Zoom 505

First let it be known that i am not a touring musician just a humble hobbiest.With that said i had no problems figureing out how to use my zoom505 even though i bought it from a pawn shop with no manual.Editing the patches on it was very simple right off the bat as well as useing the built in tuner,you just press down on both pedals at the same time and blam your there.The zoom505 was a no brainer to learn to use.

I play a lot of metal and rock,from slayer to pink floyd and i can usualy get all the sounds i need out of it.For floyd and the more psycodelic music i like my zoom505 has a flanger,phaser and a cool step feature that sounds very spacey.As far as metal goes i can usualy get most of the distortion sounds i need but not all.I can get a good slayer sound with it using the optional expresion pedal with the wah feature.I use a (B.C.Rich warlock and mockingbird)wich runs through eather my (Digitech Metal master) or my (Digitech Death metal pedal)wich then runs through my zoom505 and into two (Ibanez tone blaster 25 watt amps.All that takes care of the rest of the distortion quite well.Overall the sound quality is pretty good.

So far i've had no real problems with it other than the buttons sticking on it once but a little air in a can fixed that right up.I bought it about five years ago used from a pawn shop and its still going strong to this day. If i had a gig to go to I would be confident in not bringing a backup.The batteries go pretty quick on it but its rare that i use batteries,i normaly have it pluged into my (one spot) plug adapter.I've never had a problem with the pedals when cycling through pathes that i can think of.

I cant say ive ever had to use customer support yet but if you go to zooms website its quite easy to download manuals and other info.Ill give it a five for now.

Like I said before I play alot of metal like slayer,metallica, megadeth,etc and alot of rock pink floyd,black sabbath,etc and the zoom505 is a good match for a lot of diferent styles.Im also in the process of buying a second one for my bass setup wich consists of a (Ibanez soundgear bass)a (Boss v-wah)and a(Fender rumbble 25 watt amp)and at the moment a(zoom506 2 bass efects pedal).The 506 2 has a lot in the way of clean tones but not so much in the distortion department.Im a big fan of Jason newsted and his style of playing wich involvse a lot of cutting distortion through a wah pedal,useing the zoom 505 i already have and my v-wah i can easly pull of anesthesia-pulling teeth,For whom the bell tolls,etc.If this pedal was ever lost,stolen or broken I would definetly buy another,its just worth it.its especialy good for your musician on a budget,you get almost $1,000 worth of pedals and stompboxes for around $50 brand new.It may not be the best multieffects pedal in the world but it works for me.

The ease of use is a bit finicky. Its not as easy to use as my Behringer X V-Amp (and that is hard to get used to when it comes to effects) because of what you have to go through to edit something. Once you get the hang of things, its not bad at all. As any new piece of multi fx gear, it requires you to learn a bit.

The distortion sounds kinda harsh but Im talking digital harsh, not over trebled harsh. Mind you Im talking about the loads of gain settings. Others sounds really nice. One setting on here really livens up the tone and I really like that. Doesn't distort or add much in the way of effects, it just makes a clean guitar even nicer.

I've had it for a few hours and I gotta say, no issues with it so far. Patch switching is easy, big pedals on either side so you dont end up hitting the wrong thing. Also the switching doesn't take that long at all. Not that I would ever use it live because its just something to have fun with. I still run with a Behringer X V-Amp and Im going to pair the two together to see what odd sounds I can get.

I gave it a 6 for customer support (as seen right there). They had the manual online for anyone who happend to buy an old one. I have no complaints or problems to call them up about but if anything happend, Im sure Id open it up and mess around with it like the weird fellow I am. I did trade a ten dollar digeredoo for it anyway.

Could use more features like better floor board support and not just a single pedal switch or expression. It gets different sounds and different sounds have different uses. Overall, its pretty damn fun. If it was stolen, Id beat whoever stole it then steal a piece of his gear as a lesson(of course Id get my 505 back first). As listed, you saw I have the X V-Amp. I play metal and this thing is fine for lots of things other than metal. I love to experiment and thats what this lets me do.

Overall, the reason I got it, I had a digeredoo that I bought for 10 bucks and couldnt play and was offered as a trade for this. Id say I made the right choice.

I got this pedal for about 6 years, it's very easy to use, just u have to read the roadtrip map ( manual ), it's not hard at all, but sometimes you dont know whats is this efect for??? but c'mon if you are looking for a cheap multieffect pedal and its going to be your 1st one, give it a try it wont let you down.

