Strymon Zelzah Phaser Effects Pedal

The Strymon Zelzah is a highly versatile, multidimensional phaser effects pedal that essentially combines two independent phasers into a single unit: a 4-Stage Phaser and a 6-Stage Phaser.

It's known for its broad range of modulation sounds, going beyond traditional phasing to include flanger, chorus, vibrato, and more.

Here are the key features and characteristics:

Dual Independent Phaser Sections

The pedal is split into two distinct and separately footswitchable sections:

1. 4-Stage Phaser (Left Side):

   • Designed for classic, vintage phaser tones.

   • Features Speed, Depth, and a Mix control (from dry to 100% wet for vibrato effects).

   • Includes a three-way Sweep toggle switch with modes:

     • Classic: Traditional, vintage 4-stage phaser sweep.

     • Barber: Creates a continuously rising or falling "Barber pole" effect.

     • Envelope (Env): Makes the phaser sweep dynamically controlled by your picking attack, acting like an auto-wah.

2. 6-Stage Phaser (Right Side):

   • Features Speed and Depth controls.

   • Has a unique Voice knob that simultaneously controls over 30 parameters, seamlessly morphing the effect from pure 6-stage Phaser (counter-clockwise) to Flanger (around noon) and finally to Chorus (clockwise).

   • Includes a three-way Resonance toggle switch (Off, Mild, Strong) to add feedback/regeneration, increasing the intensity and "swoosh" of the effect.

Routing and Connectivity

• Routing Options: The two phasers can be used independently or combined in three different routing configurations (set via a secondary function):

  • Series (Default): 6-Stage feeds into the 4-Stage.

  • Parallel: Both run side-by-side, mixing the outputs.

  • Split: The 4-Stage goes to the Left output and the 6-Stage goes to the Right output, essentially making it two separate mono effects.

• True Stereo: It offers true stereo operation with a TRS stereo input and dual TS stereo outputs. You can also use it mono in/stereo out.

• MIDI/Expression: It has a dedicated jack for a TRS expression pedal, favorite switch, MultiSwitch Plus, or full MIDI control (CCs, clock sync, and access to up to 300 presets).

• Bypass: Selectable True Bypass or Buffered Bypass.

In essence, the Zelzah is a powerful modulation workstation that can serve as a classic phaser, a dual-phaser, a flanger, a chorus, or even a vibrato/tremolo, all within a single compact pedal.