Zoom G5N

121
september 2016 Guitarist
review ZOOM G5N
3. The signal chain for
the loaded patch
is clearly laid out
in the top display,
all ready for any
changes you wish
to make
4. The top row of
footswitches are
quite distinct from
the dark plastic
paddle-style
switches in the
lower row and
easier to see on
a darkened stage
3
4
machine and looper (great for practice and
songwriting), which take up one each.
Using it purely as an effects unit without
the amps, you may be able to have nine effects
in a patch, but some are more DSP-hungry
than others and you’ll get a warning message
if you’re being too ambitious! Nevertheless,
there are a host of really good effects here and
you have the chance to create a whole bunch
of different ‘pedalboards’ for live use with
practical switching and expression via the
pedal treadle (with wah every bit as good as
some expensive name pedals) or an external
expression pedal.
Verdict
The G5n is an immensely practical self-
contained floor processor for anyone who
doesn’t want to go down the individual
pedal route in front of an amp, with plenty
of options for practice and recording – and it
will get better with the constant updates, too.
Okay, it’s not going to compete with a Line 6
Helix or one of Fractal’s offerings, but let’s not
lose sight of how much it costs. With a street
price that seems to have levelled out at £229,
this is one hell of a bargain.
ZOOM G5N
PRICE: £249
ORIGIN: China
TYPE: Amp modeller/multi-effects
pedalboard processor
FEATURES: Tap tempo, tuner,
80 second looper, onboard rhythms
PRESETS: 200
MODELS: Over 80 and counting
CONTROLS: Data entry, Menu
button, Master Level, Output Boost,
16x Output Tone ‘soft’ knobs,
8x buttons, 9x footswitches,
pedal treadle
CONNECTIONS: Standard guitar
input, mini-jack aux input, standard
outputs (L/Mono, R), mini-jack
stereo phones output, USB,
Control input
POWER: 9V DC adapter 500mA
(supplied)
DIMENSIONS: 454 (w) x 225 (d) x
75mm (h)
OPTIONS: FPO2M Expression Pedal
(£39), SCG5 carrying bag (£20)
Zoom UK
08432 080 999
www.zoomcorp.co.uk
PROS Value for money; solid build
quality; expansive range of sounds;
looper and drum machine; practical
patch and effects switching
CONS Lower footswitches could be
hard to see; no editing software as
yet; no external effects loop; looper
and drum machine take up slots
8
GIT411.rev_zoom.indd 121 04/08/2016 18:56