Zoom G1u

i bought this to replace my Vamp2 for DI recordings.
i got this over the G1,G2 and the G2R(richie kotzen model) as i wanted something that i could tweak on the computer...rather than hold buttons down while twisting and doing a handstand on the actual unit. i also wanted something small to sit on my desktop.

the G1u was perfect...had no problems installing the ZFX tools program on my PC.

i must add that i dont use the G1u as my computers Audio interface (it can via usb) as i have a presonus firewire interface with cubase. so ive just connected the zooms out into the presonus input and monitor through cubase. it is easy to disable the Zoom audio interface function (which i initially concerned about running into issues having 2 audio interfaces) and simply use the zfx to edit the patches. the drummer/bass patches still output through usb but through the presonus interface.

ive also managed to download some preset patches off the Zfx site and installed them with ease.

i would give ease of use 9/10 if you have used/tweaked any multifx/editing software in the past.

i would rate it quite low without the ZFX tools program

ive owned zoom products in the past...when i was first starting out i had the 505 and 1010. i have since gone through all sorts of multifx/racks (line6 pods/pedals, eventide, boss etc) but just for the purpose of recording DI...i chose a behringer Vamp2.
i replaced the vamp2 with the G1u due to the size/portability of the zoom.

the preset patches are ok but after some tweaking (eq and cab sim) i was happy with some tones.
im really impressed with the richie kotzen presets (downloaded from ZFX site) however some of the settings did not have the cab sims turned on, even thou ZFX stated that they were on...simple fix and the sounds were much better.

it is good for what it is and i wish i had access to this type of sounds/fx when i was first starting out.

im only using the G1u for recording song/riff/lead ideas DI on the computer. for "proper" recordings i prefer to mic up the amp cab.

ive only purchased this unit yesterday. the enclosure,switches are plastic and have a cheap feel to them. this does not concern me as the unit is placed on my desktop and i dont even need to touch/see it due to the ZFX program.

i wouldnt gig with it of if you really like to stomp down hard on it.

i emailed zoom prior to purchasing this unit as i had concerns Regarding the USB connectivity and G1u audio interface conflicting with my Presonus Firewire interface.

they responded promptly (i emailed on friday and the responded on monday...im in australia) and were very helpful with my questions.

im very happy with this G1u for what it is (practice and recording tool)

ive been playing for around 15years and have gone through a lot of equipment ranging from low level to high end stuff.
my taste in playing style is all over the place from jazz, brutal down tuned 7 string metal, hard rock, blues, fuzion and shred.

i love the versatility of this pedal and understand that its a jack of all trades and not a master of one...however it is a great tool for dialing in a an amp tone, complementing it with some fx and tweaking it further with just a few clicks and scrolls of a mouse and simply recording. great product and again...wish i had access to something like this when i was first starting out.

also...id rate the G1u better than the Behringer Vamp2 and Pod V1

Portable USB sound interface and guitar effects processing unit.

Designed for guitar input only - no input trim level, clip indicators or limiter.

Plastic, but tough plastic. (Guitar in jack etc feels studier under wobble than on RP155 although that has metal chassis.)

Manual implies you would use it as stomp box. The stomp buttons, which are used for patch up or down offer a satisfactory amount of resistence although plastic. Unusual design, but quite artful. I am using it on a desk with a laptop. I would gig with it as a last resort, but i don't think it would be happy if trodden on, and it could be fatal. However for home use I am sure it can be foot operated. The overall form is good, fairly tough and less than 500g.

USB 2.0

The high imp guitar preamp quality is good, notwithstanding the fact that you cant restrict the signal at the pre amp stage-you can only turn down the patch level. This means you need to keep your level wound back if you are using effects on the way. I found this took a bit of tweaking but I was ultimately satisfied with the noise level using the line out of my valve marshall amp into it. If you are just going to plug a guitar straight into it, as I'm sure they intended, the guitar pre amp is very clear.

The output level is also satisfactory. I was using a Digitech RP155 which is a fairly similar product, but I found that with my Grado SR60 headphones I needed to increase the drive in order to get decent monitoring volumes. However this has a lot more output. This may be because it is rated at the 32 Ohms as my headphones though; not sure. In any case using it a soundcard they can be driven to epic levels and I have the volume down to about 20% in Control Panel.

