Fortin ZUUL Pedal Review -The New King of Noise Gates

Today in Plague Scythe Studios,
Subscribe: / plaguescythestudios
Fortin ZUUL: www.fortinamps...

[@mikefortin430]

Thank you so much for the review. I appreciate all your feedback on it. To address the reason as to why I didn't put a bypass out with the KEY input was mainly because of the numerous times I've seen guitar players connect through the wrong 2 of the 4 jacks on other NG pedals. So the single KEY input jack was used to try to eliminate pilot error. The thought was that most players would already have a spare output from a tuner, splitter or simple $4 Hosa y-cable. Cheers! Mike Fortin

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

+Mike Fortin Good to hear from you again Mike! I think your assumptions are sound on both parts. If someone is buying one of your pedals, they probably already have the gear to use the Key input, which is why its not a grievous design flaw to me. And most of us guitarists are liable to screw up our signal chain somewhere, so idiot proofing is a positive side effect.

[@dhunter813]

I have a question about that. I just run a 1/4" from my Boss Tuner "bypass" port to the Key input, correct? The Boss Pedal is the 'Waza Kraft" and it has a selection to make that Bypass port a "Buffer" or a "Thru". How should i set this?

[@blahinator9370]

Mike Fortin How about a Europe-distribution for your gear? I bet that I‘m not the only german guy who ordered a Zuul and who wants to try out your boost pedals;)

[@gtizzle101]

@@ThornWithin In stock now, I just got mine

[@ddubbz1979]

Does it have to be used in an effects loop?

[@matttaylor1449]

Probably the best review of this pedal on youtube.

[@JoshOlsen89]

I'm subscribed to more than a few guitar channels, and this is fast becoming one of my favorites after discovering it last month. I enjoy the great, well-spoken delivery and effective explanation of the product/concept of the day. Thanks especially for the triangle pick recommendation; I never would have tried them otherwise.

[@dave6564]

THIS

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

+Josh Olsen Thank you Josh, it's always refreshing to be reminded of why I love making videos. It's easy to drown yourself in a small puddle of negative feedback, so I greatly appreciate the affirmation. Hope the picks work out for you!

[@bearzden]

The best NG on the market period..!!!.. When the jvm loop is set at 100% wet..the gate is set to zero..kills everything right now..love it..

[@OlFoolish]

I know it’s asking a lot but keep pumping out these videos, hands down favorite guitar channel

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

+Lucas Valdez Thank you man, it means a lot!

[@evilasreligion]

Mike Fortin makes quality products. I hope to get many of the things he makes. Great vid.

[@TristanJCumpole]

Apart from the amps, it would seem.

[@thecartatree]

Like how you snuck “Do not look down” in there.

[@arnieslab]

Wow man, great explanation of this pedal! Finally! lol. I subbed after watching.

[@smufmigeifmig]

not only do you do killer videos, but your tone is also badass. sooo glad you fixed the youtube sound problem haha

[@johnnydollar8784]

This guy has some real smarts . I'll be listening to more of his vids

[@jasonstallworth]

Dude, this is a great in-depth review!

[@wesliggett2454]

My blackout version was delivered this morning! I credit this demo for my purchase. I hope to finally play through it when I get done building three hamster cages. Lol having kids is great ha!

[@rayfoster4339]

super cool ...i use ISP Theta pedal in my loop ...it has gate ...it switches by RJM MIDI controller so can program clean preset so gate turns off

[@Thencamethechaos]

Wow i hope fortin sending you some cash, this was a wonderful representation of this pedal. Thank you. Pretty much sold me

[@danieljones1782]

Love your channel man!

[@thenickhill81]

Another good one dude!

[@TheWolvesCurse]

is it better than an ISP Decimator G-String?

[@joshww2339]

Best gear channel!

[@toddmichael7184]

I would love to see you ad in a delay pedal in the FX loop with the ZUUL.

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

+Todd Michael I've played my AX8 in 4CM with the Thrasher and Fortin pedals with delay and Reverb and it works great, better in some ways than the Fractal gate block

[@bohdilama]

Just got my Zuul today, I have it hooked up through a Boss tu3 tuner into effects loop but it’s not gating the sound or stopping the noise. Tried different cables and power supplies to no avail. Your demo shows it cutting off the noise and gating really well. Any help would be appreciated before I return it. My amp is a EVH LBX

[@ekaone]

Did you find a solution to your problem? Sounds like we’re having the same problem. The Zuul works excellent when playing but whenever I mute to tune I get feedback coming through. I’m running everything through a mid 2000’s Mesa triple rectifier, I thought I read something about having to mod the effects loop to serial mode? Not sure what to do, frustrating!

[@SWizz871]

Would you recommend the Fortin Zuul mini as a pedalboard friendly alternative to this?

