Zoom G1Xon Guitar Multi-Effects Processor

This video is bonus content related to the November 2014 issue of Guitar World. For the full range of interviews, features, tabs and more, pick up the new issue on newsstands now or at the Guitar World Online Store:guitarworld.mys...
I’ve spent piles of cash and countless hours chasing down various stomp boxes over the years.
So when I got my hands on Zoom’s G1Xon Guitar Multi-Effects Processor, I was tempted to moan, “Oh, I’ve wasted my life,” like the Comic Book Guy in a certain “Treehouse of Horror” episode of The Simpsons.
For probably less than what I paid on batteries to power one vintage fuzz box, the G1Xon provides a lifetime’s worth of effects and amp models (105, to be exact) plus built-in rhythm patterns, a looper and a tuner. All this power is packaged in a compact foot controller that’s about the same width and length as an iPad and features an expression pedal.

[@ThePritamdas]

Loved your performance in breaking bad though...

[@johnmotherfuckincoltrane1242]

Instead of commenting on the actual quality of the pedal itself, people just bitch about the appearance.

[@socialdef3]

I say it sounds quite good for its price, and despite the appearance of an 80's toy.

[@11TruthAssassin]

bought one of these 6 months ago , im just learning guitar so its awesome ! only paid $65 great deal ! awesome pedal

[@Gravy_Master]

89gymratt Do you mind sharing where you got it for that price?

[@jinkim664]

@@Gravy_Master probably used

[@Ston247]

The Zoom G1Xon is actually sounds very good. Used it on some recordings. Not bad for the cheap price tag.

[@DWCarTestLane]

I've rough used mine for years.. Still holding together. Highly recommend. For people who already have another, get this as a backup.

[@arunbissoon4630]

Got mine last night! Blew the hell outta my mind!!! I recommend this to anyone interested in spicing up their guitar life!

[@mixrable1212]

I just bought one, I thought I'd never say this , it's too underpriced for its quality 😆

[@kapilstaley7311]

Mukund Shivakumar can I practise with this and guitar alone or do I need an amp too?

[@kapilstaley7311]

Thanks for replying.I have been playing acoustic and i am going to get my first electric guitar...Can i plug my normal headphone into a zoom or do i need special headphones?

[@kapilstaley7311]

thanx mate.

[@TuxedoCatCartoons]

Yep. I even scored one for $40!! This little thing packs a MIGHTY punch!! The loop station is certainly not the best, but it's not too bad either. But the effects are worth a whole lot more than the $40 I paid for mine.

[@rubatocasualopera]

Hey Tom, jumping on the thread here since you have one of these and seem very helpful - I've been trying to track down whether this has speaker simulation on it. I'm guessing yes because most multi-effects pedals do, but wanted to make sure before I grab one.

[@XanderYTV]

This thing kills. I used to have one a while ago when I was just a poor beginner lol. Now I have a sick setup and I wouldn't be upset to have one now. I mean you could use it for a noise gate, tuner, volume pedal, looper, drum machine. So much besides just the less than impressive modeling inside of it.

[@bruh_youmad]

I just bought this thing and as a beginner I swear I have no idea how to use it

[@aayushacharya8022]

Altaïr Ibn La Ahad even me !!! I am totally clueless

[@TuxedoCatCartoons]

It might seem a bit finicky at first, but don't let that stop you. It can be a lot of button mashing and menu navigating, but once you figure it out then it's really quite easy to use.

[@bruh_youmad]

Tuxedo Cat Cartoons hey thanks man!! I'm starting to get used to it a little. i kinda messed up with the settings though, will reseting it erase all effects?

[@TuxedoCatCartoons]

I wouldn't think so, but I've never done it on this pedal. I imagine it's just a factory reset and it would merely restore it to the default settings - meaning, if you tweaked or edited any effects then you'll lose your custom settings, but not the effect itself. And you'll probably lose any recordings saved on the loop station. Basically, the reset would let you start over by restoring it to the original settings.

[@nikaziz4923]

read the instruction manual bro..or just watch some lesson about this product on u tube..

