ZOOM G3 FX Quality

[SWeAT hOg]

Hey there, good fx addicts. I hope you are well.

I see a few of these Zoom G3 for sale on craigslist and kijiji. I'm curious about one, but only for the modulation, delay and reverb effects. The idea will be to use it in the FX loop of a Two Notes Le Crunch pedal, but only for said FX. I know the amp and distortion FX won't sound good with this setup, but I won't be needing them for this rig.

Anyway, if you have an opinion, please share.

Cheers!

 

[SWeAT hOg]

Nobody? @cybermgk , I think I remember you having one. Do you recall if the FX were any good?

 

[Marshall & Moonshine]

The effects aren't bad. Even the drives and wahs are decent. I have the G3Xn.
The modulation, delays and reverbs are great, for my purposes. The amps all basically suck. I guess the clean Fender stuff is ok as a basic clean platform. I only use it on the ship, since I've got my "real" rig at home.
But it's fun to play with.
The looper sucks balls, though. I simply don't understand it. It seems so simple to put a looper in a giant computer. But it's only 40 seconds in mono and there's like a 1 second pause between loops.
It's not Strymon, or whatever la di da brand is hot right now, but the delays work fine. I don't care for the phaser, but maybe I'm just spoiled with a Script 90.
I think that's the best way to describe it: it's fine. Some of the drives and fuzzes are surprisingly good.
From a practical standpoint, it's pretty good. Nobody in the audience will think it sounds bad.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

The effects aren't bad. Even the drives and wahs are decent. I have the G3Xn.
The modulation, delays and reverbs are great, for my purposes. The amps all basically suck. I guess the clean Fender stuff is ok as a basic clean platform. I only use it on the ship, since I've got my "real" rig at home.
But it's fun to play with.
The looper sucks balls, though. I simply don't understand it. It seems so simple to put a looper in a giant computer. But it's only 40 seconds in mono and there's like a 1 second pause between loops.
It's not Strymon, or whatever la di da brand is hot right now, but the delays work fine. I don't care for the phaser, but maybe I'm just spoiled with a Script 90.
I think that's the best way to describe it: it's fine. Some of the drives and fuzzes are surprisingly good.
From a practical standpoint, it's pretty good. Nobody in the audience will think it sounds bad.

Thanks for the review! I hope you're managing alright.

 

[Marshall & Moonshine]

Well.... I keep waking up on a ship, but other than that....

 

[SWeAT hOg]

Well.... I keep waking up on a ship, but other than that....

I look forward to when you can say you're waking up beside your beautiful missus.....

 

[Marshall & Moonshine]

Me too. Even if I'm only waking up because she stole all the blankets again.
I should be back in CA on March 15, then hole in a hotel and do union stuff and they'll meet me on the 17th.
It all depends on what happens with the quarantine.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

Me too. Even if I'm only waking up because she stole all the blankets again.
I should be back in CA on March 15, then hole in a hotel and do union stuff and they'll meet me on the 17th.
It all depends on what happens with the quarantine.

How’s she holding up? It’s gotta be hard on her and the kids.

 

[cybermgk]

The effects aren't bad. Even the drives and wahs are decent. I have the G3Xn.
The modulation, delays and reverbs are great, for my purposes. The amps all basically suck. I guess the clean Fender stuff is ok as a basic clean platform. I only use it on the ship, since I've got my "real" rig at home.
But it's fun to play with.
The looper sucks balls, though. I simply don't understand it. It seems so simple to put a looper in a giant computer. But it's only 40 seconds in mono and there's like a 1 second pause between loops.
It's not Strymon, or whatever la di da brand is hot right now, but the delays work fine. I don't care for the phaser, but maybe I'm just spoiled with a Script 90.
I think that's the best way to describe it: it's fine. Some of the drives and fuzzes are surprisingly good.
From a practical standpoint, it's pretty good. Nobody in the audience will think it sounds bad.