[@daviddrake3481]

I was going to get this pedal. but I just couldn't see myself spending over $500 for two pedals. I went ahead got a TC Electronics Sentury and that thing is bad ass. It completely shuts the noise out of my amp all the way and I don't lose any tone at all coming from the Fortin 33

[@albertassociate]

I bought the Sentry as well but Im thinking of getting this one.

[@ceez3841]

Haha sorry man but the fact you bought the 33 just shows you like wasting money

[@matttaylor1449]

@@ceez3841 what's wrong with the 33?

[@voidabstraction]

@@matttaylor1449 I think because it's just a clean boost, and other pedals do the exact same thing for much much much much cheaper. The only thing you're paying for is Fortin and Meshuggah affiliations that have no bearing on the effectiveness of the pedal.

[@toddmichael7184]

Impressive. Gonna subscribe now.

[@zackk6402]

Well done. Great video.

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

+Zack K Thank you!

[@marklugo7168]

Hey man, I have a question about something nobody is covering in any of the demos for the Fortín Zuul, can you roll off your guitar’s volume for a good breakup sound? I find that when I roll off my guitar’s volume when using other noise gates, my signal is completely cut out due to my guitar signal being below the threshold of the noise gate. I was thinking that if the Zuul registers whether there is signal going to the “key input” in order to cut off the signal or not, then I could actually use my volume knob to change the dynamics of my playing!

[@philippgrunert8776]

Are there splitters without buffers? Using a Lot of fuzzes Here. Would be really interesting. Great recommendation!

[@bensharpe6708]

daisy chaining power supply totally destroys this video... he meant well and is very knowledgeable.... the Zuul kiks ass when hooked up right .... shit in is shit out nuff said ....and you want the splitter to have a good buffer so the Zuul gets a good strong clean signal and the rest of signal goes to your main strong... also if you use passives and actives like i do they both sound strong...... i tried a chorus pedal to split the signal and it naturally has delay on the split so yes use a good buffered splitter...ie Roach / Spliff or a little bit budget if you only need two outs go with the JHS buffered/splitter

[@Stretchwreckedem469]

Okay but the MXR overdrive stacked with the Fortin 33 actually sounds tight.

[@richwalter5322]

I don't see how this is better than an ISP Decimator II G-String... which doesn't require you to split your signal (it has a dedicated guitar in and its own loop for your noisy stuff). So the one gripe you have with the Zuul is actually a deal breaker. My tuner doesn't have two outputs and I wouldn't want to buy a splitter just for this purpose as it should be a feature of the pedal itself.

[@70mcnevin]

I agree. The Decimator II G String has the same type of sensing circuit as the "key input", that determines when you are playing based on the clean guitar signal. The Decimator circuit is in the effects loop just like the Zuul, and it also uses a single knob. I'm sure the Zuul uses a downward expanding output circuit just like the decimator to keep from cutting off sustained notes. The downside being that now I need to put another buffer or splitter in effects chain? I'll wait for version 2 to be released and then compare.

[@mikerobinson883]

Yeah I have the isp 2 g string and it works flawlessly. The only problem I have is it doesn't work in my other amp because it has a parallel loop. But that's not the pedals fault.

[@97warlock]

Maybe its not better. Up to the potential buyer to decide. I decided it costs too much & I need something to choke out the hissy noise when playing loud. .... 40.00 will do that for me. Ive had the ISP Dec 1 , Dec 2 and Gstring within the last 10 years. I know what they do. They do theyre job. Sometimes when products get overrated & it drives the prices up.

[@voidabstraction]

It's not better, especially at Fortin prices.

[@97warlock]

I bought a chinese brand called Caline Noise Gate. Ive used it for 3 gigs so far, Set it at 12 noon, works perfect. 37.00

[@cast390]

@5:12 sounds like when you walk into a guitar center. BTW whats that JHS pedal?

[@XMetalChefX]

I think it's amazing theres no bypass. It does exactly what it supposed to do. If you run a multi effects and a real amp 4cm its amazing.

[@lucamoqi]

This has been very helpful mate! May I ask you what desk is that?

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

+Luca Moqi IKEA linmon desk with a lack shelf!

[@bensharpe6708]

Love your videos. just curious why would you use daisy chain to supply power to those pedals ? not to be rude but what are you thinking. You are doing a video of how the Zuul or any noise gate is working and you use the worst setup that introduces unwanted noise by daisy chaining power. Not trying to be an ass, maybe that was the intention to show how extra cool the Zuul is but i could hear the background noise when the gate was open during your playing. Nice playing also.

[@SleepBlackheart]

Wait a minute. Your clean channel engages when you shut off the Fortin 33? So you mainly get that distorted sound with this clean boost? Did i miss something? :/

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

No, the Fortin 33 has a relay switch that changes the channel of the amp at the same time its turned off. The new grinds have the same feature

[@SleepBlackheart]

Ah, i see. Thanks for the answer !

