Zoom G2.1U Guitar Effects Pedal with USB Interface

Zoom G2.1U Guitar Effects Pedal with USB Interface

Technical Details

Effect Types: 54

Effect Modules: 9

Maximum Simultaneous Effects: 9

Patch Memory: User 40+Preset 40, Total 80

Sampling Frequency: 96kHz


Product Description


The Zoom G2.1u takes guitar multi-effects to the next levelConventional floor-type multi-effect processors are designed to sound good when they are plugged into a guitar amp. Modeling processors are designed for recording in line. Until now, there was no product that could handle both scenarios with equal finesse. Introducing The G Series from Zoom. Each G Series Pedal offers two algorithms: One for live and one for recording. The sound you created at practice or in the studio can now be brought straight to the stage. Or take the sounds you worked out during a rehearsal and apply them seamlessly in the recording studio. Your creative scope has suddenly doubled.Zoom G2.1U Guitar Effects Pedal FeaturesUSB audio interface (cable sold separately)Built-on Expression PedalHarmonized pitch shifterWorld fastest patch changeBuilt-in PCM drum machine96 kHz Sampling Brings Out Authentic Sounding Tube Amp HarmonicsEveryone knows that the sound of tube amplifiers is the ultimate in guitar tone. By employing high-accuracy sampling at 96 kHz, G Series pedals faithfully model these sonic properties, right up to the highest harmonic register. Dynamic range is also excellent, thanks to 24-bit A/D/A conversion. These extremely high levels of digital processing also make your playing sound cleaner and clearer thanks to the fast processing speeds.ZFX-3: A New-Generation DSP from ZOOMThe heart of any multi-effect device is its processor and decoder section. Zoom has reached a new level with its newly developed ZFX-3 chip. 32-bit architecture ensures smooth and detailed signal processing. Accuracy and speed bring out the character of your instrument without restrictions.54 High-Quality Effects Made Possible By 32-Bit ProcessingA total of nine effects modules are included, including dynamics, ambience, drive, and modul
 
Reviews
 
I've had this unit for over a year now, and have used it for practicing (mainly through headphones, occasionally plugged in to my little Marshall MG15-CDR), a few jam sessions, and a bit of recording into GarageBand on my MacBook Pro.




On the positive side:

- Very solid construction.

- USB audio interface works great with GarageBand, both for input (guitar signal going to MacBook) and monitoring (listening to already recorded tracks plus the track your recording via the G2.1u's headphone output). When connected via USB, it gets power via USB too.

- Runs for several hours on 4AA batteries. I use rechargeables. (Never bothered with an external AC adapter).

- Excellent sound quality. All the fx sound quite good. The ZNR soft noise reduction really handy if you've got a bit of low-level hum/buzz from single-coil pickups.

- Pretty easy to dial in your own sounds.



A couple of downsides:

- No aux input! IMO this is *the* single missing feature that limits this units usefulness for practicing. I would love to be able to plug in iPod. (Thinking of buying a Line 6 Pocket POD for this).

- The cabinet / mic modelling doesn't sound very convincing to me.

- With only two foot switches for stepping up/down through your list of patches, it can be awkward switching patches in the middle of a tune (e.g. between rhythm and lead settings) unless you've stored them on adjacent patch numbers. Really no way around that without having a bigger box with more footswitches.



All in all, a nice unit, and good value. Probably most useful as a recording interface using the excellent USB audio interface. OK for for live use (with caveat about limited footswitches) and for practicing (as long as you don't want to jam along with your iPOD).



..............



Update December 2008: I got myself a Vox Amplug AC-30 a while back. Fun little unit (if a bit overpriced for what it does) - plug it into your guitar, plug in a mp3 player & some headphones, and jam away. Turns out it can also be used to get around the G2.1u's lack of an Aux input.



Just plug the Amplug into the G2.1u's output, and connect your headphones and mp3 player to the amplug. With the right settings on the Amplug (at least the AC-30 version), the Amplug runs pretty clean, so at the Amplug's headphone output you hear essentially the same as you'd hear if you plugged your headphones directly into the G2.1u.



Obviously this is a bit of a kludge, but if you happen to have both units, this is an option...