The Zander Circuitry Junipero is a stereo multi-modulation pedal carrying eight effects in one enclosure: chorus, vibrato, flanger, phaser, tremolo and ring modulation, several of them in more than one flavor. Zander describes it as "a one-of-a-kind multi-modulation powerhouse with eight unique takes on classic effects that you know and love," and says it is fully stereo, with every effect using both channels to split the signal1. The company says the pedal is inspired by its love of post-punk, new wave and shoegaze, built to handle subtle modulation sounds, experimental tones and everything in between1.
It was released in June 20202, and Delicious Audio profiled it that July as "a multi-modulation, stereo pedal for the alternative and experimental guitarist"3. Note that Zander states the pedal is not available for purchase in the UK or EU due to RoHS non-compliance from its optocouplers1.
What it does: stereo multi-modulation with eight effects
The Junipero puts eight modulation effects on one box, selected by a rotary control labeled 1-81. Because it is fully stereo, each effect works across both output channels rather than simply duplicating a mono sound, which is where its more experimental appeal lies. Zander says every effect "makes good use of that to split your signal in wonderfully whacky ways"1.
In a 2020 Guitar.com interview, the company also explained that the hardware was built with longevity in mind: "we wanted the hardware to have longevity for future releases," so future delay, reverb or other effect sets could be released with mostly software changes2.
The effects and modes
The eight modes, as documented by Pedal of the Day and Zander's own product page, cover chorus, vibrato, flanger, phaser, tremolo and ring modulation14. Each mode has its own CTRL parameter, which changes job depending on the effect selected.
| Mode | What it is | What the CTRL knob does |
|---|---|---|
| Chorus/vibrato | Voiced to replicate the analog chorus pedals that defined the '80s, with detune | Detune control, for intensity or a standalone doubling effect1 |
| Multi-voice chorus | 4-voice chorus with a lush, intricate sound bordering on flanger territory | Depth control for voices 3 and 41 |
| Classic Flanger | From filtered chorus sounds to jet-plane swoosh, wide-ranging rate and depth | Adds feedback1 |
| Phaser | Classic 10-stage phaser focused on rate and depth versatility | Feedback control for vocal phasing effects1 |
| Harmonic tremolo | Amp-style harmonic tremolo splitting high and low frequencies | 'Q' frequency control for vocal, auto-wah tones1 |
| Vibrato & tremolo | Synchronized tremolo and vibrato, suited to faux rotating speaker effects | Tremolo depth3 |
| Tremolo | Variable tremolo with wide-ranging rate and depth | Blends between classic sine-wave and a 'repeat percussion' style effect3 |
| Ring modulator with aliaser | LFO-controlled ring modulator with an independent aliaser | Aliaser blend and frequency3 |
Zander also describes a Vibe-Phase Tremolo mode inspired by the true pitch vibratos in vintage amps, combining pitch, phase and amplitude modulation for rotating speaker sounds, with the CTRL knob controlling the tremolo's depth1.
The controls and footswitches
The control panel is shared across all eight effects, with one knob changing role from mode to mode13.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| 1-8 | Effect selector1 |
| Rate | Modulation speed1 |
| Depth | Modulation intensity34 |
| Mix | Blend control, from 100% wet to 100% dry1 |
| Tone | EQ for the wet signal1 |
| Level | Output volume1 |
| CTRL | Secondary parameter, different depending on the effect in use1 |
There are four footswitches1:
- Engage: turns the pedal on and off1
- Sub: picks the tempo subdivision1
- Preset: accesses your saved sounds1
- Tap: sets the modulation speed1
Tap tempo works with subdivisions, and Delicious Audio listed five of them: quarter notes, eighth, dotted eighth, triplets and sixteenth notes3. The pedal also has an expression pedal input, and Zander's guidance is open-ended about what to hook up to it: "plug in an expression pedal, decide what parameter you want to control (you can pick any of them), and get wild." Effect selection itself can be assigned, so you can sweep from one sound to another with your foot1.
Five onboard presets are switchable on the fly, and the pedal is MIDI-compatible, with access to up to 128 presets via a MIDI controller1. Bypass is selectable between buffered and true bypass, assignable per preset1.
Power and connections
The Junipero runs on a 9V DC center-negative supply and draws 250 mA1, the same figures Delicious Audio published in 20203. That current draw is well beyond what a typical battery or a small daisy chain can supply, so it needs a proper isolated or high-current output on your power supply.
Zander Circuitry states the Junipero is not available for purchase in the UK or EU due to RoHS non-compliance (optocouplers)1.
Inputs and outputs are top-mounted jacks with full stereo options1, which helps on crowded boards where side jacks would add width. The enclosure measures 180mm wide by 120mm long by 55mm high1, so it is a large-format pedal rather than a mini.
Where it came from and what reviewers said
Zander Circuitry is a British company3, and the Junipero arrived in June 20202. Pedal of the Day reviewed it that September, summing it up as a pedal that "takes 8 different modulation effects, stuffs them into a nice, big enclosure," and noting the five presets are easily adjustable on the fly4. Delicious Audio's Paolo De Gregorio profiled it in July 2020, documenting the eight modes, the MIDI and expression features and the power specs, and noting it could be bought on its own or bundled with a t-shirt, hoodie or both, with a merch pack including pin badges, graphic prints, a key chain and stickers3.
The pedal's full name at launch was the Junipero Aqueous Modulator, the name used in both press pieces43; Zander's current product page sells it simply as the Junipero1.
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Questions
Does the Zander Junipero have MIDI?
Yes. The Junipero is MIDI-compatible, and with a MIDI controller you get access to up to 128 presets. On its own the pedal holds five onboard presets that you can switch between on the fly.
Does the Junipero have tap tempo?
Yes. A dedicated Tap footswitch sets the modulation speed, and a Sub footswitch picks the tempo subdivision. Delicious Audio reported five subdivisions: quarter notes, eighth, dotted eighth, triplets and sixteenth notes.
Is the Zander Junipero true bypass or buffered?
It can be either. You choose between buffered and true bypass, and the choice is assignable per preset, so one saved sound can run buffered while another runs true bypass.
How many presets does the Junipero hold?
Five onboard presets, which the maker says are switchable on the fly for instant changes. Connect a MIDI controller and you get access to up to 128 presets.
Can I buy the Zander Junipero in the UK or EU?
No. Zander Circuitry states the product is not available for purchase in the UK or EU due to RoHS non-compliance from the optocouplers used in the pedal. It is listed for sale elsewhere at $301.00, down from an original $401.00.
Does the Junipero take an expression pedal?
Yes. It has an expression pedal input, and any parameter can be assigned to it, including effect selection, so you can sweep between sounds as well as control rate, depth or mix.
Sources (4)
- Junipero, Zander Circuitry, 2020-05-31
- How the Cranium Dual Gain Distortion put Zander Circuitry on the map, Guitar.com, 2020-08-26
- Zander Circuitry Junipero Aqueous Modulator, Delicious Audio, 2020-07-21
- Zander Circuitry Junipero Aqueous Modulator, Pedal of the Day, 2020-09-19
