ZAMP 3.1
– – (replaces the Master with Presence on the front panel and includes a mute button.)

I decided to finally sit down and try to improve on the ZAMP. I wanted a more refined tone and a better user interface, with independent control of gain and volume for each channel, as well as a global 4-band EQ.

The footswitches select channels 1, 2, and 3, which are green, red, and blue respectively.

On the Front Panel you will find Gain and Volume controls for each channel, as well as the global Low, Mid, High, and Pres along the bottom. At the lower right is a mute switch which is engaged upon loading the patch. Press to unmute.

I have done my best selecting the best usable range for each knob using several different pickup types and outputs. I could tinker with this for weeks and figured it’s fine like it is.

I tried many many many different OD module blends and combinations and ended up “happiest” with Classic and Plexi in parallel. The Cabsims put me in a similar predicament, and I settled on the odd combination of a 1×12 vintage and 4×12 Hifi in parallel. These alter the overall sound of the Zamp significantly and it may be worth going through them to suit your personal taste.

I was hoping to include a Reverb Lite, but I could not simplify the patch enough to keep it stable. Almost all of my adjustment was done through a pair of Sony MDR-7506s which are fairly standard and flat. Getting a natural amp tone out of Zoia has proven to be a difficult task based on the full frequency nature of the device. It took some digging into amp topology and filtering to try and get a bit closer. It responds well to your volume knob and pick attack, and I tried to set the compressors to replicate what an amp does. Frankly I love the challenge, but I’ll probably never be truly happy with this patch. Something on Zoia to jam into is nice to have at times. I will continue to improve on it if I can.

Please leave me feedback and recommendations in hopes that I can improve on it further. I hope you enjoy.

-Dann Bertola