MandM nailed it. Ditto. Depending on the model, some of the actual pedal simulations range from so-so to pretty darn good as well. They are good DIGITAL effects with some, as M&M mentioned, really good.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

MandM nailed it. Ditto. Depending on the model, some of the actual pedal simulations range from so-so to pretty darn good as well. They are good DIGITAL effects with some, as M&M mentioned, really good.

Sweet. If I can get one good chorus, Flanger, tremolo, reverb and delay out of it, the Two Notes pedal can handle the dirt. I’m not basing my main rig on this setup. I just want a ‘grab-n-go’ board for jamming with in-ears and my band. If they sound good on their own, I bet they will sound better in the mix.

 

[Marshall & Moonshine]

Sweet. If I can get one good chorus, Flanger, tremolo, reverb and delay out of it, the Two Notes pedal can handle the dirt. I’m not basing my main rig on this setup. I just want a ‘grab-n-go’ board for jamming with in-ears and my band. If they sound good on their own, I bet they will sound better in the mix.

You'll get a LOT more than that.
If your expectations are "so-so", you're gonna be thrilled. There's some pretty interesting delays, including a double delay, tape, modulated, analog (the one I use the most) and I think even a few more. The reverbs have plate, hall, air, room, spring, tank (I think). There's a few choruses. Only one trem, which is an acceptable trem, nothing special. I really wish it had harmonic. Maybe it can be downloaded. The flanger isn't bad, but like I said, I didn't care for the phaser. It's got a pretty decent vibe and rotary, those might surprise you.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

You'll get a LOT more than that.
If your expectations are "so-so", you're gonna be thrilled. There's some pretty interesting delays, including a double delay, tape, modulated, analog (the one I use the most) and I think even a few more. The reverbs have plate, hall, air, room, spring, tank (I think). There's a few choruses. Only one trem, which is an acceptable trem, nothing special. I really wish it had harmonic. Maybe it can be downloaded. The flanger isn't bad, but like I said, I didn't care for the phaser. It's got a pretty decent vibe and rotary, those might surprise you.

Right on! Price is only $60, which would be the cost of an average used delay pedal.

 

[Marshall & Moonshine]

Oh geez...
It’s a no-brainer for $60.
I think it’s worth what I paid for it, like $200, new.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

Oh geez...
It’s a no-brainer for $60.
I think it’s worth what I paid for it, like $200, new.

This is the very basic model. No expression pedal, etc.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

Ok. This was a total score. Just a bit of tweaking and I have my banks all set up with tremolo, chorus, flanger, delay, reverb and EQ. I've got some decent 'set and forget' settings for each one and I like them all, except I find the flanger a bit tinny and metallic sounding. It could be the pedal I'm feeding it. This all makes for a nice grab and go board for in-ear jamming and to have another spot to practice.

It's all there, though I did borrow the OD from my school rig. I'll use it for now until I grab another OD.

 

[Jymbopalyse]

I've had the G3 for a while now.

I began using it with a my solid state Marshall MG50.
Set the MG to a clean, which it does well, and did everything else with the Zoom.


When I got the Messa Mark V, I just used the effects, with great results, for a guy who plays in a barn.
I didn't use the OD or distortion, but the modulation effects, (and the selection !!) were worth its price.

The one thing I really didn't care for was the reverb. I got a HoF, which I am pleased with, to cover that.

Now I have a HeadRush FRFR and I just plug the ZOOM straight into that now.
I'm waiting for a cheap HD500X to hit CL in my area. I'd like to play with that next.

I've never really used the looper as I have actual loopers.
40 seconds is just a tease.

If nothing else. It's a great first peddle. It lets you explore MANY of the different effects out there today for a simple price. Is there better. Of course. But at its price and for its size, I have gotten my monies worth from it.

 

[Jymbopalyse]

Ok. This was a total score. Just a bit of tweaking and I have my banks all set up with tremolo, chorus, flanger, delay, reverb and EQ. I've got some decent 'set and forget' settings for each one and I like them all, except I find the flanger a bit tinny and metallic sounding. It could be the pedal I'm feeding it. This all makes for a nice grab and go board for in-ear jamming and to have another spot to practice.

