Fortin Amplification Zuul Blackout Embossed

Zuul Blackout Embossed

£235.00

Highlights

• Compact, studio-grade noise gate for guitar and bass rigs, controlling unwanted noise without tone loss
• Transparent, tight gating preserves sustain, articulation and natural dynamics across clean and high-gain sounds
• Immediate, intuitive response encourages confident playing with no distraction from feel or phrasing
• Single threshold control shapes gate response and dynamics quickly, with wide usable range
• Advanced analogue gate circuit with KEY input for precise, instrument-triggered noise control
• Hand built for consistent performance, reliability and long-term confidence
• Robust all-metal enclosure designed for regular gigging, touring and everyday pedalboard use
• Blackout embossed graphics remain clear, understated and readable under stage lighting
• Dual-colour LED shows gate status clearly: open, closed or bypassed
• True bypass switching preserves original signal integrity when the pedal is disengaged
• Fully analogue signal path ensures natural tone and fast, accurate noise suppression
• Side-mounted jacks and top-mounted DC input support clean, space-efficient pedalboard layouts
• Covered by Fortin manufacturer warranty for dependable support and peace of mind

Description

The Fortin Zuul Blackout Embossed is a compact, studio-grade noise gate designed to control unwanted noise while preserving the natural response of a guitar or bass rig. Built for players who use anything from clean tones to modern high-gain sounds, it works equally well placed in front of an amplifier or within a series effects loop, making it suitable for straightforward pedalboard setups as well as more complex routing. Its simplicity and flexibility allow it to integrate naturally into a wide range of playing styles without drawing attention away from the performance.

Sonically, the Fortin Zuul Blackout Embossed is transparent and controlled, clamping down on noise without choking sustain or altering the core tone. It reacts only when needed, keeping palm-muted passages tight and articulate while allowing notes and chords to decay smoothly. The gate tracks playing dynamics accurately, responding to subtle changes in picking strength and volume, and remains consistent across different instruments and amplifier types thanks to its high-quality studio specifications.

In use, the Fortin Zuul Blackout Embossed feels immediate and intuitive. With a single Threshold control that also governs the dynamics of the gate circuit, it can be set quickly and confidently, encouraging a set-and-forget approach. Once dialled in, it stays out of the way, letting players focus on their feel and phrasing rather than constant adjustment, while still offering enough responsiveness to support expressive playing.

Sound shaping is handled entirely through the Threshold knob, which offers a wide and usable range. The response is smooth and predictable, making it easy to find the balance between firm noise suppression and natural sustain. A side switch allows the threshold range to be adjusted slightly so the gate engages sooner, compensating for different input signal levels and ensuring consistent behaviour across varied rigs.

At the heart of the Fortin Zuul Blackout Embossed is a carefully designed gate circuit intended for maximum clarity, performance and reliability rather than unnecessary complexity. The inclusion of a dedicated KEY input allows the gate to be triggered by a separate signal, such as a direct split from the guitar, while a different signal passes through the main input and output. This lets players move from clean to high-gain sounds without needing to reset the Threshold control, and ensures the gate responds only to the instrument itself rather than noise generated elsewhere in the signal chain. The pedal supports common routing options including two and four cable methods, with or without an amplifier effects loop.

The all-metal enclosure is robust and well suited to regular gigging and touring, offering dependable protection for everyday use. The Blackout Embossed finish gives the pedal a discreet, professional appearance that fits neatly on modern pedalboards without drawing unnecessary attention.

Clear graphics and labelling remain easy to read, even under low stage lighting, and contribute to a clean, uncluttered look. A dual-colour LED provides immediate visual feedback on the gate’s status, showing green when the gate is open, orange when it is closed, and switching off entirely when the pedal is bypassed, making it easy to see exactly what the circuit is doing at a glance.

The bypass circuit is designed to preserve signal integrity, ensuring that the original tone remains intact when the pedal is not engaged. Input, output, KEY jack and DC power connections are positioned for practical pedalboard layout, keeping cable runs tidy and reducing setup time.

Backed by the manufacturer’s warranty from Fortin Amps, the Zuul Blackout Embossed offers long-term confidence in both performance and build quality. Its combination of transparency, intelligent gating control and straightforward operation makes it a valuable addition to any guitarist’s or bassist’s rig, particularly for players who demand tight noise control without sacrificing feel or tone.

Controls

• FOOTSWITCH: Engages or bypasses the gate cleanly, preserving signal integrity and original tone
• THRESHOLD (GATE) KNOB: Sets noise cutoff and gate dynamics together, offering wide range and quick, intuitive adjustment
• SIDE SWITCH: Lowers threshold range so the gate engages sooner with lower-output pickups or signals
• KEY INPUT JACK: Triggers gating from a separate signal, maintaining consistent response across clean and high-gain tones
• DUAL-COLOUR LED: Shows gate status instantly: green open, orange closed, off when bypassed

Components and Technical Specifications

• Studio-grade components ensure consistent gating behaviour across guitars, basses and high-output signal sources
• High input impedance preserves pickup tone, dynamics and frequency response from passive and active instruments
• Low output impedance maintains clarity and signal strength through long cable runs and complex pedalboards
• Dedicated KEY input circuit enables external trigger control without affecting the main audio signal path
• Side switch alters internal threshold range to suit varying signal levels and pickup outputs
• True bypass switching preserves original tone when disengaged, with no added coloration or signal loss
• Dual-colour LED driven by gate circuit provides accurate visual feedback of real-time gate operation
• No battery support, ensuring consistent voltage headroom and reliable performance during extended use
• Powered by standard 9V centre negative supply
• Battery operation not supported
• Current draw measured with Truetone 1Spot mA Meter:
• Bypass: Approximately 46 mA
• Engaged (maximum): Approximately 58 mA

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: 112 mm / 4.4 in
• Width: 60 mm / 2.3 in
• Height: 31 mm / 1.2 in

Weight

• 211 g
• 0.47 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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