Meris Enzo Synth Pedal

[jmone]

Got the Enzo last night and conveniently my Disaster Area DMC Micro also arrived.

Like I've been saying, I really wanted this thing for it's Dry Mode. I have dedicated effects (and Synthesizers/Plug-ins) for most of what this can do but ideally I'd want to use the Enzo for live applications. It would save me a ton of pedalboard real estate if it could do everything at an adequate level. I played with it for a couple hours last night and thought I'd just share some quick initial thoughts:

Pros:

• The ladder low-pass filter is awesome. I need to fine tune where I like my cutoff frequency and resonance but generally gets me where I want to be on that front.
• I didn't get to play a ton with dry pitch shifting but it sounds as expected and I just need it for 8ve up but 8ve down sounded really good (keeping my OC-2 for 8ve down).
• Delay is adequate for me and that's not at all slight on the delay, I'm just not a delay-snob. I use delay so sparsely that I'm completely willing to sacrifice on this front for live use. Really just need some delay to give me a bit of 'reverb-esque' repeats when I take a solo. I'm however unimpressed with the Self-Oscillation (see below).

Cons:

• It’s way too loud in Dry Mode. If I set the mix lower, I get what sounds like a phassing issue (might not be the technical term) with my low end particularly with the filter. Am I doing something wrong?? I’m really trying to bring down my pedalboard size but if I have to throw a limiter after it, it'll defeat the purpose (for me!). I will play with it more to see if there's something that can be done. I tried messing with the compressor onboard but it seems like it just plays with the threshold (which it should) but that doesn't help fix my problem.
• The tracking in mono modes is finicky. Maybe I've been spoiled, but I'm used to pedals that play to me... however you really need to play to the Enzo. If my notes aren't 100% articulate it just kind of does nothing. Some onus is on me for sloppy technique but I've never had this problem with other pedals that track. I'd appreciate any playing tips.
• Tracking gets wonky when you hold a note on bass. I'm assuming when the actual note from the bass decays, it has a hard time tracking which overtone to use for tracking, but I can hear it very clearly change notes while my finger hasn't moved.
• I really really really REALLY wish the filter env pot was indented at center positions. I can rationalize maybe why it's not because of the alt functions but there is such a fine line between the decay and attack sides of that knob and it's hard to find that sweet spot with a really quick attack to accommodate faster playing. Maybe I will just use triggered envelope for that? I feel that the pitch shift knob should be indented as well. Thankfully I planned for using the presets with a MIDI controller so it's really only going to be an issue for the next few weeks while I make some presets.
• Self-Oscillation Delay is an awesome feature and something I actually use frequently, but I can't seem to do anything with it on the Enzo. Normally when I get a pedal to self-oscillate, I'll start tweaking other knobs or the feedback will go slightly above 100% so that it increases the volume by itself. I just want some type of movement and you can't tweak the delay time because there's no knob for it. I'm guessing my only option would be an expression pedal (I've yet to test if I can also use an expression pedal with the DMC Micro and if I can even assign it to the delay time). Honestly it just feels more like a freeze delay and maybe I'm in the wrong for expecting more from it.

Side Note:

• Disaster Area DMC Micro is awesome. I would say I'm "MIDI Savvy" but I still begrudged how long it would take to set up after using some other MIDI foot switches in the past. There was absolutely 0 setup. Plugged it in and instantly had access to all my presets. If you're thinking of getting an Enzo, you absolutely need a MIDI foot controller so plan/budget accordingly. Like I said above some of the knobs that would need an indentation don't have them and finding the sweet spot is going to be rather difficult unless you already have a preset. The DMC Micro is fantastic.

I know there's more text under my Cons than Pros but I generally really do like this pedal. The filter, pitch shifting, form factor, and random wacky stuff were my main needs and it does deliver. I know I need more alone time with it and I'm hoping I will grow to love the pedal.

 

[Alien8]

Well, I'm happyhto hear that overall you are happy!

As for the volume thing - its a bit annoying in synth mode, but I haddnt haddnt fully noticed in dry mode.

