Revisiting The ZOOM G2.1u Guitar Effects Pedal

[@and1424]

The zoom g2.1u was launched on 2005

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Ah, thank you Tube Amp Time! :)

[@davidb_bitsbobs]

Always nice to find a new channel, enjoy the content, and sub. I'm hoping to get a G2.1u soon, so I was just checking out reviews. Sounds good. I also started in a similar way with Zoom, but I got the 9001 rather than the 9000, then the 505 (still have them). The expression pedal looks like a useful bonus. I'll probably mostly be using bass guitar through it, which hopefully will be OK. Maybe even synths and vocals knowing me! Cheers f or the upload and enjoying your regular tunes!

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Thank you for your comment and feedback. I used to love the 505 pedal! Btw, I think you can get the older Zoom pedals specifically for bass too. :) Thank you very much amigo! :)

[@davidb_bitsbobs]

@@MoonrunnerMusic Thanks! Yes, the 506 I think is for bass, and a few others. Oh, and I've just won the G2.1u on Ebay!😁 I'll revisit your video when it arrives to pick out some of your favourite patches. Cheers!

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

@ Nice one! I look forward to hearing all about your pedal when it arrives! I gave mine to my neice, although I did give it to my mum first as I mentioned in the vid. I use an FM3 these days for recording. And, thank you for the sub!!! Very much appreciated!!! :)

[@davidb_bitsbobs]

@@MoonrunnerMusic Cheers! Gosh, an FM3! That's a serious piece of kit. What made you go for that, if it's not too lengthy a reply? I'll check out your '10 best effects from the FM3' etc. You're obviously a good enough guitarist to get the most out of it. I'll be grovelling around with the Zooms of this world for a long time to come! 😁

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

@@davidb_bitsbobs The FM3 is great and has everything I want. I was going to go for a Kemper or Quad Cortex, but then decided to go for an FM3 because there are so many FX. I've had it for quite some time now and still haven't scratched the surface with it. I definitely recommend an FM3. I'd like an Axe, but they're very pricey, as you probably know. I don't gig now and have no space for a real amp, so great to have something like an FM3 amp modeller, etc.

[@beatnicksodyssey]

I actually just ordered one these and I'm waiting for it to arrive. I was looking for something newer, but saw a good deal on this and when I skimmed through the manual it looked like it had everything I needed in a compact pedal. I'm mostly a bedroom player and mostly play direct so I like having something small. The presets seem to have most of the artists I like too so that's a plus. And I love Zoom's step effect, I actually used it on one of my recent songs called "Speak".

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Thank you for comment. Btw, my niece is using this exact pedal in video to play live with her band, so is serving two generations. :)

[@TezTezTezTezTez]

I've still got my zoom 505 and this g2.1u so versatile.. both purchased new... blast from the past 😃

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

That is cool! I'm thinking about seeing if I can buy the 9000 and the 505 again on Ebay and maybe making videos on them too. :) I used to use these pedals and one was a chorus pedal - I forget the brand name, but they had a great sound - especially the chorus. :)

[@jesseshearer9368]

This is a wildly underrated line of pedals. Ive been using the g2.1nu since my g2.1u was stolen. Almost since it was released. The only thing is the 2.1u has a wet/dry setting that the 2.1nu doesnt. Still a fantastic pedal with everything you need aside from the looper. Id go in on a boss looper with it.

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Thanks for comment and info. I've always liked Zoom products too. :)

[@brucedickinson8993]

hey bro, 2.1u haves support on edit & share program?

[@buddafingahz9057]

Thanks for posting. I love my Zoom. It's actually not that hard to use either. Very versatile, sounds good and you can modify the sounds. Solid build quality as well.

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Yes, the quality is great and for the price. I have always loved Zoom.

[@harveynorman8787]

I have this pedal and I'm still using it. I used to play on gigs with this and i was getting praises using this multi effects. I just hope it has a global eq, but having a cheap caline 10 band eq also worked for me

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Rock on! :)

[@robhillman5957]

Hi, just bought a secondhand unit, great piece of kit, the USB port on the rear allows you to connect to a pc etc and use the Zoom as a recording interface, hope this helps, regards ,Rob

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

How does that work? Does the DAW pick it up as an audio input via USB?

[@robhillman5957]

@MoonrunnerMusic Hi, please excuse my ignorance as I'm not familiar with DAW. I connected my zoom pedal to my pc usb port, opened Audacity ( open source) software, played around with input settings and was able to record directly into Audacity. File is saved as Audacity project, it can then be exported if needed in other audio format, media player, MP3 etc, hope his helps, Rob.

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

@@robhillman5957 DAW = Digital Audio Workstation. Audacity is kind of the same thing. Very interesting and thank you for the info!!!

