Zoom G5 first thoughts

[dman72]

With my G3 I found the models completely unusable with the cabs off..front end of amp, effects loop, didn't matter. Cocked wah sounding junk.

With cabs on, certain models were usable with certain cabs and some eq tweaking, but I had a problem with background noise the last time I pushed it loud.

I took it out of the daisy chain and used the supplied power supply but haven't had a chance to really crank it and see if that helps with the noise.

[toneseek]

@ Radioman62

I am going to try some experiments. I did notice playing the MS Crunch today, with all effects off, and cab off, playing through a real Vox amp set to clean, that if I closed my eyes, I was in front of a Marshall. I was not hearing any fizz whatsoever. However, I did not experiment with headphones yet because that may be a different story as you have mentioned. On the real Vox, I always keep the treble down a bit (and the bass boosted a bit). I did not make any tweaks to the stock settings on the preset (it was the "MS Crunch" preset that is next to the other amp model presets). With the MS Crunch, I found both neck and bridge pickups to be satisfying.

However, on the MS 1959 preset (again all other effects off, output set to Combo Front) and going into a real clean Vox amp, I did not enjoy playing on the bridge pickup - too much treble, too nasally. However, it was nice on the neck pickup.

I was not getting fizz, but I was not using headphones. A couple nights ago I tried MS Crunch and MS Drive with headphones and loved it but let me try again and see what you are referring to.

I did notice that I could turn my guitar volume down and lose drive but not really volume which is the hallmark of a good tube amp (model)!

Also, did you try engaging your tube booster? That warms things up a lot and brings everything back to analog (once the tube boost is properly calibrated thanks to your instructions)

[toneseek]

@ Radioman62

Sorry, I just read your post again. Do you mean:

1. engaging amp model (on)
2. turning guitar volume down to clean it up, noticing volume/tone
3. disengaging amp model (off)
4. turning volume up on guitar (so no amp model at all)

I was using a Gretsch Jet with mini humbuckers but I can switch to a guitar with single coils. Were you using humbuckers or single coils?

[Radioman62]

I wanted something to relate to in my tests so this evening I did a similar test as above with the "real deal", a Marshall 6100. All tube amplifier running trough an open back 1x12" guitar cab. It has three switchable channels.
Clean, Crunch and Lead.

Running the guitar with volume backed of to less then half, trough the clean channel and setting bass, middle and treble at 12 a'clock and the presence potentiometer 10 a'clock. (Presence is the same for all channel on that amp)

I then tried to get that same tone with the crunch channel, balancing the volumes on each channels, so it was easy to compare, I ended up with the crunch channels tonecontrols at:
Bass 3 a'clock, mid 9 a'clock and treble at 11 a'clock
There is three "stages" of crunch on the crunch channel on the 6100 and all of them kept the tone at low inputs from the guitar but got more overdriven the more you give it when adjusting the volume on the guitar. Margin to lower treble if you want, which is not the case with Zoom G3 or G5 which is on the bright side.

I used Les Paul with the neck humbucker, active pickups but no tone bypass cap at volume control. I have a clear signal which is not loaded to dull tone when using long cables but I have used my passive strat as well and my findings is similar.

Back to Zoom G5
There is one really nice amplifier which have some more margin you should test on the G5, if you like crunch tone. It's the Tonecity which you can give a slight treble and presence when using a cab to balance it. About 8 a'clock. (10 on zoom scale) to start with.

Also as a rule of thumb to start with when using cab's, backoff 10-20 on zoom scale on the level and 20-25 on bass control and you have almost same level and tone but with cab you get a very realistic colored "pushed speaker tone" and a very nice attack when picking.
Yes, the ampmodels work best when using cabs, even if you go trough a cab afterwards. Takes away some fizz.

[Radioman62]

@ Radioman62

Sorry, I just read your post again. Do you mean:

1. engaging amp model (on)
2. turning guitar volume down to clean it up, noticing volume/tone
3. disengaging amp model (off)
4. turning volume up on guitar (so no amp model at all)

I was using a Gretsch Jet with mini humbuckers but I can switch to a guitar with single coils. Were you using humbuckers or single coils?

Exactly what I mean. I use active humbucker at neck, but I have done some tests with a passive strat and it's almost the same experience.

[Radioman62]

@ Radioman62
I was not getting fizz, but I was not using headphones. A couple nights ago I tried MS Crunch and MS Drive with headphones and loved it but let me try again and see what you are referring to.
With headphones you are absolutely forced to use cabs. Otherwise it's unbearable to listen to.

I did notice that I could turn my guitar volume down and lose drive but not really volume which is the hallmark of a good tube amp (model)!

Yes, this is something they have done really well. I't behaves very realistic. But when you are nearly "clean" (low volume from your guitar) the tone should be possible to tweak equal as when your amp model is disengaged (You then have to turn up your volume to be at the same level). That is where my statement "no margin left to lower treble" comes in. When it comes to Marshall I would say 0 treble and 0 presence wthout cab using a fullrange endstage amplifier (without tonecontrol) and a guitarcab. I mostly use my Behringer VT250FX 2x50W stereo return inputs connected to the G5

Using the "normal" input is sometimes even worse on many amplifiers because there is often a bypass cap on the input volume to raise treble on lower volumes. Something that sometimes can be a good thing to even out treble trough the loudness behaviour our ears react. But then again doesn't take into account how loud you have the master volume and the level input and such. Sorry this is totally another issue but anyway, sometimes a bad circuit design can travel trough generations of ampdesigners that doesn't know what they do, just copy paste without any real test and knowledge.

Also, did you try engaging your tube booster? That warms things up a lot and brings everything back to analog (once the tube boost is properly calibrated thanks to your instructions)
Yes, the tube boster is nice but I want it as an extra option, not anything to clean up misbehaviours before.
Also, I think the tube booster is a slightly bit to much "barking" in the lowend, at least when listen trough headphones. I may disasemble my unit again, finetuning those potentiometers :bonk

[Guitar1969]

One question as you guys play with Cabinet settings in the various drive modules and running through fronts of amps, are you guys also adjusting the "connected equipment setting" under the Global menu - To specifiy how you are connecting it to amps and such. It seems if you pick the right setting in Global, the cab settings in the drive module would be affected, since it knos you are using a real cab, for instance. I am not sure if some users realize there are 2 different sets of parameters
on the G5 for this.

I have not hooked up my G5 to my Peavy VK 212 Tube combo yet, but on my G2.1nu, the direct setting for hooking up to headphones or PA, as opposed to off for amp hookup was crucial. I would imagine its even more refined on the G5 now.

On my prior post, thanks for clarifying the Tube boost and drums that makes sense. I just had these plans to use the drum machine and looper in live settings so was curious.

Now I just need to start creating my own patches(Got some from my G2.1nu that I need to make and update) - Bit overwhelmed since I need to delete some preset patches to make room (No unmodifiable preset section like on older models). But there are many lame ones. The autosave feature is a bit crippling since it is easy to change by accident, especially when you need to turn a know to get into that parameter. I backed all the presetsup, but like to be able to review them and tweak if necesary. I did make a clean dotted eight delay patch from scratch and was sstounded by how many effects I added without getting DSPFull I used : Comp - ZNR - Tubescreamer - VX JMI - 6 band EQ - Analog delay - Dyna Delay - HD Reverb - Custom Z-pedal settings. Still no DSPFull yet.

I know we all like to make our own patches, but the success of this unit is going to ride on the sharing of patches and database on the Web, of mimicing certain bands and songs.

[toneseek]

@ Guitar1969
Yes, good point, adjusting the cab setting and then the output setting as well. I set my output for "direct" when going to mixer/headphones/PA and then I choose a cab model. For going into my combo amp, I usually pick "combo front" and then I will either disable the cab model or sometimes try one, but it can get muddy going from a cab model into a real cab, so I often leave cab off for that.

@Radioman62

Yes, I also had to adjust the tube potentiometers twice, once to equalize volume and I thought I was all done. But then I went back into lower the baseline volume that "barks" if too loud - again, a tube does that too if turned up too loud as it distorts (harmonic distortion). Now, I have it set pretty good but I still typically stay below 50% on the tube boost knob on the user interface so I don't over color the sound.

Yes, I agree with headphones a cab is a must if using an amp model most of the time! Especially if it is a overdriven or distorted amp model - the cabs block the high end bees. This has been the case for all my MFX units too. Ever listen to the output of an analog overdrive or distortion pedal direct (no amp)? Bee city like you say.

Last night, I experimented with the "BG Drive" preset which includes the BG Drive amp. I like that one as well. With tube boost, a bit warmer (warmer than the real thing probably). I tried it with headphones and to an amp and was able to get some good results. I would use that as a power drive sound if necessary. So, now I have found a few higher gains that I really like, especially MS Crunch and BG Drive presets, and these are just presets - no tweaking!

I still think the input signal is getting some extra noise so I may try and check my electrical connections and lights in the room and see if there is any correlation. My pickups are noisy unless I touch the strings, but maybe I am just used to lifeless dull multi effects units so now I am hearing something better.