For tracking and sustain - I found that the "compressor" setting were critical. Set the knob in the 9-10 oclock oclock area and most of your troubles should melt away. I found that boosing ththe lows, or having a dominant low frequency input (ie roll the tone back) does help with tracking. Overall however, I have found it really good.

I'm going to bet that many of your control issues will be resolved using MIDI, where you have a finer control over the values, and that you could change delay time on the fly... bu I can't even say that it will glide time like an analog delay, it might just snap to the time.

 

[jmone]

Well, I'm happyhto hear that overall you are happy!

As for the volume thing - its a bit annoying in synth mode, but I haddnt haddnt fully noticed in dry mode.

For tracking and sustain - I found that the "compressor" setting were critical. Set the knob in the 9-10 oclock oclock area and most of your troubles should melt away. I found that boosing ththe lows, or having a dominant low frequency input (ie roll the tone back) does help with tracking. Overall however, I have found it really good.

Thanks, maybe that 9-10 o'clock setting will also fix the Dry Mode volume issue as well since I only tested it on extreme settings with one end making my loud notes too loud and the other making my quiet notes too loud (as would be expected).

However some of my tracking issues are also with the Mono mode. I will try fiddling with my tone knob to see if it helps!

I'm going to bet that many of your control issues will be resolved using MIDI, where you have a finer control over the values, and that you could change delay time on the fly... bu I can't even say that it will glide time like an analog delay, it might just snap to the time.

Yeah I'll have to dig deep into the manual of the DMC Micro to see what I can or can't do. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'll post back with my findings in the near future. I should have some free time next week to really get my hands dirty with this thing.

 

[Eadger]

Got the Enzo last night and conveniently my Disaster Area DMC Micro also arrived.

Like I've been saying, I really wanted this thing for it's Dry Mode. I have dedicated effects (and Synthesizers/Plug-ins) for most of what this can do but ideally I'd want to use the Enzo for live applications. It would save me a ton of pedalboard real estate if it could do everything at an adequate level. I played with it for a couple hours last night and thought I'd just share some quick initial thoughts:

Pros:

• The ladder low-pass filter is awesome. I need to fine tune where I like my cutoff frequency and resonance but generally gets me where I want to be on that front.
• I didn't get to play a ton with dry pitch shifting but it sounds as expected and I just need it for 8ve up but 8ve down sounded really good (keeping my OC-2 for 8ve down).
• Delay is adequate for me and that's not at all slight on the delay, I'm just not a delay-snob. I use delay so sparsely that I'm completely willing to sacrifice on this front for live use. Really just need some delay to give me a bit of 'reverb-esque' repeats when I take a solo. I'm however unimpressed with the Self-Oscillation (see below).

Cons:

• It’s way too loud in Dry Mode. If I set the mix lower, I get what sounds like a phassing issue (might not be the technical term) with my low end particularly with the filter. Am I doing something wrong?? I’m really trying to bring down my pedalboard size but if I have to throw a limiter after it, it'll defeat the purpose (for me!). I will play with it more to see if there's something that can be done. I tried messing with the compressor onboard but it seems like it just plays with the threshold (which it should) but that doesn't help fix my problem.
• The tracking in mono modes is finicky. Maybe I've been spoiled, but I'm used to pedals that play to me... however you really need to play to the Enzo. If my notes aren't 100% articulate it just kind of does nothing. Some onus is on me for sloppy technique but I've never had this problem with other pedals that track. I'd appreciate any playing tips.
• Tracking gets wonky when you hold a note on bass. I'm assuming when the actual note from the bass decays, it has a hard time tracking which overtone to use for tracking, but I can hear it very clearly change notes while my finger hasn't moved.
• I really really really REALLY wish the filter env pot was indented at center positions. I can rationalize maybe why it's not because of the alt functions but there is such a fine line between the decay and attack sides of that knob and it's hard to find that sweet spot with a really quick attack to accommodate faster playing. Maybe I will just use triggered envelope for that? I feel that the pitch shift knob should be indented as well. Thankfully I planned for using the presets with a MIDI controller so it's really only going to be an issue for the next few weeks while I make some presets.
• Self-Oscillation Delay is an awesome feature and something I actually use frequently, but I can't seem to do anything with it on the Enzo. Normally when I get a pedal to self-oscillate, I'll start tweaking other knobs or the feedback will go slightly above 100% so that it increases the volume by itself. I just want some type of movement and you can't tweak the delay time because there's no knob for it. I'm guessing my only option would be an expression pedal (I've yet to test if I can also use an expression pedal with the DMC Micro and if I can even assign it to the delay time). Honestly it just feels more like a freeze delay and maybe I'm in the wrong for expecting more from it.

