Eventide BlackholeFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 44 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment68%
PROS 68%
CONS 32%

Rank based on 44 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want the classic Blackhole sound without learning an H9 or Space menu system
  • You prefer simple, hands-on knob control over deep multi-effect tweaking
  • You need a compact ambient/synth reverb with freeze and infinite hold

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You already own an H9, Space, or the Blackhole plugin
  • You want true stereo I/O without needing a Y-cable
  • You're on a tight budget and open to cheaper alternatives like the Zoom MS-70CDR

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

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Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
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Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
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Distortion at high settings
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Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
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MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
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Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
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Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
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Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
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Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
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Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
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Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
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10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Eventide Blackhole
Simple, hands-on controls vs H9/Space complexitySignature deep, spacious reverb soundCompetitive pricing vs comparable pedalsRepackaged decades-old algorithmPrice still steep for someLimited to a single algorithm/character
Eventide Blackhole
Simple, hands-on controls vs H9/Space complexity
Signature deep, spacious reverb sound
Competitive pricing vs comparable pedals
Repackaged decades-old algorithm
Price still steep for some
Limited to a single algorithm/character

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

A dedicated, simplified way to get Eventide's signature reverb without multi-effect complexity. Multiple commenters explain they avoided the H9 or Space because of menu-diving, one-fat-knob editing, or bulky pedalboard footprint, and see the Blackhole as exactly the compact, hands-on solution they wanted. It offers five presets loadable with any Eventide algorithm via the app, giving flexibility without sacrificing simplicity, which several users call a smart move for players who just want one great reverb on their board.

Sound quality draws strong praise from both guitarists and synth users. Users describe the reverb as deep, cavernous, otherworldly, and 'clear even at high gain,' with some calling it the best reverb unit they've heard. Synth and ambient players especially find it pairs well with instruments like the Korg Argon8, filling gaps in built-in effects. The freeze/infinite hold feature is repeatedly highlighted as excellent for ambient backdrops and live improvisation.

Critics see it as a repackaged old algorithm with some usability quirks. Several commenters note the Blackhole algorithm dates back to 1994's DSP4000 and call this pedal 'lazy' repackaging rather than innovation, especially since a cheaper plugin or apps like Zoom MS-70CDR can achieve similar results. Others cite confusing dual-function knobs needing real learning time, no true stereo I/O without a Y-cable, and clicking artifacts when switching presets during playback as practical drawbacks.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?