I am also getting all kinds of harmonics and ghost notes, etc. that come through on real amps but which do not usually come through on amp models with other multi effects units that I have or have had in the past. Digitech and Line 6: I mean you! The G5 is really really good. Despite its simple interface at a glance, it requires some tweaking and also real knowledge about building good sounds also.

[Guitar1969]

@Radioman62 and toneseek.

What is the process you used to fine tune adjust the tube pots internally, meaning do you just run the unit in bypass mode while tweaking to monitor the sound and play around with the settings.

I am not sure I need to tweak the Tube Booster, but was wondering if there is a systematic way to determine if it needs to be fine tuned. I checked my right and left volumes in headphones and they seem even, and I usually run the Tube Booster at the 10-11 oclock setting or it starts breaking up too much. I don't hear much of a difference in the output if I am under the 8oclock setting on the dial. Also wondering how much a better tube would impact the sound.

My serial number is mid 800s so wondering if its already set up as it should, or if I can improve on it any more.

I took that youtube link above (a few pages back) of the G3 Marshall sound demo and made a pactch using the the same settings (They show a picture of the G3 settings) and it sounds great - A little 80s ish, but cool nonetheless.

One thing that is a bit of a pain is because there are so many amps, and effects, it is a bit cumbersome scrolling through the options when setting up a patch - Way too many choices, which is good and bad at the same time.

[birdie_in_texas]

One thing that is a bit of a pain is because there are so many amps, and effects, it is a bit cumbersome scrolling through the options when setting up a patch - Way too many choices, which is good and bad at the same time.

That is why the PC interface is so much easier..!:bonk

[dman72]

That is why the PC interface is so much easier..!:bonk

Yeah, but if you're changing things at a rehearsal space or a gig, no such convenience. They probably could have made scrollable menus to make it more user friendly.

[toneseek]

@ Guitar1969

You are right - the 80s are back with Marshall! But, that is what I think of when I think of classic 80s rock, Marshall. Of course for 70s classic rock I also think Marshall but a different lower gain Marshall.

For tube adjustment, Radioman62 may have used proper testing equipment and perhaps he can talk about that, but I just used headphones like you. I was getting a much louder, and too loud, left side sound. I opened the unit and while it was on, I tweaked to get levels at least equal. Then I went back in a second time and lowered both a bit so that the initial volume stage was a bit lower than it came out of the box. But again, I think ours were mis-adjusted in the box and your's might be Ok. Not sure how widespread the problem is.

At lower settings, the tube boost is very subtle but I think still lends analog tube warmth to the tone that is more or less noticeable depending on the effects and amp model etc.

[toneseek]

I agree that it can be a pain to sort through the effects, maybe Zoom could group them perhaps, but then you would have a level of deeper editing that some may find more difficult. After a while, or if you look at the printed chart, you get the sense of where effects are located, and whether you are at the beginning or end of the list :) so you know how fast to blast the space invaders button to get to the effects you want

[Guitar1969]

That is why the PC interface is so much easier..!:bonk

I agree the PC interface is easier, but you can't hear what you are setting, which isn't practical for an audio device. What would be great is if you could be hooked to the PC, and the G5 would also let you hear what you are setting in real time, or even after hitting a save button of some sort.

[Guitar1969]

I agree that it can be a pain to sort through the effects, maybe Zoom could group them perhaps, but then you would have a level of deeper editing that some may find more difficult. After a while, or if you look at the printed chart, you get the sense of where effects are located, and whether you are at the beginning or end of the list :) so you know how fast to blast the space invaders button to get to the effects you want

On a firmware update they could easily assign one of the button across the top to jump to each section of effects, such as comps, wahs, drives, stomps, modulation, Delay, reverbs. But I agree that the more use I will get familiar with groupings. I always seem to have a hard time finding the 6 band EQ. On the G2s, it was always after the drives, but not on this one.

At some point I am sure I will make a Basic starting patch for each amp, with at least Znr, EQ and reverb. And then build from there.

[toneseek]

@ Guitar1969

I hear you and I am not sure where all the effects are yet either.

I think there is a period of play and experimentation and then a period of the grunt work of connecting to the computer, clearing out presets and building blanks to work with and to build presets for further experimentation only (due to autosaving on G5).

I'm not quite ready for the grunt work yet but I have built some patches I like so I am close.

[birdie_in_texas]

I agree the PC interface is easier, but you can't hear what you are setting, which isn't practical for an audio device. What would be great is if you could be hooked to the PC, and the G5 would also let you hear what you are setting in real time, or even after hitting a save button of some sort.

Using the PC interface and making changes/new patches, whatever, it of course lets you hear whatever you just did..I am sure the G5 is the same..

[Souper]

I wanted something to relate to in my tests so this evening I did a similar test as above with the "real deal", a Marshall 6100. All tube amplifier running trough an open back 1x12" guitar cab. It has three switchable channels.
Clean, Crunch and Lead.

Running the guitar with volume backed of to less then half, trough the clean channel and setting bass, middle and treble at 12 a'clock and the presence potentiometer 10 a'clock. (Presence is the same for all channel on that amp)

I then tried to get that same tone with the crunch channel, balancing the volumes on each channels, so it was easy to compare, I ended up with the crunch channels tonecontrols at:
Bass 3 a'clock, mid 9 a'clock and treble at 11 a'clock
There is three "stages" of crunch on the crunch channel on the 6100 and all of them kept the tone at low inputs from the guitar but got more overdriven the more you give it when adjusting the volume on the guitar. Margin to lower treble if you want, which is not the case with Zoom G3 or G5 which is on the bright side.

I used Les Paul with the neck humbucker, active pickups but no tone bypass cap at volume control. I have a clear signal which is not loaded to dull tone when using long cables but I have used my passive strat as well and my findings is similar.

Back to Zoom G5
There is one really nice amplifier which have some more margin you should test on the G5, if you like crunch tone. It's the Tonecity which you can give a slight treble and presence when using a cab to balance it. About 8 a'clock. (10 on zoom scale) to start with.

Also as a rule of thumb to start with when using cab's, backoff 10-20 on zoom scale on the level and 20-25 on bass control and you have almost same level and tone but with cab you get a very realistic colored "pushed speaker tone" and a very nice attack when picking.
Yes, the ampmodels work best when using cabs, even if you go trough a cab afterwards. Takes away some fizz.


I have to say I have found that keeping the cab on makes it sound really bad when going through an actual cab. I can imagine that if your actual cab were quite wide range and flat, the cabs on the g5 might help. But generally using a cab model and then going through a cab seems wrong.
I did expect to have to keep the cabs on, and simply select the output mode; as with the HD300, which has no cab off option. But its just doesnt work like that for me.
When I go into my Peavey (fx return; combo power setting), with no g5 cab, its sounds great.

[toneseek]

Since I adjusted preset, amp model and global levels, I am not hearing digital fizz with headphones direct to G5 - I think the headphone op amp is pretty good but not perfect. Another area where tube boost sounds great.

I "modeled" my Blackstar amp on the G5 starting with an MS Crunch model and increasing tube value, darkening tone by boosting mids and lowering treble, MS Crunch or Drive 4x12 cab and presence about 40% or so. Tube booster on 40% with booster tone 40%. I think I nailed it. This G5 is getting better by the day. Had tried this on the RP and it was a failure. My HD500 might be able to match it but would be a lot of deep editing.

[Radioman62]

Guitar1969 have touched it allready ... How is it suppose to work?

"Direct" apparently means that the sound goes straight out. And the setting "Combo front" takes away a lot of treble f.e.
When is it to be used? When you play trough a guitarcombo amp with cab? In conjunction with the cab on the ampmodel?
Also there is another one "combo power amp", which is the one I used for my tests above. I run the G5 direct to stereo endstage on a guitarcombo amp.
But it's allmost like the direct out. If I use "combo front" instead it's easier to adjust the treble. You all of a sudden get som margin.

If you run the G5 trough a fullrange PA or headphones, what is the recomended setting on the global output?
If you use headphones and an ampmodel without cab it sounds all to fizzy even if you have set the "combo front" in global settings.
Someone say that they use direct out when connected to a PA. I think it's unbearable to hear all that fizz you get with that.

The "direct out" and " combo front" should work the other way around in my world. Direct out would compensate for that fullrange system it's connected to and the "combo front" should have more treble to compensate for the guitar combo's rather limited highs.
Sorry but this disturbs me a lot. To not have any explenation in the manual about how it was thought out from the developers.

Or one should just set things up what works for you and be happy? :) Because happy you could be with this gadget. :bow
Some day I will settle with my patches and start to play the guitar again :bonk

Please, if someone here think he's got the grip on what is best recomended settings, spit it out.

[Radioman62]

@Radioman62 and toneseek.

What is the process you used to fine tune adjust the tube pots internally, meaning do you just run the unit in bypass mode while tweaking to monitor the sound and play around with the settings.

I am not sure I need to tweak the Tube Booster, but was wondering if there is a systematic way to determine if it needs to be fine tuned. I checked my right and left volumes in headphones and they seem even, and I usually run the Tube Booster at the 10-11 oclock setting or it starts breaking up too much. I don't hear much of a difference in the output if I am under the 8oclock setting on the dial. Also wondering how much a better tube would impact the sound.

