Electro Harmonix Micro Synthesizer

An EHX Classic for Analog Synth Textures on Guitar

The Micro Synth follows Electro-Harmonix's tradition of creative effects designed to transform a guitar into a broad "instrumental" sound source. Here, the approach is decidedly analog : multiple voices (octaves and square wave) are stacked and mixed, then animated with an envelope and a resonant filter to achieve very "synth-like" signatures. Within the lineup, it is an iconic pedal for those seeking synth sounds without using a multi-effects unit or navigating menus.

Who Is the Micro Synth Made For and What Styles?

The Micro Synth targets musicians who enjoy designing their sound and stepping outside typical overdrive/delay tones. It suits both intermediate and advanced guitarists: the interface is straightforward, but the palette is wide, allowing quick progress through exploration.

It excels in alternative rock, indie, funk, electro-rock, ambient, and film music, whenever you want a guitar that can become a synth bass, a singing lead oscillator, or a percussive texture. In the studio, it opens new layers (doubles, counter-melodies, drones). Live, it's a weapon for memorable intros, bridges, and breaks, all while remaining pedalboard-friendly.

Sliders, Filters, Voice Mixing: 100% "Synth" Ergonomics

The whole concept is embodied in its slider-based layout : you blend voices in a 4-channel mixer (Sub Octave, Original/Guitar, Octave Up, Square Wave). Each voice can stand alone or combine with others, allowing you to go from simple octave reinforcement to more massive, synthetic timbres.

The Square Wave voice can also serve as a distortion color, with a sharper, more "square" grain than classic saturation. Then, the Micro Synth animates everything with a 3-pole analog resonant filter : you set the start and stop frequencies, then control the sweep speed (rate) and resonance to go from subtle movements to very pronounced sweeps. Finally, the attack control lets notes "fade in" gradually, ideal for simulating bowed attacks, breathy sounds, or pads that rise without an obvious pick attack.

Regarding integration: the pedal is mono and features true bypass, handy for preserving signal integrity when the effect is off.

The Sound

The Micro Synth has an immediately recognizable personality: an analog grain, dense and textured, with a very sensitive response to voice mix settings. Adding the Sub Octave provides a foundation like a "synth bass"; the Octave Up adds brightness and a "lead" character; the Square Wave sharpens the attack and gives that synthetic, almost brutal character that cuts through a mix.

The filter is the musical heart of the pedal: with low resonance, you get smooth, organic movements; pushing resonance makes the sweep more vocal and expressive, perfect for percussive stabs, sequencer-like lines, or "bowed/backwards" effects when the attack is slower. This identity has attracted musicians known for their textures and bold effect choices, notably John Frusciante and St. Vincent, as well as more alternative/experimental realms.

Technical specifications

Effects	Octaver / Harmony, Synthesizer	Type	sector
Technology	Analog	Use	electric guitar
Format	Pedal	Color	Black
EQ	Filter

Circuit	analog	Attack time	adjustable (note fade-in)
Bypass	true bypass	Audio format	mono
Filter	3-pole analog resonant	Chassis	die-cast metal, compact and robust format
Interface	compact layout with 10 sliders	Dimensions	146 x 121 x 64 mm (5.75 x 4.75 x 2.5 in)
4-voice mixer	Sub Octave, Original (Guitar), Octave Up, Square Wave	Required power	9.6V DC
Filter sweep	start/stop with adjustable speed (rate)	Consumption	55 mA
Filter resonance	adjustable	Adapter supplied	200 mA