[@MichaelKing-re8zc]

I owned a Zoom 9002 in 1992. It was featured in the SRV Guitar World tribute issue with Richie Sambora touring with it. Had to sell it later and regret it. The G1Xon I have now has the same great sounds and is much cheaper. The 9002 cost me $350 at the time.

[@naturepark4684]

3:36 so very clear sound

[@vladedivci]

Wild grandson of legendary Zoom 505

[@thomasfarmer1730]

The forgotten legend of Zoom 505

[@MB-yw3pv]

guitar world, answer this if you can, when you guys demo stuff like this how do you record it? direct? or into a power amp through mic'd up cab?

[@duilawyr]

can't believe you don't show the setting on each example of sound??😳😫😕

[@TheTacdriver]

no kidding!!!! Maybe thats why he keeps the headstock of the guitar right in the way!!! Really stupid! Oh hear are my favorite settings that Im not going to display.

[@ebetmr]

i agree, this new zoom multieffects can sound like the big boys. .i.e. boss gt-10,line x3 live,vox le,digitech rp1000, korg ax3000g, tried them all. it is inexpensive but very impressive. can do van halen tones from classic to modern.

[@elguapo1507]

What a fantastic guitarist! Brilliant demos!

[@w0mbatina]

Why the hell does this pedal look like it was made in 1984?

[@charlessale409]

+w0mbatina Because Zoom rulz.

[@nicedim]

+w0mbatina >> есть процессоры и с другим дизайном. Их много. Мне, например, этот нравится. Может быть и чем-то из прошлого века.

[@chineseroller]

+w0mbatina haha maybe it's a piece of Fallout trash

[@DavidOnTheRoadGuitars]

is it the NUX mg100?

[@11TruthAssassin]

lol i bought one couple months ago and it still looks like that !

[@theguitarfanatic7931]

4:32 that James Hetfield riff

[@andrewflanders262]

Given the price of this pedal, it's pretty much impossible for there to be a single thing wrong with it. For the price - it sounds amazing, looks amazing, is amazingly easy to use, is well designed and constructed - for the price.

[@somkit9102]

Did you have to hide the Patch IDs while playing through them?

[@DavidOnTheRoadGuitars]

i had bought the G1on and sold it, then regret it now. I had replaced it thinking it was better deal with a Zoom G7.1ut, older more sophisticated model, and it sounds great but complicated to use. The G1on is user friendly and sounds great, has features that I haven't found in other pedals. The things I liked were the looper, the octave, and the bass sim effect. I am going to get the G1Xon because the expression pedal will be a great use. The only thing I could not get from both pedals is the U2 band edge sound. I will most likely get an add on stomp box. Like a Nux tape core pedal or TC electronics flash back.

[@Ston247]

Lol...... I'm going to do the same thing. Holy Moses, this pedal is good !

[@PanosSG55]

4:18 was that a random jam or an existing song? if second, does anyone know this one?

[@avadianantharaagam]

nice playing sir

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

Damn, this is as steal for the price. I'm getting one.

[@Subilon]

Micah Buzan go on ebay first mate they are selling for around $30.Check it out

[@sauravdagaSDaga1984]

Are you using stereo 1/4 jack to connect the processor to the amp?

[@jayshakya3133]

Will this pedal break easily? It looks like it is made cheaply sounds good though

[@ashleyburroughs4996]

Where is the mono output to use with real amplifiers? Or is it designed to use with a small portable speaker with stereo input?

[@oneundergroundshop7906]

Приветствую, в проблема с квакой(педалью экспрессии) как то решается? Проблема в том, что необходимо сохранить прессет с выключенной квакой, но почему то сохраняется постоянно с включённой педалью экспрессии, как решить?

[@tywebb7744]

im buying this right now. this is too good to pass up for 50 bucks on amazon.

[@flaviojerome]

Which would you recommend: Zoom G1Xon or Boss ME-25? They seem to have similar features.

[@SamuraiBud]

too bad zoom stopped the production of G1xon, its even better than newer G1x four

[@IshredGuitar]

Buy several of them and store them back that's what I did! I found the secret amp & cab, plus booster and of course the ZNR! I chain this Zoom into my Line 6 HX stomp for a dedicated duel DSP setup. =POWER

[@asherfranklin6456]

bro is it even possible to create edm on g1xon? like i wanted to play plantershakers turn it up chords but i wanted it to have a edm vibe

[@kbabhimitra]

4:03 plz explain the patch! & effect chain!