My serial number is mid 800s so wondering if its already set up as it should, or if I can improve on it any more.
My serial is over 1000
I have tweaked the tube booster by ear and not done any measures. 7 oclock with the booster in/out doesn't change volume, just color.
10 oclock is lead/solo level. I can't go higher then 11. Above that I can't see any use of that booster.
The potentiometers is around the middlle. But I may try to even lower the booster, as toneseek has done.
I'll be back :BluesBros

[Radioman62]

I have to say I have found that keeping the cab on makes it sound really bad when going through an actual cab. I can imagine that if your actual cab were quite wide range and flat, the cabs on the g5 might help.

What output setting do you use and what gear are you playing trough?

When I go into my Peavey (fx return; combo power setting), with no g5 cab, its sounds great.
Serious? No cab on ampmodel and global output set at "combo power setting"?

In my world that is totally unusable. Imposible to use. Much to much treble and fizzy and a Niagara fall hiss in the background.
EDIT: Unless both treble and presence is 0, as of my tests above.
Another thing, can you adjust tone in your Peavy when you go in to FX return? If, how is it set?

[toneseek]

Global output settings
This is what Zoom intends but you can experiment if you like...

1. For headphones - global set to "direct" - because headphones are full range devices
But, with an amp model but no cab selected, you will hear the unfiltered treble that a cab would eliminate and will sound terrible as Radioman62 says.
So, with headphones:
A. global set to "direct"
B. if you are using an amp model, you need to use a cab model with it or it will not sound good

2. For front of house, mixer, PA, or full range stereo system: same thing, "direct" and you need to choose a cab if you are using an amp model or you will get too much treble

3. To go into the input of an amp (not an effects loop of an amp), for example a Vox AC30 that has no effects loop anyways, set global to "combo front" - that means you will be connecting the G5 in place of a guitar in the guitar input of a combo amp, meaning an amp with a built-in speaker like the Vox AC30 for example. Zoom intends "combo front" to be used with complete amp sets which include their own preamps, power amps and speaker.

You can use a cab if you want going into a combo amp, but I find that it can be a bit muddy depending on what you are selecting and your combo amp. A combo amp, by nature, already has a cabinet so if you use a cab model you are filtering the sound into the cab model and then it gets filtered again through your amp's real cab. Same thing with the amp models though. You are using an amp model which colors the sound and then your real amp will color the sound somewhat too. But, if you keep your real amp set to clean, you can get great results with amp models, and sometimes with cab models. I usually turn off the cab model when using a real amp but it can sound good sometimes. Just depends on your preference.

4. Then there are other global settings that are either for an effects loop of an amp, or for sending out to a power amp (an amp that has no preamp) such as a rack mounted Marshall power amp that has no preamp.

Summary
(again this is what Zoom intends but you can experiment)
Direct = full range headphones, monitors, stereo system, mixer, PA
Combo Front = all in one guitar amp with its own preamp, power amp and speaker(s) - connect G5 as if it is your guitar and not necessarily in an effects loop
Stack Front = into a power amp that has no preamp like a rack mounted power amp - you can also experiment with this going into a head, but "combo front" is also a possibility for a head which has a preamp and a power amp stage
Combo Power Amp = effects return or effects loop on an amp, you can connect the amp's "send" to the G5 and then the G5's output goes back into the "return" of the effects loop
Stack Power Amp = same as Combo Power Amp but for the return on the effects loop of a head unit or rack mounted unit with an effects loop - and likewise, "send" on the amp can go to the G5 input if you like first (so your guitar would plug into amp, not G5)

The last 2 have to do with your guitar possibly plugged into an amp, the amp to the G5 (effects loop send) and then G5 back to the amp (effects loop return)

[toneseek]

correction: if you are using headphones, for example, and an amp model with no cab selected at all, you may hear the unfiltered treble. If you really don't want a cab model, you can add some EQ pedals to your preset and then tweak the sound yourself but it will require some tweaking and perhaps more than 1 EQ pedal to zoom in (no pun intended) on the electric guitar freq. range

[Souper]

What output setting do you use and what gear are you playing trough?

Serious? No cab on ampmodel and global output set at "combo power setting"?

In my world that is totally unusable. Imposible to use. Much to much treble and fizzy and a Niagara fall hiss in the background.
EDIT: Unless both treble and presence is 0, as of my tests above.
Another thing, can you adjust tone in your Peavy when you go in to FX return? If, how is it set?

Hi, I sent an email to zoom specifically about this question a couple of weeks ago. I just received this answer:

"Dear Sir,

Thank you for your inquiry.

Yes, there are almost same setting both of "direct" and "power amp" because there are almost same characteristic of power amp of guitar amp and power amp of audio instruments. When you use the "direct" settings to mixer or audio interface, you need to use the "cabinet emulator" because the guitar amp sound is formed by pre-amp and cabinet. In short, if you use the combo power amp with the G5, please select the "combo power" setting without "cabinet emulator".

Sincerely yours,
ZOOM CORPORATION"

This meets with my experience of playing with the g5.
No, the e.q. section is bypassed if you go through the fx return.
p.s. I dont get any hiss, havent yet fiddled with the eq on the g5 because it seems flat, and it doesnt sound like there is too much treble; I also tend to up the presence quite high.

[toneseek]

Yes, they don't intend for people to hear the unfiltered treble that a cab would otherwise absorb. Guitar cabs have more narrow frequency ranges and usually a woofer and no tweeter for example.

[Radioman62]

My best settings for crunch is where I have 0 treble and 0 presence, no cab with the ampmodel and using "combo power amp" as global and then in to the front of my old Guyatone tubeamp 50W 1x12 open cabinet. Rellay nice tone. All I need in this life :)

I use the same setup on my 2x50W stereo Behringer, using the FX return (no tonecontrol just master volume). But there is a bit to much treble, even though I have zero treble and presence. Ok it's 2x50W fullrange IC amplifiers going to a descent 2x12 cabinet, but maybe my No. 1 amp, the tubed Guyatone have a better speaker.
As they say, YMMV.
But i must point out that there is a bit to much treble on the G5, when you want a setup where you want to go from clean to crunch by the guitar's volume, when using the amp models. OTOH, when you have found your crunch tone the G5 is very, very realistic when it comes to behave from the clean -> overdrived sound, as a tubeamp, just by using the volume on your guitar. Exactly as the real deal :)
See my tests on a real Marshall 6100 yesterday.
The lead/drive (metal) distortion models are another beast and the G5 is behaving much better there I guess. I'm not into all that distortion so someone else have to give a descent review. Maybe the heavier distortions is a signature of ZOOM, where they really shine?

[Radioman62]

Where can we best share our settings on the G5?

Is this site Ok to use? (http://guitarpatches.com/patches.php?mode=show&unit=G5&ID=5866)

I'm eager to test someone elses patch from a user in this thread and also if they tell how they use it, what amp and such.

I promise to upload some of my basic "crunch" setups, maybe this weekend.:)

[Guitar1969]

Where can we best share our settings on the G5?

Is this site Ok to use? (http://guitarpatches.com/patches.php?mode=show&unit=G5&ID=5866)

I'm eager to test someone elses patch from a user in this thread and also if they tell how they use it, what amp and such.

I promise to upload some of my basic "crunch" setups, maybe this weekend.:)

That's the site I always used for my old G2s (Actually I still have the G2.1nu - gave it to my son now that I have the G5) - The website replaces the old Haax patch site and was by far the most popular for Zoom, so its a good choice.

I just got my G5 organized with some free space for custom patches (Got rid of all the patches at the end created by the artists - saved on computer for later review). Also got rid of some patches I know I will never use.

What I always find crucial for live use is a good patch organization plan, especially because you dont want to be going through banks in between or during songs.

Started creating my go to U2 Edge dirty dotted 8th patch (Streets Have No Name type). Not there yet - Sounds pretty good through headphones since its stereo but live I will be mono so not sure how the stereo delay will respond - Have not had a chance to hook up to an amp yet (Late night fiddling) - I'll post the patch when done.

Also created a Marshall patch off of that Youtube Zoom demo that is circulating around, but the factory Mrshall Crunch patch already on the G5 sounds pretty awesome too.

Working on a Roland JC120 patch as well - mad Zoom got rid of the Roland amp a few models back, and replaced it with their Z-clean.

As said above, lets start adding some patches to share.

[fly135]

I know that people had been talking about not getting warm cleans on the G3. Last night I was listening to Pat Methany on the TT and decided to try and pick up a few licks. I had my Jackson HSS handy and the G3 into a SCXD. Hardly a jazz setup but I tried using the acoustic sim and the EQ and was able to get a clean jazzy tone by turning down the top end, turning up the body, and adjusting the EQ a bit.

Just thought I'd throw that out in case nobody thought to try and wanted a warm clean tone.

[stratchamp57]

How are you guys getting rid of the digital fizz on the higher notes? I can't get rid of it and it's annoying.

[Guitar1969]

I plugged my G5 into my Peavy Valveking 212 - 100W tube amp. Sounded good with the Global setting Combo Amp and the Stack option as well, but the rest sounded too trebly. this was with keeping the Cabs set in the amps models

But when I went back to headphones (using direct) and still with Cabs, realized how trebly and fizzy the G5 sounds with headphones.

