Empress Effects ZOIA: Introduction + Demo

The Empress ZOIA is a modular audio playground shoved into a neat blinky friend.
This is video giving a basic introduction and going over the patches I made in the first 6 days with it.
Get the vinyl I mentioned: fullset.io/
Grab my patches over here on patchstorage: patchstorage.c...
Watch only the performances: • Empress Effects ZOIA: ...
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[@JTMusicbox]

I never once thought to criticize your hands. I’m always focused on the music and your use of gesture and text only add to it. Good job telling off the haters!

[@alyeska4226]

They are quite Muppet, aren't they?

[@alyeska4226]

They are quite Muppet, aren't they?

[@rikkousa]

My uncle is a Nephilim and he is extremely touchy about his digits. In fact, He had 6 fingers and 6 toes …many could he play the piano….but I digress.

[@fabianvasquezjr8852]

Most people's hands usually look like that because they work hard with their hands don't matter how old you are. Something someone that obviously doesn't know what work is that would notice. Probably got girly hands 😂

[@RevivedAndRewritten]

Me: Why is it called wet sound? Red: *starts playing* Me: *immediately turned on* Oh.

[@darksiderahb]

Best hands that make the best plonks, Jeremy.

[@blitbleep]

2:05 best moment ever

[@xx-fp1ns]

Classic

[@myname_isblaine]

I chortled

[@olliecressman]

Glorious! 👏🏻

[@coachlittlebigboy]

I also have old man hands. The sun took its toll. I’m only 39. When you had that long pause and said “…..fuck you.” I instantly sub’d and liked. We’re brothers now.

[@sothisishowitreallyends]

There isn't enough ZOIA coverage on KZbin, super excited to watch! I just got one a few days ago and its absolutely amazing.

[@felipeecheverria4892]

Those are the hands of a person who day by day wonders us with his music and talent. Keep it up Jeremy!! Love ur videos

[@StormBurnX]

I zoned out at the beginning, nearly fell asleep at my desk, and then you woke me up with a "Hello~" and I genuinely responded, half awake, thinking someone was talking to me IRL So I guess now that means you gotta do a no-script chillout mix with the Zoia! 💟

[@PinkBoardProducts]

for the record (no pun intended) i love your hands, super grateful you have them and have learned to use them in such beautiful ways. grateful for you jeremy, much love

[@pthomas36]

Incredible device, beautiful patches and playing, and wonderful humour. What else could you want from KZbin?

[@danbennett1005]

My patches -- let me show you them! This thing's amazing. And you've clearly figured out a lot of its intricacies. The simple way you were able to create a convincing stereo surf sound is impressive.

[@ivipiwi1694]

Your hands are great and you do super great stuff with it! The trolls and hater are useless and irrelevant. Thanks for all your great videos!

[@carbonvibes]

Great video 👍🏻 Also, your small talk about your hands hand me 😂. Much respect 🫡

[@OmriCohen-Music]

Oh wow, I knew this thing was deep, but not so deep... This is a whole world by itself... It's also really great that the patches are so easy to share with others, it's a good way to learn. Thanks for this!

[@Val_Cla]

Hi Omri 😁 sure it's very deep, it would go well with our Microfreaks , and probably with Vcv too ! 😃

[@marekw7562]

This video is amazing. I love content creators that speak with passion about sound design. Listening to you is chilling and educational. Keep doin what you do cause you're great at it. Much love ❤️

[@AM-ui9mc]

This combination is something I’ve been dreaming about. Nice to see a video on it! Thanks

[@bkvision2]

I have the same hands! I think it's a redhead thing. I was self-conscious about my hands for so long, but now I like them. Hands should be rough if they're doing anything worth doing.

[@migopop]

I didnt notice the Loop Forest patch was from you ! I loooove this patch . Thank you for all what U do !

[@miketreanor8859]

Thank you for sharing! Your description hit exactly the level that I was looking for. Really, thank you!

[@anonymoushuman8344]

Nice review. Clear and helpful. It seems like one of the advantages of virtual modular synthesis in this format should be to let you insert a new module at a desired place in the audio signal path without having to disconnect and reconnect the modules on either side of it. It should come with a good graphic software editor for visualizing patches, or at least a big dry erase board and some pens.

[@boarthefighter]

Even though it could use a stronger processor, this seems like it's pretty much the only effects processor anyone would ever need haha. Great video!!!

[@dbmayne]

This illustrates the reason I bought ZOIA. Amazing patches, even more amazing sounds!

