What sets Meris apart on a pedalboard is its system approach. The company describes its Enzo X, MercuryX and LVX pedals as modular synth, reverb and delay systems with pro audio and studio rack heritage, rather than conventional single-effect stompboxes4. Its range also includes the Mercury7 reverb, the Polymoon and Hedra modulation pedals, the Enzo synth pedal, the Ottobit line, and the MIDI I/O control interface.
The story: a California pedal maker
Meris's own materials frame the company as a troop of engineers and artists rather than a conventional pedal business35. Every product page and press release carries the same statement of origin: all Meris gear is designed and built in California, USA12.
The company reached its 10th anniversary in 2024, which it celebrated with a limited edition look for the LVX and MercuryX pedals4. Its product line has grown from individual effects such as the Mercury7 reverb into full modular systems, a trajectory that culminated in the LVX delay, the MercuryX reverb and the Enzo X synthesizer, all sharing a common architecture467.
Known for: Enzo, Mercury7, Polymoon and the X-series systems
Meris is best known for three families of products: its modular system pedals, its reverb line, and its modulation and synth pedals48.
The X-series systems. Meris describes Enzo X, MercuryX and LVX as modular synth, reverb or delay systems with pro audio and studio rack heritage4. The LVX arrived first as the LVX Modular Delay System Pedal9, and its architecture was then carried into the MercuryX, a modular reverb system pedal unveiled in October 2023296, and the Enzo X, a modular instrument synthesizer pedal that combines five synth modes with the modular system UI and architecture from the LVX and MercuryX6.
Reverb. The Mercury7 is a stereo reverb pedal10117, and the MercuryX builds on that reverb lineage inside the LVX-based modular architecture10117. The MercuryX lists at $599.00 USD, with a dedicated expression pedal jack and MIDI preset send and receive12.
Modulation and synth. The Polymoon and Hedra are modulation pedals that both offer MIDI in and out over TRS via the EXP jack, using a compatible MIDI to TRS conversion box that is not included, plus expression pedal control over all parameters simultaneously1314. The original Enzo synth pedal likewise offers expression pedal control over all parameters simultaneously1314.
Control. The MIDI I/O is a compact, pedalboard-friendly MIDI control interface that can control up to four Meris pedals via MIDI15.
| Product | Type | Notable features |
|---|---|---|
| LVX | Modular delay system pedal | Studio rack heritage, modular architecture49 |
| MercuryX | Modular reverb system pedal | $599.00 USD, dedicated expression jack, MIDI preset send/receive912 |
| Enzo X | Modular instrument synthesizer pedal | 5 synth modes, LVX/MercuryX architecture, assignable expression control6 |
| Mercury7 | Reverb pedal | Stereo16 |
| Polymoon | Modulation pedal | MIDI over TRS via EXP jack, expression control of all parameters13 |
| Hedra | Modulation pedal | MIDI over TRS via EXP jack, expression control of all parameters13 |
| Enzo | Synth pedal | Expression control of all parameters17 |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI control interface | Controls up to 4 Meris pedals via MIDI15 |
The founders
Meris lists three founders: Terry Burton, Jinna Kim and Angelo Mazzocco. Burton is identified as engineer and founder on the company's about page3.
The CXM 1978 collaboration with Chase Bliss
On October 1, 2020, Meris announced its first collaboration with Chase Bliss: the CXM 1978, a new Automatone reverb18. Chase Bliss describes the pedal as its fresh take on the iconic reflections of the 70s, with stereo I/O, expression control, CV control and MIDI program change and continuous controller messages19.
What reviewers said
Published reviewers have responded well to Meris gear across its range:
- MusicRadar's Trevor Curwen, reviewing the Ottobit Jr, noted that Meris took the essence of its Ottobit module for studio engineers and producers and put it into pedal form20.
- Pedals and Effects reviewed the Mercury7 Reverb pedal in 201721.
- Sarah Lipstate, who records as Noveller, credited the stereo Mercury7 Reverb pedal in her own writing about the effect11.
