Zoom 2100 Player

This unit is beyond easy to use. I originally intended to use it live to recreate studio effects created by an Eventide UltraHarmonizer, and it works for the two key ingredients: a. it is much easier to edit the patches, and b. it is much easier to change patches live.

As with any digital device, the distortions are crap....except the occasional lo-fi sound, it works wonders for that. I rely on my amp for distortion. If you leave the eq, distortion, and reverb off, and only use it for modulation and delay, it is great. My signal chain is one of several Strats or an LP Standard--Snarling Dawgs Fire Bawl--(then it gets complicated)--there is a Loopmaster Box with two effects loops, the first one contains the first Zoom 2100 (which is used only for delays, tremelo, or the slow attack)--the second contains the second Zoom 2100 (used for a fuzz effect, phaser, the autowah, or the ring modulator) and a Boss EQ (set for scooped mid). The output of the Loopmaster goes to a Deluxe Reverb. With this setup I can activate one, both, or neither loop, that way, I can eliminate all pedals in the chain to go straight into the amp. I'll give it an 8 since the effects that I actually use are great, but the once I don't are not.

Well, I've been using one of them for two years, and the other for almost a year, and I've never had a problem with either. I guess since I have two of them, one is a backup, but I don't really worry about it. They're plastic, but they held up better than a Roland MIDI rig, which did what I wanted, but was much more complicated.

Only dealt with them to try and get an expression pedal, but found that the M-Audio Universal Xpression works with it and is much cheaper. So, they were helpful, but I chose another route.

I play in a dance rock band similar to The Killers, Garbage, or The Cardigans. The delays, sampler function, and jam play are my best friends. The only thing I would change is maybe the inclusion of a tap tempo function, but you can adjust delay time with the expression pedal, so that's no biggie. If you want to create ambient, layered sounds live (like The Edge or Garbage) this thing is the way to go. I use two since I'm usually trying to recreate three guitars by myself live. Again, the distortions just aren't there, but this is a much more affordable alternative to a Boomerang or Loop Station that's also easier to use and includes some cool phasing and ring modulator effects. If you have some crazy sounds to reproduce live, I'd definitely recommend it, but don't steal mine, since they are kind of hard to find and I'd be lost without it.

Once you get used to the general pattern for settings, you can manipulate fairly easily.
But if you are used to the steadiness of volume when engaged and not engaged, you lose this with the 2100.
The previous Zoom pedals seemed to posses a passive circuit that did not effect volume when not in use, my 2100 has a definate effect.

I find the distortion settings offered for the most part useless, it "dirties" up your sound but the distortion effects are not as warm and natural as they were in the 2020 series.
The digital effects fair, but do lend to a prgrammed sound and do not posses the warmth of the earlier Zoom products.
The mainstay I use with the Zoom 2100 is a 57 Strat. thru Peavy Duce / Carvin XS100 amps. Also use a mix of assorted digital and analog stomp boxes, BOSS and IBENEZ.
Earnie Ball volume pedel.

It has proven to be roadworthy but can be prone to stage damage due to the plasic constuction. These Zoom pedals are not rugged by any means. The added expression pedel does not hold up at all, a real piece of C$@P.

Went to their site, they really offer none.
I contacted the company to get some input on volume fluctuations when pedel is engaged versus not, you could hear the crickets, if you know what I mean.

I liked my Zoom 2020, and when that got damaged I learned the 2100 was the replacement.
The 2100 seem to have an active circuit, which in turn affects volume when, engaged versus not engaged; the 2020 could be engaged with no affect to actual volume.
The digital effects are good, distortions are marginal at best and amp emulation is very limited.
I play alot of Rock, Country and Blues, it does have some usefull settings, but you have to work on them "live" to get them set right.
Especially the echo / reverb effects. The ZOOM 2100 does demand considerable time before it becomes useful. Not as friendly as it's predecessors.
I will be more particular in my future choices. Just because you enjoyed success with one model of a product does not mean you will enjoy continued success with others.

not bad unit for very little money.. but it's a tad bit hard to program especially if you're experienced with some of these new devices which have scrolling menu's.. this is a 90's gadget and it don't have anything that scrolls.. two big red LED numbers that look like they came from a digital clock is all you get.. plus some led's light up to show you where you're at when you're editing patches.. it don't bother me none.. because I grew up in the 90's with all this kind of gear.. if you're a teenager you may scratch your head and wondering what they were thinking back then..

