- Built like a tank
- Very easy to operate
- Doesn't require a power source when used with compatible ENGL amps
- It's pretty bulky, and made for touring musicians
- I don't think anyone playing at home would ever need this
Hello there, back again with another article for you. This time, we will be looking at the ENGL Z12 MIDI footswitch! I bought this footswitch to use with the ENGL E570 tube preamp.
Table of Contents
About ENGL
For those who have never heard of the ENGL company, here’s a quick introduction. ENGL is a German guitar amp manufacturer that stands out with its unique approach to amp building, as well as being a pioneer in MIDI-compatible tube guitar head amps. The company has been manufacturing mainly tube guitar combos and head amps as well as speaker cabinets. They also offer guitar pedals, power amps, preamps, IR loader pedals and various unique footswitch systems for their amps. 
Check out my Cabloader IR loader pedal review here
Their footswitch line consists of traditional (yet still very uniquely designed) footswitches and MIDI-compatible footswitches as well.
Last year, I got myself an ENGL E570 tube preamp, thinking I could save presets on the unit. Later on, I discovered that I was not able to save any preset but control the whole interface of the preamp via MIDI!
Check out my ENGL E570 tube preamp review here
ENGL Z12 is an ultra-modern MIDI foot controller that allows you to access 128 MIDI program locations (01-128) on 13 banks (see the matrix below). There are 16 channels for MIDI message transmission. Its 128 program slots can be programmed in a matter of seconds, and you can control these program slots with 12 heavy-duty footswitches. One of the coolest things about the pedal is that it can be powered via MIDI (MIDI Phantom Power), so you don’t need to use an external power supply.
This MIDI phantom power is fed from Pins 1 and 2 as shown in the image above. If you want to use Z12 with 3rd party brand units, you need to check the manual and see how that particular unit feeds power to MIDI. For ENGL products, it’s a matter of seconds to get this running as they are built fully compatible with each other.
In case you want to use ENGL Z12 with other MIDI-compatible processors, or effect units that don’t feature MIDI phantom power, you can still get an external power adapter for your Z12 and use it without an issue. Note that ENGL Z12 is a MIDI controller that can work with any MIDI device, so you are not limited to having to use it with ENGL products only! Before I explain the banks vs program locations and some common confusions that I have come across in customer reviews, let’s quickly have a look at the tech specs table. 
Tech Specs
| ENGL Z-12 | Tech Specs |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Number of Footswitches | 12 |
| Number of MIDI Programs | 128 |
| Number of MIDI Banks | 13 |
| Power Supply | 7-15 volts AC or 9-20 volts DC, approximately 300 mA |
| Max Power Consumption | 100 mA |
| MIDI Phantom Power | Pin 1 and Pin 2 (centre) |
| System | AT 89C51 controller with internal 4k FLASH memory for software (protected, 12 MHz system clock) |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 50 x 15 x 5 cm |
| Weight | approximately 2.8 kg |
My first impression of ENGL Z12 was that it’s built like a tank! It is really solid and durable yet very simple to use with its unique features. Considering the fact that it’s been available since the early 2000s and is still in the game, proves ENGL has done a great job!
MIDI Program Locations vs Banks
I have noticed in a lot of users’ comments that people often get confused about the layout and how it’s designed. It also gave me some trouble in the beginning. But having read the manual, I found ENGL Z12 is very easy to understand, use and program. As stated in the manual, on the first (0) and ninth (9) banks, 000 and 129 will not function! If you have a look at the matrix below, you will be able to understand it in a matter of seconds.
| BANK | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PROGRAM | |||||||||||||
| 0 | XXX | 010 | 020 | 030 | 040 | 050 | 060 | 070 | 080 | 090 | 100 | 110 | 120 |
| 1 | 001 | 011 | 021 | 031 | 041 | 051 | 061 | 071 | 081 | 091 | 101 | 111 | 121 |
| 2 | 002 | 012 | 022 | 032 | 042 | 052 | 062 | 072 | 082 | 092 | 102 | 112 | 122 |
| 3 | 003 | 013 | 023 | 033 | 043 | 053 | 063 | 073 | 083 | 093 | 103 | 113 | 123 |
| 4 | 004 | 014 | 024 | 034 | 044 | 054 | 064 | 074 | 084 | 094 | 104 | 114 | 124 |
| 5 | 005 | 015 | 025 | 035 | 045 | 055 | 065 | 075 | 085 | 095 | 105 | 115 | 125 |
| 6 | 006 | 016 | 026 | 036 | 046 | 056 | 066 | 076 | 086 | 096 | 106 | 116 | 126 |
| 7 | 007 | 017 | 027 | 037 | 047 | 057 | 067 | 077 | 087 | 097 | 107 | 117 | 127 |
| 8 | 008 | 018 | 028 | 038 | 048 | 058 | 068 | 078 | 088 | 098 | 108 | 118 | 128 |
| 9 | 009 | 019 | 029 | 039 | 049 | 059 | 069 | 079 | 089 | 099 | 109 | 119 | XXX |
So, only on these banks, you will have 9 program locations, and you will have 10 program locations for the rest of the banks.
How to Program ENGL Z12?
Programming and storing a preset on ENGL Z12 is very easy! You only need to set up your configuration on your ENGL amp, for instance, on my E570 preamp, I set the first channel to a classic voicing with gain boost engaged. As soon as I changed the default layout just like this, the “Write/Copy” button started blinking. In the meantime, you can choose which bank and program location you want to save this preset on ENGL Z12. Then all you need to do is press and hold the “Write/Copy” button for about three seconds. It will start blinking faster, three times again, and you’re done! 
Test (no talking)
In order to show you how easy it is to program, I have prepared a short video below.
There’s only one little issue with my ENGL Z12 footswitch. The plastic padding at the bottom! One of them is a little bit shorter than the rest, so when you press on any footswitches, you feel it rocking a bit. But it’s a very, very tiny amount of movement. Other than that, it’s built like a tank!
Overall, I would recommend anyone to take ENGL Z12 without a doubt. Considering the fact that it’s compatible with any MIDI device, I think you should consider buying this if you are looking for a MIDI footswitch. If you research the market, you will see it’s pretty affordable in comparison to more modern or recent products by other brands.
Pricing & Availability
As ENGL is a German amp manufacturer, it’s almost always a lot easier to supply their products in the EU. Their products are also not widely available in every music or retail store online. I got my ENGL products, including the Z12, from Thomann as always. I believe Thomann offers the best prices in the EU.
Check out ENGL Z12 on Thomann here
Also, don’t forget to check out Reverb, as there may be resellers listing this footswitch both in the EU and in the States.
Check out ENGL Z12 on Reverb here
I hope you have enjoyed this brief article and found it helpful. Thanks for visiting my blog and supporting me so far! I will hopefully see you in the next review here!