[@robbybobbyhobbies]

Watched this a year ago, filed under "maybe one day". Well today was that day and the only thing I can say is "why on earth did I wait this long?". Plugged it into a simple 0-Coast patch with preset 19 (delay trainer) and spent two hours twiddling knobs and pressing buttons. I've just watched your video and written down 10 things to try tomorrow. Thanks for the inspiration. EDIT: re: hands. Yours look fine. Mine have got that 51 year old, COVID-inspired, wash your hands every five minutes flaky-redness.

[@dimensionalbleedthrough2040]

I'm going to suppose that any one who would criticize the appearance of another person's hands has never done anything meaningful with his/her own hands saving, of course, taking sh!t on their cell phones and masturbation. Please keep making awesome music and videos for the rest of us who can appreciate the finer manual things.

[@nigelrogers8690]

Love the beach delay👏🏾, thanks for sharing patches and the tutorial 🙏🏾

[@hakonsoreide]

The first time I heard of this multi-effects platform (it doesn't feel like a "pedal"), I thought it seemed like a clunky way to do effects or patchable synthesis, but today, after watching a few videos, it seems like one of the coolest things ever and not clunky at all but rather very user-friendly and intuitive with a little bit of patchable synth experience.

[@cameronleggett]

Your patches are sounding great! Viva! Manos Del Viejo!! My hands are looking ancient as well... I like some character with my humanity. It's funny how often the basics of the Zoia get covered. I like that you are showing more of the patches themselves after the intro. Automating the recording and parameters of the loopers LFOs was a nice twist. Nice beachy delay very convincing atmospheric noise filtering panning treatment. This being a longer video was really a plus for me as the Zoia is not a quickie subject.

[@ATGamerHTZ]

Bro, this for a game soundtrack is perfect! I WANT THAT

[@xwhyzz]

Deep menu diving and learning, but once the intuitiveness kicks in, looks definitely worth it! Thank you for sharing this.

[@paulpuljic6025]

Just bought my Zoia Empress and this reminded me that i have a Microfreak in my stash...gonna put these two together and see what I get!

[@michael.wiegand]

Just ordered a Zoia in part because of this and in part because of Cuckoo’s pack. Love watching the specific use cases.

[@seanhannan8509]

"Oh no, my aesthetic."

[@EISERMANN80]

Sean Hannan I read this comment before watching the video. Had a good laugh 😂 at 5:43

[@BaileyHeredge]

Legend I've been waiting on a video for the Zoia. Just got 1

[@d3m3n70r]

Yeah it is on my list since quite a time. It will just take some time until I get to that row. =)

[@Psionetics]

Lol that old man hands bit had me rolling

[@umZedaesquina]

I've had the Zoia for 2 years now, I've iterated the patches maaaany times, but Loop Forest is always. n25 (it landed there the first time and my muscle memory now demands it's always there). Just an amazingly musical and inspirational patch

[@RotchildFrancoisJr]

The album art on that vinyl is so pretty

[@mattierenton701]

INSANELY cool machine, I want one, especially want one now after this demo, looks sooo cool 👌

[@JEBariffic]

Imagination box of craziness. Well said! That last patch was especially fantastic. Thanks for taking the time. Very inspirational.

[@jerem680]

Magic hands 👍

[@Casual_Shots]

That was awesome! I had no idea what the Zoia did. Now I want it more than any other piece of audio gear on my list.

[@tankskins]

Dude! Snagged your vinyl!! Pumped to support after all i’ve learned about op1-ing from youthe last few years. I had been lusting after a zoia, great to see you give it a concise once over and some practicum. Thanks for all you do man! Loving it!!

[@slemsvamp]

Your hands are magic, always exciting to see what they're up to when a new video hits!

[@Revelator72]

I’d never noticed...but I myself have had old man hands since I was a child. Though I have thought “if I ever make videos people are gonna just go IN on my hands...” Obviously my fears of internet hand superficiality were well grounded. Love the channel, style, information and sounds, thanks for another great upload.

[@francoiscolarusso1840]

I freaking love your hands and what you do with it Jeremy!! More close up!!!

[@JazzyFunkaHolic]

Hands are awesome and its a great Video. I have digitakt/digitone and still learning them, also a 0 Coast and microfreak is on the list, it looks like you can basically do everything with this Machine, thinking about modulating sequences on the digitakt and Audio fx at the Same time with this. That loop forest Patch was really impressive 😊

[@alexbraddock5164]

Incredible! I had just asked your thoughts on this vs the mod duo and i got the best answer possible! great video

[@BinauralBae]

Thank you so much for doing this video

[@boxie13]

I unsubscribed just so I could subscribe again after your old man hands rant. 😂

[@SyncdAlien]

LOL 😂

[@cityandmoonbacklineltd3685]

Great video, again. That final patch is stunning.

[@zjenji]

Thank you for posting the patches, they’re wonderful!

