New Eventide H90

[Lawdawg]

I figured Eventide was working on the successor to the H9 and it looks like it just came out this week. Being a fan of the H9 I am pretty excited to see this, especially some of the new effect algorithms they've added including univibe, multi-head delay, polyphonic shifter, and polyphonic pitch shifter. Unlike the H9 you can also use 2 effect algorithms at once and it looks like it has pretty flexible routing and i/o options including a dual mode where you can essentially run it as two independent stereo effects. For fans of the H9 I think this looks pretty great and I'm already thinking about selling my H9 to upgrade.

On the downside, it's pricey (about $900), especially considering it's purely an effects unit and not an all-in-one effects + modeler. That said, Eventide effects are some of the best and for folks who use and love the H9 this looks pretty tempting.


https://www.eventideaudio.com/pedals/h90/

 

[ndcaster]

Sure looks like a nice unit.

 

[Chipss36]

Was looking at that…..and kinda waiting on some reviews…

 

[bluesholyman]

Yeah, this is intriguing for sure. I've always thought about getting an H9 but held off - might be time with the H90. One thing I do like (about H9, probably H90) is that you can run the algorithms in your DAW as a plugin and then have the same algorithms for live use in the H9/H90

 

[Lawdawg]

Yeah, this is intriguing for sure. I've always thought about getting an H9 but held off - might be time with the H90. One thing I do like (about H9, probably H90) is that you can run the algorithms in your DAW as a plugin and then have the same algorithms for live use in the H9/H90

I've owned an H9 for some time, but I don't believe it included any plugin capability. Eventide did release plugin versions of about a dozen of the H9 algorithms, but I think you had to purchase them separately. Happy to be corrected if I am wrong, since I agree that it's nice to have the same algorithm available for both a pedal and plugin use.

In any event, I will certainly vouch for the quality of effects on the H9, and given Eventide's track record I'm confident the H90 will a significant improvement.

 

[bluesholyman]

Eventide did release plugin versions of about a dozen of the H9 algorithms, but I think you had to purchase them separately. Happy to be corrected if I am wrong, since I agree that it's nice to have the same algorithm available for both a pedal and plugin use.

Yeah, pretty sure they have to be purchased separately, whichever ones are available. Its just that its the same algorithm, DAW or live, by the same company, so the sound/effect would be as close to a recording as possible. At least thats my theory.

 

[D_Malone]

The demos I’ve watched are amazing.

I can’t afford it, but I want it.

 

[24 track]

I have the H9 Max, I love it
this new unit is 2X H9's in one package its about 1300.00 USD roughly .
the fact that you can get an H9 or an H9 with some of the algorithms for about 500.00 USD and link them together with an H9 Max to use all of the H9 max's algorithms to a maximum of 5 units was very cool and blue tooth as well.

I've not gone deep into the H-90 but I will . Loopop does some great in depth reviews on tons of gear.

 

[fishermike]

I have the H9 Max, I love it
this new unit is 2X H9's in one package its about 1300.00 USD roughly .
the fact that you can get an H9 or an H9 with some of the algorithms for about 500.00 USD and link them together with an H9 Max to use all of the H9 max's algorithms to a maximum of 5 units was very cool and blue tooth as well.

I've not gone deep into the H-90 but I will . Loopop does some great in depth reviews on tons of gear.

It's $900, not $1300. Significantly better UI, plus added algos vs. the H9. Changes the math a bit, IMO.

 

[24 track]

It's $900, not $1300. Significantly better UI, plus added algos vs. the H9. Changes the math a bit, IMO.

sorry i looked at sweetwater and tried to covert to CDN my mistake there , but for that price i noticed it has alot of the same algorithms as the H9 Max

 

[bluesholyman]

Significantly better UI, plus added algos vs. the H9. Changes the math a bit, IMO.

but for that price i noticed it has alot of the same algorithms as the H9 Max

I think the edge that the H90 has on the H9 is that its using the same type of architecture (ARM processor) as the H9000 (sorry, I'm a computer engineer, so I understand the significance.) While I don't think the H90 processor is going to be as fast/powerful as the H9000, it *should* be able to run the same algorithms developed for the H9000, at least as they relate to guitar. It should also be more capable than the H9, which will most likely be deprecated, or at the very least, they will stop developing new algorithms for it.

Will you notice a sonic difference from the H9? On stage no, but in the studio, maybe? You'll have more algorithm choices for sure going forward.

At the end of the day, I think the question comes down to "do I want the new algorithms?" If not, it probably doesn't make sense to get it. If you are getting into the H series for the first time, and you can afford it, the H90 makes sense. If I go this route, which I might, the H90 is my choice.

 

[Lawdawg]

sorry i looked at sweetwater and tried to covert to CDN my mistake there , but for that price i noticed it has alot of the same algorithms as the H9 Max

I'm also a big fan of the H9 Max. The H90 only has 10 new algorithms, but they are effects that I'm quite excited about. Headspace in particular looks like a very full featured multi head delay -- very comparable on paper to my beloved Volante! Supposedly the H90 also improves some of the H9 algorithms as well. While I would normally chalk that up to sales puffery, given the processor upgrade and Eventide's track record I'm willing to believe them.

It should also be more capable than the H9, which will most likely be deprecated, or at the very least, they will stop developing new algorithms for it.

Eventide actually announced that they were stopping development of new H9 algorithms back in early 2021. According to the announcement the H9 could not accommodate additional algorithms -- I assume this was based on memory limitations in the H9. I'm not sure how accurate that is or not, but a lot of H9 users interpreted the announcement as a signal that Eventide was working on a replacement.

