Earthquaker Aurelius

A modern chorus inspired by a 70s legend

The Aurelius follows the tradition of great "ensemble" choruses, claiming direct inspiration from the CE-1 Chorus Ensemble of the 1970s. While vintage models relied on an analog approach and bulky format, EarthQuaker Devices condenses the idea into a compact pedal with a refined digital approach to capture the richness, breadth, and musicality of classic modulations, while adding what modern pedalboards demand: presets, expression control, and ultra-smooth switching.

For which musicians and contexts?

If you're looking for a chorus pedal capable of going from a light "clean 80s thickening" to more adventurous textures, the Aurelius hits the mark. It suits both beginner guitarists (simple and immediately rewarding settings) and experienced musicians who need multiple sounds saved and footswitch-recallable.

Its three voices make it comfortable in indie, pop, rock, post-rock, shoegaze, but also for more vintage colors (vibrato) or rotary speaker-style animations (rotary). In the studio, it naturally sits after drives to keep modulation clear, and on stage it becomes a "scene changer" tool thanks to presets and expression control.

Controls, modes, and workflow: simple to dial in, quick to recall

The Aurelius revolves around three key potentiometers: Width (modulation depth/amplitude), Rate (speed), and Balance (mix). This trio is enough to sculpt a very fine chorus, a distinct vibrato, or a wider modulation, while remaining quick to adjust on stage.

The mode selector gives access to 3 modes : V (Chorus/Vibrato), C (Chorus/Flanger), and R (Rotary Chorus). You can then save up to 6 presets and recall them via the "Save/Recall" switch. Two usage behaviors are offered: a "Live " mode (the pedal follows the position of the knobs) and a "Preset " mode (saved settings take precedence), identified by the color of the Save/Recall button.

A highlight for expressive pedalboards: the EXP input accepts a TRS expression pedal and allows controlling Width, Rate, or Balance with your foot (assignment saved per preset). The EXP input can also accept voltage control (CV) over a 0 to 3.3 V range, handy for more creative setups.

Sound

The Aurelius delivers a dense and textured chorus with an "organic" feel reminiscent of the classics, while maintaining modern clarity. The V mode ranges from a subtle chorus to a more pronounced pitch vibrato (by increasing Balance), perfect for undulating arpeggios or leads with a "wobbly" character. The C mode offers a more hybrid signature, between chorus and flanger, ideal for adding movement to rhythms without falling into caricature effects.

The Rotary mode simulates Leslie-style rotating speaker animation: it produces a sense of rotation, breath, and movement, particularly effective on clean tones, light crunch, or pads with delay and reverb. On stage, artists like John Flansburgh (They Might Be Giants), Kevin Starrs (Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats), and Lucia de la Garza (The Linda Lindas) have been spotted with the Aurelius on their pedalboards, proving its relevance across very different contexts.

Technical specifications

Effects	Chorus / Flanger / Phaser, Chorus, Rotary speaker emulation	Type	sector
Technology	Digital	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Multicolor

3 modes	Chorus/Vibrato (V), Chorus/Flanger (C), Rotary Chorus (R)	EXP input	6.35mm stereo jack (TRS)
2 usage modes	Live / Preset (indicated by the Save/Recall button color)	TRS expression wiring	Tip = wiper, Ring = +3.3 V, Sleeve = ground
Compatible with voltage control (CV) via EXP input	0 to 3.3 V	Input impedance	500 kOhm
Flexi-Switch technology	latching and momentary	Output impedance	100 Ohm
Input	6.35mm jack (mono)	Dimensions	67 x 127 x 54 mm
Output	6.35mm jack (mono)	Weight	280 g