Electro-Harmonix announces STRING9 String Ensemble synth pedal

June 15, 2022 · 4 sources

Electro-Harmonix announced the STRING9 String Ensemble, the latest addition to its 9 Series of synth pedals, on June 15, 2022¹. The pedal is designed to recreate orchestral and synthesizer string sounds from a guitar signal²³.

The STRING9 carries nine modes, selected with a rotary switch: Symphonic, June-O, PCM, Floppy, AARP, Crewman, Orch Freeze, Synth Freeze and Vox Freeze²³. The first six emulate string sounds, among them a large symphony orchestra, the Juno analog string synthesizer, a vintage PCM keyboard, the Orchestron optical disc sampler, the ARP Solina and the Crumar Performer¹. The last three add Electro-Harmonix's Freeze algorithm, which the company has also used in its HOG and Superego pedals, and which can be set to automatic or manual using Ctrl 2²³.

Controls are Effect and Dry volume knobs plus two program-dependent knobs, Ctrl 1 and Ctrl 2, whose functions change with the mode¹². In Symphonic, Ctrl 1 is a tone control and Ctrl 2 adjusts sustain and release; in June-O, Ctrl 2 selects from five octaves; in AARP, Ctrl 1 toggles a Small Stone phaser on and off and adjusts its rate²³. There are separate Effect and Dry outputs to split the signal¹.

Electro-Harmonix says the pedal uses the same technology as the rest of the 9 Series to produce fully polyphonic synth sounds without MIDI or special pickups¹. Guitar Player and MusicRadar both report it works with a regular electric guitar without modification²³. A comment posted on Gearnews under the name Bill Ruppert states the pedal was designed for the range of guitar and only goes down to the low open A string on a bass⁴.

The STRING9 is available now for $247, including a 9V power supply¹. Gearnews lists an MSRP of $247.10⁴.