EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine V2 Polyphonic Pitch Shifting Modulator

The EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine V2 is a polyphonic pitch-shifting modulator designed for players who want everything from lush chorus and detuned harmonies to octave effects, cascading pitch trails and extreme experimental modulation.

Its DSP pitch-warping engine shifts your signal from a perfect fourth below to a major third above, with additional octave harmonies available through the Secondary control. Set Pitch around noon for rich chorus-style sounds, or move away from centre for warped harmonies and unusual pitch textures.

Add adjustable tracking, expression control and the dedicated Magic feedback section, and the Rainbow Machine V2 becomes an exceptionally creative pedal for ambient, shoegaze, psychedelic, experimental, indie, noise and alternative music.

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At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	EarthQuaker Devices
Model	Rainbow Machine V2
Product Code	EQDRAINV2USA
Type	Polyphonic Pitch Shifting Modulator
Condition	New
Pitch Range	Fourth Below to Third Above
Additional Harmony	Octave Up / Down
Controls	Pitch, Primary, Tracking, Tone, Secondary, Magic
Expression Control	Pitch
Footswitches	Activate, Magic
Switching	Flexi-Switch® Momentary / Latching
Bypass	Relay-Based True Bypass
Current Draw	68mA
Power	9V DC Centre Negative
Main Appeal	Chorus, pitch shifting and experimental modulation in one pedal
Best For	Ambient, shoegaze, psychedelic, experimental and alternative guitar

What Makes The Rainbow Machine V2 Special?

The Rainbow Machine is not designed as a conventional harmoniser. Its slightly imperfect pitch-warping engine gives the processed signal a distinctive character that ranges from musical chorus and harmonised textures to deliberately strange digital modulation.

The Pitch control selects the main harmony, while Primary determines its level. Secondary adds another octave above or below that harmony depending on the Pitch setting, giving you everything from thick multi-voice chorus to high shimmering textures and deep subharmonic sounds.

Chorus, Harmonies & Pitch Warping

With Pitch set around noon, the Rainbow Machine can operate as a rich chorus effect.

Move the Pitch control away from centre and the effect begins shifting the harmony above or below your original signal.

The available range covers approximately:

• Perfect fourth below
• Unison
• Major third above
• Intermediate and intentionally atonal intervals

The Pitch parameter can also be controlled with a compatible expression pedal for real-time pitch bends and performance effects.

The Magic Control

The Magic section is where the Rainbow Machine becomes particularly unusual.

Magic feeds the Primary and Secondary pitch-shifted signals back into the processing engine, creating increasingly complex regeneration.

Lower settings can add extra repeats and ambience, while higher settings can produce:

• Cascading pitch trails
• Resonant delays
• Metallic modulation
• Self-oscillation
• Digital flanging
• Rising or falling pitch sequences
• Synthetic noise
• Extreme experimental textures

Magic has its own footswitch, so these sounds can be brought in temporarily or left engaged.

Tracking Control

Tracking adjusts the delay between the dry and processed signals.

Higher settings provide tighter pitch tracking and shorter delay times.

Lower settings introduce more lag, creating wider chorus, echo-like textures and more obvious separation between the original note and the pitch-shifted signal.

This makes the Rainbow Machine useful for both controlled modulation and deliberately unstable experimental sounds.

Tone Control

The Tone control shapes the high-frequency content of the processed signal.

Turn clockwise for a brighter, more detailed response or anticlockwise for a darker and smoother character.

This is particularly useful when balancing brighter octave effects against your original guitar tone.

Who Is It For?

The Rainbow Machine V2 is ideal for musicians looking for something beyond conventional chorus, octave and harmoniser pedals.

It is particularly well suited to:

• Ambient guitar
• Shoegaze
• Psychedelic rock
• Experimental music
• Indie
• Alternative
• Noise rock
• Post-rock
• Soundtrack work
• Studio sound design
• Bass
• Keyboards and synthesisers
• Players using expression control creatively

Why Choose A Polyphonic Pitch Modulator?

Traditional pitch shifters are often designed to produce clean, accurate harmonies.

The Rainbow Machine takes a more creative approach.

Because its processing can track chords while deliberately introducing unusual pitch movement, delay and regeneration, it sits somewhere between a pitch shifter, chorus, harmoniser, octave pedal and experimental delay.

