwell, mix and color for the reverb music.
Despite the clear structure, you have full control. Each controller has a secondary function that you can use to control the sequence of effects, the character of the tremolo/reverb, or the wet/dry level, for example. There is also the option of so-called “Infinite Hold Reverb Trails” for crazy space sounds. Each parameter can be assigned to an external expression pedal, a TAP tempo function is also built-in, but should be easier to use with an external button.
The Guitar pedal device has three memory locations ready to save your favorite settings. Because it is a stereo device, it should also be very interesting for keyboard players. Sure, the compact design takes its toll on the operation. But in our opinion, there are no annoying hidden submenus, which unfortunately annoyed us too much in the end. The pedal can switch between true bypass or trails mode and runs on a common 9V power supply.
Keeley HYDRA price and availability
The new Keeley Guitar Effects pedal has been priced at $249 and is now available to buy on the Amazon.com website.
Last month, Boss has introduced its flagship multi-effects pedal GT-1000CORE. It is in no way inferior to its big brother and we would say that it could even be a better guitar effects pedal solution for many, priced at $699.99.
