Zoom G2.1u answers please !

[loujones12]

H i Guys, im thinking of getting a Zoom G2.1u. Charlie can supply Patches. are You using one. and if so how do you rate it.. Regards Lou

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Lou,
My honest opinion: The G2 models are good value but will not give the best ever echo sound. Just good for the price. The amp modelling is better in the later "N" versions in my opinion. All the G2 models are very good in one way, and that is that they can do many effects at once.
Regards,
Charlie

[loujones12]

Hi Charlie. i meant to ask you in the e-mail for the tone and amp/cabs. then still use the Quadraverb for the echoe's or is this defeating the whole object?? thanks Lou

[grip]

Hi Lou,

It depends on what you want to achieve with your sound. I was perfectly happy with mine, but when the oportunity came along to buy a quadraverb plus and a magicstomp, I find them both a little better on the echo's compared to the G2.1u, but the miss amp modelling on the quadraverb (although the amp modelling of the G2 series is not as good as the N series). When I first got the G2.1u I was the happiest bunny around, I never dreamend I would achieve a sound like that gave me at that time.


Kind regards,



Chris

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Lou,
I wouldn't use the echoes from two different echo units at the same time except maybe for special effect now and again, but you could turn the echo delays off in the G2, leaving the G2 to produce just the amp modelling and EQ effects. But, as you have already suggested, that kind of defeats the purpose of buying a G2, unless it were for just the amp modelling and maybe the other effects it can produce.
The echo of the Quadraverb or the Magicstomp is better than the echo of the G2 in my opinion. I had forgotten that you already had these when I answered your email.
You seem to more concerned with your guitar tone than the echoes. In that case, the G2 could be useful for its amp modelling and EQ effects, but if you are using an amp and you are still not happy, then I think the problem has more to do with the guitar/amp combination. The G2 would make it sound different, but not necessarily better.
Regards,
Charlie

[loujones12]

Hi Chris. thanks for the come back. ive looked the world over for a Magic stomp. no go. so thought maybe the Zoom would work for me. i have a Line 6 pro rack unit. but i dont think its all that good. im looking for the more Warm tones ive either got a low muddy/woody sound or too thin sound. and the bit in between just does'nt cut it. weve talked so often you and me about finding this before, well i got to keep going till i find it. again thanks for the input.. regards Lou

[tonybiker]

Hi.

An interesting thread.

I do feel that Charlie has hit the mail on the head. If the tone of the sound (pre-delay) is not right, then it won't be any better, and can be even be worse when delay is then added.

What I often see and read in posts is instant 'sound' is expected. Be it a Quad, Magicstomp, Zoom etc. And that will never be the case.

If the guitar is not producing a good sound, then a echo unit or an amp/amp simulator or both will not correct it.

We have heard over the years basic equipment producing excellent if not outstanding results. The question asked 'what echo are you using?' is not the correct question. There are a load of other bits that need to be considered. I once got a great sound out of a Zoom 508, but I was using a USA strat and a miked up AC15 tubed amp and a clever sound-man. It was never just down to the 508.

A perfectly set up squire with a good set of pick up's will out perform a badly set up USA strat. Once you have the right guitar sound, the main battle is over.

There is a range of amp simulators available. It's not what they cost thats important but how it is set up. Most are complex and need patience and a degree of knowledge to do what your asking it to do - to simulate an amp. If you plug into a tubed AC30 you can expect it to sound like one, but if you don't know what an AC30 sounds like, then it is almost impossible for someone to get a sim to do it on it's own. There are no plug and play units out there.

Amp's and sims also react differently depending whats plugged into them.

You do have to start at the beginning of the chain, which is the guitar. And as you move along the chain quality leads and even a plectrum can improve your sound. Even if it's a tiny amount for each one.

Always plug in to your amp or sim and get the best possible tone BEFORE applying your delay/echo.

