Meris Enzo Synth Pedal

[AngelCrusher]

Probably not a surprise to anyone but the Enzo emits a lot of noise when daisy chained (1 spot) whether bypassed or engaged. I doubt many people are running a 1 spot but I have one on my small board.

This thing can produce a ton of low end.

Sweet. That’s really good news man (not the daisy chain part of course, but that’s expected).

Are you able to get convincing bass synth sounds with it? I am feeling like it can happen, of course that filter needs to close fast enough..

Also are you blending or doing a full 100% mix? Feel free to share the details as not many folks have gotten theirs yet.

 

[Quatschmacher]

@_Angelo_ , are envelope response times and behaviours something that could be tweaked via future firmware updates if the need were to arise?

 

[*Tempest*]

Probably not a surprise to anyone but the Enzo emits a lot of noise when daisy chained (1 spot) whether bypassed or engaged. I doubt many people are running a 1 spot but I have one on my small board.

This thing can produce a ton of low end.

Hey, just in response to that. Digital pedals tend to emit noise if you're not using an isolated power supply like the Zuma or something like that. I have a zuma and the Enzo is dead silent for me.

Here is a decent article that talks about noise with digital pedals and has a cheap solution for isolating without having to spend money on an isolated supply.

Dealing with DIGITAL NOISE (whine)

 

[ole Jason]

Sweet. That’s really good news man (not the daisy chain part of course, but that’s expected).

Are you able to get convincing bass synth sounds with it? I am feeling like it can happen, of course that filter needs to close fast enough..

Also are you blending or doing a full 100% mix? Feel free to share the details as not many folks have gotten theirs yet.

I was getting some pretty good bass synth sounds of it (think Birdland intro synth tone), the tracking is definitely fast enough to make it happen. I'm going to mess around with it more today and see if I can get some Moog style bass sounds going. The stuff I was getting was more of a fat square wave tone.

I've been doing less than 100% mix for most of the sounds I've liked so far. Especially for pads its nice to use the mix to dial back in some low end as its easy to lose it when the filter is open or resonance is high. Hopefully my MIDI controller will arrive tomorrow so I can save presets. I've had a few sounds I really liked and have been reluctant to change settings and lose them! The envelope and filter knobs are really sensitive, a very slight nudge can make a big difference. Same thing with the portamento control, giving it the slightest nudge will create some really awesome textures in poly mode.

I'll post some samples this evening if I come up with anything decent

 

[AngelCrusher]

I was getting some pretty good bass synth sounds of it (think Birdland intro synth tone), the tracking is definitely fast enough to make it happen. I'm going to mess around with it more today and see if I can get some Moog style bass sounds going. The stuff I was getting was more of a fat square wave tone.

I've been doing less than 100% mix for most of the sounds I've liked so far. Especially for pads its nice to use the mix to dial back in some low end as its easy to lose it when the filter is open or resonance is high. Hopefully my MIDI controller will arrive tomorrow so I can save presets. I've had a few sounds I really liked and have been reluctant to change settings and lose them! The envelope and filter knobs are really sensitive, a very slight nudge can make a big difference. Same thing with the portamento control, giving it the slightest nudge will create some really awesome textures in poly mode.

I'll post some samples this evening if I come up with anything decent

Awesome, how do you plan to save presets - using PC? I got my Yamaha bluetooth adapter and should have the Meris MIDI I/O soon. I need to figure out if I can save presets straight to my iphone using TouchOSC.

Not sure if you are going the iphone route for saving/recalling and tweaking knobs, but I thats what I am going to attempt to pull off.

 

[_Angelo_]

I just picked one of these up yesterday at 30th St. I'm blown away. The tracking is top notch.
View attachment 3162817


Here's a sound clip of it after like 5 minutes of messing with it.
Signal Chain: Stingray Special 4H -> Enzo-> VTBassDlx -> Chandler LTD-1->Logic

I may do a review and stick it on youtube once I feel qualified to demonstrate it. I'll try to remember to post a link if I do.

Sounds great, and I'm glad you are having fun with the Enzo! We love 30th St; Jimmy is the best. He lent us an amazing telecaster when Terry and I demo'd our stuff at the Brooklyn Stompbox Exhibit not too long ago.

 

[ole Jason]

Awesome, how do you plan to save presets - using PC? I got my Yamaha bluetooth adapter and should have the Meris MIDI I/O soon. I need to figure out if I can save presets straight to my iphone using TouchOSC.

Not sure if you are going the iphone route for saving/recalling and tweaking knobs, but I thats what I am going to attempt to pull off.

