Strymon Zelzah Multidimensional Phaser Pedal

Name: Strymon Zelzah Multidimensional Phaser Pedal
Brand: Strymon
Rating: 5 (13 reviews)

Stereo Phaser/Modulation Effects Pedal with 2 Simultaneous Stereo Effects, 4- and 6-stage Phasing, Expression Pedal Input, and MIDI Control

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Item ID: Zelzah

Strymon Zelzah Multidimensional Phaser Pedal

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The Strymon Phaser You’ve Been Waiting For

The Strymon Zelzah Multidimensional Phaser effects pedal packs undeniable vintage vibe, offering phasing, chorus, flanging, and other modulation effects with impeccable audio quality. There’s a lot going on under the hood here: Zelzah puts two distinct effects sections on your pedalboard (each with a true stereo signal path), and you can choose from serial, parallel, or split signal configurations. However you set it up, you’ll enjoy the sonic richness that made vintage phasing a mainstay in classic recordings from the ’60s and ’70s, plus the flexibility to create sounds you’ve never heard before. If you’ve been searching for a comprehensive modulation effects pedal that combines vintage character with forward-thinking creative potential, then you’ve found it in the Strymon Zelzah Multidimensional Phaser effects pedal.

Two effects sections with flexible signal routing

It’s no surprise that the Strymon Zelzah is one of the most advanced phaser effects pedals ever devised. In typical Strymon fashion, Zelzah gives you much more than you’d expect — two independent stereo effects sections (one for 4-stage phasing, one for 6-stage phasing) can be configured in series, parallel, or split signal configurations. Factor in the ability to dial in a wide range of modulation effects, including tremolo, chorus, and flanging, and you have practically unlimited creative potential in the Strymon Zelzah Multidimensional Phaser effects pedal.

True stereo signal path for advanced signal routing

With a true stereo signal path from inputs to outputs, the Strymon Zelzah Multidimensional Phaser pedal is just as suitable for keyboards, synthesizers, and mix effects as it is for guitar (try it on electric piano, and you’ll immediately fall in love with it). Each of the two effects sections packs two independent effects processors, with independently adjustable stereo width for each effect. Of course, Zelzah also sounds amazing even with a mono signal path directly into a guitar amplifier, and its stereo capabilities make it a fantastic tool for multi-amplifier rigs. And thanks to Strymon’s acclaimed sound quality, Zelzah excels as a send/return effects processor for your mixer or audio interface.

Strymon — a philosophy based on quality

Strymon pedals are quickly becoming an industry standard in professional-quality effects. They’re dedicated to offering exceptional customer service and, in their own words, making “gear that sounds better than anything you’ve ever heard.” This California-based company uses only the highest-quality components and powerful processors in their pedals. And each design offers more tweakable parameters than meets the eye for fine-tuning your tone. This construction and sound quality are among the reasons Sweetwater is impressed with Strymon and why you find their pedals on the pedalboards of professional musicians around the world.

Strymon Zelzah Multidimensional Phaser Features:

Versatile phaser pedal with 2 (4-stage and 6-stage) independent, footswitchable effects sections
Each effects section can be configured for serial, parallel, or split signal processing
Powerful ARM DSP with 32-bit floating-point processing for amazing sound quality
True stereo signal path with separate stereo width controls for each effects section
Mono input can be used as a stereo signal input with an appropriate TRS adapter (sold separately)
Go beyond vintage-style phasing to explore a wide range of flanging, chorus, tremolo, and other modulation effects
Vintage 4-stage phaser offers 3 phaser sweep modes: Classic, Barber, and Envelope
Innovative 6-stage phaser ranges from classic phase effects to flanging and chorus, with controllable resonance
Adjustable input level accommodates instruments and line-level signals
Full MIDI integration via TRS connection for MIDI CC, clock sync, and preset switching (requires Strymon MIDI EXP cable or MIDI to TRS interface, sold separately)
Selectable true bypass or buffered switching
Expression pedal input for even more creative performance potential

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Strymon Zelzah Multidimensional Phaser Pedal Demo

Sep 13, 2021

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Tech Specs

Pedal Type: Phaser
Analog/Digital: Digital
Effects: 4/6-stage Phaser
Inputs: 1 x 1/4"
Outputs: 2 x 1/4" (L/mono, R)
MIDI I/O: USB
USB: 1 x Type C
Other I/O: 1 x 1/4" TRS (expression/MIDI)
True Bypass: Yes, Switchable to Buffered
Bypass Switching: Relay Based
Power Source: 9V DC power supply (sold separately)
Height: 1.75"
Width: 4"
Depth: 4.5"
Manufacturer Part Number: Z120-ZLZA

