Zoom G1 Four Multi-Effect-Pedal

I use
this zoom is already half a year, before I had zoom g2 and zoom g1xone, so I have experience using processors.

The Zoom g1 four is very different from the previous models, the sound is much better, the drum machine patterns are more interesting.

The native presets were not particularly pleasing, mostly this is a bold distortion for schoolchildren. But no one bothers to set up exactly the sound you need. There are tons of videos on youtube with instructions on how to set up the sound of a particular group.

ZoomLab software works decently, but there is not enough memory on the device. Sometimes you can't download everything you want.

In terms of effects:

The emulation of the cabinets is at the level, the delay and chorus are also beyond praise, the autowah is weak, a little lacking in warm overdrive, but maybe I haven't figured out how to get it yet. In terms of distortion and fuse, everything is ok, Metallzone does not differ from a real pedal.


On power supply and connection. The pedal is powered by AA batteries, power bank, usb or power supply. PC connection via micro-usb. There is an aux.

I am very pleased with the product. I recommend to buy.

Build quality: Except for the bottom of the unit, which is made of metal, the Zoom G1 Four is made entirely of plastic. However, the plastic seems sturdy and unlikely to break. Judging by how it looks and feels to the touch, I would say that it is probably polycarbonate, which is one of the most durable thermoplastics. Surprisingly, the footswitches do not feel flimsy at all and are not as easy to press as I had expected, which gives off an impression of quality. To sum up, considering the low price of the unit, it is built very well.

Handling: The Zoom G1 Four can be used in either the Memory Mode, which allows the user to switch between different patches, each consisting of up to five amplifier and speaker cabinet emulations and effects (this mode works similarly to the MIDI switchers), and it can also be used in the Stomp Mode, which allows to separately switch on and off any one of up to five emulations and/or effects. Each emulation and effect has its own icon, designed to look like the thing being emulated. I have heard some people complain that they make the user interface look unprofessional, but to me, those “childish”, as they say, icons are much quicker and easier to identify from a distance than the more mature looking black squares and hexagons used by Boss and Line 6. Also, to someone who was born in the early '90s, the icons and the pixelated screen remind me of Tamagotchis. In any case, I think, Zoom has the best UI by far. In fact, it is so intuitive, that I managed to figure it out without opening the manual once! I think, it says a lot. Also, the settings are highly customizable, but due to the way, in which the menus are structured, the amount of available options does not overwhelm a first-time user. However, what I love the most about the G1 Four is that it is completely self-sufficient: it not only has a built-in tuner, a headphone port, and an auxiliary jack (for playing backing tracks from your phone or laptop) but also dozens of rhythm patterns in various time signatures and a 30-second looper — all you need to practice, jam, or compose! To maximize convenience, I downloaded the free Zoom Guitar Lab software, which allows for an even easier patch editing on my laptop.

Sound quality: While the G1 Four might not be able to emulate a holy-grail vintage tube amplifier absolutely perfectly, to me, life is too short for “chasing phantoms” anyway. I used to own a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue, and when I selected the corresponding setting on my Zoom G1 Four and turned up the spring reverb, the emulation was accurate enough to bring back from a distant memory the smell of my Fender's vinyl covering. When I closed my eyes, I could have sworn that it was standing right beside me with its tubes warmed up and glowing. To someone who mostly plays jazz, most of the default presets sound horrible, but the emulations and effects themselves are, as I have previously alluded, convincingly accurate. It simply takes some time and effort to dial them in just right, carefully adjusting the parameters to your individual style of playing and your instrument of choice.

Summary: To me, the Zoom G1 Four is a perfect practice tool. I have neighbors who watch TV at full volume, so I turn on some rain or ocean sounds on my phone, and plug it into the G1's auxiliary input. Then, when I put on my headphones, I can hear not only what I am playing but also the rain or the waves. I then lay back, close my eyes, and it feels as if I am jamming on a warm sunny beach somewhere in Hawaii...

Final note: Keep in mind that the G1 Four comes without the power supply (instead, four alkaline AA-sized batteries are included), so I would advise to order the Zoom AD-16 power adapter right away because it is more environmentally friendly and a lot more convenient.

I've had some multi-effect units before, and they were all fine, but there was always something missing.