[@PocketUnv]

This was so great, thanks for sharing all those pathces! Just picked one up second hand (I know!) and I'm absolutely smitten with it!

[@StephenBaird]

It's really fun to watch your creativity go nuts like this.

[@phizzard5549]

Why do I have the ZOIA again? Ah, yeah! thank you for making me revisit my gear ✌️ I don’t know if you know, but your channel has grown into a rabbit hole of inspiration. Thanks for doing your thing and please don’t stop! 😉

[@NorthGameStudio]

lmao. everything is awesome. thanks man. really appreciate your old man hands and your music. youre bad ass

[@ob1quixote]

You know, I had _just_ talked myself out of picking up a Zoia. Now it's back on the list!

[@peadookie]

Eff yes and good for you RMR @ 2:03. Those people can stick it where the sun don't shine.

[@darrenweight5972]

Fantastic! I’m looking for a processor for my Microfreak and was considering the Zoia. This is EXACTLY the video I was hoping to find. I have old-man hands too (because I’m getting old...). F%CK all y’all hand model types. I think your old-man hands create some amazing music. Happy Holidays RMR!

[@AlbertSotosculptamesh]

love how you addressed the hand thing! lol so good :)

[@wickfut]

thanks for this. you've sold me on my first bit of outboard effects.

[@RedMeansRecording]

it's just so fun to make sonic worlds with it

[@wickfut]

@@RedMeansRecording it reminds me of MI Clouds. Can you midi sync or gate trigger tempo?

[@jakomaron]

I'v got the Zoia and loop forest changes my life, thank you very much for this preset.

[@allwelikeworms]

Hey - I hope you have a wonderful day, too!

[@jsogman]

Love Beach delay! That's so lovely and calming :)

[@weddiedon]

i'm really empressed with it too

[@meleraphael]

I love your hands and your demo too!!

[@c137medina]

It is a journey, indeed.

[@g43s]

this is such an amazing device.

[@mydatause]

Lol... Old man hands rule. I have old man hand too. It took me 50 years to catch up with my hands. By the way, your music keeps me inspired and motivated to create. Thank you.

[@cynthiaroberts7206]

Beautiful and helpful! Great hands.

[@kostantinosmag2986]

Great video have great day..............

[@znxster]

You can clearly get lost in the layers, which is either wonderful or terrible depending on user. To think you managed these patches with six days lead time is amazing. I think it would be a touch too overwhelming for me. Oh and the link to the performances in the blurb is private still ..

[@thames21]

This exactly. I love how Jeremy is managing his way around gear with tons of options but I think I’d be overwhelmed and frankly a bit intimidated by the amount of options. I think for beginners it might be a better idea to keep the gear a bit more basic.

[@thereisnospace]

hhhahahaha that "fuck you" was so gentle but firm. Kinda like a perfect souffle.

[@Praemolar15]

In my opinion, old men's hands are typical of violinists and pianists. It only shows your incredible experience with your instruments. Be proud of it.

[@milk_bath]

Ha! I'm still researching the Mod Duo X and trying to compare it to the Zoia. Will be fun to have this series to help in researching! That album cover is beautiful!

[@jarkokoo]

I think the main question to ask, from yourself, is: what are you looking for the device? In a nutshell: Mod Duo devices are great, if you're looking for a virtual pedalboard. ZOIA instead is great, if you're looking for customised effects or even instruments. They both can do more of course. Mod Duo has also instrument plugins for it and so on. Also, if you already have an external effects chain, ZOIA can so easily be added into the mix, where as Mod Duo can pretty much give you that effects chain as an one unit, if you don't have it already. If I'd be asked to give some cons per device: Mod Duo: the plugin quality (IMO) is all over the place, some are just terrible in terms of a device you just spent 525-700 on (depending of the model). You also need a computer to create the virtual boards, which can get really old, really fast. ZOIA: it's quite a restricted box performance-wise, by design, so it might not be what you expect. Creating larger patches can get a bit confusing (fortunately there are ways to organize the workflow though). Both are great IMO in their own way, but for ME, ZOIA wins, because of the sonic quality it has to offer. This might of course change, if Mod Duo would come that big of a thing that it would attract more top quality developers. But we'll see. Hope this helps a bit. :)

[@milk_bath]

jarkokoo it does! Thanks for the perspective!

[@DannoHung]

@@jarkokoo Is there an easy way to understand the differences in sonic quality without having both units sitting in front of me?

[@Beggsnacon]

I would say wise hands :P hehe, nah man, i fuckin love your videos and i am really tempted to buy you LP! Keep up the great and inspiring work borther!!

[@josecortez5213]

This somehow reminds me of the several nord modulars I've owned. I spent days, weeks and months making patches, not many songs though.