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Reviews

4.8

Customer Photos & Videos

There are plenty of reviews that describe all of the wonderful features and versatility of the Strymon Zezah, so I will not reiterate, my review is about analog snobs - like me.
Like many people, my introduction to guitar effects (20+ years ago) was a very popular digital multi-effects unit that was not very expensive. As a beginner, it was fun to play around with and I learned a lot about different effects and how they interact with each other. That being said... it was awful, I mean the sound quality was terrible and I never used it in any serious capacity. And for a very long time I was biased against anything digital. These were the days before Strymon existed.
To that efect, until very recently, my pedalboard was all analog. I wouldn't even consider digital effects at all.
Fast forward to today: I love phase & flange and I play a lot of 70s style rock. I have gone through 3 analog phase pedals in the last 2 years and they all sucked... I mean tone suck. It sounded like I put a blanket over my amp and stuck it in the closet. These were well-known, tried-and-true pedals.
The name Srymon gets thrown around a lot on Youtube gear reviews and is endorsed by many people whose opinions I repect. So I finally pulled the trigger and bought the Zelzah. And boy am I glad I finally joined the 21st century! Phase & flange sounds that are warm and ooey-gooey like they should be but at the same time are clean & clear, if that makes any sense. The brittle, sterile, digital sound that I feared is not there at all. No tone suck! When I click on the Zelzah, I can can do so without making any adjustments to my EQ. This is the phase I've needed all along.
So if you're an analog snob, like I was, just get over it and buy the Zelzah. I can't speak for any other manufacturers' digital offerings, but Strymon's products are thoughtfully engineered, well-executed and... dare I say it... worth the cost.

Short version: It's amazing, go get one.

Long version: If you look at the Zelzah and assume it's just a fancy Phase 90 with some bells and whistles, you'd be mistaken. Beyond being a phaser effect it could be looked at as containing the following effect types:

4-stage phaser
6-stage phaser
Barber Pole phaser
Envelope Filter
Flange
Chorus
Vibrato

The left side of the pedal has 4-stage phasing, 4-stage phasing with a barber pole waveshape, and a sweet envelope filter. The Mix parameter allows for a wide range of vibes with the phaser. For instance, set mix around noon and it's a Phase 90 flavor or set it to around 1-2 o'clock and it's more of a Small Stone vibe. Same thing with the envelope filter regarding the Mix knob; it can be an obvious in-your-face effect or you can dial the Mix back and make it subtle. I love using the Envelope mode with a Mix around 8-9ish o'clock, other settings to taste, along with lots of gain and some reverb.

On the right side it's all about the Voice parameter. Starting at fully counterclock you've got a fantastic 6-stage phaser, the voicing of which changes as you dial the Voice knob clockwise. It transitions from phaser to flange seamlessly and by the time you're at 1 o'clock it's predominantly flange. Continuing to dial the Voice further and at around 3 o'clock there is a transition from a flanger voicing to chorus. The transition in that 3 o'clock zone is not abrupt but rather creates this 'burble' sound as you pass through it, and at any point along the way is potentially musical. At fully clockwise is a pure chorus voicing and as you dial back towards 3 o'clock the voicing makes for a wider and wider chorus sound. And by the way, the chorus sounds are amazing. And it's truly chorus, not just a phaser pedal trying to emulate chorus.

Each side also has a stereo spread function which is particularly useful, especially if you're playing in stereo. But what it allows for is even further manipulation of your sounds. For any potential settings you can dial in, you've also got a stereo spread function that can go from dual-mono at minimum to 180 degrees at max. (very nice when dialing in chorus sounds)

What truly sets this pedal over the top is the ability to route it in multiple ways. You can use each side independently, of course, in addition to stacking them in series (6-six stage > 4-stage), in parallel, or A/B if you're running stereo. All of these options allow for a vast range of cool sounds. In terms of the sheer amount of sounds you can pull out of this thing, the Zelzah has more in common with a multi-effects unit than a Phase 90.

Initially I was unsure about this new pedal but since I knew Strymon never disappoints - I got it.

I was interested in the chorus-like spectrum of sounds to start with, so I turned it on, dialed it in w/o even listening... Played some notes on a clean guitar, aaaand it was Heaven. I still need to learn and absorb the other 99% of this pedal features, but I would pay for it even if only had that chorus, lol.

My congrats to the Strymon team about this new perfection.

This is the ultimate Swiss Army knife of dripping funkness. After a few hours funking around the house with this purple pusher the bright lights of the George Plimpton Blimp appear in the night sky and transport me to Funkland. Seriously though, this is one serious tool for swirling sound no matter the genre. And kick both sides of the pedal on at once and it's uncharted territory. Sounds I have never heard before. And with all of it the smooth refinement that is Strymon. You might lose sleep over this one, I am.

In a world full of cool modulation pedals, this one actually sounds amazing. Want subtle? Sure, it does that. Want WAY over the top (but still usable)? Yep. Want deep stereo? You can set it up for that (that's how I use mine). I never found a modulation pedal I liked more than an old MXR, maybe the "Walking on the Moon" pedal, but this one took me to those places, and has SO much more that is USEFUL - not just silly. It's easy to use, too - very intuitive. MIDI is a plus - you can save and call up all those cool sounds you like in an instant. I bought two of them.