Zoom 8080 Super Player

Seems pretty good so far. There are nine effects modules and once you know which effects are contained in each of them, putting patches together is easy. Another benefit over say the 4040 is that there is a good LED text area display, and once you figure out how to use this, you don't have to keep referring to tables or charts all the time. The manual is well laid out and even though it is irrestible to start playing with it straight away, it is better to go through it properly with the manual. There are 150 presets already in there, but if you're like me you'll want all the sounds you use live to be custom, and therefore these presets are only raw material for making your own patches. There are 50 user patches available. I've always thought that manufacturers should make all the patches user programmable, and specify the factory condition in the manual, but no one seems to do this. However, 50 user patches is probably plenty, and another advantage that the 8080 has (for example over the 1010) is that it is possible to use Manual mode to switch selected modules on and off live.

I play a Charvel CX291 (which is a strat copy) through a Carlbro Stingray 100 watt. This is a mediocre set-up and I can't wait to use the Zoom with my ideal set-up. Still, the sound quality of the current set-up is pretty good. One problem with the Charvel is that the pick-ups are quite noisy, but the Zoom has certainly helped here. The noise reduction is excellent, and does not seem to but off the guitar sound too badly as the last fx unit (a Korg A5) I had did. There are some quite weird effects possible out of this thing, though this is possibly just because I've never used them before. The delay is excellent. First of all you've got up to 4 seconds delay time. The mix can be made plenty strong, especially if you use the analog delay (which has only up to 1 second, but this is fine for most of what I do). You've also got separate reverb and delay modules, which is excellent. One thing which I've been longing for is tap delay, where you tap a button along with the rhythmn, and the unit works out the delay time for you. Well, the Zoom has it. Once you figure out how to use it, it works very well, but you have to tap exactly the delay time you want. I've seen some other units capable of dividing the tapped delay, and this would be useful. There are too many other effects to go into here, but briefly the distortion is miles better than what I had previously. Clever use of the equalisation as well can produce some classic sounds. Even with the Charvel, I can get what I think is an excellent metal sound (though admittedly this is not what I play). The pitch shifting effects are a bit strange. One effect is a three voice straight pitch shift, and this works fine. One really useful application is to detune the guitar up and down on the voices just a little, and this produces a chorus-type effect. Another effect is the intelligent pitch shifter, basically you tell the Zoom what key you are playing in, and it works out any two intervals you like. I'm not sure if I've figured out this one entirely yet, but it seems to warble a little and has difficulty tracking the notes. Most of the effects are capable of being used with what Zoom call Real time modulation, which means that you can change the level of distortion live, for example, by using either the control switches, or either of the two pedals. There are several little things about this that are annoying. Some effects only have one of their parameters controllable in this way, with the result I feel that some interesting sound possibilites are being missed out. But I'm just being picky. There are an infinite number of sound variations to come up with.

I've only had it a little while (about a month - so don't take my word as gospel) but I can't see any obvious problems with it apart from the external power supply. This is one of those mickey-mouse 9V transformers with a very frail-looking jack lead, similar to what you'd find on cheaper keyboards (or the Korg A5, for that matter). An internal power supply with a kettle lead to the unit would be much better. I would not like anyone from the audience to step on the back of the unit. However, apart from that, it is fine. All the knobs are recessed, and the stomp buttons seems quite sturdy, as do the control pedals. I can't afford a back-up, but I am still trying to get my hands on a spare power supply. The one used is not standard, and the shop where I bought it did not have any spares.

Have not dealt with them yet.

I play in a band whose influences come from all over the musical spectrum, and the best thing about the Zoom is that it can match a lot of styles. In the blurb they say many of the effects are vintage and that they incorporate the original feel, but I don't know what they mean by this. I'm still getting used to it, but I definitely like what it can do. It definitely has improved the sound, but at the back of my mind I wonder are these kinds of things really value for money. Time will tell. Have not yet found any net resources with patches detailed, so if anyone knows, please tell me.

As always with this kind of equipment the factory patches are over the edge. You have to edit them in order to get your sound. Nevertheless, I find extremely easy to use, it's easy to edit the patches with the different knobs. The manual is extensive but quite clear and offers good tips to new users.

I use the pedal with a Marshall Valvestate 100 and i run it through the clean channel. It works out great, far better than it did with the Zoom 4040 i had earlier. It is much less noicy, too. The effects, and primarily the distortion, seem to know no limits. However, there is a bug in it. Fortunately only on the effect noone, hopefully, uses, i.e. the step effect. When you use it, the overall output is raised. I'm into heavy metal and the thrash sound is definitely awesome.

It seems sturdy enough and so far it has given me no trouble. I would use it on a gig anytime.

