A long time ago, in this very same city, let’s say 1998 and let’s say it was in Portland, I had a Zoom 505 multi-effect pedal. It was awesome. A bank-up pedal, a bank-down pedal, push both for bypass and attach an external expression pedal for wah or fading effects in or out. 24 effects to choose from with up to 9 at a time! So if I wanted an auto-wah fuzz noise-reduced amp simulating phaser doubled with pitch shift and delay I was all over it. In 2005 Zoom updated the pedal and dubbed it the G1 and then followed it with the G2. I got myself the Zoom G2.1U on account of the built in expression pedal and the usb interface.
Obviously the G2 has more processing power than the 505. Also new is the amp modeling technology. If you are unfamiliar with amp modeling it’s when a company analyzes the way a 1969 Marshall Plexi sounds and then puts that sound in a chip and puts that chip in a pedal and sells it to me because I can afford the effects pedal, but not the 1969 Marshall Plexi. The Zoom G2 packs 16 classic amp and stomp box models. Also included are two Zoom original designs the Zoom Extreme Distortion and Zoom Digital Fuzz. If you use it right the Zoom Extreme Distortion can get a decent approximation of Dimebag Darrell’s sound.
Of the amps that Zoom used as models I have only ever owned the Roland Jazz Chorus, and kick myself everyday for selling it. The Roland Jazz Chorus emulation sounds just like a Roland Jazz Chorus emulation. I can tell what they’re going for, but it’s clearly not the real deal. Still, it is a very nice, clean sound. My biggest problem, unfortunately, is all of the amp models. The amp modeling seems like a great idea, right? And it is, kinda. The distortion choices on the 505 we more generic like OD, Rythym, Metal. But my memory is that they were more tweakable and that you could actually get a more original sound. The amp models on the G2 let you adjust them a bit, but it’s mostly less gain or more gain.
That being said, I really do enjoy the G2.1U and would choose it over the 505 due to the built in expression pedal and the fact that all of the other effects (54 this time, still only 9 at once) are really quite good, even the distortions. The interface takes some getting use to, but like anything practice makes perfect. The moment I actually felt I started to understand how the thing works is after visiting a site where people share their custom patches (sounds they came up with using the G2). Have a Zoom G2.1U and want to sound like The Edge or James Hetfield? Do a search and program away. The site is at haax.se, the exact address being: http://www.haax.se/manualsite/index.php?unit=G2
This was meant to be a short entry about the merits of the Zoom G2.1U, but I got a little off track and a little long winded (type-ed?). Anyway, take what you will and feel free to contact me with any questions about either Zoom pedal. There really is just too much to include in one entry.
Zoom 505
Zoom G2.1U
Some Kind Of Muffin 