Meris Ottobit X is a modular stereo degradation and texture FX pedal that takes you into highly versatile Lo-Fi, crushing sound worlds.
In recent years, Meris has upgraded many of its pedals to the modular X Platform, including the Mercury X, Enzo X, and others.
Fans of audio degradation, glitch effects, and similar effects can now rejoice, as the popular Ottobit processor has also been added to the platform. Meris has released Ottobit X, a new stereo degradation and texture FX pedal.
Meris Ottobit X
Ottobit X is a new modular stereo degradation and texture pedal, ’80s nostalgia, pro audio heritage, advanced processing, and high-performance signal paths.
According to Meris, the Ottobit X upgrades the past vintage gaming-inspired devices, Ottobit Jr. and Ottobit Sr., with Lo-Fi sounds reminiscent of the ’80s.
Like the other X pedals, the Ottobit X has a similar user interface consisting of an OLED display, four knobs, three endless encoders, and four footswitches.
Modular Degradation
Modular here means that you can build your own vintage-inspired degradation and texture effects from a range of built-in ingredients.
They are sorted into 11 categories. It starts with the pre-amp section, housing four types: volume pedal, tube, vinyl, and wavefold.
Then, you have an advanced bit-crusher effect that combines sample rate and bit-crushing, with volume scaling and dry-blend capabilities. The third modular block is a filter with three types: ladder, state-variable, and a unique Otto Tron.
Moving on to the mighty glitch core that offers six distinct characterful types with which you can chop up your signals: grain freeze, expanded Ottobit Jr. Stutter, 2 (1 button loopers) Push Loop and Wikki Wikki (vinyl scratching, Tape Stop and Stutter Step)…
The pitch section offers five unique pitch shifter modes, including poly chroma, Otto Tune, micro tune, mono choma, and Lo-Fi. Ambiance features two all-new VHS Reverb and VHS delay processors that bring vintage-inspired ambiance to your sounds.
You can also infuse modulation with five modulation types: ring mod, div trem, tape mod, frequency shifter, and Otto Vibe. Alongside this, you have a clock section, a mixer, six modifiers, and expression options.
Part of the Meris Ottobit X engine is also a step sequencer. Unlike previous Ottobit pedals, it now has 16 steps and can be assigned to approximately 48 parameters, depending on the types selected.
With all these ingredients, a wide range of degradation effects can be crafted from scratch.
Connectivity
On the backside, you have stereo I/O with both line- and synth-level inputs, and an expression pedal jack.
Further, you have 5-pin DIN MIDI input/output, a USB-C port for firmware updates and MIDI, and a 9VDC power supply input.
Meris Ottobit X First Impression
The new Ottobit X looks like a powerful yet fun degradation playground, allowing you to delve very deeply and precisely define how your vintage FX should look and sound.
Compared to the other Ottobit models, this one seems less hands-on, but is much more powerful and versatile.
Meris Ottobit X is now available for $599 in black or multidimensional pink (the latter is already sold out).
More information here: Meris
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