Side Note:

• Disaster Area DMC Micro is awesome. I would say I'm "MIDI Savvy" but I still begrudged how long it would take to set up after using some other MIDI foot switches in the past. There was absolutely 0 setup. Plugged it in and instantly had access to all my presets. If you're thinking of getting an Enzo, you absolutely need a MIDI foot controller so plan/budget accordingly. Like I said above some of the knobs that would need an indentation don't have them and finding the sweet spot is going to be rather difficult unless you already have a preset. The DMC Micro is fantastic.

I know there's more text under my Cons than Pros but I generally really do like this pedal. The filter, pitch shifting, form factor, and random wacky stuff were my main needs and it does deliver. I know I need more alone time with it and I'm hoping I will grow to love the pedal.

Thanks for writing all that up - great info. I was specifically looking at buying the Meris with the DMC micro, so really good to know how easy they work together (I know nothing about MIDI, really).

I see a lot of people are having issues with it not having a master volume...but I plan on putting mine in the loop of my T-65, then I can just control the output with the loop volume knob to make it unity - so I don't think that'll be an issue for me.

Biggest concern I have from your post would be the tracking...hadn't seen anyone mention this previously as an issue. Only other pedal I have that does tracking is the T-65, and I think it does great...just assumed the digital tracking on this would probably be as good or better than the analog tracking of the T-65...but now I may need to look into that more.

 

[jmone]

Thanks for writing all that up - great info. I was specifically looking at buying the Meris with the DMC micro, so really good to know how easy they work together (I know nothing about MIDI, really).

I see a lot of people are having issues with it not having a master volume...but I plan on putting mine in the loop of my T-65, then I can just control the output with the loop volume knob to make it unity - so I don't think that'll be an issue for me.

Biggest concern I have from your post would be the tracking...hadn't seen anyone mention this previously as an issue. Only other pedal I have that does tracking is the T-65, and I think it does great...just assumed the digital tracking on this would probably be as good or better than the analog tracking of the T-65...but now I may need to look into that more.

People praise the thing for it's tracking so I wonder if I'm alone in my opinion. I will take Alien8's advice and report back because I really do want to love this pedal.

 

[Cardiff Giant]

People praise the thing for it's tracking so I wonder if I'm alone in my opinion. I will take Alien8's advice and report back because I really do want to love this pedal.

I just returned my Enzo because, in my experience, the tracking was terrible. Spent a couple hours messing with knobs and found it to be pretty much unusable. I tune to drop C on a four string, so that might have something to do with it. It's also a pretty complicated pedal, so it's possible that I was just doing it wrong.

 

[jmone]

I just returned my Enzo because, in my experience, the tracking was terrible. Spent a couple hours messing with knobs and found it to be pretty much unusable. I tune to drop C on a four string, so that might have something to do with it. It's also a pretty complicated pedal, so it's possible that I was just doing it wrong.

Yeah I could imagine drop C on a 4 string would be tricky (assuming you're using a 34" scale bass). I'd actually be curious to hear about digital pedals that do track well with that setup?

I can't speak for you personally but the pedal is very complicated and it has a lot of "bad" sounds if you don't know what you're doing and the manual is not very noob friendly. It involves a good working knowledge of synthesis which is a pro to some and a con to others.

 

[chaak]

Got the Enzo last night and conveniently my Disaster Area DMC Micro also arrived.

