
EMP-ZOIA
The most unique pedal on the market, the Empress Effects ZOIA is a modular synthesizer in pedal form, combining guitar multi-effects customisable from the ground up. Truly remarkable technology. Custom create your own effects using Empress building blocks
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Empress Effects ZOIA Modular Synthesizer
The most unique pedal on the market, the Empress Effects ZOIA is a modular synthesizer in pedal form, combining guitar multi-effects customisable from the ground up. Truly remarkable technology. Custom create your own effects using Empress building blocks
True Innovation
The ZOIA is basically a modular synthesizer in pedal form. Instead of being a delay effect or tremolo, the ZOIA provides the modules necessary to build a delay or tremolo from the ground up. But since you're the one building it, you can make it do whatever you want. With the ZOIA you can build your own custom effects, synthesizers, midi controllers, and virtual pedal boards. And to make life a little easier, we've created modules for all your standard guitar effects. So for instance, if you want a phaser, you can just plop down a phaser. You don't have to break out the textbooks to learn that they're built out of all-pass filters. (Of course, if you're a nerd like us, you can use the ZOIA to build them out of all-pass filters).
Handmade in Canada.
2-Year Warranty, extended to 4 Years when you register online.
Features:
- 80+ Modules and Growing - ZOIA comes packed with a vast collection of modules to create just about anything you can dream up. With ZOIA the only limit is your imagination!
- Create your own effects, synths, control devices, and more! - Oscillators, LFOs, filters, bit crushers, envelope followers - these are just a handful of the included modules that can be connected in almost any way imaginable. If you can dream it up, you can create it!
- 20+ Ready-Made Effects Modules - Pre-built effects modules such as reverbs, delays, chorus', flangers, overdrives and more
- Up to 64 Patches - Create and save up to 64 patches that can be easily recalled during live performance
- Swap and Share Patches - Join the community of ZOIA users on patchstorage.com to try out other users patches, or upload your own awesome creations to share with the world
- SD Card Included - Load and save patches to/from ZOIA. We're also continuously improving the firmware by adding new modules and features, and fixing bugs. Download the newest firmware from empresseffects.com and load onto the ZOIA with the included SD card
- OLED Display Screen for Easy Editing - View all of ZOIA's module and parameter information on the high resolution OLED display screen
- Control Port and MIDI Connectivity - Dedicated control port and MIDI 1/8" in/out jacks allow you to connect a huge range of external devices to control any or all of ZOIA's functions and parameters. 1/8" to MIDI dongles included
- Built-In Help - Almost like having a built in manual, the dedicated help function will give you quick information at a glance about ZOIA's various modules and options
- High-Quality Audio - 48kHz sampling, with 24 bit conversion and 32 bit internal processing
- Low-Noise Signal Path - Features extremely low noise operation with a signal to noise of >105dB
Specifications:
Input Impedance | >= 1MΩ |
Output Impedance | 100Ω |
Frequency Response (-3dB) | 10Hz – 23.4kHz |
Total Harmonic Distortion | 0.22% |
Dynamic Range | 105.5 dBA |
Input Headroom (no pad) | +0.5 dBu |
Input Headroom (6dB pad) | +5.7 dBu |
Input Headroom (12dB pad) | +10.8 dBu |
Output Headroom | +16.2dBu |
Power Input Connector | 2.1mm Barrel Connector |
Power Input Voltage | 9V DC (center negative) |
Required Current | 300mA |
Height (enclosure only) | 4.45cm |
Height (including controls) | 6.7cm |
Length | 14.5cm |
Width | 9.5cm |
Weight | 680g |
A musical lego kit in a pedal!
By: Winnie on 24 April 2025Wow! What a powerful multi-purpose musical creativity device! There's a lot packed into this little pedal - it's a modular synth, a digital multi FX pedal, a sequencer with sampling capabilities, a midi controller, a generative synthesis ideas box, a sketchpad/groovebox... and much more. Basically it's a musical lego kit - you can connect together digital modules in various ways to virtually make whatever you want. You can create custom digital effects pedals, or control your existing ones (if they are MIDI capable), though it's an instrument in its own right and rightfully has a home both on and off the pedal board. Honestly if all you want is the standard plug and play effects chain on your board and nothing more, you're probably better off buying the built-for-purpose pedals (though I'm not saying you can't create those pedals virtually in Zoia, you just have to be willing to create the patch). Where Zoia shines is user customisation and creativity - I bought this both as multi-FX for my Bass and synths, as well as to use Zoia as its own instrument. I already use a Boss GT-1B, and this will sit along side it. I'm yet to dive into all the MIDI capabilities, but I'm excited by the possibilities. There's also a prolific online community uploading patches to Patchstorage, and maintaining an unofficial Zoia Librarian app, and I've seen Empress Effects jump in on chats on forums as well. I did a lot of research before buying, but it's the community and willingness of Empress to engage with customers that helped me make the final decision. In the box is included the usual manual and warranty info, some stickers, but also two trs to midi adaptors, and a 16GB microSD card which is great since so many products these days don't include extras. There is no power supply in the box - it takes a fairly common 9V pedal power supply (the specs are printed on the box) and it does not charge over USB (it has no USB port). I currently use my Boss pedal power supply and have just ordered a MyVolts ripcord so I can connect to a USB powerbank when I'm on the go. I think I've been long-winded enough, just wanted to add some thoughts as someone who's use case is both on a traditional pedalboard as well as a on the desk as an instrument. Thank you Swamp Industries for a seamless transaction and super fast postage! - A happy customer :)
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