Of all the amplifiers in 6-string history, there is no model more mythologized than the boutique D-style amps favored by Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Mayer, Robben Ford, and other all-time greats — the Universal Audio Enigmatic ’82 brings their sound to the masses. The Enigmatic ’82 brilliantly captures the unmatched dynamics and blooming overtones of a D-style amp revered for its rather “special”-sounding overdrive tones, precisely modeled by UA using a myriad of vintage examples that span over 30 years of production. This pedal’s flexible control configuration provides you with the same sound-shaping controls as an original model, including switchable Jazz and Rock modes to grant you harmonic-dense overdrive, shimmering clean elegance, and everything in between. Furthermore, the Enigmatic ’82 allows you to build your dream D-style amp from the ground up, with flexible FET preamp and HRM overdrive voicings, tone stack options, power tube bias, and beyond. You also get a trio of studio-grade cabinet/microphone combinations onboard, in addition to enhanced editing options, artist presets, and more via the UAFX control app. Short of a 6-figure investment into a vintage D-style amplifier, the Enigmatic ’82 is a surefire solution to capture one of the most sought-after sounds in guitar history.
Tracking down a single D-style amp to model is no small feat. However, a single model doesn’t tell the whole story— as any of amplifier historians will be quick to tell you, D-style amplifiers are famously flexible in design, with most models featuring custom-voiced circuits tuned to their owner’s tonal tastes. In a true testament to their dedication to sonic authenticity, Universal Audio took on the herculean task of rounding up scores of the iconic amplifiers that inspired the Enigmatic ’82. The result? An immensely powerful pedal that merges all the best bits of the 1970s Santa Cruz-made models with the later Los Angeles amplifiers.
This pedal perfectly captures the tremendously touch-sensitive dynamics and harmonic-drenched voice that made the original brand the most mythologized amp manufacturer in guitar history. And yet, the Enigmatic ’82 goes one step further: this pedal’s UAFX control app integration allows you to essentially build your own custom D-style amplifier from scratch. From the FET preamp to the legendary HRM overdrive voicing to the 1980s tone stack from another revered D-style amp, the Enigmatic ’82 gives you myriad options to mix and match, including more nuanced elements like output tube bias, power supply stiffness, and much more. In stark contrast to the goop-covered circuits of the original D-style amplifiers, the inner machinations of your Custom mode creations are no enigma.
Each pedal in Universal Audio’s UAFX series features a special “4-cable” mode accessible via the UAFX Control app, allowing you to bypass your amp’s preamp when the pedal is engaged for incredibly realistic tube-style tones. By hooking your pedal up to both your effects loop send/return and the front of amp input, you can instantly switch between your amp’s stock tone and your UAFX pedal routed straight into the power amp, effectively adding two extra channels to your amplifier. What’s more, Universal Audio designed this feature with multiple pedal setups in mind — you can connect any number of UAFX pedals in this configuration for multichannel madness.
Much of the Enigmatic ’82’s magic is found in its handpicked microphone and speaker combinations, bolstered by Universal Audio’s Dynamic Room Modeling technology. The Enigmatic ’82 boasts three of these settings right out of the box, supplying you with a clear and focused 1 x 12-inch cab, along with dual 2 x 12-inch cabs that supply a rounder, deeper voice. Furthermore, the Enigmatic ’82’s companion UAFX app unlocks a whopping six additional cabinets, with several massive-sounding 4 x 12-inch monsters at your disposal.
Looking to take in-depth control over even the most minute sonic parameters? The Enigmatic ’82 is Bluetooth and USB-C compatible to pair with Universal Audio’s powerful UAFX app. In addition to giving you significantly enhanced editing options, the UAFX app also includes access to artist tones, custom presets, and more.