Like I've been saying, I really wanted this thing for it's Dry Mode. I have dedicated effects (and Synthesizers/Plug-ins) for most of what this can do but ideally I'd want to use the Enzo for live applications. It would save me a ton of pedalboard real estate if it could do everything at an adequate level. I played with it for a couple hours last night and thought I'd just share some quick initial thoughts:

Pros:

• The ladder low-pass filter is awesome. I need to fine tune where I like my cutoff frequency and resonance but generally gets me where I want to be on that front.
• I didn't get to play a ton with dry pitch shifting but it sounds as expected and I just need it for 8ve up but 8ve down sounded really good (keeping my OC-2 for 8ve down).
• Delay is adequate for me and that's not at all slight on the delay, I'm just not a delay-snob. I use delay so sparsely that I'm completely willing to sacrifice on this front for live use. Really just need some delay to give me a bit of 'reverb-esque' repeats when I take a solo. I'm however unimpressed with the Self-Oscillation (see below).

Cons:

• It’s way too loud in Dry Mode. If I set the mix lower, I get what sounds like a phassing issue (might not be the technical term) with my low end particularly with the filter. Am I doing something wrong?? I’m really trying to bring down my pedalboard size but if I have to throw a limiter after it, it'll defeat the purpose (for me!). I will play with it more to see if there's something that can be done. I tried messing with the compressor onboard but it seems like it just plays with the threshold (which it should) but that doesn't help fix my problem.
• The tracking in mono modes is finicky. Maybe I've been spoiled, but I'm used to pedals that play to me... however you really need to play to the Enzo. If my notes aren't 100% articulate it just kind of does nothing. Some onus is on me for sloppy technique but I've never had this problem with other pedals that track. I'd appreciate any playing tips.
• Tracking gets wonky when you hold a note on bass. I'm assuming when the actual note from the bass decays, it has a hard time tracking which overtone to use for tracking, but I can hear it very clearly change notes while my finger hasn't moved.
• I really really really REALLY wish the filter env pot was indented at center positions. I can rationalize maybe why it's not because of the alt functions but there is such a fine line between the decay and attack sides of that knob and it's hard to find that sweet spot with a really quick attack to accommodate faster playing. Maybe I will just use triggered envelope for that? I feel that the pitch shift knob should be indented as well. Thankfully I planned for using the presets with a MIDI controller so it's really only going to be an issue for the next few weeks while I make some presets.
• Self-Oscillation Delay is an awesome feature and something I actually use frequently, but I can't seem to do anything with it on the Enzo. Normally when I get a pedal to self-oscillate, I'll start tweaking other knobs or the feedback will go slightly above 100% so that it increases the volume by itself. I just want some type of movement and you can't tweak the delay time because there's no knob for it. I'm guessing my only option would be an expression pedal (I've yet to test if I can also use an expression pedal with the DMC Micro and if I can even assign it to the delay time). Honestly it just feels more like a freeze delay and maybe I'm in the wrong for expecting more from it.

Side Note:

• Disaster Area DMC Micro is awesome. I would say I'm "MIDI Savvy" but I still begrudged how long it would take to set up after using some other MIDI foot switches in the past. There was absolutely 0 setup. Plugged it in and instantly had access to all my presets. If you're thinking of getting an Enzo, you absolutely need a MIDI foot controller so plan/budget accordingly. Like I said above some of the knobs that would need an indentation don't have them and finding the sweet spot is going to be rather difficult unless you already have a preset. The DMC Micro is fantastic.

I know there's more text under my Cons than Pros but I generally really do like this pedal. The filter, pitch shifting, form factor, and random wacky stuff were my main needs and it does deliver. I know I need more alone time with it and I'm hoping I will grow to love the pedal.

thank you for this post i share most of your opinions about the enzo especially the tracking issues but i am still exploring the pedal. You need the MIDI I/O to hook up the Disaster Area DMC micro to the Enzo or are you doing it directly and if so how TRS cable ?

 

[Alien8]

I'm playing a 5er tuned to B, and the only note it doesn't track fully is open low B.

The tracking is almost too good - Enzo hears everything, so if you pluck in a harmonic sweet spot, you get a whatever harmonic is dominant! Some EQ at it's input really help. I actually can't get my skinny string guitar to track well, its just to rich with harmonics and the result is unstable. Clean, intentional playing is key without EQ.

