Empress Effects ZOIA [modular pedal system] (Empress Effects) Modular System

An open canvas for drawing sound ideas


ZOIA is a fully featured modular system in pedal form.

By placing various modules on an open canvas for drawing out sound ideas and connecting them, you can freely build a fully functional "virtual pedal board" or "modular synthesizer."

The endless possibilities of ZOIA are limited only by your imagination.

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THE BIG PICTURE

The essence of ZOIA is a fully-featured modular pedal system in the form of a pedal. It is a groundbreaking instrument that lets you combine the functions of various modules like Lego blocks to create a variety of music production tools, including a virtual pedalboard, modular synthesizer, looper, sequencer, and more, in your own unique style.

Modules are arranged on an 8x5 button grid, and each module consists of multiple parameters. Each parameter can be accessed via a button on the grid, which allows you to access specific functions of the module. The inputs and outputs between the buttons can be freely patched together, just like a modular synthesizer.

The button grid represents one page in a patch (buttons can span multiple pages). Saving a patch saves all modules, parameters, and connections to ZOIA's internal memory. You can create any number of new patches and navigate to them with the stomp switches.

If you're familiar with guitar effects but don't have much experience with synthesizers, ZOIA might seem intimidating, but don't worry. Guitar effects and modular synths share a similar structure. For example, a tremolo effect is simply a VCA (voltage-controlled amplifier) controlled by an LFO (low-frequency oscillator). A delay effect delays the input signal and returns a portion of it to the input to create a repeating sound. By subtly modulating the delay time with an LFO to add a pleasant fluctuation, and then adding a filter to the feedback loop to recreate the warmth of the delay sound, you can quickly create an emulation of a vintage tape delay.

ZOIA comes with a large number of pre-assembled effect modules, but if you wish, you can freely design and assemble your own effects.

Rather than thinking of ZOIA as just a pedal, it's probably more accurate to think of it as a "platform" - with ZOIA you can build effects, synthesizers, musical tools and even instruments in your own unique style.


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FEATURES

■ Over 80 modules (can be added via firmware updates)
ZOIA is a vast collection of modules to create anything you can dream up. ZOIA allows you to expand your imagination limitlessly.

■ Build your own effects board, synthesizer, control device, and more Oscillators, LFOs, filters, VCAs, ADSRs, bit crushers, envelope followers, overdrives, delay lines, EQs, loopers... these are just a few of the included modules that can be connected. If you can dream it, you can create it!

■ Equipped with over 20 ready-made effect modules The EMPRESS comes pre-built with a wide range of high-quality effect modules (reverb, delay, chorus, phaser, compressor, overdrive, cabinet simulator, etc.) By arranging these effects on a grid, you can create your own virtual pedalboard.

■ Combine modules to create your own original effects and synths. If you want to use tremolo, you can use the pre-built tremolo patches, but ZOIA also lets you build your own tremolo effects. You can create a tremolo effect by controlling the VCA module with ZOIA's LFO module to create periodic volume changes. Similarly, you can design your own style of Empress Effects ZOIA effects and synthesizers, including delays, filters, and phasers.

■ Up to 64 Types of Patches You can create and save up to 64 patches that can be easily recalled during live performances.

■ Exchange and share patches!
Join the ZOIA user community at patchstorage.com to try out patches from ZOIA users around the world and upload and share your own patch creations.

■ SD card
You can load and save patches from your SD card to your ZOIA, and from your ZOIA to your SD card. We're also continually improving the firmware to add new modules and features, and fix bugs. You can easily update your ZOIA with the included SD card by downloading the latest firmware from empresseffects.com.

■ OLED display screen for intuitive editing Equipped with a high-resolution OLED display screen, it displays all ZOIA module and parameter information.

■ Dedicated MIDI jack
The 1/8" MIDI input and output jacks allow connection to a variety of external devices. Control ZOIA with a MIDI keyboard or use ZOIA as the brains of your entire setup. A 1/8" to MIDI dongle is included.

■ Versatile control port The control port supports expression pedals, CV (in/out), external tap switches, and MIDI. MIDI 1/8-inch input and output jacks allow you to connect a variety of external devices to control ZOIA functions and parameters.

■ Customizable Patch Recall System Onboard stomp switches can be used for scroll-style or bank-style preset modes, allowing for quick patch recall that suits your workflow.

■ Built-in help function A dedicated help function is built in, providing quick information about the various modules and options of ZOIA.

■ Overwhelming high-quality audio
Empress Effects boasts high-quality audio quality, with internal processing at 32-bit and 24-bit/48kHz.

■ Ultimate low-noise signal path
Signal-to-noise ratio >105dB, low noise design at the same level as recording equipment.


Input impedance ＞= 1M
Output impedance 100
Frequency response (-3dB) 10Hz - 23.4kHz
THD (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, Input voltage: 9V DC (center negative), Current consumption: 300mA
Size: Height (enclosure only) approx. 45mm (enclosure only), Height (including controls) approx. 67mm (including knobs), Width approx. 144mm, Depth approx. 95mm
Weight approximately 680g