 

[24 track]

I think the edge that the H90 has on the H9 is that its using the same type of architecture (ARM processor) as the H9000 (sorry, I'm a computer engineer, so I understand the significance.) While I don't think the H90 processor is going to be as fast/powerful as the H9000, it *should* be able to run the same algorithms developed for the H9000, at least as they relate to guitar. It should also be more capable than the H9, which will most likely be deprecated, or at the very least, they will stop developing new algorithms for it.

Will you notice a sonic difference from the H9? On stage no, but in the studio, maybe? You'll have more algorithm choices for sure going forward.

At the end of the day, I think the question comes down to "do I want the new algorithms?" If not, it probably doesn't make sense to get it. If you are getting into the H series for the first time, and you can afford it, the H90 makes sense. If I go this route, which I might, the H90 is my choice.

very true, I believe all 3 devices use the same engine, the ability to access more than one effect at a time as with the H9000 or the H90 is a plus , I hope the H9 max does drop in price , I will buy another .The issue with the H9 was memory buffer filled with all of available algorithms so no more were produced (according to the Email I received from Eventide).
the H9000 has cards with the equivalent of 16 H9 max's engines and fully programmable ( I want one badly) .

 

[24 track]

I think the edge that the H90 has on the H9 is that its using the same type of architecture (ARM processor) as the H9000 (sorry, I'm a computer engineer, so I understand the significance.) While I don't think the H90 processor is going to be as fast/powerful as the H9000, it *should* be able to run the same algorithms developed for the H9000, at least as they relate to guitar. It should also be more capable than the H9, which will most likely be deprecated, or at the very least, they will stop developing new algorithms for it.

Will you notice a sonic difference from the H9? On stage no, but in the studio, maybe? You'll have more algorithm choices for sure going forward.

At the end of the day, I think the question comes down to "do I want the new algorithms?" If not, it probably doesn't make sense to get it. If you are getting into the H series for the first time, and you can afford it, the H90 makes sense. If I go this route, which I might, the H90 is my choice.

I am really curious about this unit as the H9 Max is a staple in my studio, I really like the internal switching for serial /parallel effects , and the available effect sends so in esscence I could plug my Max into it and have 3 units at once . Im not sure about the buffer size, but you can store at least 100 user programs , that is no slouch.

 

[Blrfl]

If Eventide ever gets into amp modeling, it's gonna slap.

 

[Rocky058]

Me after spending $900 on a single pedal.

 

[24 track]

Me after spending $900 on a single pedal.

View attachment 1052744

yeah but she only does that cuz she loves you

so go to your wook shop , cut a small wedge of wood, paste a picture of an H90 on it , show it to her and tell her you bought it let her beat you or worse then go buy one as she already beat you up, small price to pay for something so cool.

I had a friend carry in my brand new 78' strat and when he left it behind ,I had my underwear washed with the fiberglass curtains for a month, small price to pay!

 

[_dave_]

Question on the H90, as I am a noob about this device (and H9s in general).
How many effects can run at once? I would like to use 1 dirt 1 modulation, 1 delay and 1 reverb from the H90 if possible in one preset if possible.
Can this be done? I have a DMC-4 midi controller I’d hope to use with the H90 if I go that route.
I'm currently using a Mobius and a Timeline with a separate dirt & reverb pedals.

Thanks for any help/advice on this.

 

[Lawdawg]

Question on the H90, as I am a noob about this device (and H9s in general).
How many effects can run at once? I would like to use 1 dirt 1 modulation, 1 delay and 1 reverb from the H90 if possible in one preset if possible.
Can this be done? I have a DMC-4 midi controller I’d hope to use with the H90 if I go that route.
I'm currently using a Mobius and a Timeline with a separate dirt & reverb pedals.

Thanks for any help/advice on this.

The short answer is that the H90 can only use 2 effect algorithms at once (as opposed to only 1 for the H9). If you're asking whether an H90 could replace having a Mobius, Timeline, dirt and reverb pedal -- the answer is probably no.

The longer answer is that many Eventide effect algorithms incorporate multiple effects. For example, the "SpaceTime" algorithm has modulation, delay and reverb; the "Spring Reverb" algorithm also has tremolo; most of the delay algorithms include modulation; etc . . . Knowing how much you can do with just one effect algorithm on the H9, I can only imagine how much ground you can cover with an H90. That said, the H90 is still limited to two effect algorithms and doesn't let you set up a virtual pedal/signal chain by mixing and matching numerous different effects like a Helix or Boss GT unit. The tradeoff with the Eventide is that you sacrifice being able to use a large number of effects/amp models simultaneously for having top tier effects with deep parameters.

I would also add that based on my experience with the H9, the distortion/dirt effects are not Eventide's strong suit. I haven't played an H90 yet which has a new TS style overdrive algorithm, but regardless I wouldn't expect the H9/H90 to replace a favorite OD/distortion pedal.

 

[_dave_]

Hmmm I think I’ll end up keeping my strymons but keep an eye out and learn more about the h90. I think I would like the sound quality but sounds like I would need to re-think my approach to effects with the H90.
I am definitely intrigued to say the least.
I think I’ll adjust my target to next year sometime once I can get a better understanding of the H90 and how to maximize what it offers.

One question, are the algorithms hard wired by eventide or can one create personal algorithms?

Thanks @Lawdawg for your reply.