[@johnathanmclaren4116]

I already have one of these, would it still be worth it to invest in a few select analog pedals?

[@elishaa7x634]

Is it gud for funk ,jazz, blues genres 🙄

[@maxbolton2555]

I see other people in the comments insisting it's a great pedal, but every speaker I've tried this video through still has the pedal sounding like shit, particularly the overdrive at the end. Maybe Guitar World just sucked at demoing gear in 2014?

[@IshredGuitar]

Dude get yourself some Blue Sky 100watt powered monitor/mains! You'll never look back and you can thank me later. There's only 2 amps and cabs that are killer on this unit and then you got to ask what tone you want? Metal rhythm or metal lead? I'm willing to help anyone with these presets.

[@luke_reiss]

good and simple user interface interactivity

[@highjinxwillie62]

What settings should you have on your amp when using this thru an amp

[@vanzXcyRus]

i have a question about the pedal, is it, by default, can you use it as a vol pedal?and then just activate the wah?

[@balake.plays.notes.]

+el van lorenzo I don't know about a vol pedal, But I do know you can do that with a wah. Just set an empty patch next to a patch with only a wah effect, then switch when you want to activate the wah.

[@AndrewAHayes]

can It be USB connected into a computer or does it need a separate interface?

[@sahajmathur79]

NEED HELP URGENTLY.....how do i select the different kind of pedal effects..like different types of wah...when ever i select the padal in the add an effect ..the only effect added if pedal VX(something like that).....PLEASE HELP I CANT SELECT THE DIFFERENT EFFECTS OF DISTORTION.OVERDRIVE.REVERB. ETC..\

[@MendingSilence]

Is it set up in order so I can switch from distortion to clean sound ? Can you rearrange the effects order? I just wanna make sure I'm able to switch from example a distortion channel to a clean channel jist by using my foot pressing the pedal ???

[@RgLopez]

Yes you can switch from clean to distortion For example H3 is Clean and H4 is Distortion

[@kbabhimitra]

plz, suggest a chain for very smooth but long-lasting sustain tone for DST soloing, no noise. thnx in advance. (I use Marshall MG 15 CF)

[@IshredGuitar]

I know I'm late and hopefully you still alive but get yourself some Blue Sky 100watt powered monitor/mains! You'll never look back and you can thank me later. There's only 2 amp selections and cabs that are killer on this Zoom G1on or G1onX unit and then you got to ask yourself what tone you do you want? Metal rhythm or metal lead? I'm willing to help anyone with these presets for a pro tone.

[@suyashsadekar]

Why does it have a 9volt input if it works on battery??

[@albooga]

For what it's worth, I had an old USB wall adapter laying around and I use that to power the G1Xon instead of the AA batteries or a dedicated 9v power adapter. I've only just purchased the G1, so I don't know what the long-term ramifications might be.

[@TheVikingBlues]

Sounds like a good way to kill a pedal, man. I'd stop doing this if you haven't already fried it.

[@arpanbarua9368]

which one is better g1xon or moor ge100

[@pujasaloni5837]

Which one should I take? this one or Boss DS1 . I am an intermediate player and I have a Fender 10g ,so I desperately need good distortion .

[@godsdisciple1864]

Boss DS1 got much better distortion than G1Xon. But if you need wah, reverb, delay (they are really very important) then you should buy both to get a killer tone with a low budget. Put Boss DS1 into your guitar, then G1Xon, then Amp.

[@combo997]

I have one of those. Really good.

[@danana108]

which one more worthy, this one or nux mg 100?

[@luismejia8977]

How to bank predetermined patches, to use them in a same song?

[@bivekneupane067]

Can we use like a cheap amp like orange or something with this zoom effect? Does it affect the sound quality?

[@L0kitheliar]

+Bivek neupane I've tried it on my shitty €20, 30 watt amp and as long as you set all the amp settings to as clean as possible, it sounds fine

[@GroovyMonster]

First thing that comes to mind when I see this is Tetris game.