 

[Cardiff Giant]

Yeah I could imagine drop C on a 4 string would be tricky (assuming you're using a 34" scale bass). I'd actually be curious to hear about digital pedals that do track well with that setup?

I can't speak for you personally but the pedal is very complicated and it has a lot of "bad" sounds if you don't know what you're doing. It involves a good working knowledge of synthesis which is a pro to some and a con to others.

Yeah, I was using a 34" scale EBMM Stingray. The other digital effects I use are a Strymon DIG and Eventide Space. They both track the low C perfectly. Really wanted to love the Enzo though!

 

[jmone]

thank you for this post i share most of your opinions about the enzo especially the tracking issues but i am still exploring the pedal. You need the MIDI I/O to hook up the Disaster Area DMC micro to the Enzo or are you doing it directly and if so how TRS cable ?

No MIDI I/O just [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] from Disaster Area.

Also I didn't mention this but I can plug the USB from the DMC micro into my PC and get the tempo sync'd to my DAW project!

 

[Alien8]

Here's a teaser I recorded. It's not only Enzo:

Bass (low knob cranked) -> Enzo -> Moog MF Boost -> Moog LPF -> Strymon TimeLine stereo -> Meris Mercury7.

 

[jmone]

Yeah, I was using a 34" scale EBMM Stingray. The other digital effects I use are a Strymon DIG and Eventide Space. They both track the low C perfectly. Really wanted to love the Enzo though!

Neither of those are pitch tracking though which is a whole other beast. Pitch tracking is different because it has to "guess" what note you're hitting and make a decision from all the harmonics/overtones. Delays/Reverb just regurgitate everything they hear back.

 

[Alien8]

Yeah, I was using a 34" scale EBMM Stingray. The other digital effects I use are a Strymon DIG and Eventide Space. They both track the low C perfectly. Really wanted to love the Enzo though!

I've found the 4 string 3eq Stingray Preamp has a high pass filter that really buggers pitch tracking. When I had one, I tweaked a few caps and all my tracking woes went away.

Now I'm playing a custom 3eq based preamp in a ray knock off with a Nordy p/u.

 

[jmone]

I'm playing a 5er tuned to B, and the only note it doesn't track fully is open low B.

The tracking is almost too good - Enzo hears everything, so if you pluck in a harmonic sweet spot, you get a whatever harmonic is dominant! Some EQ at it's input really help. I actually can't get my skinny string guitar to track well, its just to rich with harmonics and the result is unstable. Clean, intentional playing is key without EQ.

I've found the 4 string 3eq Stingray Preamp has a high pass filter that really buggers pitch tracking. When I had one, I tweaked a few caps and all my tracking woes went away.

Now I'm playing a custom 3eq based preamp in a ray knock off with a Nordy p/u.

I think my complaint is that I never had to be cautious of my playing/eq going into a pitch tracker before. It's fine if I can get it workable without much effort but I would have a hard time saying the pitch tracking is good if I need to be that cautious of my input.

Here's a teaser I recorded. It's not only Enzo:

Bass (low knob cranked) -> Enzo -> Moog MF Boost -> Moog LPF -> Strymon TimeLine stereo -> Meris Mercury7.

This demo is sweet! Those low notes are so 'gooey'. I didn't mention it in my post but I actually tried feeding the Enzo into my MF-101 and oh my god it sounded amazing!

 

[Alien8]

I think my complaint is that I never had to be cautious of my playing/eq going into a pitch tracker before. It's fine if I can get it workable without much effort but I would have a hard time saying the pitch tracking is good if I need to be that cautious of my input.



This demo is sweet! Those low notes are so 'gooey'. I didn't mention it in my post but I actually tried feeding the Enzo into my MF-101 and oh my god it sounded amazing!

Thanks! There was a request to show some of the dry sounds before too, and I will do it sooner or later.

Oddly enough, good synth pedals all make sounds when you play, but good synth pedals seem to need good clean playing. Future Impact, IE Subterranea, Boss OC-2 Octave, MicroSynth, Squaver P1+ etc all need it. Some have the EQ (high pass filtering) built into the input, but I'm guessing Enzo doesn't have much.

