Meris Ottobit X Modular '80s Texture Engine Synth Effect Pedal

In one way or another, media defines us – one particular fan of the ancient art of physical media (shudder) is the Meris Ottobit X Modular '80s Texture Engine. Meris, masters of the digital realm that they are, turn their clocks backward to the radical and tubular times of the '80s. The golden era for many forms of physical media and a time that plenty of nostalgic musicmakers are enraptured with, the 1980s serve as a lush ground from which the Meris Ottobit evolves into its latest Meris X form.

The Ottobit X follows the lead of other Meris "X"-series modules. This upscaled, big-box version of the Ottobit glitch and synth pedal builds out with massive digital processing power delivering the sounds and playability well-known to Meris players along with a whole new world of glitchy, degraded, nostalgic possibilities. Centrally, the Ottobit X features a dynamite bit-crushing and glitch engine to summon all your favorite charmingly noisy and unpredictable effect mixes. From there, the Ottobit X blooms into its formidable form with an incredible inner brain of glitches, filters, reverbs, pitch-shifters, and preamps to become an all-in-one '80s-flavored synth pedal and module.

Six glitch styles color the Ottobit X's artful palette. Grain textures, vinyl textures, tape textures, sequencer textures, and more, introduce lush, artificial failures to any and every instrument for a lovingly made tribute to the bygone media technologies of old. These glitch styles evolve into soundscapes all their own with different styles of pitch shifting, modulation, and preamp for sounds hearkening to more traditional instrument-style sounds to the warbles of lo-fi, consumer-grade tech. Two new "Ambience" styles cut straight to the beloved tones of VHS home recording, if you needed that finicky, sorrowful styling in your sound – and you know you do!

Throughout the Ottobit X, Meris struts their stuff with easy playability across a ninety-nine-slot preset memory across thirty-three banks. Simply navigate the Ottobit X's internal memory with the module's footswitches and drop instantly into different matrixes of warped, wonky, nuanced, and nostalgic musicality. Front-facing dials intuitively shape effect parameters for instant tonal shaping easily navigated with the Ottobit X's large, colorful, and responsive LED display screen.

Playability is further built up with Meris connectivity and control. Independent stereo input and output jacks mean the Ottobit X is ready to be built out to robust stereo setups. Dedicated expression and five-pin MIDI in and out connections bring the Ottobit X straight to MIDI control and clock-enabled setups. The Ottobit X is, expectedly, incredibly digitally outfitted, though that doesn't impede upon the richness and naturalism of its sound quality, where an analog JFET input and premium analog signal path with 24-bit AD/DA conversion makes sure signals are transmitted with full fidelity to retain fullness and character. Standard nine-volt, center negative power requirements bring the Ottobit X to life seamlessly onstage, on a pedalboard, on a desk – wherever you want to send listeners back to the '80s.

Is it too late to go back to the '80s? It's never too late. If there was ever a time to try, the Meris Ottobit X makes it clear there's no time like the present.