[@walkerbelle]

You know, I've watched more than a dozen "how-to" and "review" videos for this Zoom G1Xon and not one single individual has explained what the far right pedal is for nor have any of them used it as a foot pedal??? What's up with that? Is it just cosmetic or does it actually perform a function??????????????????

[@seanoreilly2949]

As far as I know it's used for adjusting volume/gain/pitch, depending on the effect.

[@divyanshmishra6822]

What guitar are you using?

[@aspotv6907]

Charvel

[@MrSkygel]

I have g1xon and im having trouble with the feedback when i turn on the amps in the high volume and the master level in the gadget is low still it have a feedback? Can you teach me how to illiminate feedbacks please

[@kennyken7278]

Have the ZNR (Zoom Noise Reduction) effect chained first...every time...problem solved

[@lard_dork]

Hey, what guitar are you playing in this video?

[@jeremyacker7992]

It’s a Charvel.

[@mridularul1]

your electric guitar playing style is very much like playing an acoustic ... great video btw !

[@ThePekyew]

Does g1xon work even without batteries have been inserted a power supply? (DC9V) Sorry for bad english i'm only 14 years old. Asap. Tnx

[@kennyken7278]

ANY smartphone USB charger should work (5volts)...all you need to buy is a standard (older) USB cable that fits into the Zoom USB input

[@prospecstrings2043]

The Zoom AD0016D is the correct power supply for this unit.

[@martins1254]

ANY power supply with negative center 2.1mm DC 9volt 300mA WORKS!

[@GroBudzcom]

ThePekyew It works with batteries, a power supply, or a micro USB cable, not a standard (older) USB cable. (Edit: It is micro on the side of the G1on/G1Xon and standard on the side of the computer, or socket adapter.)

[@ruebezahl_electronics]

Just guessing, but there are people on this planet, whose native language is not english...

[@theguyinyourcellar7471]

Is this headphones compatible?

[@mopetnmax892]

I got one today and im quite impressed...sounds great if you consider the price

[@sharingan9141]

Is it working fine now

[@rubberdoots1979]

Omg when did charvel make a hardtail strat like that?

[@iloveitall]

I'de like to buy it, but I got the impression it doesnt preserve the natural tone of the guitar at all. it does not sound as if the natural tone is modified, but as if it is replaced somehow. can you mix natural and processed tone?

[@L0kitheliar]

+iloveitall Tried it on my strat and my les paul, and after hundreds of hours of playing, I can 100% say the natural tone is still there, but suppressed a little, more so on the les paul

[@iloveitall]

+L0kitheliar thanky for the reply. I tested it on my tele. doesn't sound good at all.

[@L0kitheliar]

***** Sorry to hear that, hopefully you sort something out

[@minggammomin4916]

Man... whenever i add noisegate... sound doesn't stay for long time need help here please

[@Rand0mManic]

Adjust your guitar pickups closer to the strings. ;)

[@minggammomin4916]

@@Rand0mManic ...thanks man..

[@IshredGuitar]

I know your problem I know I'm late and hopefully you still alive but get yourself some Blue Sky 100watt powered monitor/mains! You'll never look back and you can thank me later. I know the secrets to the ZNR noise gate. Also there's only 2 amp selections and cabs that are killer on this Zoom G1on or G1onX unit and then you got to ask yourself what tone you do you want? Metal rhythm or metal lead? I'm willing to help anyone with these presets for a pro tone.

[@subha517]

can anyone tell me whether any external source of audio could be plugged into it to jam along such as MP3 player or ipod as a source of backing track

[@gjmac7247]

yeah I just plug my android phone into the back and it is good to go.

[@DavidRFIT]

Does it make any sense using this pedal with a good tube amp?

[@godsdisciple1864]

If you are tight on a budget then use wah, delay, reverb etc from this pedal along with tube amp distortion. People will make fun of you but its your money. My advice? Since you are dishing out good money on a good tube amp (Marshall, Mesa, Engel, Soldano, Diesel), why kill your tone with digital shit? Invest in some good pedals from T-Rex, MXR, Fulltone, Morley etc.

[@Jdb_]

Can you plug the guitar into it and just plug it in to a pa?

