[Full video with 7 Pedals by Liam Killen]
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For many synth players, expanding their sound on a budget often leads to the world of guitar pedals. Stereo multi-effects units are a creative goldmine, particularly for those in search of new inspiration. These versatile boxes aren’t just for guitarists; compatible with line-in instruments, they can dramatically widen your synth’s or keyboard’s sonic arsenal.
By processing your signal in true stereo, they create vast, immersive soundscapes. Imagine lush, spatial delays that bounce between channels, or shimmering, wide reverbs that fill the room. And that’s just scratching the surface, as many of the pedals in this article also feature deeper functionalities like creative routing, FX sequencers, or momentary footswitches.
A single stereo pedal can replace a whole chain of individual effects, offering a compact and powerful way to sculpt huge, three-dimensional synth tones.
THE BEST MULTI-EFFECTS PEDALS FOR SYNTHS
We’ve compiled a list of seven of the most inspiring multi-effects pedals for synthesizers. To truly showcase their potential, we’ve also created a companion video. The video is divided into two sections: a deep dive into each pedal’s features and sonic capabilities, and a side-by-side comparison of similar patches to highlight their unique workflow and ease of use. Each pedal’s entry includes links to the corresponding video segments.
1. EMPRESS ZOIA
Videos: Overview | Similar Patch Comparison
The Empress ZOIA is more than just a pedal; it’s a modular synthesis playground disguised in a compact enclosure. For synth players, its true power lies in its ability to become virtually any effect, utility, or even a mini-synth you can imagine. No wonder it’s also available in Eurorack format!
Instead of being limited to a fixed set of effects, you can build your own from the ground up using a vast library of modules, including oscillators, filters, LFOs, and sequencers. This level of customization allows you to create unique, complex soundscapes that are impossible with traditional pedals. It’s an ideal tool for experimental artists seeking to push their sound far beyond the ordinary.
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2. LINE 6 HX ONE
Videos: Overview | Similar Patch Comparison
The Line 6 HX One is a compact powerhouse that will attract synthesists with a “less is more” approach, since it can only play one effect at a time, but does so with flair and high quality algorithms. It brings the acclaimed HX effects engine to a single-stomp format, making it a stellar companion for any synthesizer. Its true stereo I/O is a game-changer, allowing you to create massive, immersive soundscapes that fill the stereo field.
With over 250 effects to choose from—including lush delays, spatial reverbs, and creative modulations—it offers an incredible range of sonic possibilities. The dedicated expression pedal input allows for dynamic, real-time control over any effect parameter, turning static sounds into evolving textures. It’s a simple yet incredibly deep pedal for sculpting and animating your synth tones.
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3. POLYEND MESS
Videos: Overview | Similar Patch Comparison
Built but what was until recently primarily a synth manufacturer, the Polyend MESS is far more than a simple multi-effects pedal; it’s a powerful step sequencer and effects processor hybrid built for creative experimentation. With over 120 high-quality effects and four independent effect tracks, you can layer, sequence, and modulate sounds with a level of control few pedals offer.
Its sequencer-driven workflow is a perfect match for synths, allowing you to add complex, evolving rhythmic textures to your sound. From glitchy, per-step sound manipulation to lush, generative soundscapes, the MESS turns effects into an instrument, making it an ideal companion for any synthesist looking to add motion and unpredictability to their sonic palette.
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4. WALRUS AUDIO QI
Videos: Overview | Similar Patch Comparison
With its organic approach to multi-effects, the Walrus Qi Etherealizer is an inspiring companion for any synthesist seeking to create vast, ambient soundscapes. This pedal is a complete creative playground, combining Chorus, Delay, Granular effects, and Reverb into a single unit. Its true stereo I/O is a crucial feature for synths, allowing your sounds to spread out and fill the stereo field with lush, immersive textures.
The ability to run the effects in series or parallel, combined with deep features like tap tempo, a resonant low-pass filter, and granular freezing, gives you unparalleled control. It’s an inspiring tool for turning a single synth note into an evolving, glitchy, and atmospheric universe.
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5. EVENTIDE H90
Videos: Overview | Similar Patch Comparison
The most expensive device in this list, the Eventide H90 is a professional-grade multi-effects processor that brings studio-quality algorithms to a pedal format, making it an ideal companion for any synthesizer. Its core power lies in its dual-engine architecture, which allows you to run and mix two powerful effects simultaneously, whether that’s a massive reverb followed by a lush delay or a complex pitch shift and modulation chain.
With over 60 algorithms at your disposal, including iconic effects from Eventide’s legendary studio rack units, the sonic possibilities are vast. Paired with its true stereo I/O and deep MIDI control, the H90 becomes an all-in-one sound design powerhouse, perfect for sculpting cinematic pads and evolving soundscapes.
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6. HOLOGRAM CHROMA CONSOLE
Videos: Overview | Similar Patch Comparison
The Hologram Console is a sonic laboratory with an intriguing approach and routing format. Its unique architecture gives you access to four separate effects in series, each with five distinct banks to choose from, allowing for an incredible depth of sound design. Designed for radical sound manipulation, it combines a unique blend of pitch-shifting, filtering, granular synthesis, and delay to transform any synth patch into an otherworldly soundscape. Its strength lies in its ability to create complex, evolving textures that are unpredictable and inspiring.
You can stack and arrange effects in unique ways, with the stereo I/O and comprehensive MIDI control providing seamless integration into any studio or live rig. The Console is the perfect tool for experimental artists seeking to push their sounds beyond the ordinary and discover entirely new sonic worlds.
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7. POLY EFFECTS BEEBO
Videos: Overview | Similar Patch Comparison
Similar in concept to the Zoia, the Poly Beebo is a powerful, touchscreen-driven modular effects processor that brings the flexibility of a Eurorack synthesizer to a compact pedal format.
Instead of a fixed signal chain, the Beebo allows you to design your own patches from scratch using a vast library of virtual modules. You can build complex, custom multi-effects, from multi-tap delays to intricate reverbs, or even create synth patches using modules ported from popular Eurorack manufacturers.
With its true stereo I/O and comprehensive MIDI control, the Beebo is a sound designer’s dream, offering an endless canvas for crafting unique and evolving sonic textures for live performance or studio production.