Well, i must be honest as it was my 1st guitar toy, i was amazed of the number of effects that you can make, good solo patches, good acoustics sound, with reverb, delay, flanger...Its true what some people say about high gain distortion, the noisy little buzzzzzzzzzz that the amps spits when you are not playing, that noise....well its not a big deal considering how cheap is this little black machine. Now i got more experience and i realized that now its a toy..not a multi effect processor pedal, why?? cos im playing "muse" and i tried a millions time trying to "clone" matt's effects, with a few y got lucky, but i still can't reach that quality of sound and a 100% match. The 505 still can give a good fight against the new breed of pedals, specially when playing blues, and classic rock!!!

I got mine for about 9 years, still working fine. You just have to treat it good...like any electrical device.

Never tried to contact them, no problems at all

Well...i said that the 505 is great for begginers, and still can be used for more advanced guitar players...Its cheap, it's reliable, a lot of effects to combine, with some practise you can make amazing effects. If its used with the expresion pedal, you can squeeze a little more of it!!!

It was confusing since I found it at a Sam Ash (the same one that repaired my Squier Strat I use with this) w/o manual, but a quick search on Google found the manual. -1 point for being confusing to use w/o manual (Normally I don't need manuals)

I'm using the Squier SE-100 Strat Pack (Squier Affinity Strat and SP-10 amp-rather crummy) and it brings the amp to life! The distortions are good, and the chorus and reverb are what I bought this for. There is an "amp simulator" (don't know what that does) as a bonus. What made me give this a 10 is how it sounded thru cheapo old computer speakers (surprisingly clear).

Considering it's used, and it looks like it's pretty old, it went thru a lot. The buttons seem to stick, though.

This is a good intro to effects for me, a kid who saved up for a simple effect by starving himself to get the money (I also saved for my Squier SE-100 pack that way) It's a good intro to effects for any beginner, for that matter. It also makes a good recording aid. Needless to say I ended my hunger (bad joke) for an effect with this (I didn't need any more money, so I started getting snacks at school again-I didn't eat it!)

This unit was the first of it's kind. The first floor unit with multi-effects. Editing is easy once you play with it a while. One can get the sound they're looking for if you just take your time with it. Sure other units are more user frendly now, but when this unit was designed, it was unique as it had dozens of pedel effects in one box. So use the manual (yes, I agree, it does look like a road map) but it is helpful. Also go to Zoom Cental on the net. There are hundreds of patches others have worked out that you can use. Beware: some are the extreme and just sound like a B-52 bomber on a takeoff roll, but there are some nice patches in that site. Use your own judgement.

Ok, my setup: I play Les Pauls, Strats, and a couple of my own design and making. (I build guitars and amps for fun and profit). Currently I have left the road and no longer gig. So I got rid of all those monster amps and huge wattage units. Now I either run through an 1979 Peavey Backstage 30 that I rebuilt, or through one of my amps that I have made. Either way the wattage never goes beyond 50 watts.
Is it noisy? Sure, anything can hum or sound crummy if you crank it up high enough.
Can I get the sound of my favorite artist? Yes, I can clone any Clapton sound I want. Get the agressive thump of Ted Nugent, Of course. The tone of B.B. King is in there too. Again, you just have to work with it a bit.
Are certain effects good or bad? Well yeah, the higher levels of distortion are pretty poor, but then again I don't go for the "Let's see how loud and offensive we can get" school of thought. All effects are set in a progressive manner where you can pump it up to the point that they sound like junk. Here again, going for the extreme will get you just that. The extreme, but no real tone.
I've read in other reviews that this unit sounds like crap and such. Well think about this...just how many ways are you going to dial in a bunch of distortion? I mean do you really NEED 30 patches of distortion? You're going to forget which one you put where soon and then go on a "patch to patch search" for them. Some folks have said that there's a lag between patches when you shift from one to another. Micro seconds guys. Big woop! My advice is that you set up four really good patches all in the same bank. Then press the EDIT button for a second or two and then simply use that bank for your stuff that you always play. Then you don't have to go jumping around all over the 24 patches in this thing and get lost. So simple.....READ THE MANUAL!!
Over all there are some nice sounds in this box. Some cannot be had simply by design of the effects within. The delay is cool but limited in some respect. The waw waw is generic of course, but functional enough to use. Using the distortion, I mean the one that shows up on the unit as "dt" or Lead "Ld" are great. Others are fair to poor. Reverb is wonderful! It can go from plate to dripping like an old Fender unit.

Reliability. Can you depend on it? Now if you stomp on this enough and really treat it like a "red headed stepchild" as they say here in Texas, you're gonna break it. The case is molded plastic. It can take only so much. Now I've repaired some pedels that were encased in metal that had the switch smashed by some heavy footed folks that just jumped up and down on them and snapping off the knobs in the process. Anything can break if you beat the hell out of it! Treat it like an eletronic instrument that it is and it'll last a long time. Kick it around, jump on it, and generally trash it, and it will break. "Nuff said.
Would I use it on a gig without a backup? Yes, and I have. I've even gone as far as plugging it into the sound board with the band I was with and used the expression pedel for my volume. No amp, just the Zoom 505 for my playing rig with a couple of extra batteries for back up. No amp to lug around. Now how's that for putting all you eggs in one basket? But then again, I don't kick my home stereo or stomp on my CD player either! The 505 has never let me down.

