Halo Chorus HCH1

The Canadian manufacturer has always accustomed us to excellence. Demanding users know that Diamond leaves nothing to chance. The Halo Chorus is part of the "flagship" of the brand and you can feel it as soon as you get started.

Externally, the Halo Chorus is an elegant pedal, with a beautiful metallic blue dress. The chassis is a Hammond, a classic of its kind, indestructible. The knobs are firm, tireless switches, no doubt it's a Diamond pedal. Inside, the PCBs are very qualitative and the assembly perfect.

The Diamond Halo Chorus is, as its name suggests, a pedal dedicated to the chorus effect. To provide this effect, it combines modulations of the pitch/delay and phase type, via two distinct and totally independent channels. In terms of controls, there are two buttons to control the mix of the chorus (delay + pitch) and the mix of the integrated phaser. The chorus benefits from depth and speed controls. Note that you can access two additional controls (delay time and LFO shape) to more precisely adjust the chorus part of the effect by giving it more or less air and depth. We can therefore use the two channels and the blender, or mix more or less one and the other. There is also access on the front to a toggle switch making it possible to invert the phase of the output of the right channel with respect to the left channel.

The pedal benefits from stereo inputs and outputs that manage the two channels independently and allow a wide variety of configuration options in parallel and series.

Once plugged into a stratocaster and a Two-Rock Studio Signature amp, the Halo Chorus surprises with its excellent breath management. Where the majority of choruses on the market tend to generate a significant hiss, the Halo remains extremely quiet and optimized. Another crucial point on this type of effect, the transparency of the signal and the dynamics. Again, the Halo does not compress, distort your signal, crush dynamics, or tune your sound. The effect is "lush", ample and natural. In stereo use, the specialization is enormous, the diffusion superb and the effect of a very beautiful depth.
The NOS MN3007 analog bucket brigade chip works wonders, the effect is warm, deep, with a very nice color. This, combined with an audiophile BurrBrown JFET / OP Amp input stage gives us an effect with maximum headroom, dynamics and complexity. The pedal is regulated in 15V but can accept 18 and 24V. It also benefits from a kill dry to use it in an effects loop.

The Diamond Halo is a magnificent 100% original chorus, with a truly unique approach and specific design. You won't find this effect anywhere else. Its clever design, rooting capabilities and superb grain make the Halo Chorus one of the benchmarks of the genre.