Beetronics Zzombee Filtremulator Limited Edition Apparittion

The Zzombee Filtremulator Limited Edition Apparittion is a hand-painted Custom Shop version of the Beetronics Zzombee Filtremulator, an analog multi-effect pedal that fuses fuzz, filter, tremolo and a synthy low octave in one box¹. Like every Custom Shop Zzombee, it is a one-off: Beetronics says of these pedals that every unit is unique and may have scars and character¹. The Apparittion listing at the maker's store is marked sold out¹.

The pedal covers a lot of ground in one enclosure: Filter, Wah, LFO, Randomized Filter, Tremolo, Swells, Overdrive, Fuzz, Low-Octave and Cross Tremolo, a tremolo that pulses between the fundamental and a low octave¹. Beetronics describes the result as a tone that sounds very unique and would require a very complex rig to be recreated².

What the Zzombee does

The Zzombee is a multi-effect pedal combining fuzz, filter, tremolo and a sub-octave⁴. Guitar World, reporting the pedal's launch in June 2022, described it as an analog multi-effect pedal that combines four gain stages and three modulated filter modes⁵. The instrument signal gets a 4-stage gain buzz selection and runs in parallel to a monophonic low octave, and the filter can be applied to either path with the other left untouched¹.

That routing is what makes the pedal more than a fuzz with a wah in front of it. Because the filter can sit on the fuzzed signal, the clean signal, or the octave path, the same knob settings produce very different results depending on where the Filter Router switch is set¹³.

Modes and the circuit

Beetronics groups the pedal's modes into two families¹:

• Modulated Filter (three modes): wah-like effects, an LFO, and over fifty thousand random patterns. Beetronics says the wah-like modes will make you want to ditch your old bulky wah pedal¹.
• Modulated Amplitude (three modes): Cross Tremolo, traditional tremolo, and volume swells¹.

Cross Tremolo is the pedal's signature mode. Beetronics calls it a tremolo that pulses between the fundamental and a low octave, alternating between the clean signal and the octave to create a rhythmic, synthy pulse¹. It is a Beetronics-original effect, not a standard tremolo circuit.

The audio path is analog, but the pedal is, in Beetronics' words, digitally parasitized: digital control handles the tap-tempo function, CV control, external tap, expression out and preset saving¹. Onboard memory holds up to 5 presets, recalled from the Presets switch⁶⁷⁸³.

MusicRadar's review lists the control panel as Parasite, Depth, Bee, a Mode switch, a Buzz Level switch, a Filter Router switch, a Presets switch and a Ramp/Rate footswitch, with a standard input and standard output³.

Power and practical details

The pedal requires a 9V DC power supply, center negative, with a current draw of 100mA, and the power supply is not included¹. MusicRadar's review confirms the same figures: 9V DC adaptor, not supplied, 100mA³.

Other measurements from the maker: pedal size 5.5" x 4" x 2.75" including knobs and switches, enclosure 5.5" x 2" x 3.5", pedal weight 0.9 lbs / 0.40 kg, package weight 0.2 lbs / 0.1 kg and package size 6" x 3" x 5.5"¹. MusicRadar lists the pedal's origin as the USA³.

A hand-painted Custom Shop edition

The Apparittion is one of many hand-painted Custom Shop and Limited Edition finishes of the Zzombee, alongside names like the Blackbee Edition, Sweet Sting and Custom Shop 420. Beetronics marks each Custom Shop pedal as unique, and the maker's own description carries a warning worth repeating¹⁹⁸:

Where it sits among filter pedals

For a player weighing the Zzombee against a dedicated filter pedal, the difference is scope: a standard filter or wah pedal does one job, while the Zzombee layers fuzz, octave and amplitude modulation on top of the filter and lets you route the filter to different points in that chain¹. Against a plain fuzz pedal or tremolo pedal, the Zzombee trades simplicity for the combination of all three with preset memory and tap tempo¹. Players after just the fuzz or filter half can read more on the Zzombee Filtremulator family page.

Videos

Click to load

Click to load

Click to load

Questions