Attention synth enthusiasts – Zoom is back with the MS-70CDR+, a next-generation multi-effects pedal that’s poised to become your new secret weapon in the studio and on stage. The MS-70CDR+ MultiStomp expands on the wildly popular MS-70CDR with a massive array of effects tailored for electronic music production.
Zoom MS-70CDR+: The New Synth Players’ Best Friend?
The original MS-70CDR has long been a favorite among synth players thanks to its wide selection of lush chorus, flanger, delay, and reverb effects in a compact, affordable package. According to Zoom, the MS-70CDR+ takes everything to the next level with:
- 149 high-quality effects optimized for synths, including 43 choruses, 29 delays, 33 reverbs, and 44 filters
- Newly designed analog circuits for improved sound quality, dynamic response, and low end clarity
- Stereo inputs that accept line-level signals from synths, drum machines, and more
- Dual outputs for expansive stereo imaging
- USB-MIDI for seamless integration with DAWs, MIDI controllers, and hardware synths
- Intuitive hands-on controls and a color-coded LCD for easy effect selection
I’m particularly interested in the sound quality improvements, as the original MS-70CDR wasn’t exactly a champion in this regard.
Ambient Soundscapes and Beyond
The MS-70CDR+ is a one-stop shop for crafting immersive, evolving synth tones. Highlights include:
- Authentic emulations of classic analog chorus, flanger, and phaser circuits
- Lush, studio-grade plate and hall reverbs
- Ultra-clean digital delays with up to 4 seconds of stereo echo
- Unique special effects like a Slow Attack filter, Pitch Shifter, and Organ simulator
- 29 dynamics processors and EQs for final polishing
With 6 simultaneous effects (!), 100 patch memories, and in-depth editing controls, you can easily design complex, spacious tones and recall them with a tap of your foot (or hand). The MS-70CDR+ is also a great tool for mangling and glitching up drum machines, vocoders, and lo-fi samples.
Plug-and-Play Operation
Getting up and running with the MS-70CDR+ is a breeze thanks to its flexible I/O and power options:
- Stereo inputs accept both instrument and line-level signals
- Dual outputs for mono or stereo routing
- Runs on batteries, USB bus power, or an AC adapter
- USB-MIDI enables automation from a DAW or remote patch changes from a MIDI controller
- Free editing software for Mac/PC for creating and managing patches
Whether you’re tracking synths in the studio, playing keys in a live band, or building an all-hardware rig for standalone jamming, the MS-70CDR+ should fit seamlessly into your setup. And with its rugged metal chassis, it’s ready to handle the rigors of the road.
Zoom MS-70CDR+: Another Hit For The Japanese Company?
With its vast selection of top-shelf effects, intuitive workflow, and tour-ready design, the Zoom MS-70CDR+ might become an essential tool for any cost-conscious synth player or electronic musician. From classic tones to bleeding-edge sound design, this feature-packed multi-effects pedal has you covered. As an owner of the original model, I definitely look forward to checking it out.
The MS-70CDR+ MultiStomp will be available in Q2 2024 for $/€169/£145, which makes it slightly more expensive than the original model yet still extremely affordable if compared to boutique pedals.
To learn more please visit the official product page.
You forgot to mention that most of the effects in the MS70CDR+ are mono, so when you use one of those in your signal chain, you will lose all stereo information. Might not be a big deal for guitarists and mono synths, but for stereo synths that means that all distortion, compressor and filter effects can’t be used, as well as a number of delays and modulation effects.
You’re correct, but in my opinion this mono vs. stereo thing is often blown out of proportion. In real-life studio recording situations, synths are often reduced to mono to take less space in the mix, and/or processed through extra plugins or effects to give them a certain stereo image, when really needed. Personally I wouldn’t use a low-end pedal such as the MS for compression purposes (franly I don’t think I have ever used a compressor on a synth anyway). It’s still a fun pedal, let’s just use it for what it can do.