Zoom MS50G

Started by myksara, May 26, 2013, 09:11:14 AM

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myksara

Just got a Zoom MS50G and I am loving it as a practice tool or even as a tool for small venues solo stuff with support from backing tracks on my iPad and RC3 looper!
It has got all the amps (subset of zoom G3/G5 amps) required from clean to heavy and you need to do a bit of homework before actually using it...
It also has tons of all fancy effects choruses, phasers,flangers,delays,echos, reverbs, pitchshifter, harmonizer,acoustic sim etc (again similar to Zoom G3 and G5)
Some people say it is complicated to use but I don't think so..sit with it for 1 hour and you should be able to master it!

After creating a few patches say 5 or 6 patches that you are going to use, you can cycle through them with the tap of the footswitch making it operate like a multiFX..

The other mode of operation is you can choose to turn on/off a selected effect in a patch making it operate like a stompbox...
Its also got a tuner that is activated with a long press of the footswitch.
Doesn't have a looper though (asking too much for a $100 baby beast??)

You can also change the order of effects in the effects chain for some unconventional yet interesting setups..

It works on a single 9V battery (included), optional ac adapter (sold separately) and USB power from the computer or also a powered USB hub which is what I use for practice and live!..

Build quality and layout is superb with a nice silver metal body, metal footswitch, a crisp white display with black text and graphics(similar to a zoom G5) and a few plastic optimum buttons and knobs to program it!

Me and my band-mates practice in the drummer's bedroom at controlled volumes so all that I carry is my guitar,USB hub,Zoom MS50G in the gig bag and a Behringer B205D portable amp! All this goes on a 2 wheeler with me  :)

Overall I am impressed with what Zoom has packed into this little box..



Guitars: Ibanez Prestige S5470, Ibanez Jem 7v, Ibanez JS2410, PRS SE Custom24, Cort  Ltd G16, Ibanez RG370Ahmz,
MultiFX: Roland GR55, Zoom 1on, BOSS GT00
Loopers: Digitech trio+, Line 6 JM4
MIDI:, MAudio Axiom24 keyboard, Alesis IO Dock with iPad air 2

Elantric

#1


Zoom multi-Fx pedal USB MIDI controller (with interface to Android, iOS, PC)
Dave 626 views
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Published on Dec 21, 2016Prototype of the model available from January 2017.
[EDIT: release delayed until late Feb 2017.    For more details and updates, please follow facebook page       https://www.facebook.com/zoom.control/                                   ]

This is part 1 of the overview.  Part 2 also is up now at
Part 3 will appear in the next day or two.
[EDIT: Part 3 is up now at ]

Controls multiple Zoom pedals - G3, G3X, B3, G5, MS-70CDR, MS-50G, MS-60B, G1on, B1on, G1Xon, B1Xon with wireless interface to android, iOS, Mac, Windows or Linux devices (or standalone using HDMI monitor plus mouse.)

Very flexible, very easy to use.  Unlocks the huge potential of these pedals:
controls multiple pedals
expression pedal control of any parameter
master tap tempo
MIDI input assignment/translation
flexible (& easy!)  footswitch programming
(footswitches can change patches, effects, parameter values, control tuner etc, etc in any combination)
etc, etc...


https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vjjG2Ldq0x5aKqWcF4CcEfT5k05ZC6SzD-drUXwGLR0/edit


Zoom Pedal Interface – Information sheet (v1, 30 April 2017)


What is this thing?
The ZPI connects to and controls one or more of the following Zoom multi-effects pedals:
G5   G3   G3X    B3
MS-70CDR      MS-50G   MS-60B
G1on     G1Xon   B1on     B1Xon

How does it work?
The ZPI uses MIDI commands via the USB port for all control.  No Zoom pedal modifications are needed.  The built-in footswitches can be programmed to perform any combination of control commands.  Expression pedal inputs can be assigned to control any continuous (dial or slider) parameter.


What can be controlled?
Almost everything on the Zoom pedals listed above can be controlled via USB: patch changes, effect type, effect on/off, effect parameter settings, tuner control (except G3, G3X, G5), tempo setting (except series 1 pedals), signal direction (G3/5, B3 pedals)
It's easier to list what can't be controlled...