[Radioman62]

Yes, as a matter of fact it's very trebly.

I'm into testing clean sound now and if you try f.e. some Fenders or Vox with just little gain, about 6-8 and then compensate with level to match your guitar without the model engaged. Use headphones, global direct and a cab to your ampmodel.
Discover then that you have to turn treble and presens all the way down to zero and still there is more treble when you use the model with cabinette compared to your guitar without one.
A bit dissapointing. It's harder to get it right when theres no margin to turn down all that treble. :(

[johnnymegabyte]

just got G5, first impressions after one hour.... Good distortions tones, haven't found a good clean yet, but didn't really dig deep yet. I'm not a crazy FX guy. Mostly straight-ahead rock, occasional Flanger, chorus, Phaser, and Delays for soloing, and sometimes a Wah
One thing, WTF ... I put a rhythm guitar into the Looper. Then, solo over it, stomped the Boost, "everything" boosted, Loop and live guitar
Now, off to figure out how to use the G5. BTW, I'm using a Tech 21 Power Engine 60 amp

[toneseek]

Tube Boost is real analog tube boost and glorious

yes - with Tube Booster activated it is a real analog tube boost - which means it boosts everything - unless you are playing over USB then it will not do anything at all - it is designed to boost everything on purpose to give you the cleanest analog tube stage - otherwise would have to be mixed digitally (i.e. if you have drums and looper going) - you can use it with drums and looper, but you might not find it useful for that. When I use the looper and drums I am just practicing so I don't mind it boosting everything if it enhances my primary tone, which is what they designed it for.

[toneseek]

presence off?

I keep the presence at default or 50% on some amps - with presence off there is almost no treble for me with or without headphones.

[toneseek]

sensitivity and power

In a side by side test with other MFX by be, the G5 is super-sensitive to the guitar signal. Just like a real tube amp and if your levels are high, like a loud tube amp.

In a side by side test with other MFX by me, the G5 was more sensitive to electrical signals (electricity - not guitar). So, an outlet that you might plug your equipment into normally may sound fine, but I have found the G5 to be far better with a very clean grounded outlet or clean grounded power strip. If you are getting too much noise, plug it into another circuit or get a power conditioner. It is worth it. Especially for playing live as you do not know what power you will get.

This has made a huge difference for me in the last week - now my G5 is simply superb. But I need to plug it into a different outlet in my studio that is a separate grounded circuit.

[toneseek]

digital fizz

I am not getting any digital fizz at all. I was at first, especially on cleans, but no longer. I have dialed in some great Fender and Vox cleans that are so real and so rewarding, even with headphones. I will have to share some of my settings.

My higher gain settings also are sounding wonderful. I dialed in some roaring Marshall that sounds so real to me, even with headphones. Also some great Boogie tones.

[esgrimistanaval73]

Gigged for the first time at my church with the G5. The AC30 modeling (VX Combo) is superb. Was able to dial a semi-clean and crunch tone good enough for what was in today's lineup. The Distortion + is great too.
I have been using Line products for years and was never able to master the PODs. In two weeks i feel like i have a good understanding of what the G5 can do. Very easy to use. It should have included a foot tap tempo. I have a pic of today's gig but cannot upload it???
Ahh - the tube booster sucks...need some work to do to see its real value...

[Radioman62]

digital fizz

I am not getting any digital fizz at all. I was at first, especially on cleans, but no longer. I have dialed in some great Fender and Vox cleans that are so real and so rewarding, even with headphones. I will have to share some of my settings.

My higher gain settings also are sounding wonderful. I dialed in some roaring Marshall that sounds so real to me, even with headphones. Also some great Boogie tones.

Please upload your patches.

[pvdlinde]

It should have included a foot tap tempo.
There is a foot tap tempo, actually. Go into looper mode, and the button #2 lets you tap your tempo. Then you can exit looper mode. It's not as straightforward as a dedicated foot tap tempo, but it works fine.

[camstudio]

Hi guy's, I have been following your thread for a couple of weeks now and thought I would sign up. I bought a G5 2 weeks ago and have been really impressed with it so far. I have been A/B testing against the Pod HD300. I used to have an XT upgraded about a year ago. Zoom is winning out so far. I have also tested it into my old Peavey classic 30. Plugging into the return I managed to get an almost identical pre-amp sound. Using the tube booster at low levels puts the icing on the cake every time. Quick post just now but will be back with more later.

PS. Seperate tap tempo switch is actually a good idea. It's the button that will probably get stomped most so your reducing wear and tear on the unit. As control switch assignment is patch specific as well it offers more flexibility and reduces unit size.
The fact that when you change banks it changes to the equivalent patch in the next bank can be useful as well. eg. I am in patch 1. I can now switch to 1 of 4 other patches instantly with one stomp not just 2. Subtle difference.

[camstudio]

I also like the auto save

[toneseek]

I am growing more and more satisfied with the G5. I think it feels like switching from a 2002 Windows XP PC to a modern Apple Mac. The beauty is more than skin deep. I think the G5 may be the most flexible and best sounding unit in its class by far.

[Guitar1969]

I am really liking the straight stompboxes with nothing else (No Amps or effects) going direct. I made a patch of just the stomps lined up, so I can just activate one. Tried to do the same for just amps, but obviously ran accross DSP full at about the 4th one.

I need to build a general patch for modern Rock Worship (like Hillsong United, Kutless, Switchfoot style), but am getting more of that 80s rock sound. I had some pretty good patches in my G2.1nu and when I entered them in the G5, sounded totally different than my original even though the amps and effects are the same. On some forums they say United uses 2 signal paths to get their sound , which can be done on the PODs. I guess there is no way we can do that, even with the stereo outputs(Trying to determine if there is a way to send a limtied signal chain to one side with the stereo outputs, playing with panning, but dont think so.

Wish there was a way to translate HD500 patches into the G5(even manually) as I know there are a ton of patches out there for my musical style and taste. Any programmers out there that can write a program to take a HD500 patch file , and generate a printout of the settings?

By the way, to the above poster on Tap Tempo, I always run a separate tap tempo switch (Boss 6U) with the G5 as I set dotted eight notes in time with the drummer. The Looper tap temp could work too but that is a few stomps to get there.

[esgrimistanaval73]

There is a foot tap tempo, actually. Go into looper mode, and the button #2 lets you tap your tempo. Then you can exit looper mode. It's not as straightforward as a dedicated foot tap tempo, but it works fine.

By the way, to the above poster on Tap Tempo, I always run a separate tap tempo switch (Boss 6U) with the G5 as I set dotted eight notes in time with the drummer. The Looper tap temp could work too but that is a few stomps to get there.

Did not think about the looper option. I will need to get used to doing it that way. Can I use any foot pedal switch or does it need to be the FS01?

[Radioman62]

presence off?

I keep the presence at default or 50% on some amps - with presence off there is almost no treble for me with or without headphones.

Turned to zero there is allmost allways more treble with ampmodel and cab anyway, right ? (Headphones->"direct" or out to a guitaramp with cab and using "poweramp combo")
It can't be just me. Doesn't matter which guitar you plug in. Active or passive pickups, single coil or humbucker.

I have some Ok settings, with treble and presense set to 0, but I will try the other way around now.
Trying with or wthout cab and the "combo front" global setting when going trough a guitaramp combo. The global setting "combo front" takes away a lot of treble.
Maybe theres more margin to lower the treble then.

[camstudio]

Any non-latching footswitch will do. I use an old bespeco switch with a mono jack. For the the footpedal I have a Boss volume/ expression pedal that works fine. That uses a stereo jack into the unit. The 2 mono ends go into the in and out on the pedal.
I have tested matching levels between the dry and wet signals on the xlr. With all FX off, Global and patch level at 100 seems to give same level as dry out.
Xlr out does not seem to be a stereo to mono sum using ping pong delay test although you can here the pinged delay a bit. It may not be panned hard left and right though.

[toneseek]

@ Radioman62

I have treble and presence both at between 30-60% across various amp models. With presence down low (or zero) it sounds very wrong to me.

For headphones, I leave output to "direct" and I use the cab simulations with amp models. Same for connecting into mixer for recording.

For connecting to a clean amp (combo amp like my Vox AC15), I set the output to "combo front" and I usually disable the cab simulation. For example, I will sometimes use the Fender Deluxe model with the cab set to "direct". This gives me Fender Deluxe tone. However, sometimes when going direct to my clean amp, if I am using a "clean" amp model anyways, I will just disable the amp simulation (amp and cab) and just use the G5 for effects since my amp is set to clean anyways. Of course for overdriven amp tones, like Marshall, I will set my amp clean but engage an amp model like "MS Crunch" and then sometimes set the cab to "direct" or experiment.

But, using an amp like that does not sound the same as using headphones with cab simulations engaged - similar but not the same because most guitar amps have a narrow frequency response and speakers that are not "full range".

When I can, I would like to post some of my settings and also post some sound samples. But, I would not be able use mine with treble and presence set to 0 for amp models. Have you also tried headphones and are your headphones pretty good? I usually use AKG headphones but I have also used my iPod headphones and they sound fine too.

