| Zoom Multy Effects Pedals |
Swamp Rocker
IP:
Logged
Status: Preferred Member
Posts: 1,104
Join Date: 8/07/2006
 |
I am thinking of getting a multy effects pedal at some point. There are many out there . Technology has improved greatly and prices seem reasonable on some of them. The Digitech RP series are affordable. RP 500 is about $240 now.
Some have USB ports to interface with the computer for upgrades and recording. Some come with Cube Base software.
I have been reading reviews and listening to You Tubes. Some people have strong opinions and praises and complaints about different pedals.
Many people like the Boss GT-8 and 10 units but hate the complexity, The Boss ME 70 is simpler to deal with. I don't know how it compares sound quality wise with the GT series.
So has anyone owned or played any Zoom units. Many people love them. I tried a Zoom 12 years ago and didn't like it but today's Zoom ain't your grandma's Zoom. Zooms start at about $60 but the G2 units with expression pedal is $200.
Some people think the Zoom surpasses the RP;s for sound quality.
I play mostly Rock and Blues Rock so I don't need the Satanic Death Metal thing. Looking for great reverb and fuzz among other features. RP's have the lexicon reverb which is very good. Zoom fuzz is supposed to be good.
Maybe there are very good lesser known brands out there. Suggestions and opinions welcome.
Rack 11 is out of my league and it already got a bad review on Harmony.
| Post Date: 7/27/2010 @ 10:13 am |
|
|
|
RE: Zoom Multy Effects Pedals |
Julia_343
IP:
Logged
Status: Sr. Tube Nuker
Posts: 2,201
Join Date: 9/08/2007
|
The bad reviews about 11R are from people who IMO have no clue as to how to use the thing. Pro Tools itself has a steep learning curve -- this in itself is enough to turn people off. If they don't have a computer with compatible hardware they're screwed on it. I've actually played one of these units and I can tell you that the reviews of this product on HC are full of horse hockey. Where this unit shines is in the studio as a recording interface. This is what it was designed for. The nice thing about this unit is that it can be used live into a mixer and simultaneously into a laptop at a gig. Still for use with FRFR monitors you would need an EQ pedal or a rack EQ unit, as you pretty much do with anything, even a tube amp. It can also be used with a power amplifier into a guitar cabinet. Personally for studio use I would go the software route with the Eleven LE plugin.
I would seriously look at the Digitech RP500 or RP1000 if you do not need a recording interface. Digitech is made by Harmon which makes the Lexicon units. I have the Lexicon MX300 and the reverb and delays are fantastic.
I don't see very many Zooms around. I do know a couple people who use them, and they like them. But they are metal players.
What I would look at is support. Which company has the best support. Oh, and get it from Sweetwater -- they provide great support on everything they sell.
-------------------------------------
--- Soudružka Julia of the Vocal Assassins
--- Disclaimer: pay no attention to tonal advice from this poster if you are under 40 and play thrash.
How about a Costa Rican flag?
| Post Date: 7/27/2010 @ 1:47 pm |
|
|
|
|
RE: Zoom Multy Effects Pedals |
Swamp Rocker
IP:
Logged
Status: Preferred Member
Posts: 1,104
Join Date: 8/07/2006
|
Yep , the guy complained about the rack 11 for live performance. Well if it's studio gear then it's studio gear.
Ya Lexicon reverb is excellent, these have eclipsed spring reverb in many ways.
Will Chen at Frugalguitarist.com did a shootout review with the RP 250 and the Zoom G2.nu. He put clips up. Zoom is better than years ago, they sounded close actually. The RP 500 is down to $240 , but if I buy it the next generation will come out the next day.
| Post Date: 7/27/2010 @ 10:06 pm |
|
|
|
|
RE: Zoom Multy Effects Pedals |
Julia_343
IP:
Logged
Status: Sr. Tube Nuker
Posts: 2,201
Join Date: 9/08/2007
|
Digidesign is working on a firmware update that will make it more compatible with more midi switch pedals. This and the fact that with midi switching there is always about a 20 ms signal drop. So if someone wants to change channels in the middle of a song they need to adjust for that. Same thing when a person has a Marshall JVM that uses MIDI switching -- the choice is a 20 ms drop or a pop. Most amps use a different type of switching.