The distortions sound like those Digitech distortions from the 90's.. total digital rubbish.. I can't see how to ever use it.. but on the other hand, the clean sounds in this thing are actually very nice. the chorus is excellent and this is the only flange I've ever heard that I like.. these are tiny little plastic units about 3 inches narrower than an ordiary laptop.. you need to be a bit of nerd to program this thing.. it looks weird at first.. but it makes sense in a few minutes.. no one makes interfaces like this anymore because they just suck.. but if you're willing to sit in front of it for an hour and figure it all out.. it's well worth exploring.. and then you realize it's all very simple. I've plugged this into my Behringer GM110 30 watt amp, which is currently Behringers first modeling amp which uses only analog circuits.. it's a cheap $99 unit but has really great fat tube like tone..(check the reviews here on harmony-central.. it almost always gets 10's) The only problem with this amp is that it doesn't come with any effects, not even reverb.. so this little Zoom Player 2100 works really well in the effects loop. Really amazing sound quality.. brings the amp to life! mixing the milder distorions on the zoom player with the overdrive on the amp allow me to get everything from a creamy Davig Gilmour bright strat blues sound to the darkest and grungiest tones of Nirvana.. the amp itself has 3 amp's to select from and 3 speaker/cabinets to select from.. so when you combine that with the large range of tonal varieties from the zoom, the sound options are endless. thats one area the zoom is really good at.. lots of different but good sounds.. not just endless variations on the exact same sound.. (i.e., digitech products)..

and the zoom never seems to suffer from bit depth anti-alias sound problems like I've heard with Digitech products from the same period. (i keep picking on digitech because they were supposed to be the leader in this whole field.. and like I fool I bought their products .. and so they would let you believe they were on the cutting edge and people always review their products and say how great they were.. those people were retarded idiots of course, and it turns out that most everythig digitech made in the 90's under $500 was
total rubish). The 90's were this horrible period of technology development.. we had to suffer with lots of shit sold to us as being a "revolution is sound development" they were so full of it.. I think I've paid my dues in this regard.. so when I say thiz zoom unit has good sound quality, you can trust me..

The zoom also has a couple of built in amp emulations itself and they just give the tone real warmth and depth.. the reverbs are good.. the chorus and the flanger sound really nice.. lots of programming abilities which seem to give a wide variety of sounds and textures.. you just won't get any useful heavy distortions from it.. they sound digital and harsh.. but when you cut down the level of gain.. and then use the one on the amp, the sound again becomes very organic and nice. i don't feel the digital vibe from this thing.. maybe I'm getting old an senile or something.. who knows.. I paid $15 for my zoom player 2100. it's cheap plastic and would probably break if used during a live show... but who cares.. I have no regrets!

it's el'cheapo plastic.. but seems mostly sturdy.. just don't put you big fat 200 lb. foot on the bugger and forget to remove it and it will be fine. this unit is not really useful for live playing unless you are a punk or something and have it on one settng all the time..

i have no idea.. the only person who ever supported me was my daddy.. who kicked me out of the house when i was 16 for womanizing, drinking and taking drugs.. oh yes, I took the lords name in vain every other sentence.. god damn it.. see.. give zoom a call.. tell the opperator that you love her.. tell her that you're watching her through the office window right now..

it's good if your amp has no effects or reverb.. the sound quality is high resolution and warm.. built in amp emulations that sound really good and they each sound different and are useful. overall the sound has a good analog quality to it.. no real digital vibe.. bright solo's have sparkle and warmth.. the heavy distortions sound dgital and may give you a headache.. just avoid them.. it's also a little daunting to program at first.. mine came with a printed out manual.. it helped a lot.. without a manual you might be confused. I see this unit as useful for reverb, chorus and and flanger.. thats all I've ever wanted anyway.. if you can get more out of it, all the better for you.. if this unit were any cheaper it would be free.

