Fortin Amplification Zuul + Blackout

Zuul + Blackout

£245.00

Highlights

• Professional noise gate pedal designed for guitarists and bassists
• Delivers tight, noise free sound without sacrificing tone or sustain
• Feels responsive and natural, tracking your playing with precision
• Threshold, Hold, and Release controls shape gating to your style
• Key In/Thru circuit with ground lift keeps signal clean in complex rigs
• Built in the USA with premium components for long term reliability
• Rugged gloss black metal flake enclosure withstands touring and studio use
• Minimalist white graphics give a clear, understated stage ready look
• Dual colour LED instantly shows gate status during performance
• True bypass switching preserves tone integrity when the pedal is off
• Fully analogue signal path ensures pure sound with no digital interference
• Compact jack layout and DC input optimise pedalboard space and routing
• Supported by Fortin’s limited warranty for peace of mind

Description

The Fortin Amplification Zuul + Blackout is a high performance noise gate pedal built for guitarists and bassists who demand precise noise control without sacrificing the character of their sound. Designed as the evolution of the original Zuul, the Zuul + adds expanded features including Key In/Key Thru with ground lift, and fully adjustable Threshold, Hold, and Release controls. Compact yet powerful, it integrates effortlessly into any rig, whether placed in front of an amplifier, in an effects loop, or in complex 2CM, 3CM, or 4CM setups.

Sonically, the Fortin Amplification Zuul + Blackout preserves your instrument’s tone while silencing unwanted hiss, hum, and floor noise. Its ultra fast gate tracks your playing with precision, ensuring tight, articulate riffing at high gain while allowing sustained notes and natural dynamics to remain intact. When used with the Key In/Thru circuit, the gate reacts directly to your instrument rather than distorted signals, maintaining clarity across clean passages, heavy chugs, and effects laden textures alike.

Playing through the Fortin Amplification Zuul + Blackout feels natural and responsive. The pedal follows your phrasing and dynamics instead of working against them, giving complete confidence in both rehearsal and performance. Silences fall instantly when you pause, yet sustained notes breathe without choking, making the gate feel more like a transparent extension of your playing than an intrusive effect.

The control layout is intuitive and flexible. The Threshold sets the gate’s sensitivity, Hold determines how long it remains open between notes, and Release shapes how quickly it closes, from sharp and abrupt to smooth and gradual. These parameters provide precise tailoring for different styles, whether you need aggressive gating for percussive riffs or subtle control for cleaner tones. A dual colour LED gives instant visual feedback, green when the gate is open, red when closed, and off in bypass, making it easy to monitor during performances.

At the circuit level, the Fortin Amplification Zuul + Blackout is designed for accuracy and reliability. The buffered Key In/Thru jacks eliminate the need for splitters while the ground lift switch prevents hum in more complex cabling setups. Its true bypass switching preserves tonal purity when the gate is not engaged, while the internal charge pump supports 9 to 12V operation for increased headroom and consistent performance.

The build quality reflects Fortin’s focus on durability. Housed in a gloss black metal flake enclosure with white screened graphics, the Fortin Amplification Zuul + Blackout is compact, rugged, and ready for touring. Its understated finish suits a professional pedalboard while remaining visually clear under stage lights.

The single bi colour LED ensures the pedal’s state is always visible, even on dark stages, while the sensibly placed jacks and DC input make it easy to integrate into any setup. The Fortin Amplification Zuul + Blackout is powered by a standard regulated 9 to 12V DC supply and ships with Fortin’s limited one year warranty, offering peace of mind for regular gigging and studio use.

In summary, the Fortin Amplification Zuul + Blackout sets the standard for modern noise gating. With its responsive control, transparent sound, rugged construction, and professional feature set, it is an essential tool for players who want total command of their signal without compromise. From high gain metal to ambient soundscapes, it delivers silence when you need it and clarity when it counts.

Controls

• FOOTSWITCH: Engages or disengages instantly, your pure tone remains untouched when off
• GATE (Threshold): Adjusts noise sensitivity, dial in tight chugs or preserve gentle dynamics
• HOLD: Keeps the gate open through short pauses, ideal for natural phrasing and sustain
• RELEASE: Controls how fast the gate closes, snappy for metal, smooth for ambient styles
• SIDE SWITCH: Shifts threshold range, handy for adapting to stronger or weaker input signals
• KEY IN / KEY THRU: Trigger the gate from your clean signal, perfect for complex high gain rigs
• GROUND LIFT SWITCH: Eliminates hum when running 3CM or 4CM—clearer sound, quieter stages
• DUAL-COLOUR LED: Shows gate status at a glance, green=open, orange/red=closed, off=bypass

Components and Technical Specifications

• Built with high grade components for superior tone and long term reliability
• True bypass switching ensures your original signal remains clear when the pedal is off
• Buffered Key In maintains consistency and prevents tone loss in complex signal chains
• Dual colour LED provides instant feedback on gate status, even on dark stages
• Internal charge pump design increases voltage headroom for clean and stable performance
• Key Thru with ground lift switch eliminates unwanted hum in multi cable setups
• Wide 120dB dynamic range keeps playing articulate from quiet passages to heavy riffs
• Very low 0.025% total harmonic distortion preserves clarity across all frequencies
• Suits 2CM, 3CM, and 4CM rig applications for versatile setup options
• Powered by standard 9V to 12V centre negative supply
• Battery operation not supported
• Current draw measured using a Truetone 1Spot mA Meter:
• Less than 44 mA bypass
• Less than 53 mA maximum

Current draw may vary slightly depending on control settings, circuit behaviour, and active features such as gain stages, modulation, filtering, or reverb tails. For best performance, use a high quality isolated power supply that matches the pedal’s current requirements. Always refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations, as incorrect powering may cause damage.

Enclosure Dimensions

• Depth: 110 mm / 4.33 in
• Width: 58 mm / 2.28 in
• Height: 31 mm / 1.22 in

Weight

• 241 g
• 0.53 lbs

Official UK Dealers

FX Pedal Planet Limited and FX Pedal Planet Online Store proudly serve as UK dealers for Fortin Amplification effects pedals. If we do not have the specific Fortin Amplification pedal you are looking for, please reach out to us via the contacts page, and will order it on our next stock order for you at the best price and customer service.

Buy Today and Pay Over Time

To give our customers flexibility and a pleasurable shopping experience, FX Pedal Planet Online Store accepts Klarna, Afterpay, Clearpay and Google Pay.

Klarna is a smooth and safe way to get what you want today, and pay over time. Afterpay allows customers to pay in four interest free instalments, budget your spending and earn rewards when you shop.

UK Deliveries

For our UK customers, we provide FREE 24 hour DHL tracked and signed delivery, ensuring your order arrives swiftly and securely.

International Deliveries

International deliveries are dispatched with DHL, ensuring fast shipping and efficient processing through customs.

For more information on deliveries and charges, please refer to our Deliveries and Charges.

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