[toneseek]

@ camstudio

I think the XLR (when wet) is mono and I think is "left" channel. I will have to confirm. You can go L and R 1/4" out to a DI box to convert both L and R to stereo XLRs if you need to. I may get that together just in case so I have flexibility live and no worries about the house PA system/mixer capabilities. In fact, I plan on doing XLR dry to the desk, and 1/4" stereo (perhaps to XLR stereo set) to the desk also, so some of my dry signal can mix in and give clarity no matter how dirty or distorted I want to get. Alex Lifeson from Rush does that.

[Radioman62]

@ camstudio

I think the XLR (when wet) is mono and I think is "left" channel. I will have to confirm. You can go L and R 1/4" out to a DI box to convert both L and R to stereo XLRs if you need to. I may get that together just in case so I have flexibility live and no worries about the house PA system/mixer capabilities. In fact, I plan on doing XLR dry to the desk, and 1/4" stereo (perhaps to XLR stereo set) to the desk also, so some of my dry signal can mix in and give clarity no matter how dirty or distorted I want to get. Alex Lifeson from Rush does that.
If you have a 2 channel soundcard for recording to computer it's also god to record one channel clean so that you in the future can choose to mix your song in another way with amp models from other software such as amplitube och guitar rig f.e.

[Souper]

I am really liking the straight stompboxes with nothing else (No Amps or effects) going direct. I made a patch of just the stomps lined up, so I can just activate one. Tried to do the same for just amps, but obviously ran accross DSP full at about the 4th one.

I need to build a general patch for modern Rock Worship (like Hillsong United, Kutless, Switchfoot style), but am getting more of that 80s rock sound. I had some pretty good patches in my G2.1nu and when I entered them in the G5, sounded totally different than my original even though the amps and effects are the same. On some forums they say United uses 2 signal paths to get their sound , which can be done on the PODs. I guess there is no way we can do that, even with the stereo outputs(Trying to determine if there is a way to send a limtied signal chain to one side with the stereo outputs, playing with panning, but dont think so.

Wish there was a way to translate HD500 patches into the G5(even manually) as I know there are a ton of patches out there for my musical style and taste. Any programmers out there that can write a program to take a HD500 patch file , and generate a printout of the settings?

By the way, to the above poster on Tap Tempo, I always run a separate tap tempo switch (Boss 6U) with the G5 as I set dotted eight notes in time with the drummer. The Looper tap temp could work too but that is a few stomps to get there.

You can always download the HD edit software; its free. That will show you the patch settings on the HD, so that you have a starting point.

[Radioman62]

About tone, treble and presens, trough headphones and trough different amps with cabs it's truly an experimenting as toneseek says.
This very much a subjective matter. What is good sounding differ's a lot between different individuals :)

I have today played trough (short testing on each) most of the patches that follows the G5 as presets. Most of them are over the top. Both effects like and treble. Some effects is absolutely unplayable. Just microphonic feedback screech and howl :hide2

After that I tested my own presets and maybe they could have some pinch of more treble and presens when I used cabs. So maybe your daily shape is into account as well :)
Ampmodel without cabs and going directly to FX return on my stereo guitaramp with cab, using "Poweramp combo" as global setting, i have now just a little or none of treble and presens, depending on which ampmodel it is.

I have now prepared and uploaded (http://guitarpatches.com/patches.php?unit=G5) up a couple of crunchy starting presets which all have the same line of effects. It's just differs when it comes to ampmodel and cab.
Anyway, because they are all setup in the same style and line of effects it's easy for you to compare the different amps and adjust to your liking.
They all have 70-100 volume vertical pedal and left and right pedal is for more chorus or echo. There is also a harmonizer in every patch to test if you like.

I welcome any comment here or at the guitar effects patch place (http://guitarpatches.com/patches.php?unit=G5). :)

[toneseek]

If you have a 2 channel soundcard for recording to computer it's also god to record one channel clean so that you in the future can choose to mix your song in another way with amp models from other software such as amplitube och guitar rig f.e.

excellent point - you can use the XLR to record a "dry" track for your DAW to fool around with later

[toneseek]

@ Radioman62
Are you getting clean power to your G5? I have found it to be more sensitive than my other gear to power and I moved it to another circuit in my studio which made a lot of difference for me and I was surprised as that had no effect on my other MFX equipment.

[camstudio]

excellent point - you can use the XLR to record a "dry" track for your DAW to fool around with later

That is +1 over the pods. You could also get an xlr to jack and hook it up to another unit or amp for dual amp fun. I prefer the fact that the xlr is not summed.
Anyone else been comparing with the Pod HD? I have only got so far. First trials I did I matched setting with the Fender twin. The Pod HD's do seem to accentuate lower frequency and I would agree that the Zoom goes more for mid to highs. I found by adding some compression or the Exciter and messing with reflections on the zoom made them sound almost the same. Suggests that the zoom is more 'raw guitar' orientated.
I did find that the Pod could get lost in jamming situations although listening back to the recordings it did sound good. I will be jamming this thursday with the Zoom for first time so will be interesting to see how it goes. I suspect that the zoom will cut through a lot better. I also suspect that for home recording the Zoom will sit better in a mix without having to mess with eq on the bass etc.

[heretic]

That is +1 over the pods. You could also get an xlr to jack and hook it up to another unit or amp for dual amp fun. I prefer the fact that the xlr is not summed.


You can do the same on a POD HD500 using the FX Loop block first in the chain.

[Radioman62]

@ Radioman62
Are you getting clean power to your G5? I have found it to be more sensitive than my other gear to power and I moved it to another circuit in my studio which made a lot of difference for me and I was surprised as that had no effect on my other MFX equipment.
I don't think I have any such problem. I have tried another much more expensive switched PSU with known low ripple and din't notice any difference.

I will try and examine more throughly now that you mention it.

[camstudio]

I had my Zoom R16 hooked up to the g5. Both PSU's where on the same (cheap) power strip plugged into a socket I know to be noisy. The buzz doubled. I get the same effect with HD300 in the same setup but the buzz has a different tone. Zoom treble buzz, Pod more bass buzz. Couldn't say if one was being affected more than the other. I have been using stock Baja tele though so i'm asking for it really. I did find the noise gate to be really effective. Does not colour the sound as much as the ZNR.

[Guitar1969]

Did not think about the looper option. I will need to get used to doing it that way. Can I use any foot pedal switch or does it need to be the FS01?

Any momentary pedal - The FS 01 is junk - Look at the Boss ones like the %u and 6U, the U means it is unlatched (momentary) - I am also able to use it on my amp for changing channels, so it is dual purpose, which is why I went with the 6U which has 2 buttons and 2 separate inputs.

[Guitar1969]

The Shimmer Effect:

Is anyone familiar with this sound (think U2's Edge). I was wondering with the astounding amount of effects the G5 has, if there is any way to get remotely close to this effect. Its more than delay - Its an Octave pitch shift that multiplies on each repeat with Reverb. Could also be using reverse delay.

Here's a sample sound done with standalone pedals and a rack:

http://www.christianguitar.org/forums/t179283/

[camstudio]

Looked up Melancon guitars, very nice

[camstudio]

modulated delay? pitch shift delay at very low pitch setting is nice. sounds like the whole thing is going through a transparent flange

[Guitar1969]

You can always download the HD edit software; its free. That will show you the patch settings on the HD, so that you have a starting point.

If the software is Line 6 Monkey - It requires connection to the device to initiate. I have it installed, but it stops at the initalizing screen looking for a POD.

Edit: The program is Line6 Edit - and it can be run offline - I am going to disect a few patches since there is a huge database out there. That is one thing the Line6 camp has over Zoom - huge following, so tons of user patches out there.

[toneseek]

The Shimmer Effect:

Is anyone familiar with this sound (think U2's Edge). I was wondering with the astounding amount of effects the G5 has, if there is any way to get remotely close to this effect. Its more than delay - Its an Octave pitch shift that multiplies on each repeat with Reverb. Could also be using reverse delay.

Here's a sample sound done with standalone pedals and a rack:

http://www.christianguitar.org/forums/t179283/

You can absolutely get that sound. I have not tried but you can easily get it.

There is a preset called "heaven" and you can see if it has the sparkle you like. I'm at work so I don't know. See what effects it uses. You can combine that with Bank 33-preset 3 from the factory which is called "U2" and has cool stereo delay dialed in for starters.

To roll your own, there are a lot of special pedals that can give you a repeating sound that grows in treble if that is what you are looking for.

To sound like the Edge, I would recommend one of the Vox models or the Matchless model (Matchless tend to be based on Vox circuits) and then build your effects ahead of that, not after (Vox AC30 which is Edge's main amp has no effects loop).

The G5 comes with a list of starter presets and you may want to review the list and see if anything catches you eye, then check it out and see what effects are engaged. The possibilities with the G5 are endless. There are so many classic and unusual effects.

[Guitar1969]

You can absolutely get that sound. I have not tried but you can easily get it.

There is a preset called "heaven" and you can see if it has the sparkle you like. I'm at work so I don't know. See what effects it uses. You can combine that with Bank 33-preset 3 from the factory which is called "U2" and has cool stereo delay dialed in for starters.

To roll your own, there are a lot of special pedals that can give you a repeating sound that grows in treble if that is what you are looking for.