i bought this for 4 reasons: backup for my stompboxes, as a chromatic tuner, for delay, and as a cheap intro to the world of looping. i was strapped for cash and saw this for cheap on ebay. anyhow, have this in mind when reading my little review. my "6" rating reflects 2 problems. first, real time control is problematic, as everything is based on patches. this is common with multi-fx units so i'm just stating the obvious. i think the digitech and the zoom gfx series are better for this; they have stompbox-style knobs. it's possible to set up the 2100 so that real time control is possible. you can choose it with the function switch but then you can't use jam play or bank down. that's the second problem in terms of ease of use--there are a lot of functions like jam play, sound-on-sound, real time modulations, etc., but most cannnot be used in combination. plus the unit is tiny so finding the right button for the right job requires good eyesight and a good memory. on the other hand patches are easy to edit with a lot of flexibility. the manual helps if you've never used a multi-fx unit before. i persoanlly think units like this should be totally versatile so you can pre-program patches but then easily tweak on the fly with stompbox knobs. maybe it's just me.

i think we can all agree that you don't buy multi-fx units for distortion and esp. not overdrive. zoom is known for really processed-sounding distortion, which might be ueful to some in some situations, but in general you'll want to splurge on a separate analog unit for that. (come on, a boss sd-1 is about $25 on ebay.) however the fuzz ain't half bad. i'll give 'em that. the modulation effects (flanger, phaser, chorus, etc.) are usually nice. digital but good. keep in mind a digital unit emulates an effect rather than actually being an effect, if you know what i mean. there is a pedal pitchshifter which would never replace a real wang bar but sounds surprisingly good if you just set it up for a whole step shift down. you can stomp on the footswitch (in lieu of a separate expression pedal) and the shift happens auto-style. i'll never use it, but you might. other nice features: slow attack, which is a swell effect that can be pre-programmed for a certain attack speed or controlled in real time. my main complaint in terms of sound quality is the noise. maybe it's not made for use in combination with stomp boxes but if you have other pedals in your chain you'll definitely need the zoom noise reduction that everyone knows and loves. otherwise it's hiss city u.s.a. (i've used it with humbuckers and single coils.) so the main reason effects-wise i got it is for delay and sampling. the delay is quite versatile and thoroughly usable--good clean digidelay. the bad news is that the sampler cannot be used in combination with the modulation effects (i.e., flanger, phaser, delay, etc.) --which i found out after i got the pedal. so basically my boss ps-2 pitch shifter/delay pedal is already on its way. when i get the cash i'll be in the market for a full-fledged sampler (dl4 or loop station). in the meantime the sampler on the 2100is usable. 32 seconds is a long time--the longest for a sampler on board a multi-fx unit. i believe there is some warrble if set for 32 seconds. if you set it for 16 seconds the sound is better. (i'm not sure about how many bits for the different lengths of sample time--can't find it in the maunual.) you can also set the volume playback, etc. tempo/pitch change is possible only if you record the sample via the auxillary jack. it's little things like that that make the 2100 a bit frustrating. like i said--a lot of functions but only with limitations. my setup (if you must know): 70's electra outlaw and yamaha sgv-800 (a reissue of a 60's model)?70's morley wah/volume?dod 250 o.d.?dod chorus?70's morley pvo phaser (with rocker pedal--talk about rtm!)?zoom2100. (the electra has effect modules that can be plugged into the back--the ones i use are phaser and flanger, but i won't go into electra mpcs just now. for now, let's just say they rock.)

well, a lot of people make a big deal about units like this being crap because they're made of plastic but you rarely read reviews where someone stomped one to death. i've heard of broken switches but i've heard about broken switches on boss and dod pedals so there you go. "would you use it on a gig without a backup?" well, as soon as my boss delay arrives and i can get a loop sampler this will be my backup. i think it would be okay on stage but be prepared to get funny looks cuz it does look cheap. but don't judge a digital multi-effects floor unit by its cover.

i had problems with another zoom unit, wrote an email and got a swift response.

"what style of music do you play?" spacey, experimental post-rock with a hint of sad-core, if you must know. multi-units like this usually try to be all things in all styles to all people, and this one succeeds fairly well in offering a range. i think zoom has learned from some mistakes on this unit and made the gfx-8 a bit more versatile. don't be fooled by the plastic facade--it is a professional digi-unit. i think overall it is a very useful unit for modulation effects, delay, and sampling--assuming you know the limitations.

This little pedal is pretty much easy to use.If my dog were a musician, they could use it. The only thing I lkike about it is the ease of use of the editing of the patches. Not much variety in editing, but there are really no complications. The manual will tell you what you already know if you just mess with it yourself, instead of reading the manual.