There is an audible hiss but it is really lost in the background-I mean unless you stand there and listen to it. I previously owned a Pocket Pod and man! that thing was noisy. But this is a really mild case and certainly nothing to worry about.

There is no aux input which is slightly dissapointing, but then I guess they will expect you to use a PC to get backing tracks. Moreover this does work as a proper sound card, not just as a ASIO device- so you can listen to your Itunes or DVD tutorials through VLC media player on it.

Overall-it is basic-but it is a clear, guitar input featuring processing in the unit so unlike some of the Pod products you dont have to worry about latency as you have real direct monitoring.

USB powered, battery powered or will accept AC adapter 9v @ 300mA.
Cant say farier that that!

Sampling Frequency : 96kHz ???A/D Conversion : 24bit, 64times over-sampling ???D/A Conversion : 24bit, 128times over-sampling ???Signal Processing : 32bit

Includes ASIO driver CD.

Seems ample enough-in my opinion stereo WAV file and CD quality would be acceptable on this type of unit.

It has backing drum patterns on the unit which are decent.

Ableton Live Lite-haven't used it that much; I'm sure it will do the job although I think it is restricted.

ZFX tools - composes several elements.
1. Simple multi-track recorder.
2. Number of backing tracks availible - drummer and bassist. This feature could be really useful. I have wasted a lot of time playing with MIDI sequencers/soft synths trying to get good backing from MIDIs. With this you can simply pop up the chords, play along, record, create a new track, record another part, etc. The backing is going to be okay for practice and recording-once you have put a couple of layers over the top. I wouldn't use it to create backing tracks for live use, but I guess that is a subjective thing. It is-after all-the backing. Alternately you can just open a WAV file and record track(s) over the top of this. (I use the phase open because annoyingly, you cant drag and drop.
3. Looper. This feature isnt properly realised in this program. If you import a WAV file of say 2.0seconds such as a drum loop, and select the loop function, the program wont automatically wrap around the loop you have pulled in. You have to set the loop time manually. Which is impossible because the area you stretch is so small you might get 1.94 seconds or 2.08. Which means it doesn't loop correctly. Hopefully this can be addressed in a software update; tyhey are only on 1.1.0.0.
4. Edit guitar presets. Quite nice. Extra settings can be downloaded from online.

This brings me to the sound of the unit:

In terms of effects: I think Digitech (as in the RP55) have the edge in respect of Reverb, but I guess this is because they are in the same group as Lexicon so they have passed some know how. But I think this is better in terms of pitch shift and reverse which are really quite impressive, although not that practical. Suffice to say you will be impressed with either if you are a newbie; they are really quite remarkable for the price. Line6 effects come last in my opinion, or last, what I got from the Pocket Pod.

In terms of amp simulation: having spent the last six months trying out various interfaces to replace my Marshall valve amp: I don't think anything can do it! I would say the Line6 tones are the nicest I have heard, but I also fear they dont give you a good clean signal. And ulitmately I'm usng this a practice tool so the clean sound will let me hear what is good and bad about my playing. This unit is quiet, has a high output, low s/n ratio, and is capable of good recordings in a home environment.

This is a subjective business. For me, the positives are:
portability; high volume output; quiet; preserves guitar clean tone; usb sound card; decent bundle of software, ASIO drivers: low latency; accurate tuner (as accurate as my Hardwire HT-2 tuner rated at less than +/- 1 cent accuracy which cost almost as much as this using the ZFX tools tuner over the USB!); downloadable patches and backing tracks, good value for money.

The negatives are:
not really suitable for live use: why put on plastic "foot switches"?
no microphone input

Overall I think Zoom are taking it to the new level on this product because the fundamental sound quality is good, it is enormously portable, and there are useful learning features with the software. I am also very excited by the r16 - up to 32mb flash simulataneous recording. They are clearly prepared to innovate to take market share while competitors are still trying to recoup their r&d costs on their hard disk based recorders.