Tony

[loujones12]

H i Tony. thanks for your post. i totaly agree with chain of events. i have 3 Usa strats and a Brand New G@L Legacy strat. so i think so far im in the right ball park. i think my overall sound is not Bad. and have had some nice comments re sound from my files posted. ive swaped more strings/brands/guages thani could even remember. but there is just something im missing Ahhhh!!!! Yes its the Holy Grail. the one we are all chasing. you know what i meen, when we are happy one moment and down the next,. in a nut shell i just cant seem to get the real full base note tones, without having the top strings sound like a thin tin can!!! so i was wondering if the Zoom will give me the rich warm tones im looking for. and use the Quad for the echoe;s, as Charlie said he didn't think the Zoom echoe's were as good!. seems most people who post some cracking files on here use the Zoom. Now the other part here is i use only live recordings. i dont use a computer to enhance/fake/remodel sounds After i record. i want the real sound!!!! i record to a Flash drive and only use Audacity to convert to mp3. many thanks for the post and Kind regards Lou

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Lou,
At the risk of upsetting anyone who has used the Zoom for posting recordings, to me the best echo sounds out of units I have programmed come from the Magicstomp or Alesis units.
Can we go back to your amp, what do you have, which speakers are in it, and how do you set it? Forget about recording for the moment, what does it sound like in real life to you?
Regards,
Charlie

[loujones12]

Hi Charlie. ive searched all over the web for a Magicstomp. there is one?? however its on the board here NOT to go 4 it, as you said its a bummer and NOT, registered by you. as for the Amp/s the Tube amp is a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe/ factory speaker. settings for my room are. vol=2 drive =3 treb =3 bass=6 mid=5 reverb=0 presence=5. overall it sounds ok. can't realy turn it up right now Mrs would go nutts. the other amp is a Pevey stereo chorus 212. very big and heavy solid state, i cant realy give you an answer on this as ive only ever used it 3 times, maybe when the Mrs goes shopping this weekend ill crank them both up. so most of my tracks/playing are done with headphones into my Boss br900 recording unit. i don't gig outside the room anymore. cant handle all the lugging around!!!! im not sure that what ive said will give you any ideas!!! think what would be best is to maybe do a sound file with guitars, using what i have hooked up. the sound file i sent you. to clean up for me you thought the sound was quite good. but a lot of noise you removed from the track. glad i posted this enquiery, as i was about to go and Buy the Zoom today??? now im more confused as what to do!!! maybe im trying to acheive the sounds of some of these files posted. by doing it Live and Not via cubase/ or some other Pc doctoring!! to me personaly if you got to doctor a file too much it spoils the whole thing!!! . anyway thanks for the post and ill be keeping an eye out for more comments thanks Charlie.. regards Lou

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Lou,
Doctoring a file can certainly spoil it if you don't know what you are doing. Forget about recording for the moment. Concentrate on getting the right sound from the amp. Then when the right sound is coming out of the amp, you can look at finding ways of getting the same sound recorded, whether with an amp or not.
I would start with the presence at 0 and get the best sound you can before considering turning the presence up. The chances are you will get closer to the warm sound you want with it on 0.
Your Fender amp should have a bright switch. Have you tried it turned off and on?
Turn the reverb off on the amp, it's a spring unit and only good for surf sounds in my view, you'll get on better without it.
If you are getting noise, turn your guitar volume right down and see if all the noise disappears.
Regards,
Charlie

[loujones12]

Hi Charlie. thanks for info and taking the trouble of searching out my quest for the Sounds i want. i will give the amp a good blow out the weekend. and ill try and post a sound file or two to compare Live amp and direct record into quad/recorder. and NO PC Gimmicks.
ps how do you find time to do all this Work!!! i get tired just reading about stuff. i know and im sure others will agree if you cant find it here you cant find it anywhere. kind regards lou

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Lou,
It's not easy sometimes. I was out all day yesterday and I'm still trying to catch up.
If and when you post a file of your amp's sound, try to make sure it is a reasonable likeness of the sound from your amp or it won't be much help. If using a mic, experiment with the mic position until you get a recording sounding as close to the same as you can.
Regards,
Charlie

[tonybiker]

Hi Lou.

Great advice from Charlie. Don't spend any more money, follow what Charlie suggests and post up what your amp sounds like. Tony

[Jan]

Hi Lou

I have a Magicstomp for you for sale included an original powersupply for Canada....without eftp.

Regards Jan

[loujones12]

Hi Jan i have sent you post mail re the stomp.. regards Lou

[Jan]

Lou read your P. Message's.

Regards Jan