[@TimHolman]

Those have always been cool units and pretty user friendly. 👍🎸🔥

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

I'd like to try out some more up to date Zoom pedals. I would imagine they have improved a fair bit since the pedal in the video.

[@neilswan8015]

I dig the tones on these older models

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

They are pretty good! :)

[@erichsenflemming]

I still got it. Love it. 🎸🎸

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Oh yeah! Rock on amigo! :)

[@groupeimadrayen2002]

How i can download tunes on Pedal G2.1u please?

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

This pedal is before the age of downloading things onto it. It is pretty much just a basic effects pedal which is probably around 20+ years old now.

[@THEMESONGTITAN]

Nice review. I never used the Zoom G2 or any other Zoom products. The review did, however, remind me of a Digitech RP500 that I was pretty fond of back in the day:)

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

I've always liked Zoom stuff and it as always been quality at an affordable price for us musicians at the poor end of the spectrum! Haha!! :D I don't think I have tried and Digitech products, but my mate was talking about a Digitech thing he has which can drop the tuning digitally which i thought sounded cool. :)

[@normasnockers323]

Great video mate! Im stuck here in Italy on on the covid Strapdown, I just dug my G2 out, its a nice bit of kit, well made, but im too fick to werk it out now! Ill give it a try...!

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Rock on! :) On the nostalgia buzz here with lots of things! :D If you haven't got the manual, you can find it online. :)

[@crisdosramos]

This pedal is amazing

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Rock on! :)

[@AbnerChamate]

I just bought this used unit from ebay $68 with SH and tax. Adapter and guitar cable included. I had a G1u that stop working a few weeks ago. Zoom newer models may sound better, I dont know how much improvement but to me this thing is all I need: Amplitube 5 has some amazing sounds as well but is not as portable and direct to music playing. The specs are still what most guitarist search for. If you want better newer than this is around $500. Your playing is very good and that G2 is still perfect for good players.

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

I enjoyed playing with the Zoom G2.1u. Sounds pretty good through amp sims and real amps. I'm using VSTs at present, but am going to get a Quad Cortex or Kemper at some point and hopefully that should sort out the tones I am looking for. Thank you for the kind comments too. :)

[@AbnerChamate]

@@MoonrunnerMusic you mentioned Spark amp as well. That one specs look amazing but is not a pedal. You probably have some sort of switch or no need for one?

[@georgebolton6054]

Thank you! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Why thank you too! :)

[@millenniumprincemusic]

I use this pedal as an audio interface to record synths into my DAW and as an external effects unit, it's a great bit of kit!! I'd be lost with out it 😀😀😀

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

That is a very good idea! I use synths too, but I have now given my Zoom to my niece. :D

[@delmac85]

still got mine... love it 05/6?

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Rock on! :)

[@sacheenheartbreakkid]

Great stuff my friend 👍🏻

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Thank you Sacheen! :)

[@thrillathakilla]

I've had one of these since 2008. It's great but I have to admit I've never really learned how to fully use it

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

They're cool bits of kit. I don't think I used it to full capacity either. :)

[@The_Macaroon]

Same

[@jobless89]

The reason were all here mines is dusty a f lol also only runs on batteries but sounds as good as it did back then

[@samnicholson5051]

I used it for years before realising you were actually able to bypass the FX lol. I just had this muddy tone because I had all the effects on and tried to find the most neutral tone or turn down the reverb. It sounded much better when I figured out how!

[@Pawns-to-kings]

Can it work for bass guitar? How good is it?

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

I think you can get a bass version. This pedal is very dated now, but still pretty good.

[@ionracas]

I got one for 10 E, having a blast trying to figure it out

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Sounds great! Rock on! :)

[@samnicholson5051]

This was my first guitar pedal. Still have it. It's one hell of a swiss army knife that's got everything you need and lots of control. Sure it's not exactly the best sounding pedal in the world but they were a good price and it seems there's the odd pro who's used them. One being Darrel Higham, who used to play guitar for Imelda May (popular singer over here in Ireland, but I she's gets a fair amount of attention abroad too?) who uses these for his live tremolo and reverb which is pretty cool (he has two of them on stage in case the first one craps out). I think the reverbs and delays are the best sounding effects of the bunch. The distortion doesn't cut it for me although the clean amp sims sound ok. This was also my first interface, I actually used to use a shitty karaoke mic with it for when I overdubbed vocals. Didn't sound too bad either (that mic sounded no better through a preamp) just a little bit of noise.

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Thank you for your take there, Sam! I have always enjoyed Zoom pedals over the years. I now have a Fractal Audio FM3 now and will put some vids on the channel when I am a bit more familiar with it. :)

[@elliotcleaves386]

I'm a bit late to the party, but thanks for making this video. It's super helpful. I'm looking into getting one second hand and wondering if you would recommend it for acoustic guitar?