Currently I am using a B.C. Rich Warlock with an Ampeg G212. The noise level on this thing is low. This is another thing I like about it. The filter does a decent job. The effects aren't very strong. They can do the job if you're not looking for extreme effects. If you want great sounds quality and strong effects, get a Digitech GNX 3! The crunch on the distortions are horrible. I play in a metal/industrial band and I can't get the crunch I need. If you want a decent crunch you have to use the Stack amp modeler and mess with the compressor a bit. I do like some of the heaviness of a few of the distortions. YThe auto-wah is ok if you don't feel like taking up extra space with and actual wah. But I suggest taking the extra space with a real wah. The rest of the effects are alright. This pedal is decent enough to use during practice.

You CANNOT depend on this thing. It's made of plastic!!! Whats that all about??? Stepping on the pedals to change effect might even break it! The construction is what I hate about it the most. Many problems with the jack for the power supply. I had to re-solder it several time. The input seems to be acting up also. I'd only use it on a gig if I had no other effects. Currently money is not accessable, so I have to use this since my Digitech RP100 was stolen.

I've never tried to contact Zoom. I do not want to either. Waste of time.

For my style of music, it's alright when you have nothing else. I've been playing around six years. This little toy is very embarrassing, but it's something. If it were stolen, I feel bad for whoever stole it. They do not know what the hell they are doing! I would not buy this ever again. The only thing I love about it is that it does what it needs to for now. I hate the dam thing because it's so shitty. But I can't complain too much because I still use it. I wish effects could be combined on it, and I also wish there were more effects/options. The Zoom doesn't really get in the way becuase I would die without effects. So I guess it helps out a little. I suggest to anyone considering buying this product, save your money for a good processor. Digitech is my favorite. They do the job well. I have no complaints with Digitech. If there's not a lot of money, just pick up the RP100, it's only around $100 at Guitar Center. A used one probably runs around $45-$70.

It's not easy to get good sound out of this unit, but it isn't impossible either. Editing patches is as easy as it can be with only buttons, no knobs. Took me about 15 minutes to learn it. Manual was clear enough for me, no long stories, quite handy.

I play a Vester Stage Series thru my HiFi-system, computer or headphones. Considering the price, it's not that noisy. Unit has quite impressive NR system.

Clear guitar, acoustic simulation and heavy distortion are very easy to get to sound good. Subtle distortion is much harder, if possible at all. Amp sim has no use. Neither does compressor. Reverb is very thin and hard to master. Other effects are plain average. But again, if you take your time, you can get good sound out of this. This is not a unit for the impatient.

No sane person would even think about gigging with a plastic thing like this. This unit has not been done for that, it's just for practising. It stays together if you treat it like an effects pedal. But you can't expect anything else for the price.

Never needed any support.

I've been playing for four years now. I play hard rock, ballads, funk and some spacey stuff. This suits anything with either clean sound or hard distortion, but anything in between is out of this unit's range.
This FX is good considering the price. I need mostly the effects this unit can deliver, so it suits me well.
If you have patience and are after an affordable home practise effects, then this is a good choice.

Its pretty easy to use if you're half-good with technical things. Read the manual. The presets are all shit though. Sound like tinny processed cheese. Read the manual and set off on your sonic voyage of discovery. I you're reading this on the internet, you can work this pedal you lazy bastard.

I bought this when I was still a poor student in '99. Now I have a Strat and a Les Paul. I would only ever use this with my cheap Roland practise amp for bedroom usage. The sounds can be OK if you use the Phaser on a low-phase setting (A9) to fatten the distortion up. The clean sound is alright. Effects are just about acceptable for the money. The compressor sounds very grainy if you overdo it. You can get some OK sounds out of this but it certainly couldn't be used for anything remotely serious. Let's face it though... you're not going to get pro quality sound for this money. If you want that, go contribute at least $5000 to your local economy.

Is it reliable. Hmmm... its still going in 2003 but the pedals stopped working correctly a month after I got it. You could fart on this thing and have it bug out.

Haven't had a problem with the adaptor jack though. No way could you use this live in any sense. Unless it was a comedy number - in which case its perferct.

Don't know. I should have taken it back to the shop when the pedals started working intermittently. I didn't and now its too late... boo-hoo. Since they're made from ultra-low quality plastic I doubt changing it would have made much difference though.