[@iskkys6684]

Me: should i buy the Zoia? The video: yes Really nice! Thanks

[@IsaiasDMarco]

Awesome! You should do a Video comparison of the Zoia vs Mod Duo X! I was thinking of buying a Zoia until I saw your videos of the Mod Duo X and now I don't know what to do 🙃

[@DannoHung]

I DMarco I was gonna ask the same question. They do seem to be similar, but maybe that’s superficial.

[@skelly790]

This looks like hard work. I wonder if it would be possible to connect an iPad to a DC coupled interface, then use miRack (port of VCV rack, if anyone's wondering) to dick around with real world volts, make complex modulated FX chains, whatever, in a much more user-friendly way? You can sort of do it with an AC interface, but that involves midi/CV and back again conversion, which is clunky.

[@leftmono1016]

When you say ‘old man hands’ I think you actually mean ‘man hands’ as opposed to ‘kid’s hands’. Great demo btw :-)

[@jjgabbana]

the cover for ur vinyl is incredible

[@MIDERA]

Sounds really good! Just feel like for me that’s just way too complex in a pedal, I dunno. I’ll read up on it more, been thinking of just getting an El Capistan, but saw this in my Waveform magazine and wanted to check it out. Two unrelated questions: 1) what stand do you use for your camera (assuming it’s a dslr or is it mirrorless?). I really like this angle and I can’t ever get that. 2) Are you actually talking during the demos and using that audio recording? Or do you overdub your voice afterwards? Any time I talk it’s “uhm” this and “uhhh...” that and I can’t get the mic to be so consistent. Anyway, thanks for the video!

[@RedMeansRecording]

I um a TON. I'm recording while I film. I'm using a pretty standard midrange tripod with a video head.

[@chambre466]

:))). anyway thanks for the video, that includes the hands too

Dude, no worries, your hands look good on the vid! Anw, that ZOIA looks tasty

[@PM-yz8fx]

Nice hands and thanks for your videos

[@ytJnC]

LOL @ your response to the “old man hands” haters ❤

[@jimigrok]

very nice introduction ! thanks

[@NoirEtBlancVie]

Soooo. Fuck you. I spit out my water dude 😂😂😂 Gotta love it!

[@RedMeansRecording]

;)

[@georgegrumbos73]

did you get the euroburo???? The excel list of the factory patches helped me so much, esp the detailed tab. The patch storage is pretty cool as well, a place to download and share with others.....Nice Video Dr. J!!!!!!

[@SlowDescentToWild]

Great video, I'm definitely tempted by Zoia. You're hands don't even look vaguely 'old' to my 51 year old eyes! :)

[@CyberCreeper22]

I feel like this with an op-1 is extremely powerful

[@CyberCreeper22]

probs gonna pair it with my organelle for now tho

[@ozlion152]

Your hands are the proof that you're indeed Gandalf of synths

[@dillipphunbar7924]

I wish someone would invent (and give me one) , a usb and midi controller like the microfreak keyboard/pad , with Pitch, Mod Wheel and a long strip like the CS-80....nice demo Jeremy

[@mdj5912]

I'm empressed.

[@SyncdAlien]

Excellent review! Does anyone actually use these 'pedals' like ZOIA on the floor with their feet, or is the term 'pedal' almost a work of fiction at this point? 😂

[@peterjessop1878]

SyncdAlien yep I do

[@AdamsBrew78]

Certainly would come in handy playing live, triggering audio looper and/or effects.

[@edgarm6017]

i just decided to get this after looking at the Chase Bliss Brothers pedal for a while. I wanted the ability to create and stack different kinds of distortion for a project i play guitar in. I figured that the extra $150 for the zoia was well worth it considering how much more it can do!

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

I think I would feel weird putting my foot on such an expansive device, but it’s probably more then strong enough

[@SyncdAlien]

@@FuZZbaLLbee 😂😂😂

[@AdamsBrew78]

Percussa SSP seems like an amazing option for nearly overkill power DSP. I’m seriously considering pairing the modular version of ZOIA with one, plus maybe an ES8 and a few analog parts for a feature-dense hybrid setup.

[@garybobst9107]

Will the cult of Zoia arise among musicians? Only time will tell.

[@slimpickins6007]

Came for the Zoia... stayed for the old man hands.

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

It’s a modular rig in a box 😀 Thinking about using MiRack app as an effects pedal now

[@filmadelicstudios]

ooof i have a microfreak and i can already tell this is a crazy combo because you are basically doing extrmely simple sounds on the freak if you were to push a bit while using the zoia... jebus it would be bananas.

[@555atU]

'Fuck you' is right. Lol. Thank you for your great videos....learning and entertainment. The Zoia is incredible.