 

[lesclaypoolsob]

Here's a teaser I recorded. It's not only Enzo:

Bass (low knob cranked) -> Enzo -> Moog MF Boost -> Moog LPF -> Strymon TimeLine stereo -> Meris Mercury7.

I love it! Thanks for making me feel better about my Enzo purchase (has yet to arrive).

 

[jmone]

Thanks! There was a request to show some of the dry sounds before too, and I will do it sooner or later.

Oddly enough, good synth pedals all make sounds when you play, but good synth pedals seem to need good clean playing. Future Impact, IE Subterranea, Boss OC-2 Octave, MicroSynth, Squaver P1+ etc all need it. Some have the EQ (high pass filtering) built into the input, but I'm guessing Enzo doesn't have much.

Of that list I’ve had the Microsynth and the OC-2 and never had these issues with tracking other when I intentionally try to glitch out the pedals. Sure I ran them as close to my dry signal as possible but never once made much of an effort to do anything else.

But maybe you’re right that Enzo is missing a HPF at the input which makes sense for the arp mode to work the way it does. It would have been cool to have the HPF engaged for the other modes but from a technical standpoint I’m not sure what that would entail.

And maybe it’s my use too. I need the 8ve up for soloing when I’m playing quickly. I don’t use the OC-2 that same way.

Still, more experimenting needs to take place on my part before I write it off.

 

[Alien8]

Of that list I’ve had the Microsynth and the OC-2 and never had these issues with tracking other when I intentionally try to glitch out the pedals. Sure I ran them as close to my dry signal as possible but never once made much of an effort to do anything else.

But maybe you’re right that Enzo is missing a HPF at the input which makes sense for the arp mode to work the way it does. It would have been cool to have the HPF engaged for the other modes but from a technical standpoint I’m not sure what that would entail.

And maybe it’s my use too. I need the 8ve up for soloing when I’m playing quickly. I don’t use the OC-2 that same way.

Still, more experimenting needs to take place on my part before I write it off.

The sustain knob is everything in ARP and Poly. Noon and above is necessary and closer to max is best.

 

[jmone]

Had a little more time tonight to play with the Enzo...

• The tracking isn't as bad as I thought. I wouldn't say it's as good as my Pitchfork tracking but it’s good.
• However....tracking isn't consistent below A on the E string for me on a vanilla passive P Bass. This can be a problem in Mono Mode. Though if I plan on playing below the A in the future, I will pitch shift down an 8ve and play an 8ve higher. Honestly I don't know many pitch-shifters on the market that are good below A on the E string anyway so I would say the Enzo is par for the course here.
• In the manual it suggests that the filter can be set to "do nothing" by setting the cutoff to 0 and changing the filter type to Ladder HPF. When designing an 8ve Up preset for myself, I noticed how freaking loud the string noise was getting. Particularly when I lifted my fingers off of the string because it was also being pitch shifted to ear piercing territory. Instead I switched to Ladder LPF, filtered out some high end, and was able to get it to sound closer to my Pitchfork in that regard.

I'll consider my pitch-shifting problems solved. I will need to keep modifying my preset after a couple band practices but I should be covered. This thing tracks well for anyone who might have been concerned.

It's going to take a while for me to get used to the Mono Mode and using Envelope Triggering. It's so unnatural for me to pluck a string and have my plucking dynamics have minimal effect on the output. I'm sure I'll get used to it. Alien8 - your "Moog settings" from a page or 2 back are an awesome starting point by the way!

Honestly starting to really fall in love with this thing. It's got some quirks though!

The pedal is still too loud... I might not end up caring because chances are if I kick on an effect, I'm trying to stand out. Let's see what happens at band practice, which will be the ultimate test. I'll count how many times my guitarist gives me the 'side eye'

 

[ole Jason]

The volume issue was what ultimately made me sell it. I can play keys and have real synths so it didn't really make sense to keep around something that I could only use for recording. I think the tracking was okay, nothing to write home about. I think the FI I had tracked better but it is mono only of course.

More than anything I think Meris' insistence on using that enclosure and knob setup completely cripples it. The Enzo in a "big box" format with presets and a master volume control would be amazing.