NAMM 2018: Empress Effects Zoia, er, Multithing. Pedal. Synth. Whatever.
A new oddball step sequencer like effects unit
Empress Effects’ Zoia is a multi-effects pedal with a difference. Aimed at both guitars and synthplayers alike, it looks more like a modern-day step sequencer in the vein of Novation Circuit than an effects pedal. New approach? Interesting attitude? Bring it on!
Empress Zoia
The basic idea here is to offer several FX modules configurable via the pad matrix, with effects and “modulators” such as LFOs, a sequencer and so on. According to the only video available at the moment, the aim is provide a whole pedalboard set up in one unit. It also seems that instruments can also be created with them. Then you can save everything on SD card. This looks like a bit of an oddball unit and as the official demo video really gives nothing away, we will have to wait for them to give us more details at the NAMM Show.
Oddball
At this stage we know that it includes MIDI I/O, a stereo input and output, CV and clock inputs, a random function and a fairly free routing architecture that can link different sources and destinations. Sounds like a lot of fun – especially for synthesizers and studio use, but us guitarists may need to assign some foot controllers to make it viable in a live scenario – or you might have to pop it on a stand at a reachable height so you can tweak it!
There aren’t any more details on Empress Effects’ web site as yet, but check back during the NAMM Show and I reckon we will know more.
RRP – TBC
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