Chase Bliss has unveiled Lost + Found, its first true (dual, stereo) multi-effect pedal, marking a bold step into new sonic territory. As the second release in the company’s Small Batch Bliss series, this made-to-order pedal is a curated collection of rare and experimental effects designed to inspire musicians and sound designers alike.
Here’s a bullet-point-proof summary of what this circuit can do:
- 12 Unique Stereo Effects: Organized into six categories, each with two distinct modes:
- Reverbs: Slow-Verb (shoegaze-inspired) and Ambient Reverb
- Pitch Effects: Orchestral Swell and Pitch Repeater
- Modulation: Pinging Phaser and Spectral Modulator
- Delays: Tape Delay and Grain Tumbler (granular delay)
- Synths: Impulse Synthesizer and Sympathetic Resonator
- Lo-Fi/Texture: Ensemble Expander and Gen Lite (a mini Gen Loss)
- 144 Effect Combinations: Users can blend effects across stereo channels using dual three-way switches and a continuously variable A/B Modify control.
- Bonus Compressor/Saturator: Positioned at the end of the signal chain to add polish or chaos, depending on the user’s intent.
- Advanced Connectivity: Includes MIDI, CV, and Expression control, stereo I/O, internal modulation, and preset management (4 onboard, 122 via MIDI).
As always with Chase Bliss pedals, the Lost + Found features a nearly infinite number of tweaks via the various controls and 16 DIP switch on the back panel.
The Time knobs play a crucial role in shaping the behavior and feel of each effect. Here’s what they do:
- Each stereo channel (Left and Right) has its own Time knob, allowing independent control over the timing characteristics of the selected effects.
- Time adjusts parameters like delay length, reverb decay, modulation rate, or grain size, depending on the mode selected. For example:
– In delay modes, Time controls the delay length.
– In reverb modes, it affects the decay or bloom.
– In granular or pitch modes, it can influence how grains are stretched or how pitch tracking responds.
Tey also interact with Other Controls
- Modify Knobs: These work alongside the Time knobs to fine-tune the behavior of each effect. Setting Modify near noon often mellows the effect, while extremes can intensify modulation or pitch shifts.
- Blend Knob: Lets you mix between the Left and Right channel effects, which are shaped by their respective Time settings.
- Routing Options: You can route effects Left to Right, sum them, or reverse them, making Time adjustments even more dynamic in stereo setups.
Inspired by founder Joel Korte’s early experiments with multi-effects (notably the Zoom RP200), Lost + Found is a tribute to sonic curiosity. It’s designed not as a utilitarian tool, but as a “museum of the rare and strange,” offering textures that range from phasing resonators to melting synth octaves.
The pedal is part of Chase Bliss’s Small Batch Bliss line—a made-to-order series that allows builders to experiment with new designs without financial risk. Customers can preorder within a month-long window, ensuring everyone who wants one gets one.
With Lost + Found, Chase Bliss continues to push the boundaries of analog-digital hybrid design, offering a playground for those who crave the unexpected.
