The Zoom MS-70CDR+ MultiStomp is a multi-effects pedal from Zoom that packs 149 spatial effects into a single stompbox-sized unit, covering chorus and modulation, delay, reverb, dynamics and filters1. It is the third-generation, modulation-focused member of Zoom's MultiStomp line and the follow-up to the original MS-70CDR, which launched back in 201223. You can run one effect at a time or chain up to six together and save the chain as a patch4.
It was priced at £145 in the UK and €169 in the EU at launch25. Sounds can also be explored further through Zoom's Handy Guitar Lab app for iOS, with no Android plans presently2.
The effects: 149 chorus, delay, reverb and filter types
Zoom describes the MS-70CDR+ as giving musicians "149 spatial effects ranging from lush choruses to crystal-clear delays to atmospheric reverbs"1. The effects break down into four categories:
| Category | Count | What's in it |
|---|---|---|
| Chorus and modulation | 43 | Phasing, flanging, tremolo, vibrato, detuning and pitch shifting1 |
| Delay | 29 | Mono and stereo delays, up to 4 seconds, including tape echo, ping-pong and multi-tap4 |
| Reverb | 33 | From plate, hall and spring sounds to more ambient algorithms2 |
| Dynamics and filters | 44 | EQs, compression, noise reduction and special effects4 |
MusicRadar's launch coverage counted 58 stereo effects in total across those categories2. The dynamics and filter block is there to shape the spatial effects rather than replace drive pedals: EQ, compression and noise reduction round out a chain of chorus, delay or reverb2.
The delay ceiling is 4 seconds, and the range runs from classic analog-voiced sounds to more unusual types. On the original MS-70CDR, MusicRadar's reviewer highlighted this spread241:
"The huge range of delays also inspires, from analogue-voiced classics to more out-there settings such as Trigger Hold Delay, which samples your guitar6."
Michael Astley-Brown, MusicRadar6
The original MS-70CDR carried 86 effects covering modulation, reverb and delay, and its modulation lineup included pedal clones from the classic CE-1 through to the Small Clone, plus flangers, phasers, ring modulation, detune and bit crush7. Guitar World's buying guide judged that "the quality of the analog chorus emulation isn't quite as on point as some here, the sheer volume of choice more" than made up for it on the older pedal7. The MS-70CDR+ grows the palette to 149 effects at launch2.
Patches are where the six-effect chaining pays off. There are 100 patch slots with 80 factory presets to explore out of the box2.
The controls
The MS-70CDR+ keeps the MultiStomp control scheme: three push-button knobs adjust onscreen parameters67. New to this generation is a color LCD screen that changes according to the type of effect selected2.
- Three push-button knobs for adjusting onscreen parameters7
- Color LCD screen that changes with the selected effect type2
- Cross-key navigation designed for foot control, so you can change patches and effects without reaching down2
- Onboard chromatic tuner using the color backlight for visual feedback, supporting all standard guitar tunings as well as open and drop tunings4
Zoom also planned a Handy Guitar Lab app for iOS for exploring sounds further, with no Android plans at the time of the launch announcement2.
Power and connections
The MS-70CDR+ runs on 2 AA batteries, USB power or AC power1. Zoom lists the DC9V AC Adapter among its related products, sold separately8.
On the connection side, the pedal has stereo input jacks that accept signals from passive and active guitars as well as line-level devices such as synthesizers, and dual line-level output jacks for stereo recording1. The original MS-70CDR's socket layout was 2 x 1/4" TS in, 2 x 1/4" TS out, plus USB7.
MIDI is over USB only: Zoom says USB MIDI lets you connect the MS-70CDR+ to other MIDI gear to remotely trigger patch changes9. There is no 5-pin MIDI port in the specifications given.
The MS-70CDR+ sits in a metal chassis2, and Zoom's MultiStomp line also includes the Zoom MS-200D+ Multistomp for guitarists8.
Videos
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PMTVUK
Phillip McKnight
Questions
Can the Zoom MS-70CDR+ run on batteries?
Yes. Zoom states the MS-70CDR+ runs on 2 AA batteries, USB power or AC power, so it works on a pedalboard with a 9V supply or standalone on batteries.
How many effects can the MS-70CDR+ run at once?
You can use a single effect or chain up to six effects simultaneously, and save each chain as a patch. There are 100 patch slots, 80 of which hold factory presets.
Is the Zoom MS-70CDR+ stereo?
Yes. It has stereo input jacks and dual line-level output jacks, and 58 of its effects are stereo. The inputs accept passive and active guitars as well as line-level devices such as synthesizers.
Does the MS-70CDR+ have MIDI?
Yes, over USB. Zoom says USB MIDI lets you connect the MS-70CDR+ to other MIDI gear to remotely trigger patch changes. There is no dedicated 5-pin MIDI port mentioned.
Does the MS-70CDR+ have a tuner?
Yes. It has an onboard chromatic tuner that uses the color backlight for visual feedback, and it supports all standard guitar tunings as well as open and drop tunings.
What is the longest delay time on the MS-70CDR+?
The 29 mono and stereo delays offer delay times of up to 4 seconds, covering types from tape echo, ping-pong and multi-tap to self-oscillating sounds.
Sources (9)
- MS-70CDR+ MultiStomp for Guitarists, Zoom Corporation
- Is the Zoom MS-70CDR+ MultiStomp 2024's compact multi-effects pedal bargain? 149 reverb, delay and modulation effects suggest it might be, MusicRadar, 2024-03-14
- Zoom MS-70CDR+ MultiStomp: its best-value multi-FX updated, Guitar World, 2024-03-14
- MS-70CDR+ MultiStomp for Guitarists, Zoom Corporation
- Zoom unveils the MS-70CDR+ offering over 140 effects, guitar.com, 2024-03-14
- Zoom MultiStomp MS-70CDR review, MusicRadar, 2013-11-26
- Best modulation pedals: our pick of the best mod effects, Guitar World, 2023-06-02
- MS-70CDR+ MultiStomp for Guitarists, Zoom Corporation
- MultiStomp Chorus / Delay / Reverb Pedal, ZOOM