To sound like the Edge, I would recommend one of the Vox models or the Matchless model (Matchless tend to be based on Vox circuits) and then build your effects ahead of that, not after (Vox AC30 which is Edge's main amp has no effects loop).

The G5 comes with a list of starter presets and you may want to review the list and see if anything catches you eye, then check it out and see what effects are engaged. The possibilities with the G5 are endless. There are so many classic and unusual effects.

Thanks - I have been thorugh all those patches backwards and forwards - I am familiar with the Heaven patch and the U2 patch - I will have to play with it to see if a combo gets me there. I am actually trying to reverse engineer a Line6 XT patch that is close, to see if I can convert it for use with the G5. I will post my findings.

[toneseek]

Thanks - I have been thorugh all those patches backwards and forwards - I am familiar with the Heaven patch and the U2 patch - I will have to play with it to see if a combo gets me there. I am actually trying to reverse engineer a Line6 XT patch that is close, to see if I can convert it for use with the G5. I will post my findings.

Cool idea - that may make it easier for you to replicate - I'm sure the G5 has all the effects of the XT and then some to make it work.

[toneseek]

a new G5 playing demo
http://youtu.be/fWWYICmdy8c

Dave Mustaine with his guitar tech
http://youtu.be/le17VUQAcHI

[Guitar1969]

Found a bunch of cool info on the G3 and G5 - I don't think I will do the pedal mods - not into tearighn apart new electronics gear while still under warranty, but still interesting:

http://ashbass.com/AshBassGuitar/Zoom/

[toneseek]

@ Guitar1969

This is just from memory, but I think there is a single G5 pedal called "Phase Delay" which you can dial in to get you higher freq "crystal" type phase that is delayed which can be tweaked to get a sparkle kind of sound like you mentioned - not exactly the same but in the same vein and just a single pedal effect

[Guitar1969]

@ Guitar1969

This is just from memory, but I think there is a single G5 pedal called "Phase Delay" which you can dial in to get you higher freq "crystal" type phase that is delayed which can be tweaked to get a sparkle kind of sound like you mentioned - not exactly the same but in the same vein and just a single pedal effect

Spent a bit of time on this last night but was not able to get it dialed in, or even anything passable. Spent also a bit of time trying to dissect Line6 patches but that proved unfruitful and painful to work with thier editing software, altough it definitely is tweakable.

Since that reference tone(link I sent) is I believe 2 outputs (1 is the shimmer violin type sound, and other is the delay melody) not sure if the G5 can get there). That is the way U2 does it, and then the multieffects units that can have 2 chains can do it. I believe the G5 can do each sound, but cannot combine the 2.

[toneseek]

I think you can get it for sure on the G5. I'm not at home to try right now. Try the "Phase Delay" as an example to start with and add another delay before or after. Don't forget that delays have tone controls and if you bump treble you will get "crystal" sound for that sparkle type effect. There are examples of using multiple delays on the G5 to get effects that you might not expect. You may also want to use the violin or even organ sounding pedals low in the mix (use the mix knobs!) after your core tone and skewed to more treble, and then delay it all to taste. You can get there!

[toneseek]

headphones:

the headphone output on the G5 is excellent and better than other MFX units I have used. BUT, it still is not as good as the primary output of the G5. In other words, G5 -> output -> mixer -> headphones sounds better to me, assuming your mixer/monitor is good and you have good headphones and cables. I heard much more stereo separation for example - so I recommend external mixer if you want absolute best possible headphone experience.

also as with a lot of MFX units, G5 -> mixer -> USB -> computer may be better than G5 direct to computer via USB. For one thing, the analog tube boost is not digital so is not carried by USB from the G5.

Which brings me to final point, when I adjusted my G5 tube (by opening unit and adjusting L and R tube gain potentiometers with screwdriver) I was plugged into G5 with headphones direct. Now that I tried headphones with external mixer, I see that I need to go back into G5 and adjust the tube gain again because it is not balanced for external mixer which has clearer and better stereo separation and I can hear that one side (now right side!) is a bit too high.

[Radioman62]

I use closed DJ Sennheizer HD200 phones.
I don't like the tube booster sound in the headphones. It's even worce with better phones like my audiophile phones, open Sennheizer HD650. It's something with to much and wrong distortion in the bass region. When playing trough an amp with cab it's sometimes useful for lead. To use an outside mixer to record it? I don't think so.

Inside I have now turned one of the two trims to the lowest end and balanced the other for proper stereo.
When engaged at minimum volume on the outside interface it somewhat lower the signal level a pinch and warming up the sound, putting some distortion in and takes away some highs. At about 10 oclock it's solo/lead. More then eleven with the volume and .... for me unusable. To high signal level and not the right distortion. I am very very picky, I know. :)
It shouldnt be any difference when going to an outside mixer. I dont have any so that test will not happend FTM. :munch

[Radioman62]

I am a bit dissapointed that no one here has taken the time to upload some patches to the nice Zoom G5 patchplace. (http://guitarpatches.com/patches.php?unit=G5)

Please, something you like. I will not axe down anything. We all think different about what it should sound. Thats the fun part.
If you like something clean it surely would be something for me as well (old grumpy man :bkw) when I want to try a clean setting. Even if I change to my liking.
:phones

[camstudio]

Will try and get a couple up over the weekend. Still playing about with the thing. Not had a chance to get it usb'd up.

[Radioman62]

camstudio

It's very nice to have it USB'd at the same time you use it.
You see "users area" on the PC (or MAC) and when a patch is OK you just right klick on i it and choose export. Save it to a filename and the you can upload to that patch site.
If you like you can edit the file with a text editor between the tag <tooltip> </tooltip> and that will show a yellow labeled pop up in the software Edit & Share when you hover the mouse over the patch.

Edit & Share is very good to have, even to organise and move your patches.

[Guitar1969]

I am a bit dissapointed that no one here has taken the time to upload some patches to the nice Zoom G5 patchplace. (http://guitarpatches.com/patches.php?unit=G5)

Please, something you like. I will not axe down anything. We all think different about what it should sound. Thats the fun part.
If you like something clean it surely would be something for me as well (old grumpy man :bkw) when I want to try a clean setting. Even if I change to my liking.
:phones

I think the problem is, like myself, everyone is still trying to dial in their goto patches since they just these units. I have a few in progress, but not totally done.

I will post a few of my patches on the site this weekend.

Still a little disappointed in the amount of fizz I am getting on this unit, and the inability to get a grteat clean tone, but still working.


I am still trying to figure out a good U2 Shimmer and Spakle tone as talked about above, but after trying everything mentioned above , "I Still Haven't Found What I Am Looking For . . . " Pun Intended

[Radioman62]

everyone is still trying to dial in their goto patches since they just these units. I have a few in progress, but not totally done.
Will you ever be done? I wont :)

I will post a few of my patches on the site this weekend.

Yes please, anything. We can have a discussion here and maybe come to some conclusions about gear and subjective thoughts.


Still a little disappointed in the amount of fizz I am getting on this unit, and the inability to get a grteat clean tone, but still working.

Me to. But this is the first FX unit I have had a real GO on. The other ones sounded crap and I didn't ever got the hang of how to set them up .... and remember what I have set up .. :huh

I am still trying to figure out a good U2 Shimmer and Spakle tone as talked about above, but after trying everything mentioned above , "I Still Haven't Found What I Am Looking For . . . " Pun Intended
Keep it up
:)

[toneseek]

Fizz: I am not getting any. Check your amp levels and your cab sims. I can not even tell this thing is digital now. I am so happy with it, and I can't believe it because I thought the G3 was fun, but nowhere like the sound quality I am gearing now on the G5. It is more than just a bigger unit with more buttons.

Cleans: I am able to get the most realistic full cleans I have ever had on an MFX unit, including HD500 and various Digitechs. My favorite right now is the Deluxe Reverb model with some spring reverb. I add early reflections, air, or room reverb after the amp model (spring before) and sometimes all if I am using headphones and want "in the room sound" - you probably would not want that when recording or when playing through an amp or speakers.

@Radioman62
Headphones:
Yes, it is very interesting about headphones. The headphone circuit on the G5 is very good and better than other units in my opinion - but when I go "direct" 1/4" line outs (L and R) into my favorite "mixer" (which is actually powered speakers with headphone jack, called "Alesis M1 Active 320" and about $99 - it has analog lines in and USB out to PC/Mac) - anyways, into my "mixer" and then headphones into my mixer - big difference. Using AKG headphones, I hear a much wider sound stage, more stereo separation, a bit cleaner, and the tube boost sounds different - and better. I think the tube boost sounds best on the line outs of the unit, and not as good via the G5's own headphone circuit, but still decent there.

For recording, I will record line out from the G5 into a USB interface and then to the Mac. I am not going to use direct G5 USB for recording, just for preset editing. Over USB, the tube boost is not available because it is the final audio analog stage of the audio output (not digital) and does not get digitally mixed back into the USB signal.

[speedyone]

I'd love to hear some soundclips, or see a video from you Toneseek.

Especially considering how much you like the sound of the unit.

