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VGuitar Central => User Reviews => Topic started by: LJS on September 12, 2014, 02:09:46 PM

Title: Review: Zoom G5
Post by: LJS on September 12, 2014, 02:09:46 PM
I see that there is a Boss GT-100 category here, but no Zoom G5. I've had a Zoom G5 now for about a year, and I find it an excellent tool.

I run it into my Behringer mixer which is mated with Behringer B210 550 Watt powered speakers. The sound is excellent and rivals the quality of my Fender Blues Deluxe. In fact, the Blues Deluxe just sits because the Zoom is that good.

It has 22 amp models for dialing in the tone of any artist. They are quite good. The Fender Twin sounds very close to my Blues Deluxe which is true to life. It also has 123 effects. With that many effects, you're almost sure to have something close to the artist you're trying to match. You can put up to nine effects and amps in a single patch which is nice for trying them out. Add them all to a patch and then turn them on or off to mix and match.

I added a another pedal for convenience. It controls volume for all patches which leaves the funky "Z" pedal available for controlling two effects that you can select on a patch by patch basis. While it's a neat concept, I haven't used the Z-pedal much. But the volume pedal is indispensable.

Where the Zoom really shines, though is it's USB computer interface. Connect the Zoom to a laptop computer and the Edit and Share program appears which gives very visual representations of each effect. There's little doubt which effects are being modeled. And even if you don't recognize the effect visually, Zoom spells out clearly which product is being modeled in their User's Guide. Fender could learn something from Zoom with their cryptic modeling found in their Mustang line of amps.

While I'm talking about how much better the Zoom is than the Mustang line, I should mention that the Zoom makes it extremely easy to switch the location or order of patches. This is critical if you're trying to use different patches for a set. With the Mustang, it's darn near impossible to re-order your patches. With the Zoom, it's a breeze.

The G5 hardware is high quality as well. With four screens, you can see what effects you are using for your patch. What about the other five effects, you ask? You can view those by scrolling through the entire nine effects. And you're able to turn the ones you're looking at on and off with the foot switches for excellent control. Switch modes by holding down the number four switch and you can view banks of patches. Each bank contains three patches.

A final nice feature is the tube boost. You can use it for a 6 dB boost for playing lead, or you can use the tube to warm up your patch. It's your choice.

Oh, I almost forgot, it has a looper with some great rhythm accompaniment. I had so much fun with the looper that I went out and bought a Boss RC-300. The RC-300 is more full featured, but I still like the Zoom's drum accompaniment better.

All this for $299, or $255 on a 15% discount from MF.

How does it compare to the Boss GT-100? I don't know because I don't have a GT-100. Sorry. All I can say is that it costs about half as much and delivers a lot of bang for the buck.

So my go to setup includes a Godin LGXT guitar, a Roland GR-55 synth, the Zoom G5, and the RC-300 looper. Ive had this setup for six months now and have to say it's cured me of looking for something more. I think I have a few years in front of me mastering the use of these products. Each one of them is like an instrument in itself that needs to be mastered.

Anyway, if you're looking at multi-effects pedals, be sure to give the Zoom G5 a look. It's a great product.
Title: Re: Zoom G5
Post by: Elantric on September 12, 2014, 02:20:28 PM
QuoteI see that there is a Boss GT-100 category here, but no Zoom G5. I've had a Zoom G5 now for about a year, and I find it an excellent tool.

go here:
http://zoomforum.us/viewforum.php?f=18&sid=21cc82defb07702a6c80893a72939140 (http://zoomforum.us/viewforum.php?f=18&sid=21cc82defb07702a6c80893a72939140)


Zoom G5 Patches
http://guitarpatches.com/patches.php?unit=G5 (http://guitarpatches.com/patches.php?unit=G5)

(italian Zoom G5 Patches)
http://www.guitarblog.it/category/zoomgseries/ (http://www.guitarblog.it/category/zoomgseries/)


Zoom G3 Patches
http://guitarpatches.com/patches.php?unit=g3 (http://guitarpatches.com/patches.php?unit=g3)
http://www.guitarblog.it/2012/09/zoom-g3-patches-collection-1/ (http://www.guitarblog.it/2012/09/zoom-g3-patches-collection-1/)

Guitar Patches for other processors
http://guitarpatches.com/units.php (http://guitarpatches.com/units.php)
Title: Re: Zoom G5
Post by: LJS on September 12, 2014, 02:26:29 PM
Wow, thanks. I've never had a need to look for a forum for the Zoom, but now that I know about this one, I'll be spending some time there.

Muchas gracias!
Title: Re: Zoom G5
Post by: myksara on September 12, 2014, 11:00:37 PM
Zoom processors have always been severely underrated for years but IMHO they compete with some of the best and g3 g5 are killer tone and features packed besides value for money.

I think the drum loops and looper sync is very useful for practice and being class compliant makes them suitable to interface with iPads.

If zoom came out with guitar modeling and alternate tunings as additions to the g5, that would be my main thing. I play live with different people all the time and all the vocalists sing in different keys so guitar modeling with alternate custom tunings like one step down to 5 steps up is most useful to me without having to relearn solos and arpeggios in different positions.
Title: Re: Review: Zoom G5
Post by: Elantric on July 24, 2017, 11:05:03 AM
http://ashbass.com/AshBassGuitar/Zoom/index.html

https://www.youtube.com/user/taleco92/videos
Title: Re: Review: Zoom G5
Post by: lurkalot on July 24, 2017, 12:13:51 PM
Even though the G5N is out I'm sticking with my G5 until it expires. ;)

Thanks for sharing all the handy links in this thread, some I've seen before and some I haven't.
Title: Re: Review: Zoom G5
Post by: naritos on August 31, 2017, 11:03:54 AM
I use Zoom G5 almost 5-6 months as well and I like it
Title: Re: Review: Zoom G5
Post by: JeffTronics on October 11, 2017, 05:37:49 PM
Here to, i have a G5 and when I use it I appreciate all the great effects it has. Great piece of gear.
Title: Re: Review: Zoom G5
Post by: myksara on October 13, 2017, 11:45:34 AM
I just purchased an old stock ZOOM G3X and I am so happy I did...Zoom has lost the plot in GX3N series.
G3XN was priced lower than the older G3X here on a short sale and I just managed to get the last one.
A youtube channel by the name 'Direct Recording Guitar' has awesome G3 series patches that are priceless.
One trick that the channel shows is to use 'combo amp' global setting as the output instead of 'direct'

G3X has tons of effects amps and also is an audio interface which the G3N series is not!! Plus I remember it is class compliant- Not sure if G3N is!
Title: Re: Review: Zoom G5
Post by: admin on October 13, 2017, 11:46:44 AM
Agreed!

much prefer the older G3 and G3X and G5  - just wish they had an FX Loop!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilnXicTEfn0&list=PLrxXQYEp-_uiwjrW7cU7Je1JFWPkhunOB