It's all there, though I did borrow the OD from my school rig. I'll use it for now until I grab another OD.

View attachment 444273

$60.
Awesome score.

One of the things I like about the ZOOM is the Edit & Share software.
Lets you see all the patches in a grid. Lets you save all the patches in a BANK.

I created a BANK for the MG, one for the Mark V and now I'm creating one for the HeadRush.
Saves all the tweaks in their own custom area.

Here's a link. You can get the manual there as well

Zoom G3 Guitar Effects & Amp Simulator Pedal

The Zoom G3 guitar pedal opens the door to a new level of creativity. It offers 94 effects, along with 22 amp and cabinet models, and allows you to chain up to six of them together for full multi-effect complexity. Three stompbox-style displays—each with its own dedicated foot switch and control...

zoom-na.com

Just in case you aren't aware. There is a global setting you need to be aware of. It defines if you are using a combo amp, head, or FRFR. It will make all the difference in shaping your sound.

There are also forums where people upload their own patches. Just Google G3 Patches.
Lot's of great sounds to be had.


Cheers



EDIT: Make sure that you can use 6 programmable blocks in a chain. Not just the three you see on the 3 screens. A firmware update expanded the initial 3 blocks to 6.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

$60.
Awesome score.

One of the things I like about the ZOOM is the Edit & Share software.
Lets you see all the patches in a grid. Lets you save all the patches in a BANK.

I created a BANK for the MG, one for the Mark V and now I'm creating one for the HeadRush.
Saves all the tweaks in their own custom area.

Here's a link. You can get the manual there as well

Zoom G3 Guitar Effects & Amp Simulator Pedal

The Zoom G3 guitar pedal opens the door to a new level of creativity. It offers 94 effects, along with 22 amp and cabinet models, and allows you to chain up to six of them together for full multi-effect complexity. Three stompbox-style displays—each with its own dedicated foot switch and control...

zoom-na.com

Just in case you aren't aware. There is a global setting you need to be aware of. It defines if you are using a combo amp, head, or FRFR. It will make all the difference in shaping your sound.

There are also forums where people upload their own patches. Just Google G3 Patches.
Lot's of great sounds to be had.


Cheers



EDIT: Make sure that you can use 6 programmable blocks in a chain. Not just the three you see on the 3 screens. A firmware update expanded the initial 3 blocks to 6.

Thanks Jymbo!

I do have the 6 programmable blocks. Right now, it simulates my own pedalboard loop section:

Tremolo--->Chorus--->Flanger--->Delay--->Reverb--->EQ

I'm enjoying all of these so far. The chorus and flanger sound superior to the EHX Stereo Electric Mistress, which is their digital chorus/flanger pedal. Delay, reverb and tremolo settings took a bit of time to dial in, but they sound great through in-ears.

I realized there's a tuner on this board, I can replace the Boss with a distortion or fuzz pedal.

I'm not sure what you mean by patches. I see how to access them, but I'm not sue what it is. For example, would my current setup of six effects be considered a single patch? Could I create more of these 'six-pack' patches, say with different fx?

Also, thanks for the tip on the global settings. I had it set for 'direct' when I'm using it in the loop of an 'amp' (the Two Notes Le Crunch is supposed to be a Marshall in a pedal and it has an FX loop). I'll see if there's a difference when I have some time later.

 

[Jymbopalyse]

A patch can hold upto 6 effects & amp sims.
The Zoom will save or bank upto 100 patches for recall, so create away.
The Banks are labeled A0-A9 , B0-B9 all the way up to J0-J9

With Edit & Share you can jump directly to whichever patch you desire.

With the ZOOM you press two foot switches at once to move between Banks

You can group banks so that it follows your set list.
A0 for first song
A1 for next song, etc.

If your ZOOM doesn't have any of the stock presets, you can download them from the Forums I mentioned earlier. They are fun to play with. I found 3rd party patches very useful as well.

 

[Jymbopalyse]

A better explanation of moving between and selecting patches