ZCAT Pedals ZCAT Big Reverb TI Stereo

The ZCAT Big Reverb TI Stereo is a reverb pedal from ZCAT Pedals, a stereo version of the company's Big Reverb TI. ZCAT describes it as "the same great big reverb sound, but now in stereo," a versatile reverb pedal aimed at creating lush ambient soundscapes¹. The original Big Reverb TI is described by the maker as a medium sized hall type reverb², so the Stereo version gives that hall character in a two-output format for players running stereo rigs.

The pedal works in stereo or mono, so it fits a standard single-amp pedalboard as easily as a two-amp setup¹. Its reverb trails hang over naturally after the pedal is disengaged, and it can be set for either true bypass or buffered bypass with trails¹.

A hall-style reverb, now in stereo

The Big Reverb TI line is ZCAT's take on a medium sized hall reverb². Hall reverbs simulate the long, blended reflections of a large room, which suits sustained chords, ambient parts and adding depth to a dry amp. ZCAT positions the Stereo version as a good choice for "creating lush ambient soundscapes"¹.

The step up from the mono Big Reverb TI is the stereo path. With stereo or mono inputs and outputs¹, the pedal can feed two amplifiers for a wide, spacious reverb image, or sit in a mono chain like any other compact reverb. For players who already know the mono pedal, ZCAT frames the Stereo version as the same sound in a two-channel format³.

The controls and infinite decay footswitch

The front panel keeps things simple with three controls¹:

The standout feature is the footswitch. Pressing and holding it activates an infinite decay that you can play over³, freezing the reverb tail into a sustained wash while you play new notes on top. ZCAT calls this a nearly infinite decay, triggered by pressing and holding the momentary, silent soft touch footswitch¹. A momentary switch means the effect lasts only as long as you hold it, which makes it easy to grab a swell of ambience for a bar or two and release.

Bypass and trails

The pedal offers selectable true bypass mode or buffered bypass with trails¹. In buffered mode, reverb trails hang over naturally after the pedal is disengaged, so a long decay does not get chopped off mid-tail when you click the pedal off¹. In true bypass mode the effect cuts out immediately, which some players prefer for keeping the bypassed signal path completely passive. The mono Big Reverb TI, by contrast, uses a true bypass switch².

Power and specifications

The Stereo version is powered with a 9V DC power supply of the standard "Boss" type, with a negative tip (center negative)¹. Current draw is 80 to 90 mA at 9V DC¹.

The rest of the maker's specifications¹:

The enclosure is die cast aluminum¹, and the footprint matches the mono Big Reverb TI¹.

How it differs from the mono Big Reverb TI

The two pedals cover the same hall reverb ground, but the differences matter depending on your rig:

• Outputs: the Stereo version has stereo or mono inputs and outputs¹; the mono TI is a single in, single out pedal¹.
• Bypass: the Stereo version offers selectable true bypass or buffered bypass with trails¹; the mono TI uses a true bypass switch².
• Power: the mono TI can run on a 9V battery or 9V DC²; the Stereo version lists only the 9V DC supply¹.
• Controls: the Stereo version has Mix, Decay and Reverb Level¹; the mono TI's page lists Time, Repeats, Delay Level and Reverb Level².

Both share the same 80 to 90 mA current draw at 9V DC¹² and the same enclosure size¹². The mono Big Reverb TI is listed at €199.00 EUR³; the Stereo version's page does not state a US price.

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