Support, editor software and contact
Meris offers a free desktop editor and librarian, prEDITOR, compatible with the LVX, MercuryX and Enzo X4. The company can be reached at info@meris.us4.
For MIDI control, Meris pedals use their multi-function EXP jack: with compatible hardware it works as a MIDI port, preset switch input, expression pedal input or tap switch input13. To set the expression port to MIDI, use Meris setup mode to assign the EXP port to MIDI22. Disaster Area Designs confirms that its MIDI Box units work with all current Meris pedals using 1/4" MIDI, connected with a mono TS cable and with the port set to TIP ACTIVE23.
MIDI over the EXP jack on Meris pedals requires a compatible MIDI to TRS conversion box, which is not included with the pedal1314.
The range (13)
| Type | Pedals |
|---|---|
| Delay | Meris LVX, Meris LVX Modular Delay System, Meris Polymoon |
| Filter | Meris Ottobit Jr |
| MIDI | Meris MIDI I/O |
| Multi-effects | Meris Enzo Multi-Voice Synthesizer, Meris Ottobit X |
| Octave and pitch | Meris Hedra |
| Reverb | Meris CXM 1978, Meris Mercury7, Meris MercuryX Modular Reverb System |
| Synth | Meris Enzo, Meris Enzo X |
News
Questions
Where are Meris pedals made?
All Meris gear is designed and built in California, USA. The company states this on its product pages and press releases, and individual pedals such as the Hedra carry the same 'designed and built in California, U.S.A.' marking.
What is the Meris prEDITOR?
prEDITOR is Meris's free desktop editor and librarian software. It is compatible with the LVX, MercuryX and Enzo X pedals, letting you adjust and organize parameters and presets from a computer rather than on the pedal itself.
How do I set the Meris expression port to MIDI?
Use Meris setup mode to assign the EXP port to MIDI. You will also need a compatible MIDI to TRS conversion box, which is not included with the pedal. Disaster Area Designs notes that its MIDI Box units work with all current Meris pedals using a mono TS cable with the port set to TIP ACTIVE.
How much does the Meris MercuryX cost?
The Meris MercuryX lists at $599.00 USD on Meris's own product page. It is a modular reverb system pedal with a dedicated expression pedal jack and MIDI preset send and receive.
What is the difference between Meris Enzo and Enzo X?
Enzo X is a modular instrument synthesizer pedal that combines five synth modes with the modular system UI and architecture taken from the LVX and MercuryX pedals. It also adds a dedicated expression pedal jack with assignable control over multiple parameters at once.
Sources (23)
- LVX Startup Delay Mod, Meris
- Meris releases the LVX Modular Delay System Pedal, Meris, 2022-05-17
- About - Meris, Meris
- 10th Anniversary (Limited Edition), Meris
- about meris, Meris
- Enzo X - Meris, Meris
- Meris MercuryX Modular Stereo Reverb, Delicious Audio, 2025-07-17
- A Q&A With Chase Bliss Audio And Meris About The CMX 1978 Automatone | Delicious Audio, Delicious Audio, 2020-11-03
- Meris unveils the MercuryX Modular Reverb System Pedal, Meris, 2023-10-10
- Meris Mercury7 Reverb, Delicious Audio, 2023-05-19
- Noveller (Sarah Lipstate) credits the Mercury7, Meris, 2017-09-14
- MercuryX, Meris (meris.us)
- Polymoon, Meris
- Hedra - Meris, Meris
- MIDI I/O, Meris
- Mercury7 Reverb, Meris
- Enzo - Meris, Meris
- CXM 1978, Meris, 2022-10-10
- CXM 1978, Chase Bliss
- Meris Ottobit Jr review, MusicRadar, 2017-09-26
- "TOP DOG IN THE REVERB WORLD", Pedals and Effects (review republished by Meris), 2017-07-18
- Supported Devices, Disaster Area Designs, 2021-10-11
- MIDI Box 4.2, Disaster Area Designs