I'm sure that the folks at Zoom are real nice, but I've never had to call them. Never needed repairs.

What style of music I play? Well I'm a bluseman by heart, but I also play classic rock, fusion, jazz, and some metal if it has a decent melody behind it. How long I've been playing? Well let's just say that when I started playing guitar there was no such thing as solid state and tubes were the only thing in our amps. A few decades have passed that I remember. Other gear that I own? No other pedels anymore. The Rats, TS-9's, and Boss effects were either given away, borrowed and never returned, or sold or traded off. All that's left is the Zoom 505 and an expression pedel. I've had this one since I bought it new in the guitar shop that I worked in years ago. If it were stolen? I'd get me another one. I got used to it. Now the guy that steals it will need good insurance as the hospital will ask for it when he's wheeled into E.R., if you get my drift..
I like this unit. It's simple. to the point. Not too many doo-dads to get in the way. In short, IF you know how to tweak it and use it right it will get the job done. If you don't take the time to learn it, you will say its a piece of crap or a piece of shit like some other reviews I've seen here. Bottom line: to each his own.
Anything else I'd like to share? Sure, folks this was a first in its field. No one before made a stompbox with dozens of effects in a floor unit before this. Of course its "outdated" now and is looked upon as a dinosaur these days, but like so many other things I've seen, this little guy will be around a long time and will teach many a young guitar player the joys of effects without having to break his parent's bank account in the process! Use it for what it was intended for. An low cost multi-effects unit that you can have to make your own signature sound or that of others. A great value? You bet!

24 pre set patches which can all be tweaked and stored as new patches.

The editing function is simple enough but limited and can sometimes be frustrating.

If you want you can plug and go with this unit but most of the pre sets are on the "over the top" side to showcase what it can do...not what it should do.

User manual is simple and informative.

Simple large bright easy to read display.

I play Blues....Blues/rock mostly and prefer simple tones. I collect guitars so have a good cross section of fixed neck/bolt on neck humbucking...single coil...hot rail...P90...active/passive...etc.

Main amps are an early Vox V15 2x10 valve combo and an original 1969 Sound City mark 3 custom 100 watt Valve head with matching 4X12 cab with celestion G12 speakers.

As mentioned in other reviews noise can be an issue but I have edited the pre sets and removed most of the unwanted effects leaving patches concisting of simple chorus only...patches with only an E.Q. setting and a hint of hall reverb...mild blues drive with a little delay or reverb...etc. To be honest I dont use a lot of effects so this takes the place of 2 or 3 simple stomp boxes without the hassle of patch leads and the bonus of pre sets. When the 505 is used in this way and the output level set accordingly noise is no longer a problem.

The Thrash type distortion sounds a bit processed and unconvincing but usable...if you like that kind of thing. The Milder gain/distortion types are very good if used in moderation

Reverbs and delays are very good...Chorus is all I will ever need...not into other modulating effects like phase/flange E.Q. is ok but limited.

There is a lag between changing patches but this is nothing major and not as bad as other units

Plastic construction but quite robust...

Never had any reliability issues with it...plug it in ...it works, with either battery or power supply...no crackles from plug sockets.

I would use it for a gig but would want protection for it...to stop input/output jacks getting stood on and broken by enthusiastic singers....god bless em... I would never play without back up

never had any need to contact them regarding any problem with the unit.

Manual went missing some time ago but I got full downloaded manual off their web site no problem.

As an all singing...All dancing box of tricks its well over the hill but as a simple, light easy to use tool to add a little colour and variation to your tone it is very good indeed.

I play for my own enjoyment, and the enjoyment of the neighbours, but I would be prepared to use this in a live situation, probobly with some kind of protection for it though. I use other effects units but keep comming back to this little lad because of the simple honesty of the sound....just makes a great blues sound.

If it was lost/damaged/stolen I would get another asap....E-bay is full of them

You need to read the manual to fully exploit the capabilities of this pedal.

CRAP! CRAP! CRAP! I regret buying this piece of junk.

One of the switches broke after a while. They suck batteries fast. It's made of plastic. Like I said, CRAP!

Haven't dealt with them.

This is my first and last digital processor. I bought it when I was starting out and I didn't listen to my so called "elders" when they said ; "Go analog, buy one pedal at a time, then get a good amp....." But I was young at the time and I said I wanted a piece of gear that had "all of it" in it as I could save more funds. As the saying goes, "When you are young, you are foolish", oh well, I learned my lesson.