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

I think Zoom make one specifically for acoustic guitar. Keep your eyes peeled on Ebay and/or Reverb, etc. PS: Soz for late reply.

[@harveynorman8787]

I have this pedal since 2011. I played many live gigs and this never failed me. I have a minimalistic setup Zoom g2.1nu --- 10 band eq --- booster. Straight to the return input -- power amp. Great sounding pedal. I am still using it to this date. Also, this pedal is very easy to work with for repairs and potentiometer reconditioning.

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Rock on amigo! I don't think I have ever heard a bad word about these pedals except from the music snobs who never even played one.

[@delbertbuenaflor5309]

Sir kindly please give me the setting of the different patches of your effects?..I find hard to set up good effects like yours. Thanks

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

I pretty much just modified existing presets on the Zoom, but I can't remember the exact settings.

[@sebastianruecker1275]

Reactivated yesterday, using a zoom r16 and my speakers.

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Rock on amigo! :)

[@tomasotreasaigh111]

I bought one of these, I still have it and it still works, but only with a power supply because for some strange reason it just stopped recognising the batteries?? I looked at the contacts and opened it to see if the wires had come loose but nope, it looked fine but cant use it with batteries. Thats mostly the reason I stopped using it, if anyone has tips about that then thanks... Thanks for the video, you have inspired me to go get it and dust it off, looking foward to it actually! Peace from Ireland mo chara x.

[@tomasotreasaigh111]

Ps Liked and subbed!

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Funnily enough, I think I had the same problem and didn't bother with the batteries since. Certainly a good piece of kit all the same and can't grumble with the price. Cheers from England! :)

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

@@tomasotreasaigh111 Rock on Tomas and thank you! :)

[@adilsongc6786]

The pedal is spectacular, and it's very difficult to explore its full capacity...I don't need anything else! I have one, and he is irreplaceable.

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Rock on! They are good! :)

[@jonatanjimenezja7370]

hi, that output plug works to send line to a mixer or just for phones? thanks

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

I was referring to the USB port, but I think it might have been to download patches.

[@russelllucas1043]

I loved your video as I am a big fan. I have one of these, and 2 with out the pedal controller. I love the pedal. I have many amps and effects but this is my favorite. I find in best to line in straight into a valve amp bypassing the amps preamp by using the effect return. Try it, you'll thank me. 😁

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Thank you for your comment, Russell! Yes, makes a lot of sense to bypass the amp presets on the pedal and play the effects through a real amp. Funnily enough, years ago, I had a 100W Marshall valve amp which I played this pedal through. These days, I have been using plugins to make videos and record guitar and have in view to buy a Kemper or what I have recently seen, the Quad Cortex. PS: I want to get hold of the other Zooms I mentioned and to make some more videos at some point, so I'll be keeping my eye on Ebay for the older models I used way back. :)

[@nielshunefeld6376]

USB is for 24bit 96Khz AD conversion (came with Cubase VST lite and Ableton if I can remember correctly) to record straight into your computer. :-) Just trying to resurrect mine as the voltage convertor gave up the ghost after leaving it in storage with batteries in it for about 10 years.. :-))

[@nielshunefeld6376]

btw, when this came out it was the first 32bit DSP based consumer Guitar FX, which is why it can still sound pretty damn good nearly 20 years on. It's mainly the user interface that proved to be a limiting factor to getting the most out of it. The flagship 9.2tt (twin tube) used the same DSP and was much easier to edit although the large footprint prevented it from becoming thet 'swiss army knife' that the G2/G2.1 is known for.

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Ahh, I think I remember the unit coming with a Cubase CD when I bought it the first time around! Thank you for the info there and your comments! :)

[@TheJusnic82]

I just pulled mine out last week been in storage for about 8 years. Forgot how fun this thing is

[@samnicholson5051]

The internal processing is 24/96 but the USB mode only does 16/48.

[@The_Macaroon]

There's a microswitch under the rocker pedal. Any idea what it's for?

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Is it the switch which turns the pedal on and off via the pedal?

[@The_Macaroon]

@@MoonrunnerMusic no idea. The pedal doesn't touch it!

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

@@The_Macaroon I don't know what that is then. I haven't got mine on me to have a look either. I gave my Zoom to my mum. :)

[@abby-i1i]

It's an on/off switch for the designated effect. You need to press the top of the rocker pedal a little harder. Say, you assign the wah to the pedal, you can turn it on off. Also, you can start with the designated effect on or off depending on what the state is when you saved the patch.

