Electro Harmonix Attack Decay Guitar Effect

Electro-Harmonix Attack Decay: Volume Envelope Pedal with Reverse and Fuzz

The Electro-Harmonix Attack Decay Tape Reverse Simulator is a digital envelope pedal reissuing the circa-1980 original. It applies a volume envelope to the incoming signal, shaping slow swells, staccato notes, and bowed-instrument tones. The Attack Decay is the right choice for guitarists who need synthesizer-like control over the start and end of every note.

Poly Mode, Built-In Fuzz, and External Loop

Poly mode assigns a separate envelope to each note, so chords swell and decay independently. The internal Harmonix fuzz adds harmonic weight, while the Send/Return loop applies the envelope to any external pedal in the chain.

Envelope Shaping — Attack, Decay, Blend, and Mono/Poly Modes

The Attack knob sets the swell or fade-in speed; the Decay knob controls the fade-out or staccato cutoff. The Blend knob sets the wet/dry mix between dry signal and envelope output. Mono mode shares one envelope that resets on each pluck; Poly mode gives every note its own envelope.

• Attack: Adjustable swell time — controls how gradually each note rises
• Decay: Adjustable fade-out time — sets staccato cutoff or slow release
• Mono/Poly Mode: Toggle via POLY button — shared or per-note envelopes

Built-In Harmonix Fuzz — Gain, Tone, and Volume

The internal Harmonix fuzz section is fully controllable, with dedicated knobs for gain, tone, and output level. Engaging the fuzz adds harmonic content that enhances bowed-instrument sounds and extends sustain.

• Harmonics: Adjustable fuzz gain — from clean boost to thick saturation
• Tone: Dedicated EQ control — shapes the fuzz character
• H.Volume: Fuzz output level — balances against the dry path

I/O, Presets, and Power Requirements

The pedal runs on the included 9.6 VDC adapter at 140 mA, with no battery option. A Send/Return effects loop, expression pedal/CV input, and three user presets extend the unit beyond a standard stompbox.

• Inputs: Mono, Expression, Return — supports expression pedal and CV clock triggers
• Outputs: Mono, Send — feeds external pedals into the envelope
• Power: 9.6 VDC adapter, 140 mA — included, no battery operation