What can not be controlled with the ZPI?
The following can't be controlled because the Zoom pedals don't allow it:
Tempo setting for series 1 (G1 and B1) pedals (Tempo is read only for these.)
Tuner control for G5, G3X and G3 (v2) pedals
Master (or Global) settings such as battery type, display contrast, power management, tuner/tap selection for MS pedals, auto save setting, master volume for some pedals.  (On some pedals, these can be read but are not displayed by the ZPI at present.)
Signal flow direction for MS and 1 series pedals.  (The ZPI display changes this but the direction on the Zoom pedals does not change.)
The following can be controlled but are not as yet by the ZPI:
Display scroll position (for pedals with more effect slots than displays).  The ZPI shows which effects appear on the Zoom display(s)  (Controlling this is possible and could be a future enhancement.)
Assignment of the Zoom "Control in" pedal/switch (or inbuilt expression pedal.)  It is possible to show and control this - could be a future enhancement.  (Note: this includes the G5 "Custom" Z-pedal effect assignments.)
Deleting or inserting effects, changing effect position in the effects chain.  (Future enhancement.)
In addition, please note that some changes can be made only by reloading the entire patch information.  Any such change thus has the same effect as changing a patch – eg, loss of tails.  (Also, these changes are less suitable for assignment to an expression pedal, as rapid changes will overload the USB channel and/or the Zoom pedal's processor.)
These changes are:
MS series pedals:   tempo change;  effect type change;  any change to effects in slots 4, 5 or 6
1 series pedals:  volume change,  effect type change


How does the display work?
The ZPI uses standard  VNC (Virtual Network Computing) technology to provide a remote display on your Android, iOS, MacOS, Windows or Linux device.  This requires a VNC client program on your device.  There are many of these available at low or no cost:  TightVNC, RealVNC, AndroidVNC have been tested and work with the ZPI.   The ZPI interface has 3 different "dial" modes to work best with different VNC clients and input devices (touchscreen, mouse.)
The ZPI provides a wireless Access Point to connect your device (and also an ethernet port which can be connected to a router for VNC connection via your local area network.)


Can the ZPI use MIDI input from another MIDI controller?
Yes it can, but the MIDI interface is not included in the initial release.  The ZPI will accept MIDI via the USB port (using a MIDI to USB converter if a standard 5 pin MIDI interface if needed) and translate PC, CC and note on/off messages to control Zoom pedals attached to the ZPI. 
Also planned is the ability to use MIDI clock input to set master tempo.


How many switches/LEDs/expression pedals?
The ZPI has 16 input/output lines for switches and LEDs, configurable as either 8+8 or 12+4 (switches+LEDs.)
There are 4 expression pedal inputs, which can be assigned to any number of effect parameter dial or slider controls.
The basic unit provides a 4+4 configuration, plus the 4 expression pedal inputs.
An end expansion unit adds another 4+4.
Inserting a middle expansion unit adds another 4+0 (and the 4 LEDs in the end expansion unit then do not operate.)


Cost?
As at 1 May 2017:
Basic unit:       US$179
Expansion units:    US$48
Shipping:  varies – please contact for more information. 
(Shipping is from Brisbane Australia via Australia Post.)


How to order?
Please contact Dave via Facebook message: https://www.facebook.com/zoom.control
or email: drdashdot@gmail.com
Limited quantities are available.


Further expansion is planned: patch backup and storage (definite), general purpose midi floor controller function (possible), control of other MIDI compatible pedals (possible.)

Please feel free to contact as above with any questions!

Cups

Super impressed with the new Ver. 3 effects. The drives are actually usable. The new crazy delays and reverbs are fun too. She's a keeper now.

sixeight

Even more effect options for these zoom pedals:

https://github.com/Barsik-Barbosik/Zoom-Firmware-Editor

QuoteZoom Firmware Editor is a software for modifying guitar/bass multi-effects pedal firmware updater files. It can be used for adding, removing, swapping effects; replacing drum sample sounds.

Later will be added possibitily of modifying drum patterns.