The Recovery Effects Zenith and Vales is a bit crushing digital fuzz effects pedal. Instead of the silicon or germanium transistors behind most fuzz boxes, it converts your signal into digital data and then damages it on purpose: Recovery Effects says it uses bit crushing, sample rate reduction and aliasing to manipulate the sound source, producing "unconventional, angular fuzz tones with intense digital distortion, resulting in wild peaks and valleys"1.
The pedal went on presale from May 3 to 13, 2024 at $199, with the regular $229 price taking effect on May 142. As of late 2026 the maker's page lists it as sold out, with a notify-when-available option, and shows a regular price of £174.001.
What it does to your sound
Where a traditional fuzz clips an analog signal, the Zenith and Vales works in the digital domain. Bit reduction lowers the resolution of the conversion so the waveform breaks up into coarse steps, sample rate reduction drops how often the signal is measured, and aliasing folds frequencies back on themselves to create inharmonic artifacts. Recovery Effects pitches the pedal as a move away from "traditional silicon and germanium transistors" and into "the world of digital destruction"1.
The pedal has two algorithm modes, which the maker describes as alternating between jagged, uneven distorted sounds that are mangled beyond recognition, and it has two aliasing modes that toggle between light undersampling and heavily pixelated artifacts1.
The controls
Guitar Pedal X's review lists the full control set3:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Sample Rate | Sets how often the signal is sampled; lower settings break the sound up more coarsely |
| Bit Reduction | Lowers the bit depth of the conversion, stepping the waveform into chunkier pieces |
| Volume | Sets the output level |
| Warble Speed | Sets how fast the warble modulation moves |
| Warble Amount | Sets how deep the warble modulation goes |
| Aliasing | Dials in the undersampling artifacts, from light to heavily pixelated |
| SR / BR A/B Mode Switch | Selects between the two algorithm modes, sample rate based or bit reduction based |
| Aliasing A/B Mode Switch | Selects between the two aliasing modes |
The same review also publishes named settings that show how the controls interact. One, called "Kling Clang," sets Sample Rate at 2:45, Bit Reduction at 9:00, Volume at max, Warble Speed at noon, Warble Amount at min, Aliasing at 2:45, in SR mode with the "A" aliasing setting. Another, "Doom Drone Percolator," sets Sample Rate at min, Bit Reduction at 2:45, Volume at max, Warble Speed at 3:00, Warble Amount at 9:00, Aliasing at 11:30, in BR mode with the "A" aliasing setting3.
Power and practicalities
The pedal operates on a standard 9V DC Boss-style power supply, which is not included1. Its current draw is 130 mA4, which is well above what a simple analog fuzz needs, so check that the output on your power supply covers it before plugging in. The enclosure measures 4.77" x 2.6" x 1.39"1, roughly the footprint of a compact pedal, so it fits a small board.
Recovery Effects includes a one-year limited warranty, but only if you register the pedal within 30 days of delivery1.
The maker's page lists the Zenith and Vales as sold out as of October 2026, with a notify-when-available option1. The regular price shown there is £174.001; at launch in 2024 the US price was $229, after a $199 presale from May 3 to 13, 20242.
Where it came from
The Zenith and Vales, designed by Graig and Zera, is a bit-crushing digital fuzz that leaves behind traditional silicon and germanium transistors for what the maker calls "digital destruction"1. It was offered at a presale price of $199 from May 3 to 13, 2024, before rising to its regular price of $22952.
What reviewers said
Guitar Pedal X's Stefan Karlsson reviewed the pedal in June 2024 and placed it firmly in oddball territory3:
"A really cool sort of fuzz oddity, which is even less of a proper fuzz than the Mattoverse AirTrash."
He found it renders very sci-fi, synth-leaning sounds rather than classic fuzz character3, which matches the maker's own description of angular tones and wild peaks and valleys1. For a player after warm, vintage fuzz, that is a warning; for a player after digital destruction and unusual textures, it is the point.
Videos
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Questions
Is the Recovery Effects Zenith and Vales analog or digital?
It is digital. Recovery Effects describes it as a bit crushing digital fuzz pedal, and says the idea is to leave behind traditional silicon and germanium transistor fuzz and instead use bit crushing, sample rate reduction and aliasing to reshape the sound.
What power supply does the Zenith and Vales need?
It runs on a standard 9V DC Boss-style power supply, which is not included with the pedal. There is no mention of battery operation, so plan on a standard pedalboard power supply with a center negative barrel connector.
How much current does the Zenith and Vales draw?
The maker's listing gives its current draw as 130 mA. That is more than a simple analog fuzz, so make sure the output on your power supply can cover it.
Where is the Zenith and Vales made?
Recovery Effects says the pedal is designed and assembled in Seattle, Washington.
What is the warranty on the Zenith and Vales?
It includes a one-year limited warranty if you register the pedal within 30 days of delivery. Register soon after it arrives to be covered.
Sources (5)
- ZENITH AND VALES (Bit Crushing Digital Fuzz effects pedal), Recovery Effects and Devices
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-05-03
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-06-14
- Zenith and Valves by Recovery Effects, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- Guitar Pedal X, Guitar Pedal X, 2024-12-18