I play blues, rock and technical music (I don't want to call it shred). Now, my gear consists of an Ibanez JS900, Marshall AVT50, some Boss Pedals, Dunlop 535Q Wah, Tech21 Sansamp GT2 (I use this when I don't bring my amp) and an Ibanez TS-9. Surely, the 505 can't beat that. Actually, I don't use much of my pedals anymore, except for the 535Q. I just use the dirty channel of my amp and manipulate my guitar's volume knob for the tones I need. When it's time for solos, I use a Boss FV300L through the effects loop. I also have a review of the JS900, check it out.

I've been playing for a couple of years now. So to all of you younglings out there starting out, take my advice: GO ANALOG

You'd be able to save more in the long run.

Yeah this thing is fairly easy to rip into and get started straight away. No worries here.

I find it funny that people are rubbishing the sound quality of this thing!! And complaining about their sound they get at gigs! Lets get it straight, this is not designed to be top of the line equipment, prob not even for gigging (any decent guitarist wouldnt gig with this anyway) I think its best suited to a young beginner guitarist wanting to explore the wonderful world of effects.

And for that purpose and that purpose only, its great! It was my very first taste of effects and I learnt a lot from it. BAck then I thought it sounded great. Yeah!

All good, no worries.

Again I must state that this pedal was not designed for gigging or for recordings etc. I think it is a great first pedal for a young / beginner guitarist wanting to explore the world of effects. i think for this purpose it is a great.

This unit is easy to adjust and there are many free patches available that are much better than the stock settings.

Editing patches is very easy and quick to save.

The manual is very easy to read.

I am using this with a Peavey Bandit 112S and a small Fender amp.

The 505 is far from quiet, but the effects are not to noisy if they are used at low levels. The unit is much better if your amp has an effects loop wher you can plug in a rocktron noise reducer or a Boss.

I was able to get Nirvana, AC/Dc and several other rock tones, I was also able to get some decent blues tones.

I have not had any probles wiht the unit it is sturdy for pastic. I would never gig without a backup (they are cheap so it would be easy to have a backup).

I have never had to contact them.

Overall it is a decent unit and a great value for a good used price. The unit does not compare to a line6 of Boss, but lets be honest it cost much less so lets not compare apples to oranges.

I have been playing for over 15 years and I have used many products so I have a pretty good judgement on products.

If I lost it I would get it again if I could snag one for $20 or less.

The 505 is about as simple as it gets when it comes to multi-effects. I find that the patches are pretty easy to edit, although the tiny buttons on the sides of the unit that adjust the parameters can be hard to mash down, and they tend to stick, causing it to cycle through the intensity rate(drives me nuts!). As far as the manual goes, I bought this when it first came out(95-96) so the thing has long been lost.

I have a Gibson Les Paul Studio, and a Peavey 15-watt transtube practice amp. I sometimes also use this with a mini-marshall half-stack(belt-clip amp). This pedal, as the other reviews have pointed out, is strictly for bedroom practice sessions. Most times I just plug in the headphones, and this is where the 505 sounds best. The amp simulator is good for this application, as it gives you some tightness and heft. The only truly useful distortion settings are the distortion and blues. I never use the acoustic simulator. Metal is the worst. I find the compression to be pretty useful, along with the hall reverb, and setting the chorus to 2 or 3 adds some nice flavor. the octave effects are particularly nice, you can play bombtrack by RAGE and it sounds totally convincing. I would srongly recommend getting a graphic e.q. to put behind this, it will improve the sound tenfold.
The pedal is particularly noisy, and after years of use, it's starting to sound as though it's filtering through a box fan(think Chris Farley doing the Darth vader impression). And keep in mind that all the parameters are fixed. Versatility is not the 505's forte.

The pedal is dependable, but you would have to be suicidal to take this on a gig. There is a lag between patches, which pretty much makes it useless for switching patches in the middle of a song.

I've never had to deal with Zoom, so I couldn't say.

I go from punk to blues to metal to jazz, and this is a good match for all of those. For the money. I've been playing for 8-10 years, and had this pedal for as long as I can remember. I would say it is a top-notch beginners pedal, if you are in the 8th or 9th grade this is perfect. Overall this pedal is less digital-sounding than a Digitech pedal. As much as this pedal has frustrated me over the years with it's limited number of sounds, I still use the little bastard on a weekly basis. I would say 80% of the time I've used simply as a distortion pedal. I wish it came with a built-in expression pedal, but the newer Zooms on the market have this feature, so they obviously figured this out. I have used the 606, and it is a better pedal.