I ordered a DMC Micro for now but I'm definitely interested in going the iPhone/PC route eventually. I think I could use that setup with a few other pedals too.

 

[AngelCrusher]

I ordered a DMC Micro for now but I'm definitely interested in going the iPhone/PC route eventually. I think I could use that setup with a few other pedals too.

Ok that Micro looks really cool. I am very interested in seeing how you set this up and use it to store and recall presets, so please keep us posted.

 

[AngelCrusher]

I got an email from Meris too. There are more Enzos to be had. This thread should get pretty lively next week.

 

[Quatschmacher]

I got an email from Meris too. There are more Enzos to be had. This thread should get pretty lively next week.

I’m hoping the uk stock will hit. It’s payday tomorrow and I really feel like treating myself.

 

[AngelCrusher]

Can someone explain the DMC Micro to me? What I mean is - can it store and recall presets? Because that is a pretty cool setup if so.

If I have this right, you would tweak the knobs on the enzo pedal, get a sound you like and then you can store it in 1 of 16 slots on the DMC, then access it live. Does this also require the Meris MIDI I/O? And can you store straight to the pedal without needing a PC?

If that is the case, then I think the bluetooth setup I am trying to put together may be overkill. The only advantage I see is that the bluetooth lets me tweak the knobs on my smartphone, which is cool, but not $50 more type of cool. Especially when I can't change sounds with my foot.

Additional question - if my assumptions are correct, what cables would be required for an Enzo/DMC setup?

 

[ole Jason]

Can someone explain the DMC Micro to me? What I mean is - can it store and recall presets? Because that is a pretty cool setup if so.

If I have this right, you would tweak the knobs on the enzo pedal, get a sound you like and then you can store it in 1 of 16 slots on the DMC, then access it live. Does this also require the Meris MIDI I/O? And can you store straight to the pedal without needing a PC?

If that is the case, then I think the bluetooth setup I am trying to put together may be overkill. The only advantage I see is that the bluetooth lets me tweak the knobs on my smartphone, which is cool, but not $50 more type of cool. Especially when I can't change sounds with my foot.

Additional question - if my assumptions are correct, what cables would be required for an Enzo/DMC setup?

All 16 presets are actually stored on the Enzo itself. You just need to send MIDI Program Change (PC) messages to the unit to make it switch presets. That's what the DMC is doing, it simply sends MIDI messages to whatever it is connected to. With the DMC you can just use a normal cable from the multi-jack on the DMC to the Expression input on the Enzo. A computer isn't necessary however using a computer also isn't possible so there is no way to back up your presets.

The MIDI I/O with bluetooth actually allows you to have "unlimited" presets because presets can be stored on your phone and sent to the pedal. The pedal can only have 16 presets at a time but you could have additional ones on your phone. I'm guessing there is a way to download other people's presets but I don't know that for a fact. With the MIDI I/O I think it uses a TRS cable? I'm actually not sure.

Honestly as much as I like the pedal the way they've implemented presets on their products is ridiculous when you compare it to something like the DD-500, Strymon pedals, or Zoom CDR.

 

[Bassheart365]

This demo did it for me - close to the end. The bass tone is what has been in my head for years. The Juan demo made me say meh.

I love that you can use the sustain knob to get a longer and louder note, or be able to chop it up.

Yes after the Juan demo I was not interested. At all. But the video you just posted prompted me to order one today. Just received my shipping confirmation.

 

[AngelCrusher]

All 16 presets are actually stored on the Enzo itself. You just need to send MIDI Program Change (PC) messages to the unit to make it switch presets. That's what the DMC is doing, it simply sends MIDI messages to whatever it is connected to. With the DMC you can just use a normal cable from the multi-jack on the DMC to the Expression input on the Enzo. A computer isn't necessary however using a computer also isn't possible so there is no way to back up your presets.

The MIDI I/O with bluetooth actually allows you to have "unlimited" presets because presets can be stored on your phone and sent to the pedal. The pedal can only have 16 presets at a time but you could have additional ones on your phone. I'm guessing there is a way to download other people's presets but I don't know that for a fact. With the MIDI I/O I think it uses a TRS cable? I'm actually not sure.

Honestly as much as I like the pedal the way they've implemented presets on their products is ridiculous when you compare it to something like the DD-500, Strymon pedals, or Zoom CDR.

Ok thanks, that helps clarify some things for sure.

Have you seen the MidiDeisgner template for iOS and Enzo? It looks pretty rad. I am starting to think TouchOSC is pretty outdated in feature comparison. The MidiDesigner template has the 16 presets on one page and then a knob controller on the other.