This one has it all: great amp sims, decent effects, looper, drum machine, tuner, USB connectivity (it can even run on USB power), runs also on 4 AA batteries, and you also have the option to download additional effects... amazing - 5 stars for features and sound.

It's quite affordable, especially at the current price of 67 euro. With that, I have to say build quality is acceptable, but I would avoid stomping it with my feet (as I'm a heavy guy). Not sure how it would hold up outside of the bedroom. Cannot give it more than 4 stars for build quality.

Controls are not the most intuitive but you get used to it after some time, setting up your sound. It could have been better - 4 stars for handling.

I purchased this together with AKG 240 headphones and it's a perfect setup, at least for me.

One advice: if you are using headphones, turn on mic for cab simulation, it makes a world of difference for the sound.

This review is based on two gigs over the weekend with this little plastic toy looking device as my main source of sound, direct to PA and to my wedge monitor. And 30 years of gigging experience... :)

Excellent clean sound, OK overdrive sound, excellent hi-gain sound.
...FOR 80 €!!!

Yes, it has delays, reverbs, etc... but simply considering the fact that this toy can fit in your guitar pocket, and still provides completely usable, professional sounds stops any further need for explanation. Go buy this now. Even if you use this as a back-up, or for home recording, this is worth every penny. Did I mention it also runs on batteries? :)

I use this as a catch all pedal on my board that covers most of the niche modulation that I might need. This is probably a little different than the intended use but it fits the bill perfectly for me.
I did consider the multistomp but ended up with this one as it's cheaper, tiny bit bigger and I've heard Zoom use all the same algorithms through all their devices.
In my use I have a patch set up for Vibe, Flange and a couple of other things that I don't use much but it's handy to have around, this is also my tuner and can do backing tracks+looping so it really adds so much utility to my rig.
I also have used it as a solo device while travelling and I've found it pretty convincing, the amp and drive sims are really decent, I'm just not a massive fan of headphone playing.
The interface with PC is really handy and gives a nice view of the editor and can add in some really cool effects, plus it allows me to remove all the effects that I wouldn't use so that the interface is easier. I also like the processor usage indicator which is really handy when building patches as.

I bought this thing to use it as a vocal effect and it works very well for rehearsals. I also use it to record guitar and bass for quick demos all the time. It also has a headphone output, so it's fitting to be used a practice amp, when you don't want to wake anybody up.
It offers a lot of different effects and amp simulations which sound very good for my needs.You get a tuner, a looper, a drum-machine, and an infinite amount of options for customizing effects patches.

All in all it's a very fun device for a hobbyist like myself. The only drawback is you don't get a power supply with this one, but it works well on my generic 9V adapter.

For the price, it's an amazing little thing.

This is my first effect pedal, I decided to buy it after seeing some review online.

I find it very easy to use, it only took a few minutes to understand the controls.
There are a ton of effects, and while I wasn't a big fan of most of the presets (they were probably set to work with a different style guitar) after tinkering I was able to make a bunch of awesome patches.

Also there's an app you can download from the ZOOM website that lets you swap out effects, there are even more effects but they don't all fit on the pedal.

I have played around with it on battery and with a ZOOM adaptor, I have used it with headphones, with my amp, and connected to my pc.
You can just put it in your guitar case with some headphones and you can practice anywhere, the batteries last for a while and are easily replaced.

Overall, this is a great small effects box for home use. The quality of sound and especially dynamic of distortion effects is totally different from analog pedal boxes, which is the price you pay for cost and space saving. But it is really handy to practice at home.
It can be managed from Zoom app when you connect it to PC.
It can be used with batteries, or with DC adapter, or even powered via USB (I tried using powerbank and it works great).
It has different basic effects which you can adjust to get kind of sound you need - I personally feel that distortions have too much overdrive, so I reduce it to more bluesy sound.
It has built in looper effect which is really great for practicing at home.
What I wish this item had on top is Bluetooth receiver to play along with your favourite tracks. You can use aux in cable for that, but it's a bit messy with too many cables then (1 cable for guitar, 1 cable for headphones and 1 cable for aux in)
I also find it weird that you can't remove the sound banks you don't need. I set up around 10 different sounds which I use, but the other ones can't be removed, you can only 'clear' them. So I now have about 40-50 clean sounds in the library and a dozen of ones which actually have effects. Does the job, but possibility to remove the unused ones completely would make things easier.