[@jimhoman4415]

Good demo wish it was compared to the TC Sentry. What is your set up? (amp cab mics?) loved the tone at the top of the video.

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

I was using the Fortin 33 into the Randall Thrasher, with its slave out into a V30 4x12 impulse response of some kind (don't remember which, it was either a Mesa or Uberkab).

[@red240red2]

Not having to bypass on cleans is such a life saver. How does it compare to the neural dsp plugin version?

[@powerhitter033]

Still the king 5 years later?

[@Eldaryon277]

First of all sorry for my english, i have a question about the settings on my amplifier, my booster pedal and delay are always on in my fx loop, and I just want to turn them on when I'm playing solos, I activate this option pressing my footswitch effects, and if I want to play rhythm guitar I turn it down. When I activate the zuul to reduce the noise "it ruins" my setting preferences on the fx loop because if i want to reduce noise i have to turn my fx on. The point is what is the best option if I want to activate the boost and the delay effect just with one button? i was wondering if it was a good solution by connecting a loop pedal between the zuul out and amp return, thanks.

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

+Eldaryon277 It always amuses me that people who are worried about their English leave better written comments than most Americans haha. If I understand your signal chain correctly, then a looper would probably be your easiest fix here if you don't want to play tap dance with your pedal board. I would get something that can set up scenes like on amp modelers so you can change your amp channel and effects both within the loop and in front of your amp all at the same time.

[@julianjannetta450]

How well does it do for sustained notes and chords? Immediate drop after a certain amount of time?

[@C-mereSSBU]

Same here! All these guys reviewing the Zuul are just chugging into it. I'm trying to see if I can play solos through it too!

[@happosai09]

Hello.not sure I would get any reply on an old video but I'll try Thanks a lot for that video. I wonder if this noise gate would do well with fuzzes. Of course it would cut the noise, but how does it fare when you ride a lot the volume knob?. That key input gives me hope

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

Luckily l, I did happen to see this one. So the gate issues you're likely going to face with riding the guitar volume with a fuzz pedal are two fold. First, if you use the key input feature of the ZUUL or similar pedal, you have to buffer and split your signal prior to the fuzz pedal for it to work. That's fine for some more contemporary fuzz designs, but not so good on classic designs with low input impedance. Adding a buffer prior to something like a fuzz face ruins the tonal characteristics and volume rolloff behavior because your guitar pickups are no longer reacting to that pedals impedance, but rather the buffer's. Secondly, if you skip out on the key input, you are just left with a "dumb" gate after the fuzz. Setting the threshold on the gate for typical "full volume" output levels may be too aggressive for low volume settings, and vice versa. In summary, it really depends on what fuzz pedal you use, and whether it reacts to a buffer in front in a way that you find acceptable. Otherwise, using noise gates with old fuzz pedals is a tricky matter to resolve.

[@happosai09]

@@PlagueScytheStudios thank you sooo much! Very insightful. I'll test for there

[@James23031976]

If you want to put a delay and EQ in your setup, where would you place it? Delay in the FX between the Zuul and amp? The eq after the distortion pedal? Thnx!!

[@coveryourears3851]

Hi Ryan, I wasn't sure where to ask you this. Do you run your roach at 9v?

[@6slayer6sam62]

I would love to see a shootout between this and the airis Hades gate... trying to decide which to buy....

[@ScottKroekerArtographer]

I am amazed at how much amp noise you have. What is your rig setup? I run a ReVv 7-40 and Maxon OD808 and the noise is still super quiet even without a gate. It's the quietest amp I've ever played.

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

+Scott Kroeker You can thank Mr Fortin's 33 pedal and amp design for that. 22 dB of clean boost in front of an already beefy amp results in some pretty intense whine, but the tone is worth it.

[@DadoSimicStudiostriver]

So I need splitter,cant just turn guitar there?

[@MattW4319]

How well does this work with rolling back volume? I’ve used to have the g-string and it still cut off the signal.

[@ddubbz1979]

What if you are throwing all pedals in front of a Laney AOR MV with no effects loop?

[@dtune30]

Late to the party but...Why not just use a Y splitter? Thinking pedal board application with a patch panel. you could just come off the guitar jack with 2 lines. One to the signal chain and the other to this. Isolated would be best in my opinion but why not? Would there be signal loss or additional noise introduced?

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

Like Mr. Fortin said himself, you could use something like a hosa Y splitter. However, I use that buffer for more than just this application.

[@leakingbeads3210]

Could it be possible to use the key input method with a preamp pedal going into my FX return somehow?

[@rustynales4597]

Isp decimator g string for life

[@deathmetalhead55]

I've got a question, my amp doesn't have an effects loop. Would I still be able to use the pedal? Excuse me for my utter lack of knowledge

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

You could, but it wouldn't provide much benefit over it's cheaper competition. You would be better off with a plain EHX Silencer or BOSS NS-2 for the money.

