I quarantined with a Beebo, a ZOIA, and a Microcosm.
Simply put - I played a bunch of gear last year. I noticed for myself, I had lost interest in drive pedals and was being hit by the need to get more in-depth.
But not like, break out a soldering iron type of in-depth and make the world’s next best Tubescreamer clone now featuring more meh.
Pedals like Beebo and Zoia specifically really did allow me to understand more of the fundamentals of what is happening under the hood of many modulating sounds that have enthralled me over the years from other makers. I had become quite well-versed at programming midi for devices like a Line 6 HX Stomp or a Morningstar MC8 for instance - but the virtual patching and internal adjustments that you can do in Beebo/Zoia is unparalleled.
So many random experimental ideas and ways to control another effect could be explored. Even random moments of an issue presenting itself in a larger midi environment could be solved with clever midi filtering in either of these devices. I could now virtually build my own synth or just have a cool guitar preamp/cab with my choice of customized effects - without a laptop or a VST let alone a DAW!
Talk about the flyrig potential with just a KeyStep!
The Microcosm itself is just an amazing little beast. Sometimes, when something is so good at doing a thing you never knew you needed - you don’t really question it too much.
Best to enjoy the awesomeness I say.
As of this writing, Poly Effects released firmware 3.5 for Beebo while Empress Effects recently released 2.0 for Zoia. Hologram Effects as well has a recent update for the Microcosm that improves the experience/integration.
When you find the right gear for yourself that both inspires you and challenges you the right ways it really can lead to amazing tonal discovery :)