Wednesday, September 8, 2021

REVIEW MOOER RADAR IMPULSE RESPONSE SPEAKER SIMULATOR

 The Mooer “Radar” is a digital impulse response, cabinet simulator with some options to simulate amplifiers.

Radar features 30 memory locations for impulse responses. You can replace existing response files by connecting the pedal to a computer via USB. 

If you don’t like the included impulse responses you’re going to need to connect to a computer to replace them. 

The output of Radar is louder than the input. There is a substantial boost applied to your signal just running through the Radar pedal using the default impulse response profiles. You can go into the presets and modify them to compensate or use a volume pedal like the EHX Signal Pad to lower the output level to match the input. It is easy to mistake the volume boost combined with the impulse response as more pleasureable. If you go to the troulble of making them the same in volume level then the benefit of this pedal becomes less clear.

Radar requires a big ‘ole power supply. Fortunately, it comes with the jumbo wall wart power supply required to power it up. Radar is not compatible with standard 9-volt pedal board power systems. Radar wants 300mA @ 12VDC with tip-negative and sleeve-positive (polarity is like Boss standard). The Voodoo Labs Mondo has 12VDC@400mA outputs which are capable of powering the Radar. 

HOW DOES IT SOUND?

This processor does a lot. It comes with 30 impulse response profiles taken from a variety of speaker cabinets including 4x12, 1x12, 8x10 and even 1x10. Open and closed back speaker cabinets are included on many of the IR’s.

LIKES

SHOWN WITH PHASE 90 FOR SIZE COMPARISON

This pedal is compact, about half the size of an MXR Phase 90. With 30 different impulse response curves chances are there will be something in the list that will work for you. Overall this is a good sounding pedal that can shape your guitar sound without using an amp or speaker. It comes with a large wall wart power supply so you’re ready to plug in and get busy when you open the box.

If you have a Windows based PC you can load your own impulse response files into Radar using its USB port.

This pedal is very compact and does not take up a lot of space on the pedalboard although the included power supply is painfully large.

Radar has a headphone output for late night silent jamming.

DISLIKES

This is a single-channel processor and chances are you’ll want to put it on your distortion-effects channel. This means your clean sound may be a compromise unless you take it further with a loop-box or loop switcher to bring Radar in and out of your signal paths.

Adjusting your sounds using the single rotary control knob can be tedious. I don’t enjoy squatting by my pedal board tweaking presets through a postage stamp size monitor.

Radar computer connection is “Windows Only”. No Mac software :-(

MOOER RADAR EPILOGUE

Radar is a low-priced entry into using impulse response technology to enhance your tone without using a guitar amp or speaker. Radar is most useful for shaping the sound from a distortion pedal into sounding like it was played through an amp and speaker. If you’re willing to spend the time making adjustments to fit your style then the Radar has a lot to offer.

Enjoy the journey, Good Music To You!

Specifications - August 2021 Street Price $148.00

Input: 1/4” mono audio jack.(Impedance: 100kΩ)

Output: 1/4” mono audio jack (Impedance: 470Ω)

1/8” stereo audio jack (Impedance: 10Ω)

Max IR Sample length: 23.2ms (1024 points)

Sampling rate: 44.1K

Sampling accuracy: 24bit

Signal to noise ratio: 100dB

Frequency Range: 20Hz~20KHz

Power requirements: 12V DC Only use the power supply provided (neg-tip/pos-sleeve)

Current Draw: 300mA

Dimensions: 93.5mm(D) x 42mm(W) x 52mm(H)

Weight: 150g

This article is ©August 2021 by Mark King. It’s not ok to copy or quote without written permission.