[@anderselg2990]

What are you playing the first minute? It's great ☺

[@amarzulle315]

Does it have a harmonist? I mean can you play the third, octave along and such?

[@Rafagafagafa]

yes, it does

[@jayanthacharya449]

Could you please clarify how to use it ?

[@prateekgautam5514]

Can I download and add custom preset patches to this processor?

[@sHARX01]

What's the name of the effect 2:48

[@leandroroque2]

como faço pra conseguir essas mesmas configurações de pressetes para minha pedaleira G1Xon?

[@aquigarcia9704]

Zoom G1Xon or Nux mfx 10?

[@Macrats]

Why is Todd Howard narrating this?

[@idanieljr2282]

can this pedal be hooked up to a mixer?

[@andersonchina80]

Excelente review, um dos melhores que já vi

[@glen0749]

It would have been nice if you would have showed us how to use the pedal

[@jafethuerta]

Can you conect this directly to a mixer ?

[@sampathhoude2719]

Which amp did you use?

[@judabuda2069]

Can i play 2 effects? At the same time?

[@michaelouellette5164]

Just bought one paid 80$ didnt get the expression pedal but really looking forward to useing it effects sound awesome even better than the old 505 which i still have

[@eweegeewa]

I am not a fan as i have owned 3 zoom 505. All 3 stopped working. All 3 never left the thickly padded floor. Kept returning but warranty on first ran out leaving me with one that starts sqealling whenever used. Sounds great at first though.

[@prospecstrings2043]

Neil, huge difference and many years of R&D between the 505 and the G5.

[@dj2baduk]

I love my Zoom G1xon but I do have terrible problems with line noise on some of the presets. Is this a common problem or something to do with my setup?

[@socialdef3]

Yes, if you're still using the preprogrammed presets. Read the manual and learn to make your own!!

[@dj2baduk]

OK - no need to be rude! FYI - I switched to batteries only and my noise is gone - even on the presets. So looks like noisy mains. I figured that out without reading the manual btw ;-)

[@socialdef3]

This is the internet. My typing somehow inflects being rude? Just throwing a suggestion out there, after all, you asked.

[@AATANK1804]

This is an awesome thing...u just have to understand the logics of a pedalboard which applies in this processor too..

[@debajit666]

How to reduce the extra noise from some of the patches? Help

[@viralyoutube9460]

Debajit Sangma use ZNR effect.

[@sancho6040.]

it have wha??? that can be controlled with the pedal?

[@lupang335]

All the demos and/or reviews of the G1Xon seem to come out sounding much better than the G3X, is this just editing or this is for real? I'm considering purchasing a new multi-effects, anyone have first-hand experiences?

[@probablypapasmurf3786]

lulus panjulus yes G1Xon is better bang for your buck

[@siddheshgadkar3955]

is it possible to you looper and rhythm simultaneously?

[@L0kitheliar]

+Siddhesh Gadkar Yep, successfully got 2 layers on the looper, rhythm, and was still able to change the effects

[@deauth5884]

My pedal when connected to amp makes a buzzing sound which variates acc. To every effect and sometimes grows out of control.....plz suggest something

[@Subilon]

firephoenix anurag you probably need to engage the Znr noise reduction effect.Scroll through till you find it.

[@deauth5884]

as in effects chain or in major effects

[@Subilon]

firephoenix anurag effects chain

[@julenwright1868]

Mooer ge100, nux mg100 or zoom g1xon?? I just want to buy an afordable pedal for finding new sounds but I'm not sure...

[@CrazyD81]

Zoom g1 for sure!!

