Electro-Harmonix has taken one of the most beloved features of its POG2 and given it its very own spotlight. The new PICO Swello puts the POG2’s polyphonic attack envelope in a compact Pico chassis, adding a flexible low-pass filter section to deliver everything from smooth dynamic shaping to dramatic ambient swells.
At its core, the Swello’s polyphonic attack filter applies individual volume swells to every note you play — single notes or full chords — creating liquid smooth phrasing that adapts to any style. Dial it in lightly, and it makes arpeggios flow seamlessly. Push it harder, and it transforms your guitar into an ambient machine, capable of synth-like pads and evolving soundscapes.
The control set keeps things intuitive. ATTACK adjusts the swell speed, from snappy to slow and cinematic. VOL sets overall output, helping compensate for the natural volume drop of longer swells. Engaging the Filter Button activates the Swello’s low-pass filter, with switchable resonance settings.
From there, FREQ dials in the cutoff frequency, while MOD sets the depth and direction of the filter sweep, tied directly to the attack timing. The result is a dynamic interplay between the envelope and filter that unlocks new layers of musicality.
By separating this signature POG2 effect into its own pedal and enhancing it with added filtering options, EHX has made one of its most inspiring sounds more accessible and more powerful than ever. Get the Electro-Harmonix Pico Swello here for $149.50 and keep up with all our Electro-Harmonix coverage right here!