As i said, I play heavy metal and this machine does the job. The seamless patch changing really works, and this was one of the reasons I got the 8080. I've been playing for 10 years and I think I've found what I'm looking for now. A friend of mine uses a Boss GT-5 but I think I get a better sound with the Zoom. I would probably buy another one if this one got lost.

Very easy to get very good individual sounds. Becomes slightly more complicated to make all the individual sounds blend together. Editing patches is pretty straight forward, thre are 150 presets to start building on as well. Because much of the effects are digital, and the pedal is driven by DSP chips, the range and quantity of actual settings is pretty overwhelming, but many can be left at some intermediate value until you know what they do. As well as being able to switch from any of the 5 sounds in your bank containing say blues type sounds, each individual patch can be manually altered using the manual footswitch; this gives you the oppurtunity to turn on or off 5 different effects for each patch, which is pretty handy, especially as you can't possibly save enough patches to get every single desired patch you might need.

My setup is normally through two marshall 100W valvesate amps, and I play BC Warlock or ESP KH2 (Kirk Hammett signature) guitars. The only other effect that I use with the 8080 unit is a separate wah pedal, for the feel if nothing else. Generally speaking its very quiet, with its own noise reduction system. It can be prone to outside interference like if its close to a computer, dimmer switch etc. , but nothing that your likely to come across in normal circumstances. All the effects have very strong characteristics. Playing with numerous effects can hide some sounds, but can be adjusted easily by the level parameters found in most effects. Getting the sound of your favourite band is possible. I have the ultimate alanis morrisette sound, it took ages though, and i'm continuosly tweaking it. Its probably alot better not to try and emulate your favourite artist, because you may never be satisfied like me and just keep on twiddling those nobs. After that I have been programming much more general sounds, which takes no time and works well. At first effects like the distortions and wah may be seen as not being very good, but its all down really to experience, combinations of effects and the correct settings.
Also I own a zoom 4040 and I thought the sound was pretty excellent there. The 8080 blows it away in every department, effects combined sound streets ahead. Its mainly down to the DSP chips, which is the big thing in digital signal processing and us in happy electronic engineering land just love dsp. There are 10 user banks with 5 patchs each. I use each bank for a seperate band/genre type, with patches containing various sounds from clean to distorted to highly effects driven sounds.

I wouldn't like to scratch that lovely screen its got, and i think the whole external power supply isn't the best. But the thing itself is rock solid, the pedals are tougher, made of metal etc etc, the sound once saved is there forever. I've never had any faults with it reliability wise, but i do have backup in case, but dread the thought of having to use it.

I bought it in the US, so I needed a new adapter when I returned to europe, and the support group dealt with all my queries very quickly and effectively. That was via e-mail from their website

I play a wide variety of music from dance (!) to metal, and it really does the job. The potential for all sorts of wierd and wonderful sounds are there to be exploited, two expression pedals fully programmable, and a control footswitch. Realtime control is pretty excellent. Using good quality accessories like 2 amps really is cool just for the stereo effects alone. I'd definately buy one again.

Getting a good sound is so easy. Get to any patch any patch anywhere in seconds. Editing patches has never been easier. You can easily uncheck certian effects while in play mode and store them. Everything about a sound is editible. Heck, I get confused about all the settings you have to choose from. There are so many. The manual is excellent.

I use mine with a basic (peavey bandit 112) solid state amp and a American Fender Stratocaster. The processor produces no noise at all. You can easily adjust the level on a patch. On the back of the processor, you can select high gain, low gain, or humbuckers to get the right gain. All effects on it are great.

This is real reliable. The only one thing that is not reliable is its plastic construction. The plastic is like the plastic SKB uses on their road cases. I have jumped on it many times, never broke it.

Customer support has never been easier. If you have problems, you can call 1-800-3-samson (samson makes zoom, behringer, mixers, wireless great all around) and get help. They are realy excellent. You have a 1 year warranty parts/labor.

Great all around. I play alternative and metal and it works great. Even for country, punk, oldies it works good. This is my first effects processor and it works great compared to others in its price range. If it was destroyed, I'd definately buy a new one. I compared it to the RP20 and found it 40,000 times better because editing effects is so much easier. It even has a built in fine tuner above the display. The best thing is you have THREE ways to edit the patches real time. 2 wammy's and CSW buttons. Check out the 8080's homepage at http://www.samsontech.com/zoom/8080.htm

Using the sounds is generally easy. The 2 control pedals are a bit strange in that they are put the wrong way around!! The larger pedal is used for volume, which I don't use much, & the smaller is for effect modulation, which I do use. The smaller pedal is placed in an awkward position, so it's more difficult to use than the larger one. As far as I'm aware, there is no way to swap these 2 pedal allocations around globally. The only way seems to be to edit each patch individually. This means that you then und up using the 50 user patches to store some of the 150 preset patches just to get the pedals around the right way.
The unit needs at least one more footswitch button. There is one button assigned to a user-definable function. Of these, it may be used to switch manual mode on & off, or select which preset bank will be used. Unfortunately, I'd like to have _both_ these features available at once. Not good because it can't be done.
Quite easy to use & edit the patches. Unfortunately, I've had some trouble getting the exact sounds that I was looking for. This could be my problem rather than the unit's as I haven't had much experience editing patches on other units.
The manual is _excellent_. Very clearly set out & easy to follow.

