Customer Reviews

Zoom G2.1U Guitar Effects Pedal with USB Interface

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've had this unit for over a year now, and have used it for practicing (mainly through headphones, occasionally plugged in to my little Marshall MG15-CDR), a few jam sessions, and a bit of recording into GarageBand on my MacBook Pro.

On the positive side:
- Very solid construction.
- USB audio interface works great with GarageBand, both for input (guitar signal going to MacBook) and monitoring (listening to already recorded tracks plus the track you're recording via the G2.1u's headphone output). When connected via USB, it gets power via USB too.
- Runs for several hours on 4AA batteries. I use rechargeables. (Never bothered with an external AC adapter).
- Excellent sound quality. All the fx sound quite good. The ZNR soft noise reduction really handy if you've got a bit of low-level hum/buzz from single-coil pickups.
- Pretty easy to dial in your own sounds.

A couple of downsides:
- No aux input! IMO this is *the* single missing feature that limits this unit's usefulness for practicing. I would love to be able to plug in an iPod. (Thinking of buying a Line 6 Pocket POD for this).
- The cabinet / mic modelling doesn't sound very convincing to me.
- With only two foot switches for stepping up/down through your list of patches, it can be awkward switching patches in the middle of a tune (e.g. between rhythm and lead settings) unless you've stored them on adjacent patch numbers. Really no way around that without having a bigger box with more footswitches.

All in all, a nice unit, and good value. Probably most useful as a recording interface using the excellent USB audio interface. OK for for live use (with caveat about limited footswitches) and for practicing (as long as you don't want to jam along with your iPod).

..............

Update December 2008: I got myself a Vox Amplug AC-30 a while back. Fun little unit (if a bit overpriced for what it does) - plug it into your guitar, plug in a mp3 player & some headphones, and jam away. Turns out it can also be used to get around the G2.1u's lack of an Aux input.

Just plug the Amplug into the G2.1u's output, and connect your headphones and mp3 player to the amplug. With the right settings on the Amplug (at least the AC-30 version), the Amplug runs pretty clean, so at the Amplug's headphone output you hear essentially the same as you'd hear if you plugged your headphones directly into the G2.1u.

Obviously this is a bit of a kludge, but if you happen to have both units, this is an option...

What an outstanding device. I've had this for about a month now and I'm just really enjoying it. The sound quality produced by this thing is amazing. You can literally create a patch to sound like any of your favorite artists. There are many people on the web who have already created the sound 'patch' you're looking for and post the settings right there for you! I have a few pedals for distortion and chorus, but this all-in-one virtual stomp box is the way to go. The Wah pedal can be set to several different modes including volume control and you can really get in to creating your own custom patches.

The CuBase PC multitrack recording software it comes with is fun to play with and it's really easy to use. You should just get into the habit of recording your practice sessions because you never know what might come out of it.

There are like 30 something drum rhythms that come with it and you can set them to just about any tempo you like so you can nail down the timing of that tricky solo you're working on. These sound like real drums, not your casio keyboard drums!

I've been playing guitar for about 25 years, but this is one of the best investments i've made.

Plug the USB into your PC and hook your headphones to the pedal, now you can play along with anyone you like on youtube or iTunes. All the sound from your PC and guitar come right to your headphones. Outstanding pedal, I love it!

I tested one of those in a music stores, and I must say it sounded better than I expected. It has a very convincing wah-wah sound, and the "heavy distortion" sounds sound just like more expensive amp simulating units, like a POD. The only problem I can see with this multi FX is it doesn't have as many amp emulations as a POD or a VAMP-2, but if it had I just wouldn't use all of them, so I recommend this. A great pedal for a budgeted bedroom guitar player!

I was looking into effects pedals, and balking at the idea of spending $400+ in order to get the sound I wanted.

Then I found the Zoom G2.

This effects pedal is awesome -- you can run it off 4 AA batteries and plug headphones into it with an adapter. The sound quality is amazing, and there are more than enough effects to keep you busy for awhile.

It is confusing, though. Definitely read the manual. The default effects are all horrible -- create your own.

If you want something affordable in a compact package that sounds great and lets you experiment with different sounds now, then this is the way to go.

You could probably save money by getting a non-USB model, but this version works fine.

Product arrived in a timely matter. Love the pedal, will just have to get used to the foot pedal but outside that excellent stuff.

i recieved this as a gift last year & think it is just brilliant. the amount of features you get is awsome. most effects pedals you get can be around the same price but are really only for 1 effect,(distortion,wah,echo etc.)not nearly as versatile. it is a lil tricky to learn how to use some features but i got it in a few days. the drum machine is great. the sound is really pretty good, the clean is bright and deep at the same time, some very crunchy and vintage tones, i think all the effects sound really good once you figure stuff out. all in all for the cost you get alot. a must have!!

I've seen this product in a local store and got impressed with its functionality and size. All the basic effects are there, which is excellent for those in the first lessons - more than 20 pre-programmed effects. The internal "drum" and its 40 possible beats are great to play your riffs and music.
Also, the USB cable to use in a garageband for mac or any other music software will help a lot.
By its size and functionality, I recommend this product. If you are lack of space/money or need to travel without a huge case, this is a good target.

I got this for my brother and his 12 yr. old son. They LOVE it, it has given them so much quality time, my nephew is inspired to learn more so he can make some nirvana music. I so recomend it