[@Depurity]

This may sound a bit ignorant, but excuse me forehand. What exactly does it do or what effect does it have when the key input switch is moved up or down?

[@PatrickJuhasz]

How does it react with sustained lead tones? Some gates cut the lead tones to far

[@toneconsultant]

Finally!!! The most important question that nobody’s answered. Any gate cuts noise or the signal. It’s the sustain & attack of a single note that makes or breaks your sound. How is the Zulu and it’s key input on that issue?

[@rocketPower047]

It still can get in the way if you turn it up too high

[@RapierGold]

Does it matter if my noise gate is in parallel? I know the isp g-string requires the loop to be in series.

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

This pedal definitely needs to be in a series loop if your parallel loop can't do a 100% wet mix, such as Mesa boogie fx loops that max out at about 85%.

[@RapierGold]

Plague Scythe Studios Do you know where the Powerball_2 maxes out? I'm thinking it will work. I have only tried the ISP_2. I will probably give the G-string version a go. If that doesn't work I'll try out a ZUUL.

[@bradleyrayson2955]

5:13 holy fucking feedback

[@RetroDoneRight]

Would it be worth getting this if I would only be using it with an axe fx 2?

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

Not at all. Tweaking the input gate and throwing a gate block after the amp will get you more than adequate results.

[@RetroDoneRight]

@@PlagueScytheStudios gracias, I figured but just wanted to make sure.

[@hectikmgj]

Great review, hopefully you can grow more to get a better camera lol

[@hectikmgj]

Nvm, for some reason this video started running at 144p when I clicked on it. Lol

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

+M1CKss I hate when the TV or mobile KZbin app does that to me. Thanks for watching!

[@hectikmgj]

Plague Scythe Studios yeah it was so dumb, the video before streamed fine at 1080p, stupid Spectrum trying to get me to pay more money for the next level up of bandwidth. I wish Florida still had Verizon FiOS instead of Frontier...sigh. Anyways, love your stuff, very articulate and informative. Also you remind me of my old find Nate haha you could be his twin.

[@ofwolves]

How does it work for a noisy high gain amp? With the preamp boosted up Almost all the way? Love to see and hear what it does for that.

[@timreichert9982]

I always go compressor first, noise gate second, overdrive third...

[@fragmanialains]

Juul

[@RobbieTayVaughan]

Anyone try the Hades Gate yet? I'm torn of these 2

[@matttaylor1449]

Hades Gate looks cool and is well hyped, but i'd go Zuul if you can afford it.

[@ildi991]

Where i can buy it?

[@lyfeviv4490]

KimDracula Tones google Mike Fortin. Are You daft? It is out of stock right now...

[@ЛисёнокФенек-ч1ч]

33 very noise pedal

[@Sebaskiller100]

Zuul vs ISP Decimator II G String. What is the winner? Why?

[@70mcnevin]

The G String works just as well and doesn't require a splitter of any kind. I have two of them on two boards where I switch between very high gain and clean sounds and they work great. The Zuul would be just as great if it didn't require the splitter. The argument that they didn't want to add it because someone might hook it up wrong doesn't hold water with me. If they would simply include a small diagram of how to hook it up, it would solve any potential issues.

[@eschristoffersen]

I would really think twice before supporting this company and their shady ethics. Hitting a small Ukrainian boutique company with a cease and desist is simply too low. Especially in these times.

[@srh361]

All noise gates except the boss ns-2 only have one knob so not sure how one knob is unusual.

[@hittinskinz24]

Over $200 for a noise gate is ridiculous.

[@nickpep9730]

Pricey, I agree...But so what, you get what you pay for! I've tried countless gates/noise suppressors($50 - over $200...cheap to expensive ) and none come close, or even compare to the Zuul or ISP Decimator (original, II, or II G string). Both amazing and worth the cost!! Again, in my opinion, why pay less for crap/or stuff that doesn't perform as you want it to/as good as it should.! If you use a high gain amp, and want a tight, noiseless setup, do yourself a favor (don't be cheap/....save up if you need)....disappointment won't be an issue with the Zuul or Decimator.

[@hittinskinz24]

Nick Pep for a noise gate, which just opens when you play, and closes when you don't, I don't understand what the difference is. Gates dont color your sound, or modulate. I have a gate that works like a charm and it was $20.

[@birdbraINCorporated]

$225??????

[@PlagueScytheStudios]

You must be new to Mike Fortin haha...

[@toneconsultant]

Plus shipping

[@kelvynyeang3207]

jesus speaks

[@8Junio76]

Thumbs down for all the commercial adds.

[@iptranslations1987]

NS2 is the way better!

[@ktmrider450exc]

Cut the hype fortin pedals suck