My setup is a Ibenez RG270 & a small 35W Peavey amp. Alternatively, I just go straight into my Yamaha MD4 multi-track recorder. (Yes, I know, not the best for sound quality, but when people are sleeping in the house, it's quite useful.)
Noise: yes, there is some obvious hiss associated with the distortion effects. But then again, I'm just picky, having come from a classical music background & always picking up little things that don't bother other people.
There are some weird effects, but on the whole, they are quite good.

Seems reliable enough. The power supply is quite dodgy, running off an external transformer rather than a built-in power supply. Not only that, but if the supply unit conks out, there's no hope getting another one in a hurry: this Zoom box needs _1000mA_ at 9V to work. (Most transformers that I've seen are <500mA.) Having said that, I've had no problems so far.
The control pedals flex a little under weight. The whole unit is quite strong, but doesn't seem to quite match a Boss level.

N/A.

So easy ! If you follow the manual, you won't have any problems learning it. The incrising and decrising pedal patch helps you a lot to surf into the 200 patches.

I use my Zoom with a Fender Stratocaster and a Marshall Amp. I liked a lot the sound. The Auto Wah is not so good as the manual, and the HMS Pit has a little bit delay. But you can get a very gooddistorted sound or a clean and pure when you need it.

I've never dealt with it

My first product by Zoom was a 2020 and I liked. So I've trusted on Zoom and have got the 8080. I'd buy it again and I'll continue trusting on the Zoom products. "Cath us if you can"

All the controls are quite well set out. After accessing a preset patch you can tweak settings easily using four dedicated rotary knobs, all changes are shown on the LED display. The manual takes you through operations quite well. There are a *LOT* of different parameters to deal with, so getting a GREAT sound does take a lot of experimentation. But with 150 presets to start from, getting a good sound is very easy.

The noise reduction/gating seems to be very well designed - I've tried it on a few different amps and it's very quiet. Effects quality: distortion/overdrive/fuzz - lots to choose from, all cool, especially fuzz. Phasing/flanging - excellent. Chorus - good, but not exceptional. Delay - excellent (up to 4 seconds!) Reverb - good, although not massively versatile. Compression - fine. Pitch shifter/harmoniser - worked well, occasional tracking problems but these were eliminated by changing volume/tone settings on my Les Paul. Using the built-in control pedals to change parameters (e.g. wah-wah, pitch shift) also very good. Some wierder effects too e.g. auto-wah, ring modulation, "vintage vibe" (kind of a Robin Trower sound), all of which work as they should.

Seems to be very sturdy - this sets it apart from the lower priced items in the Zoom range. All metal casing; the control switches and pedals are also partly metal and feel rock solid. My only quibble would be with the external PSU; the lead connecting it to the DC socket is very thin and I am not sure whether it would survive rigorous live work. I would use the 8080 without a backup but would have to take a PSU along. It's a bit duff that at this price Zoom don't provide an internal PSU!

Never had to deal with them.

At the price I found it at (which was considerably cheaper than the (then) list price - shop around!) it's a very good unit which compares well with the Boss GT-5, for example. THe best things about it: a lot of different usable (and good) effects, patch changing really is virtually instantaneous (a great bonus live), easy to use. Wish it had AN INTERNAL PSU. It's a great help making music - some of the patches just make you want to sit there and create some *new* music with them. Overall - top notch!

If I could do it so can you---Darn simple!!!

OK here comes the tricky part---I used mine in two different ways---thru the FX loop on my Peavey Ultra head and and direct into it---the latter sounds much better! When used in a loop it is hard to tweak your original sound. The biggest beef i had with this unit was the Reverb--it was really dark and gave my sound a distinct ZOOMY touch. Modulations(phasers/chorus) are very good.Distortions are very good too--it is hard to get a Pantera sound from this , but if Shredding is your thing it will be awesome. The dists are almost like a Metal Zone---the EQ is effictive and sensitive but not too diverse---Noise is not there at all----MIDI stuff is simple and effective.

Built like a tank--does everything on the floor--i cant afford back-up--but even if i could i would trust the Zoom!

Definitely a killer unit for all styles--i would buy it again---use it to go direct into an amp or power amp but not in an FX loop. Great midi controllers--assignable to all parameters---KILLER SHRED MACHINE!!!