The Strymon Zelzah Multidimensional Phaser is a digital phaser pedal from Strymon, and it is the company's debut phaser pedal1. What makes it unusual is that it holds two phasers in one enclosure: a four-stage phaser and a six-stage phaser, run side by side with a dedicated footswitch for each1. The two can be used independently or together, in mono or stereo, and by default the six-stage runs into the four-stage, though you can also run them in parallel1.
Although phasing is the focus, the Zelzah also covers adjacent modulation ground. Strymon promises chorus, flanging, vibrato and tremolo sounds depending on how the pedal is set up1, and Pedal of the Day described it as a phaser with elements of chorus, vibrato, flanger and tremolo, sweeping an enormous range2. For a player weighing it against a dedicated chorus or flanger, that breadth is the point of the pedal.
The enclosure is one of Strymon's more compact units, the same size and similar in format to pedals such as the Flint reverb/tremolo and the BlueSky Reverberator1. Its functionality can be extended with an expression pedal or a control switch1.
The controls
Each phaser has its own control set, laid out on its own side of the pedal.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Speed (x2) | Sets the sweep speed of each phaser1 |
| Depth (x2) | Sets the intensity of each phaser1 |
| Mix | Blends the effect with your dry signal1 |
| Voice | On the six-stage phaser, controls over 30 parameters at once, cycling from vintage phaser sounds to adjacent modulation types1 |
| Sweep selector | Three-way switch on the four-stage side: Classic, Barber, Env1 |
| Resonance selector | Three-way switch (Off, Mild, Strong) on the six-stage side, adding a deep flanging quality1 |
| Input selector | Mono/Stereo switch1 |
| 4-Stage footswitch | Engages the four-stage phaser1 |
| 6-Stage footswitch | Engages the six-stage phaser1 |
The four-stage phaser sits on the left-hand side, with Speed, Mix and Depth knobs and a three-way toggle selecting from a trio of sweeps1. Classic Sweep presents the four-stage phaser in its familiar vintage form, a sound MusicRadar attributes to a warped-triangle LFO. Barber Sweep keeps that four-stage character but gives the impression of the sound continuously rising or falling1.
The third option is the Envelope Phaser, which turns the Zelzah into what MusicRadar calls a de facto envelope filter or auto-wah pedal: your picking dynamics control the sweep of the phaser1. That puts it in reach of filter and wah territory without a separate pedal.
The six-stage phaser is built around a newly designed algorithm, with knobs for Speed, Depth and Voice1. The Voice knob is the deep control here: it adjusts over 30 parameters at once, moving from vintage phaser sounds into sounds in adjacent modulation types1. Pedal of the Day found the 6-Stage portion let you get "even phasier, along with creating chorus, flanger and vibrato tones in a snap"2, while the 4-Stage side "boasts a wide array of classic sounds"2.
Presets, MIDI and stereo
The Zelzah is a MIDI-compatible stompbox with 300 presets1. Presets are reached through MIDI rather than from the pedal on its own, which shaped one of MusicRadar's criticisms of the pedal (see below). An expression pedal or control switch can also enhance its functionality1.
For connections, the pedal has a standard TRS stereo input, standard left and right outputs, EXP/MIDI and USB1. The Mono/Stereo input selector switch sets the operating mode1. Running the two phasers in parallel in a full stereo rig can be even more dramatic than the default series routing1.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's review was positive overall, concluding that the Zelzah "makes a persuasive case as an all-purpose modulation pedal"1.
"The Zelzah takes its two phasers and offers such comprehensive control over both voicings that it becomes a powerful all-in-one modulation, complete with presets, and with the top-quality sounds we have come to expect from Strymon."
Among the reasons to buy, MusicRadar listed "two great-sounding phasers in one box"1. The one reason to avoid was preset access:
"It would've been good to have access to at least one preset without having to plug in external equipment."
On versatility, the reviewer summed it up: "as phaser pedals go, you won't go far wrong with the versatility that the Zelzah provides: two distinct phaser flavours" and the flanging and chorus you might otherwise have got from a multi-effects unit1. Pedal of the Day was similarly enthusiastic about "all this wonderful purple machine has to offer"2.
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Questions
Is the Strymon Zelzah analog or digital?
It is digital. MusicRadar describes it as a MIDI-compatible digital stompbox from the digital guitar effects pedal specialist, with the six-stage phaser built around a newly designed algorithm. Strymon promises chorus, flanging, vibrato and tremolo sounds depending on how the pedal is set up.
Is the Zelzah true bypass?
It offers selectable true or buffered bypass, so you can choose which bypass mode suits your rig. That makes it flexible on boards where you want either a clean passive signal path when off or a buffer to drive long cable runs.
How do you access presets on the Zelzah?
The pedal holds 300 presets and is MIDI-compatible, so presets are reached over MIDI. MusicRadar's one criticism was that you cannot get at even one preset without plugging in external equipment, so preset access depends on having a MIDI controller connected.
Can the Zelzah sound like a flanger or chorus?
Yes. Strymon promises chorus, flanging, vibrato and tremolo depending on how you set it up, and Pedal of the Day found the 6-Stage side could create chorus, flanger and vibrato tones quickly. The Resonance toggle on the six-stage phaser adds a deep flanging quality.
Is the Strymon Zelzah stereo?
Yes. It has a TRS stereo input, left and right outputs, and a Mono/Stereo input selector switch. The two phasers can be run independently or together in mono or stereo, and running them in parallel in a full stereo rig can be especially dramatic.
Where is the Strymon Zelzah made?
MusicRadar lists its origin as the USA. It is made by Strymon, and the Zelzah is that company's debut phaser pedal, built in the same compact enclosure format as pedals like the Flint reverb/tremolo and the BlueSky Reverberator.
Sources (2)
- Strymon Zelzah Multidimensional Phaser review, MusicRadar, 2022-04-19
- Strymon Zelzah Multidimensional Phaser, Pedal of the Day, 2021-09-01