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

@@abby-i1i I think that is what it is and I don't think there are any other switches which the OP may have been alluding to. Cheers Super! :)

[@lerlo]

HI this is a genuine question. I own a g2.1u for more than 10 yrs and it stills sounds amazing to me. I've also have a G3x and i don't understand why it sounds so horrible to me. Am i doing something wrong with the G3x? I play straight to headphones or monitor speakers.

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

You might want to run it through an amp first? I've not played through a G3x, but am guessing you want some kind of amp sound. :)

[@brucedickinson8993]

Hi! It works with Zoom Edit & Share software?

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

It is most likely too old for that.

[@zenith7969]

Can I connect this with other analog pedals like NUX?

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

I don't know.

[@torz54]

I have one of these and tried to connect it as an audio interface to my mac but unable to get any sound (using garageband / audacity as DAW) Is it simply too old to be compatible with a mac OS ? any tips would be appreciated!!

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

You might want to plug the Zoom into into an audio interface. I use a Focusrite, but get or use what you prefer. FOCUSRITE SCARLETT SOLO 2nd Gen USB Audio Interface: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKallJ6VapKmpbc

[@Musaal81]

My zoom isn't work that wah, is broken or what?

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

You might want to push down with your foot on the pedal until it clicks to turn it on. :)

[@AbnerChamate]

What software are you using to edit the patches for G2.1u? Thank you

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

I edit the patches via the actual unit. I wouldn't know how to edit via software. Can that be done? I don't know what the USB actually does.

[@AbnerChamate]

@@MoonrunnerMusic you showed some software in this video. Maybe G2.1nu software works on this one. I used zfx tools to edit Giu patches but look terrible this vista era software on Windows 10.

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

@@AbnerChamate The software used was Positive Grid's BIAS Amp which is separate to any Zoom software. I plugged the Zoom into an audio interface and then that signal was sent through BIAS Amp to get a better sound, as if playing through a real amp, but it is an amp sim. :)

[@AbnerChamate]

@@MoonrunnerMusic oh well your mom needs that software and interface as well to sound that good lol. Anyway I will be testing next Monday my G2.1u and compare to G1u by memory since is dead and hoping editing software exist. But using virtual effects is not portable enough for most gigs. Thank you so much for the video and replies.

[@joenorx0810]

Does it have a loop option?

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

No, not this model. This model is quite an old model.

[@edi_edoardo1988]

I used the zoom g1 but honestly i am not satisfied.I wonder how this g2 can be

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

I had a lot of fun with it. They were great for the money! :)

[@anjomedel14]

Does it have a looper function, tho?

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

No. It is a relatively old pedal, but has some cheesy drum patterns to jam/practice too. :)

[@JC-fx3wh]

Someone is selling me this pedal in a good condition for $40. Is this worth it? Does it sound good on a gig in a local bar?

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

I've used this pedal live and enjoyed it. I probably would use one live these days as I have an FM3 now. But, like most things, tis all horses for courses. :)

[@Musaal81]

How to activ pedal wah? Im from asia

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

You might want to push down with your foot on the pedal until it clicks to turn it on. :)

[@Musaal81]

@@MoonrunnerMusic ok i'll give it a try thanks for the info

[@nicolasaraistrujak208]

I have a 2.1nu model but I cant make good tones like you

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Oh. What are you playing it through?

[@고현규-g8d]

v.v.v. ~ ! ~goo~ good~~ zoom g2.1Nu. you are great~~~` i`m play again g2.1Nu. Thank you v~ mach~~~`

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Rock on amigo and thank you very much for your comment! :)

[@tezk9044]

Hey Mark , when u were showing the photo of u in a band i was expecting to see you with long hair , i don't know why :-)

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Haha!! :D I did often have long hair and then would cut it off, then grow it again and so on... I have now cut it off because I am going bald!!! :D Hope all is well Tez and looking forward to hearing how 'I Talk To Fire' develops. I need to get on with things on Kompoz too. :)

[@tezk9044]

@@MoonrunnerMusic here is the Provisional Master , we want your opinion PLEASE , is it OK , can we call it "DONE " :-) www.kompoz.com/music/collaboration/1045289/file/1077457/1#comment1280402

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

@@tezk9044 Going to listen now! :)

[@reaverofsouls]

Been using one for a few years now, but it's on the way out sadly. Lots of buzz and I don't feel like tearing the thing apart because its age is visually apparent. It shall be given a tasteful and dignified funeral.

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

I have an affinity with this pedal and Zoom pedals in general too. Keep on rockin'! :)

[@kantbnamdaeng8557]

ผมก็ยังใช้แสดงสดอยู่มันก็โอเครนะ

[@MoonrunnerMusic]

Rock on! :)