I may just stick with the bluetooth setup based on what you are saying.

 

[Alien8]

All 16 presets are actually stored on the Enzo itself. You just need to send MIDI Program Change (PC) messages to the unit to make it switch presets. That's what the DMC is doing, it simply sends MIDI messages to whatever it is connected to. With the DMC you can just use a normal cable from the multi-jack on the DMC to the Expression input on the Enzo. A computer isn't necessary however using a computer also isn't possible so there is no way to back up your presets.

The MIDI I/O with bluetooth actually allows you to have "unlimited" presets because presets can be stored on your phone and sent to the pedal. The pedal can only have 16 presets at a time but you could have additional ones on your phone. I'm guessing there is a way to download other people's presets but I don't know that for a fact. With the MIDI I/O I think it uses a TRS cable? I'm actually not sure.

Honestly as much as I like the pedal the way they've implemented presets on their products is ridiculous when you compare it to something like the DD-500, Strymon pedals, or Zoom CDR.

Yup, they have made some odd choices in their product designs. In the end the sound and playability / musical nature of their pedals far outweights the warts. Some are poopie tho.

 

[Alien8]

Ok thanks, that helps clarify some things for sure.

Have you seen the MidiDeisgner template for iOS and Enzo? It looks pretty rad. I am starting to think TouchOSC is pretty outdated in feature comparison. The MidiDesigner template has the 16 presets on one page and then a knob controller on the other.

I may just stick with the bluetooth setup based on what you are saying.

Sounds like a good idea to stick with your origianl plan. I'm not leaving TouchOSC, since its just about the only app that gets updated on my Gen1 iPad. It's certainly not out dated, just really simple and light.

 

[smeet]

OK, so this is new information... The pedal can store 16 patches, but without external hardware, you can't save or recall any of them?

 

[JimboP]

All 16 presets are actually stored on the Enzo itself. You just need to send MIDI Program Change (PC) messages to the unit to make it switch presets. That's what the DMC is doing, it simply sends MIDI messages to whatever it is connected to. With the DMC you can just use a normal cable from the multi-jack on the DMC to the Expression input on the Enzo. A computer isn't necessary however using a computer also isn't possible so there is no way to back up your presets.

The MIDI I/O with bluetooth actually allows you to have "unlimited" presets because presets can be stored on your phone and sent to the pedal. The pedal can only have 16 presets at a time but you could have additional ones on your phone. I'm guessing there is a way to download other people's presets but I don't know that for a fact. With the MIDI I/O I think it uses a TRS cable? I'm actually not sure.

Honestly as much as I like the pedal the way they've implemented presets on their products is ridiculous when you compare it to something like the DD-500, Strymon pedals, or Zoom CDR.

I recently picked up a Boss ES-8 to try and tame my synth board setup, which includes a few MIDI capable pedals including the yet to be unboxed Enzo. I have zero experience with MIDI controllers but I assume the ES-8 would work with the Enzo in the same way as the DMC? 16 presets accessible but stored in the Enzo?

 

[Alien8]

I recently picked up a Boss ES-8 to try and tame my synth board setup, which includes a few MIDI capable pedals including the yet to be unboxed Enzo. I have zero experience with MIDI controllers but I assume the ES-8 would work with the Enzo in the same way as the DMC? 16 presets accessible but stored in the Enzo?

Yup.

Edit: BUT, because you have the ES-8, you can do all sorts of smart things to "trigger" different sounds. The ES-8 (and 5) have automation built in you can send to the Enzo via midi. At the simplist use of this, you could use your expression pedal to sweep the EXP parameter, giving you 32 different sounds at the extremes, plus a bunch in the middle. At the most complex, you could use one of the LFOs (and split or kill dry in Enzo) to control the Mix, giving you a synth sound with a post tremolo, or triggered changes with other buttons, etc. I'm excited to try this stuff with Enzo.

 

[JimboP]

Yup.

Edit: BUT, because you have the ES-8, you can do all sorts of smart things to "trigger" different sounds. The ES-8 (and 5) have automation built in you can send to the Enzo via midi. At the simplist use of this, you could use your expression pedal to sweep the EXP parameter, giving you 32 different sounds at the extremes, plus a bunch in the middle. At the most complex, you could use one of the LFOs (and split or kill dry in Enzo) to control the Mix, giving you a synth sound with a post tremolo, or triggered changes with other buttons, etc. I'm excited to try this stuff with Enzo.

Awesome, I'd be interested to hear what you come up with. It sounds like there's a crazy number of possibilities with the ES-8. I think I need more hours in the day.