:)

[Radioman62]

For recording, I will record line out from the G5 into a USB interface and then to the Mac. I am not going to use direct G5 USB for recording, just for preset editing. Over USB, the tube boost is not available because it is the final audio analog stage of the audio output (not digital) and does not get digitally mixed back into the USB signal.
OK, good to know.
My recording rig is 2ch Focusrite USB to PC laptop. So I will try as you say, going line out into my Focusrite, one channel wet and one clean.
Is the tube booster with you when you choose pre effect (clean) on the canon output?

[toneseek]

I'd love to hear some soundclips, or see a video from you Toneseek.

Especially considering how much you like the sound of the unit.

:)

I want to make some when I have a chance - maybe this weekend- I will go 1/4" out to USB interface to Mac DAW - maybe do the Fender Deluxe surf tone I am digging, a roaring Marshall and maybe the rendition of my live Vox rig too

[speedyone]

Cool!

That would be great to hear.

My favorite tones are a good 59' Bassman clean and high gain Marshall sounds.

[Guitar1969]

I know this was discussed a few posts back but I am not really liking the sound coming out of headphones, compared to plugging into my Combo Tube Amp and changing the Global setting accordingly. I am getting too much Fizz, which I am hearing through the headphones (Not the best headphones, but a decent pair of Yamaha monitor headphones). I have tried everything in the way of turning down patch volume, amp level, and global levels, but since most every effect has a seprate level, not sure where the issue is if others are not experiencing this.

Quite honestly, if I am listening though the headphones, it sounds better to me to have Global set to Combo Front instead of Direct, since it takes out some of the highs.

I am also getting quite a bit of buzz which I believe is tied to the power, but I am running through an extension cord plugged into a power strip so it is most likely that.

ToneSeek, it sounds like you have your unit dialed in pretty well, so I am very interested in trying one of your patches on my G5, which should help me isolate the issues I am having.

[Souper]

I know this was discussed a few posts back but I am not really liking the sound coming out of headphones, compared to plugging into my Combo Tube Amp and changing the Global setting accordingly. I am getting too much Fizz, which I am hearing through the headphones (Not the best headphones, but a decent pair of Yamaha monitor headphones). I have tried everything in the way of turning down patch volume, amp level, and global levels, but since most every effect has a seprate level, not sure where the issue is if others are not experiencing this.

Quite honestly, if I am listening though the headphones, it sounds better to me to have Global set to Combo Front instead of Direct, since it takes out some of the highs.

I am also getting quite a bit of buzz which I believe is tied to the power, but I am running through an extension cord plugged into a power strip so it is most likely that.

ToneSeek, it sounds like you have your unit dialed in pretty well, so I am very interested in trying one of your patches on my G5, which should help me isolate the issues I am having.

Could you possibly make a simple patch (amp plus reverb maybe) where you think there is a problem? Then post the settings here and we can try it. Remember to tell us the global settings.

[Guitar1969]

Actually I posted a bunch of patches on the patch site. As you can tell by my patches I am a big U2 Edge fan and use a lot of dotted 8th delay stuff when i play at my church (hillsong United type rock worship - The guitarist uses uses Matchless and Vox AC30 amps clean but slightly breaking up, and then pushes them with a TS, and then adds the delay) I tried to simulate that.

Let me know if you guys like my patches or if they need more work - have not used them live yet.

If you guys think they are not fizzy (higher gain stuff) or buzzy then it tells me it is probably in my rig. Using a Gibson Les PAul Standard Faded and a American Fender Strat Plus. to try to remove fizz I have been focusing on Amp level, and patch level and lower treble freq wherever I can - not sure what else to do - someone mentioned cabs but there is not any adjustment for them other than type.

[Souper]

Hi Guitar1969, I had assumed you were more or less happy with those patches. I wondered about the fizz, which I havent noticed. It would be good to get to the bottom of your problem, because I have to say my g5 sounds really good.

I havent got my guitar, but I looked at the Rock-Pop patch to see if there was anything obvious. I noticed you boost the bass a lot.

I also noticed that you are using a cab, so I assume headphone use? I noticed that with headphone use you really have to dial back the gain.

Im using a strat, with bridge humbucker. Then either headphones, using an amp with a cab and direct setting, or to a Peavey bandit, combo power and no cab if I use an amp. I havent heard any fizz, or buzz. If I use any eq, its subtle. With the graphic, at most I would boost/cut by 2 or 3. I generally keep all levels at 100; not needed to adjust that so far. My pickups are passive, and I have the switch set accordingly.

[Guitar1969]

The Rock-Pop patch was one I converted from my G2.1nu, trying to get a close sound to it, as I used it alot on that unit(now my son uses my G2.1nu). That patch came from a zoom endorsed player that posts G2 patch settings on Youtube alot (back when there was no editor). The guy wrote great patches - hopefully he will move up to the newer units and write some more patches as he was really good at nailing specific tones for songs. Still trying to get that tone again but not there yet. My strat does not have Humbuckers but they are Hot golds so they are single coils that are hotter. I will play with that boost, but its tough when going back and forth between my Strat and Les Paul as they are 2 totally different beasts. I will agree that I tend to use hte EQ more than I should, just because its there. Thanks for the tips - I will play with it some more.

[toneseek]

have not had time to record sample but I will do so and I will share the settings that I have found really useful.

In terms of guitars, it really brings out the nuances, good and bad, in a guitar. For example, my Parker which is set sort of like a SSH Strat, has very hot trebly pickups and the bridge pickup basically emits an overdriven/distortion on its own - very hot and gritty and trebly. Sometimes, that is great, and sometimes it sounds terrible with all my gear - depends on the sound I am going for. Keep that in mind as you experiment, and even lower your guitar volume if you have a pickup like that and see if that is keeping you from getting a clean that you are looking for, for example. I have a Gretsch Jet that I can set volume to max on all equipment and it never overdrives by itself, so there is an example of a different guitar making a big difference, whether it is the G5 or some other gear or a real amp.

In fact, when I record my samples, I will probably just use my Gretsch or my 339 because it is easier to focus on the amp (or in this case the G5). I love my Parker too but it is not always the sound I want if I want a baseline sound that is not already hot.

[camstudio]

Noise issues- I shielded the control cavity on my tele (not the pickup cavity- overkill) and fixed the ground loop on my other guitars shielding that has humbuckers. I am getting 0 buzz on both guitars with clean sounds (while touching strings) and 'normal' noise on stomps and amps with the gain up 50% + with the tele.
= G5 is quiet very quiet unit! Noise would be more noticeable with headphones as high freq's are directional and would be aimed at your ear drum.
Sorry no patches yet.

[Guitar1969]

I am getting a lot of buzz still, even on cleans, And my Strat is Shielded,but as you mentioned, mainly on headphone use. Also noticed the Compression effect seems to always add a lot of buzz when touching strings. I have found on most Zoom products (this is my 5th), you pretty much always have to use their Znr or one of the other noise gates or it completelt unbearable. I wonder if some of the problems have to do with the Power supply - it looks pretty wimpy, especially the cable.

[camstudio]

Do you get buzz in positions 2 and 4? I A/B'd the psu with other generic devices and found the stock one to be the quietest. Have you tried pointing the guitar in different directions to see where interference could be coming? My tele does still have some buzz with gain on it. Compressor squashes the signal so will make low noises seem more audible at higher settings.

[Guitar1969]

I will check it out tonight, but my Strat Plus does not use regular single coils - They use the Lace Sensors (I have Hot Golds in it) which are supposed to be way quieter than regular single coils.

but I am also getting buzz on my Gibson Les Paul - To me it sounds more like a power supply type of hum/buzz.

[toneseek]

I do not use any noise gate at all, except for super high gain presets. Same as I do on all MFX equipment.

Check your power if you are getting extra noise, noisy power is common. Also check for lights and other appliances on same circuit - easy to get noise in your power that something like the G5 can pick up.

[toneseek]

interesting video where uploader claims to have tried some basic patches and swapped in and out different tubes in place of the stock 12AX7 that comes in the G5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkdnRkt7BTU

The description with the video is in Japanese, which unfortunately I can not read. This is Google's quick translation which is not that accurate but at least gives a sense of what is happening:

"I tried to replace the vacuum tube distortion when the boost in the tube booster, it was not boomy sound to your liking. The G5 has been around use 12AX7 tubes made ​​in China, the results were examined for various vacuum tube, the manufacturer of the Slovak company called JJ Tube was replaced with a pre-ECC803S. I distortion becomes more refined, unique sense of compliance, such as the vacuum tube will be felt more. Taste of sound, but there are individual differences, I G5 compatibility of the cabinet simulator is pretty good and I think that ECC803S. The rating is the guitar that was used to Washburn N4 of the way."

[toneseek]

only problem with that video is I would like to know what output is being used - if USB, tube boost would not be heard at all, and it looks like just headphones are plugged in, instead of the real 1/4" L and R outputs which sound much better or the XLR

[Guitar1969]

I do not use any noise gate at all, except for super high gain presets. Same as I do on all MFX equipment.

Check your power if you are getting extra noise, noisy power is common. Also check for lights and other appliances on same circuit - easy to get noise in your power that something like the G5 can pick up.


I am sure I am as I am on my normal house circuit.