That makes it particularly valuable for players who already own conventional modulation effects and want something capable of producing less predictable sounds.

How It Compares

Rainbow Machine V2 vs Conventional Pitch Shifter

A traditional pitch shifter focuses on clean, predictable interval changes.

The Rainbow Machine V2 adds delay, octave voices, chorus textures and regenerative Magic feedback, making it much more suited to experimental sound design.

Rainbow Machine V2 vs Chorus Pedal

A standard chorus creates subtle pitch modulation around your dry signal.

The Rainbow Machine can produce chorus-style sounds with Pitch at noon, but offers substantially more range for harmonies, octave effects and extreme modulation.

Rainbow Machine V2 vs EarthQuaker Devices Data Corrupter

The Data Corrupter is a more aggressive monophonic PLL harmoniser and synthesiser-style effect.

The Rainbow Machine is polyphonic and better suited to chords, chorus, ambient pitch shifting and evolving modulation textures.

What's Included?

• EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine V2 Polyphonic Pitch Shifting Modulator
• Product documentation

No power supply included.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Brand	EarthQuaker Devices
Model	Rainbow Machine V2
SKU / Product Code	EQDRAINV2USA
Product Type	Polyphonic Pitch Shifting Modulator
Processing	DSP Pitch Warping
Pitch Range	Perfect Fourth Below to Major Third Above
Controls	Pitch, Primary, Tracking, Tone, Secondary, Magic
Expression Control	Pitch
Footswitches	Activate, Magic
Input Impedance	1MΩ
Output Impedance	Less Than 1kΩ
Switching	Flexi-Switch® Momentary / Latching
Bypass	Relay-Based True Bypass
Dimensions	118 × 93 × 57mm
Current Draw	68mA
Power Requirement	9V DC Centre Negative
Condition	New

Power Requirements

The EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine V2 requires a regulated 9V DC centre-negative power supply with a standard 2.1mm barrel connector.

Current draw is approximately 68mA.

No power supply is included.

Do not operate the pedal at voltages higher than 9V.

FAQs

What does the EarthQuaker Devices Rainbow Machine V2 do?

It combines polyphonic pitch shifting with chorus, octave harmonies, delay-style tracking and regenerative feedback effects.

Is the Rainbow Machine polyphonic?

Yes. Its pitch-shifting engine can process chords as well as individual notes.

What pitch range does it offer?

The main harmony ranges from approximately a perfect fourth below to a major third above the input signal.

Can the Rainbow Machine produce chorus?

Yes. Set the Pitch control around noon for unison and use the Primary, Secondary and Tracking controls to create chorus and multi-tracked modulation sounds.

What does the Secondary control do?

Secondary adds another octave to the Primary harmony. Depending on the Pitch setting, this can be an octave above or below.

What does the Magic control do?

Magic regenerates the processed pitch signals, creating everything from additional ambience to cascading pitch trails, oscillation and extreme experimental effects.

Can Magic be switched independently?

Yes. Magic has its own Flexi-Switch footswitch and can be used in either latching or momentary operation.

Can I connect an expression pedal?

Yes. A compatible expression pedal can control the Pitch parameter in real time.

Is the Rainbow Machine suitable for normal modulation sounds?

Yes. Despite its experimental reputation, it can create useful chorus, doubling and subtle pitch-modulation effects.

Is it suitable for ambient and shoegaze?

Yes. Pitch trails, chorus, octave harmonies and Magic feedback make it particularly strong for ambient, shoegaze and atmospheric playing.

Can I use it with bass or keyboards?

Yes. The polyphonic processing can be used creatively with guitar, bass, keyboards and other suitable instrument-level sources.

Does it have true bypass?

Yes. It uses relay-based true bypass with EarthQuaker Devices Flexi-Switch® technology.

What is Flexi-Switch®?

Flexi-Switch lets the Activate and Magic footswitches operate in either standard latching mode or temporary momentary mode.

What power supply does it require?

It requires a regulated 9V DC centre-negative power supply and draws approximately 68mA.

Is a power supply included?

No. A suitable power supply is not included.

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Looking to add something more creative to your pedalboard? Fair Deal Music accepts part exchanges across a wide range of effects pedals, guitars, amplifiers and other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out how the value of your existing gear could help towards your new Rainbow Machine V2.