[@IshredGuitar]

This message I already pre-type out so its copy and paste, it's a lot in info I know but hopefully you still alive lol! but get yourself some Blue Sky 100watt powered monitor/mains! You'll never look back and you can thank me later. I know the secrets to the ZNR noise gate. Also there's only 2 amp selections and cabs that are killer on this Zoom G1on or G1onX unit and then you got to ask yourself what tone you do you want? Metal rhythm or metal lead? I'm willing to help anyone with these presets for a pro tone. I use my Line 6 HX stomp as my audio interface and I have a humble pedal board setup with the Zoom dedicated to ZNR gate, amp & cab and Booster....the HX stomp is dedicated to FX ONLY! Deluxe compression, vintage digital delay, plate reverb and then end chain EQ. There's a sampling rate selection in the HX stomp vintage digital delay which converts your Zooms 44.1kHz signal to 48kHz sampling rate.! These two DSP together equals insane tight response, ultra low latency and overall pro quality lead or rhythm tones. The Zoom actually has better dynamic range audio with its 32 bit converter as the Line 6 HX audio with 6-8 blocks over tasks the single SHARC DSP and its 24 bit converter. There's also only 1 pro cab on the Line 6 that doesn't require a 3rd party IR. My problem is I'm an IR hater! So I researched ways to take these older stand alone effects pedal like the Zoom G1on that doesn't require software updates. The manufacturers of these newer modelers are trying to make the new up and coming guitarists slaves to their modelers by it only staying viable if updated firmware's. Not cool! You younger players don't even realize you're being manipulated by these corporations. This is why the Zoom G1four should have been better guitar processor than its predecessor this G1onx and G1on....all these manufacturers like Zoom, Boss, Line 6 and are ripping beginner and intermediate guitarists off, stealing your money. Example: the Line 6 HX stomp is in reality only a $300 guitar modeler yet they demand $599-$699! It still uses 1994 SHARC core processor chips the 450mHz DSP technology. The floor Helix is the way better modeler as you can chain 2- 450mHz DSP's together for ultra power, almost zero latency with both DSPs with each DSP dedicated to one upper chain and 8 blocks and one dedicated to lower chain 8 block, just add 1 EQ in lower block! Fractal FM 3 has the best most powerful small pedal board size modeler with 3-dedicated DSP cores, one for graphics and 2- SHARC + 500mhz DSP cores for a total of 1gHz! Both dedicated for amps & cabs and IR loading plus desired FX's. The 3rd DSP the Griffin core is dedicated to graphics only, In terms of power both the Helix floor unit and the Fractal or not equal the FM3 has more overall DSP power. It's Fractals FM3 2- 500mHz DSPs versus Line 6 Helix 2- 450mHz DSP's. So my solution was to figure out a lower budget setup with more overall DSP power. My setup has the Zoom G1on 150mHz DSP into the HX stomps 450mHz again each handling separate things. I will most likely go to a Hotone Ampeg II for dedicated amp & cabs and the HX stomp as audio interface and FX ONLY! Plus I can convert any 44.1kHz modeler signal to 48kHz AD/DA sampling rate boost within the HX stomps vintage digital delay sampling rate selection. I'm getting pretty killer metal lead tone out of this current setup with the Zoom and the HX stomp, I get a lot of compliments on my tone.

[@ishworisen]

hey bro nice video......i have also got one g1xon......but dont know how to use can u tell me how to change the effect.........like clean to distortion

[@ruchigupta8481]

The distortion effect Omg ?!!!!

[@mpmonzon]

Does it have a bass simulator?

[@anandp2001]

Yeah it does

[@guitarist2240]

can someone say to me which to buy this or the digitech rp90

[@ezwanrosli772]

which is better this effect or G3X?

[@Ston247]

+Ezwan Rosli I like them both. But the Zoom G3X is more flexible and tons of cool sounds that can be tweaked or bypassed like a stomp box.... in real time! If you get the G3X, invest in an additional cheap expression pedal. You won't regret it.

[@MiguelFajardo]

Does it has an octaver?

[@JesusOurKing]

Anyone know which processor chip it uses? ZFX-3 or ZFX-IV?

[@JesusOurKing]

ZFX-IV company told me

[@flyingguitarist4830]

Need help! how to reset this effect? thanks in advance...

[@RgLopez]

turn off the pedal then turn on while its starting hold the two pedals then it will show if do you want to initiate

[@jyotsnasharma9417]

Will this work on my fender front man 10 amplifier.

[@JesusOurKing]

Possible to get a Hendrix "Octavia" effect as used in the song "Who Knows"

[@guiter-uf2bs]

Can I play. My g1on with my. Bass guiter...????

[@mehnasri]

can this be used for veena?