But it can easily be used live if one remembers to turn off the cabinet modeling. I'd recommend a set up like Zug's with the Eleven Rack for live use rather than a FRFR monitor. With the FRFR monitor you get a RECORDED miked sound -- like the audience hears out the PA system from a miked amp, NOT an amp sound. This does, however work fantastic in the studio. That would take some getting used to. Like I said, many people just don't know how to use this stuff, and there is a lot of prejudice toward modelers. Eleven Rack is a MODELER first that happens to come with some effects.
The RP500 and RP1000 are Multi-effects units that also happen to be modelers.
-------------------------------------
--- Soudružka Julia of the Vocal Assassins
--- Disclaimer: pay no attention to tonal advice from this poster if you are under 40 and play thrash.
How about a Costa Rican flag?
| Post Date: 7/28/2010 @ 12:32 am |
|
|
|
|
RE: Zoom Multy Effects Pedals |
Zug-uitar
IP:
Logged
Status: the green machine
Posts: 3,595
Join Date: 10/16/2006
|
Julia_343 said:
Digidesign is working on a firmware update...
===================================================
I don't know much about Digidesign. But Digitech has been "working on a firmware update" for the GSP1101 for the better part of a year. Most people on the official forum has given up hope that Digitech will actually deliver it. There is a really good unofficial update produced by Digitech staff called C48. It has a few flaws but is a big improvement over the prior official update.
All I am saying is beware of promised upgrades which may or may not ever happen. Exception: Fractal Systems has proven track record of upgrades to the Axe-FX firmware. But even there, people are waiting forever for a floor control unit.
 
this rig requires something with a little more kick... plutonium!
| Post Date: 7/28/2010 @ 12:54 am |
|
|
|
|
RE: Zoom Multy Effects Pedals |
Brazenman
IP:
Logged
Status: Old Rocker
Posts: 1,737
Join Date: 8/22/2008
|
I have a Zoom G1 pedal that I kept for many years. The patches are ok and passable but I kept it for the drums. Zoom are really good at drum sounds.
___________________
I dig my Bogner Alchemist 112. 
| Post Date: 7/28/2010 @ 10:58 am |
|
|
|
|
RE: Zoom Multy Effects Pedals |
da_guitar_boi
IP:
Logged
Status: Slow Dancing
Posts: 941
Join Date: 4/09/2007
|
I have a RP-1000 and I love it. Sounds great. Some of my friends have the 500 and it sounds just as good. It just has a few less features.
I don't know anything aboutnmodern zoom pedals so I can't comment there.
The boss me-50 was a really good pedal so I would assu e the me-70 is even better. The only thing about the ME pedals is that they are strictly multi effect pedals, no amp modeling. Which may or may not be a bad thing depending on Shay you are looking for.
Good luck and hope this helps.
****************************************************************************************************
Check out my newest recording. Slow Dancing in a Burning acoustic instrumental cover: http://soundclick.com/share?songid=9562801
****************************************************************************************************
People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don't realize how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world.
****************************************************************************************************
| Post Date: 7/28/2010 @ 11:12 am |
|
|
|
|
RE: Zoom Multy Effects Pedals |
Swamp Rocker
IP:
Logged
Status: Preferred Member
Posts: 1,104
Join Date: 8/07/2006
|
Thanks all yes it helps, Will Chen said the many of the RPs have the same good sound quality but some units have more features. One guy on You Tube said he thought the RP-500 was close enough to the 1000 for his needs. So with your 1000 you have a massive amount of options. Some think the wha pedals on any of them isn't quite there yet. I would probably never use Wha anyway. One guy on a GC review raves about the Whammy. Those Lexicon reverbs are real good , hard to beat. How is the echoplex, real ones are pretty cool, my friend has a couple of the old echoplex he just had fixed up. As I recall the tapes were always breaking on our bands echoplex.
