ZIM VOICES

VOICE
Sound is modified by it's surroundings. All rooms and outdoor settings sound different. The same is true for amps. Every amp has it's own voice. The way you position your amp will affect the way it sounds. There are too many factors to list that can contribute to the way your rig sounds in any given situation. The VOICE section in ZIM uses phase cancellations to simulate the ways that your tone is affected by factors such as your amp, how it's positioned, and the acoustic space you're in. You can even use it to simulate the sound of different speaker cabs, mic'd different ways. Whether you're using it as an EQ to compensate, or to get interesting new sounds, The voice section of ZIM opens up a new world of possibilities for your overdrive and lead tones. A little bit of experimentation will reveal classic rock guitar tones that you've heard but were never able to capture.

Each of the eight VOICE selections can be boosted or cut, creating a total of 16 different voices. Extreme clockwise and counterclockwise settings will create the most severe cancellations, while in-between settings will create more subtle, and useful effects. VOICE can be used to compensate for natural nuances in amps or on stages, or it can be used for special effects.

VOICE instead of an EQ
ZIM's Voice feature is a great alternative for guitarists who just don't get along with EQ's. There's only so much you can do with graphic EQ's. Parametric EQ's are better, but they can also be a pain in the butt to work with and can deliver disappointing results when used with electric guitar. ZIM's approach is to deliver a full-range signal with plenty of low and high end to the Voice circuit. The Voice circuit gives back 16 distinct tone colors to choose from. Technically, the 8-position selector switch lets you dial in one-through-eight stages of phase shift. And the boost/cut knob lets you dial in your selection either in phase or out of phase with the source signal. This results in 16 individual and distinct tone colors. Some are instantly identifiable, some are pretty wacky, but all of them can be used to create great guitar sounds when used in the right context. Whether you need more/less treble, mid, bass, presence, life, whatever, you'll find it in the voicing section.

VOICE settings
Here's the best way to get acquainted with VOICE.

Set ZIM up for a high gain sound. Turn on both channels and select the bridge pickup on your guitar. Come up with some stock riffs for comparing settings. Now, turn the Boost/Cut knob up all the way for max boost. Starting on setting #1, spend about a minute playing through each of the 8 settings. Now, do the same thing with the Boost/cut knob down all the way for max cut. It's easy to get carried away…. Each time you get used to playing through any given setting, try a different random selection. You'll be amazed at how different they sound from one another. But at the same time, it's easy to get used to any one given selection. Try turning the Boost/Cut knob to it's center detent position. That's what it sounds like without any voice selection. As you continue to experiment, try dialing in some less-severe settings. It's easy to turn that Boost/Cut knob all the way and click through the selections to get some cool sounds, but in a normal musical setting you'll probably want to back the Boost/Cut off a little bit so it's closer to the center.

Clean sounds
At the lower drive settings ZIM is capable of augmenting your clean tone with a slightly compressed, more resonant tone. For some nice warm tones, set up Ch B for a clean sound. Turn the Drive knob down all the way and increase the volume to compensate. You can crack open the drive a notch or two if you want.. Turn the Boost/Cut knob to boost territory and click through the selections. This will give a nice "woody" tone. And with the right Voice selection, you'll be able to get a warm sound that blends well with the band while still cutting through. For a boost, set up Ch A with the drive down all the way and adjust the volume for the right amount of boost when both A and B are on. If you really like how the voicing works on your clean signal, and would like it pristine-clean ask about the "CleanCard" that will be available for ZIM.

70's rock
Set up Ch B for a heavy sound, but don't turn the drive up all the way. Turn the Boost/Cut knob counter clockwise, for CUT. Crank up the volume to compensate. Click through the voice settings - try some Led Zeppelin and Thin Lizzy riffs. It's easy to find that raw "Communication Breakdown" type of sound. CUT is good for getting a good upper-midrange sound that cuts through. Set up Ch A for max gain for an almost fuzzed out type of sound when both channels are on.

80's metal
Set up Ch B for max drive. Turn the Boost/Cut clock wise for Boost. Use a guitar with humbuckers and select the bridge pickup. Play some cheesy 80's metal riffs while going through the Voice selections. The higher you go, the more notched-out it gets. Set up Ch A for lead sustain - go for the highest reasonable gain setting. Be careful about cranking the drive on both channels at the same time - that's a huge amount of gain. If you do this and it oscillates, back off! High gain sounds great at low levels, and this is one area where ZIM really shines. But it's important to realize that when you play loud you don't need nearly as much gain.