Electro-Harmonix S9 String Ensemble

The Electro-Harmonix S9 String Ensemble is a synth pedal from Electro-Harmonix that turns a guitar signal into string ensemble sounds. Its voices span a range of relatively organic and synthesized string tones, and the pedal sits squarely in EHX's family of keyboard- and synth-inspired pedals alongside the B9, KEY9, MEL9, and Synth9¹.

Premier Guitar's reviewer found the pedal holds its own in that company:

Effect and dry outputs

The S9 carries two outputs: an effect output and a dry output¹. Which one you use depends on your rig. The effect output is the one you use when running a single amp or DAW¹.

The dry output is the more interesting of the two for players with a bigger rig. It sends a buffered signal that bypasses the effect entirely, which opens up wet/dry mix possibilities with a second amp or a DAW input channel¹. The dry and effect knobs act as a little mixer for both signals, so you set the balance of your clean guitar and the string sounds yourself¹.

This output arrangement is shared across the keyboard-inspired line. The MEL9 includes independent Effect and Dry volume controls so you can create the mix you want at the Effects output², and on the KEY9 the Effect output jack sends the mix set by the Dry and Effect volume controls³. Reviewing the MEL9 for Guitar.com, Tom Turner noted the two controls can be blended together via the keys output or run independently through the pedal's keys and dry outputs⁴.

Part of the keyboard-inspired pedal line

The S9 belongs to a family of EHX pedals that emulate keyboards rather than classic guitar effects. Premier Guitar groups them as "the B9, KEY9, MEL9, and Synth9"¹. Each pedal in the line covers different keyboard territory:

The line is designed to work together. EHX describes the KEY9 as based on the popular B9 and C9 pedals, and suggests using it with the B9 and C9 Organ Machines to build a keyboard rig³. Reviewing the B9 for MusicRadar, Trevor Curwen noted its two knobs set the level of dry and emulated organ sound at the main output, while the Dry output can deliver unprocessed signal⁷, the same wet/dry thinking the S9 carries.

Voices and controls

Voices are selected with the white patch knob¹. The Ctrl 1 and Ctrl 2 knobs change function depending on the voice you select, so each voice gets its own set of parameters rather than a fixed control set¹. EHX used the same approach on the Synth9, whose CTRL1 and CTRL2 knobs provide precise control over each preset's parameters⁶⁸.

The S9's voices draw on a specific set of vintage keyboards. Premier Guitar's review lists voices inspired by the Arp Solina, Crumar Performer, Roland Juno series, Mellotron, and Vako Orchestron¹. Named voices include the symphonic, June-O, and floppy sounds, among others. The reviewer notes the symphonic voice is not a perfect emulation of a real orchestra, which fits the pedal's range of relatively organic and synthesized string tones rather than strict realism¹.

For players who want the Mellotron side of that list in a dedicated box, the MEL9 covers vintage tape-based keyboard sounds with its own set of nine programs, from Orchestra and Cello to Strings, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Brass, and Low and High Choir².

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