Frugalguitarist .com has review and sound clips for The Zoom and the RP-250.
To me they sound close and both very good.
Digitech just lowered the prices, an RP 500 is $239 these days. Some one trick pony pedals are more than that.
| Post Date: 7/28/2010 @ 2:19 pm |
|
|
|
|
RE: Zoom Multy Effects Pedals |
da_guitar_boi
IP:
Logged
Status: Slow Dancing
Posts: 941
Join Date: 4/09/2007
|
I like the wah in it more than my cry baby.
The 1000 has an extra set of switches so you can use its "pedalboard" mode . this lets you have one row control which preset you are using and the top row of buttons can control different parameters of the preset (i.e. delay, reverb, gate, overdrive, etc.)
The 1000 also has a stomp loop and an amp loop. the stomp loop is basically a foot switchable effects loop for your other pedals, its pretty nice but it makes my delay go crazy. the amp loop lets you use your real amp preamp for your overdrive. that is really cool.
but, if you wouldn't use any of that it would probably be better to just go with the 500. I probably would have but I work at a music store and got a special deal ordering straight from Digitech.
Havent tried out the echo plex, i usually use the digital or modulated delay or my external nova delay.
****************************************************************************************************
Check out my newest recording. Slow Dancing in a Burning acoustic instrumental cover: http://soundclick.com/share?songid=9562801
****************************************************************************************************
People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don't realize how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world.
****************************************************************************************************
| Post Date: 7/28/2010 @ 4:19 pm |
|
|
|
|
RE: Zoom Multy Effects Pedals |
Swamp Rocker
IP:
Logged
Status: Preferred Member
Posts: 1,104
Join Date: 8/07/2006
|
Well that is good to hear. I'll get to GC soon and try out some of these. Thanks
| Post Date: 7/29/2010 @ 3:08 am |
|
|
|
|
RE: Zoom Multy Effects Pedals |
RacerXxx
IP:
Logged
Status: Member
Posts: 72
Join Date: 6/14/2010
 |
I wouldn't waste time with crap like digitech or zoom... unless that's all you can afford...they are basically the economy line of multi effects..
you want good, reliable amazing sounding effects go with lexicon or T.C Electronics
| Post Date: 8/14/2010 @ 12:58 pm |
|
|
|
|
RE: Zoom Multy Effects Pedals |
da_guitar_boi
IP:
Logged
Status: Slow Dancing
Posts: 941
Join Date: 4/09/2007
|
RacerXxx said:
I wouldn't waste time with crap like digitech or zoom... unless that's all you can afford...they are basically the economy line of multi effects..
you want good, reliable amazing sounding effects go with lexicon or T.C Electronics
===================================================
To me, my Rp-1000 is just as good and reliable as any other pedals I have including tc electronic, Boss, Line 6, or anything else I've ever played with. Have you tried the new Digitech line of pedals? If not then you might wanna check it out before giving advice on them, if you have then don't spout your opinions as facts.
****************************************************************************************************
Check out my newest recording. Slow Dancing in a Burning acoustic instrumental cover: http://soundclick.com/share?songid=9562801
****************************************************************************************************
People think it must be fun to be a super genius, but they don't realize how hard it is to put up with all the idiots in the world.
****************************************************************************************************
| Post Date: 8/14/2010 @ 3:15 pm |
|
|
|
|
RE: Zoom Multy Effects Pedals |
necoo
IP:
Logged
Status: Member
Posts: 5
Join Date: 8/13/2010
|
Yep , the guy complained about the rack 11 for live performance. Well if it's studio gear then it's studio gear.
Ya Lexicon reverb is excellent, these have eclipsed spring reverb in many ways.
Will Chen at Frugalguitarist.com did a shootout review with the RP 250 and the Zoom G2.nu. He put clips up. Zoom is better than years ago, they sounded close actually. The RP 500 is down to $240 , but if I buy it the next generation will come out the next day.
****************************************************************************************************
Clay Matthews Jersey  Brett Favre Jersey
****************************************************************************************************
| Post Date: 8/21/2010 @ 3:34 am |
|
|
|
|
|