Its a cheap, plastic, unreliable toy. It is very useful to have around though as it sounds better through headphones and is small enough to slot into a travel bag for hotel practise sessions. When I got sent to Japan with my job it was my constant companion and gave me hours of pleasure. I can't say the same about my girlfriend, and she's cost me a hell of a lot more. All in all I don't regret getting it. I use it every day and am only tempted to throw it out the window when I've stepped on the pedal for the 10th time and the fucking patch won't change.

Over the years I've gradually collected individual pedals (Boss, Ibanez, Electronharmonix)... that's where the REAL DEAL is at folks. I'd be interested to know if any serious guitar pro uses a mutli-fx processor. I can't think of one which is pretty conclusive.

There again... judging by the spelling in some of these reviews... I'm not surprised other ZOOM owners have had problems successfully operating anything more complicated than their zit-cream dispenser.

5's all this thing is worth... but its easy to carry around.

pretty easy and good way to use

no other noises in back thanks to zmr in this thing.
lead and metal distrotions are good and wah is too good but the pedal is too small...
and this pedal dives to you very many different sounds
sabbath sound is great and you can get it easy.
oh, by the way i use jackson rr1 with marshall mg........

this is very good multi effect to a pro or amateur

First things first. I spent about an year using the 1010 model. So messing with the effects and editing was no big deal for me.

I bought it from a friend, but he gave me the manual, which is pretty clear.

I only had some trouble with the sampler thing, but no big deal too.

It's really easy going. Takes no longer than an hour to learn how it works, without looking at the manual.

> Clean stuff - regular, with the Combo Simulation.
> OD - completely toneless
> distortion - completely unsustained
> fuzz - the less worse of the distortions, but only when the Combo simul. is on.
> Lead - toneless. weak. high hissing level. with combo simul. on or off. doesn't matter.
> metal - feedback! feedback!
> chorus - too artificial.
> phaser - only if you crank it up all the way to get noise. only noise, undefined.
> flanger - ditto.
> ring mode - total joke.
> wah - don't even get me started on it
> compressor - i never understood compressors at all. this one appears to work poorly.
> reverb - sounds ok.
> delay - no complain.
> Global parameters - totally useless. dead-end.
> sampler - good for studying

and i keep my opinion, for i tried it with a Washburn Lyon / marshall valvestate 65, then a Jackson JRR94 and a marshall/meteoro combo., then a cort G255 and fender automatic SE or a meteoro 100w.

Sounded like ass in each and every one of those set ups!

I had to fix the AC input about 6 times, and the jacks are starting to give in.

and it's plastic. definetly not gig proof

man, i avoid to talk to the zoom people so i don't get aggresive with them. i assume that people who have the nerve to release shit like this are terrible workers.

I used to play in a industrial metal band. it only matched when i got busy with the totally undefined synth noise i edited.

I've been playing for 7 years and that's all i own. the 2100, a Cort g255 and a meteoro.

i'd never buy it again. never! i'm trying to sell to get a SansAmp GT2 pedal.

i love the fact that i actually know people perfectly capable of buying it without noticing how shitty it is. just like they did to me

i compare it to a bag full of booger. i chose this one because 2 years ago i had no idea that i would get this worried about getting a good guitar sound. now i'm in an eternal research for a warm tone like Faith No More's "king for a day".

i wish i had more money and more knowledge about gear

sometimes helps, sometimes gets in the way of making music

DON'T BUY THIS PIECE OF CRAP, FOR GOD'S SAKE! Better have only a good distortion and bypass sound than spend more on a processor that has nothing worthy!

what have i done to deserve the ignorance of buying it?

Very simple, flip through the manual for a moment and theres not much else to it.

Ok, I run a GMT 1,000 watt head through 4 fender 4 x 12. I run this and 2 dedicated delay stomp boxes through the effect loop. I have never run into any problems with noise, simple rule is keep the volume at 25, below full. All pedals make horrid noises at full volume. As far as the distortion sounds, I have never bothered with them, I either use my Boss SD-2 dual overdrive or my electro-harmonix big muff. Too get the effects right, set them to ear then go play something from the other side of the room, it helps alot.

so far so good, 3 years of touring and the only problem I have ever ran into was a broken connection cable, those always need replacing.

Never delt with them, if it broke down I would probably just go back to my ancient stomp box collection.

i only would say 7 or 8, nothing ever gets a ten. They always have something better coming out.