[Guitar1969]

interesting video where uploader claims to have tried some basic patches and swapped in and out different tubes in place of the stock 12AX7 that comes in the G5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkdnRkt7BTU

The description with the video is in Japanese, which unfortunately I can not read. This is Google's quick translation which is not that accurate but at least gives a sense of what is happening:

"I tried to replace the vacuum tube distortion when the boost in the tube booster, it was not boomy sound to your liking. The G5 has been around use 12AX7 tubes made ​​in China, the results were examined for various vacuum tube, the manufacturer of the Slovak company called JJ Tube was replaced with a pre-ECC803S. I distortion becomes more refined, unique sense of compliance, such as the vacuum tube will be felt more. Taste of sound, but there are individual differences, I G5 compatibility of the cabinet simulator is pretty good and I think that ECC803S. The rating is the guitar that was used to Washburn N4 of the way."

there are similar results here:

http://ashbass.com/AshBassGuitar/Zoom/

Guy played with a JJ and then ultimately settled on an Electro Harmonix tube. Since there are so many variations of 12AX7 tubes, even within the same brand, it would be really hard to compare. I will put a different tube in at some time, but not ready to crack my G5 open just yet.

[esgrimistanaval73]

On another note, I just learned today that if you dial the time on your delay all the way to the right you can select notes for your delay...very happy about this option and is quite ample compared to my POD x3live. Gotta admit every day i find something else that is better than my Line6 stuff. Even the Wahs are much better. Go G5. :p :omg

[Guitar1969]

On another note, I just learned today that if you dial the time on your delay all the way to the right you can select notes for your delay...very happy about this option and is quite ample compared to my POD x3live. Gotta admit every day i find something else that is better than my Line6 stuff. Even the Wahs are much better. Go G5. :p :omg
It has been this way on the last few generations of this pedal - that is how you can get dotted 8th delay.

[camstudio]

I ordered a tungsol tube at the weekend. Arrived today. Going to try it out tonight hopefully. Not messed about changing tubes before so should be interesting.

[Guitar1969]

Tungsols are good tubes , so should make a difference - I put them in my Peavy Valveking amp (It had JJs stock) - I bought specific versions - warmed up the tone but it lost some volume - I am thinking about taking the old JJs I have from my Peavy and trying one in the G5. I was also thinking it might be beneficial to turn down the internal tube adjustment pots a bit while I am in there, so that there is more sensitivity in the Boost adjustment for the lower settings, which is where I see the most use for the Tube Boost. Since right now its unusable pretty much at the 1 o'clock setting and higher, if they are turned down, that same max setting could be for example 4 o'clock position, giving you more adjustment at the lower settings like 8 and 9 oclock settings. Does this reasoning make sense, or am I not using the correct thought process?

[toneseek]

@ Guitar1969 - thanks for posting that link re: tube replacement
@ Radioman62 - I think you swapped your G5 tube as well?

I think I will try a new tube too. Happy with the stock 12AX7 but curious about what may happen. Would seem like not much since it is low voltage, but others are seeing changes so I should try it too.

[neastguy]

does anyone who uses the G5 in their loop think that it fizzes out their amp a bit.. even when its not on.. its hard to explain.. but was just wondering.. I think it definitely changes the tone a bit.... never really be a big deal at an actual gig.. but can tell.. wondering if there are any setting recommendations for using it live in the loop.. currently just using stack power amp in global

[toneseek]

check your power - any dirty power and the G5 is very sensitive to throwing noise. I isolated mine with a different circuit and with a power conditioner for live use - also check your levels, patch and global, they are active even when stomps are all off, also check your output setting (direct, combo, power amp, effects loop, etc.) and change to taste

[Radioman62]

I follow with interrest but I have been really sick the last days. High fever and pneumonia. :( I will try guitar1969 settings tomorrow :)

I am thinking about taking the old JJs I have from my Peavy and trying one in the G5. I was also thinking it might be beneficial to turn down the internal tube adjustment pots a bit while I am in there, so that there is more sensitivity in the Boost adjustment for the lower settings, which is where I see the most use for the Tube Boost. Since right now its unusable pretty much at the 1 o'clock setting and higher, if they are turned down, that same max setting could be for example 4 o'clock position, giving you more adjustment at the lower settings like 8 and 9 oclock settings. Does this reasoning make sense, or am I not using the correct thought process?

You are thinking correct. I have opened up once again and adjusted the lowest presetting inside I can have with balance between the channels.
Gives you a larger playroom with the outside volume. Still I think it's unusable above 11 oclock. To high level.

@toneseek Yes I swapped around and took another chineese tube I had, which had more balance between the two triodes inside. FYI there is two amplifying units (triodes) in one envelope of a 12AX7 (ECC83)
It's very subtle difference between tubes, if non at all. Some level adjustment thats all. And I have all the good NOS tubes available. Siemens, Telefunken, Philips you name it.

[Radioman62]

Back from less fever today I tried my own uploaded presets, from the other day, with my other amp-rig again.
I had to change quite a bit.
It's a very big difference between which amplifier and cab you are playing trough. Or if you use headphones.
It's not that easy as to say "Use direct with headphones and combo cab when playing trough your own rig".
When playing trough any guitaramp-rig I have got best result with ampmodels combined with cab from the G5 and then using "Combo poweramp" as global setting.
Adjusting treble and presens accordingly. I have to back of quite a bit on those two.

The unit is apart from that very good sounding and low noice.

[toneseek]

@ Radioman62

Henky's settings from his jazzy video on youtube:

"Thanks for the compliments.
It's basically the TW ROCK patch 24-1 with the ZNR first and the TW ROCK (Two Rock Emerald 50) second.
Plus EQ in slot 5 (boosted 160Hz and 400Hz reduced 6.4KHz)
And the Arena Reverb in slot 6 (standard settings)

Oh and I used the neck pickup for this not the bridge pickup."

[Radioman62]

@ Radioman62

Henky's settings from his jazzy video on youtube:

"Thanks for the compliments.
It's basically the TW ROCK patch 24-1 with the ZNR first and the TW ROCK (Two Rock Emerald 50) second.
Plus EQ in slot 5 (boosted 160Hz and 400Hz reduced 6.4KHz)
And the Arena Reverb in slot 6 (standard settings)

Oh and I used the neck pickup for this not the bridge pickup."
Where? Can't find it.
What should be on slot 3 and 4?

[toneseek]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWWYICmdy8c

I think he means all default slots in the preset patch 24-1 except for the changes he mentions - ZNR first, amp second, 3 and 4 as they are, EQ in slot 5, default arena reverb in 6

and try with neck pickup - not bridge

Definitely no mention of treble or presence with his recording - so maybe that will sound good to you with your equipment? I will try it as well

maybe that EQ will give you what you were looking for and otherwise losing treble and presence to get

I keep treble and presence on amp models at between 40-50% usually, but I understand that you have been dialing them down lower

[Radioman62]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWWYICmdy8c

I think he means all default slots in the preset patch 24-1 except for the changes he mentions - ZNR first, amp second, 3 and 4 as they are, EQ in slot 5, default arena reverb in 6

and try with neck pickup - not bridge

Definitely no mention of treble or presence with his recording - so maybe that will sound good to you with your equipment? I will try it as well

maybe that EQ will give you what you were looking for and otherwise losing treble and presence to get

I keep treble and presence on amp models at between 40-50% usually, but I understand that you have been dialing them down lower

Yes, but it could be a matter of taste and mood. Im into more bluesey and creamy sound. But as i said above. Next day and trough another rig and higher levels as when we do rehearsals it sounded quite different. :huh

Anyway thanks, now I have some more to test tomorrow.

About the links to the videos where they roll tubes ..... Hmm I have to open up my unit again.:cool: The video really reveal that shitty distortion I don't like when tested with the Chinese tube.
I have an arsenal of tubes. Even Mullards :) There will be a proper rolling of tubes again.:horse

[Radioman62]

I really couldn't resist, even though I allready should have been in bed (pneumonia and going on pencillin)

Normally when rolling preamptubes in a proper done tubecircuit there is very little difference between tubes of same spec but different branch but in this little fellow, our belowed G5, the anodeplates are starved on voltage.
I measured it to be just 5.9 Volts! It could very well be more revealing between different manufacturer but also individuals of the same one.
Also the Japan video linked posted yesterday here got me going this night. Because I have the same shitty, crackling, no creamy distortion with both the Cihinese tube that was in it from the beginning and the other ones I have bought on Ebay, as on this video. The Chinese tubes work excellent in any "normal" tubecircuit but apparently not here.

I found that any other tube then the chinese 12ax7 worked better. A lot better ! :omg
I smiled when I settled on a 50 year old used, but perfectly measuring Mullard. It take longer to warm up the old gentleman but thats no problem. :)

I now have an almost transparent or no difference in sound, exept some very slight warmth, when I engage the booster and use 7 and 5 as the settings on the volume and tone knobs. Same as minimum volume and full tone.

Best use for lead boosting is around 10 and 3 oclock.

Interresting if anyone else can try this. I'm really glad I took the time once more and tried. And yes, Electro Harmonix 12ax7 sounds smoth.

One more thing. I tried a higher voltage PSU, 12V. It does change the filament voltage to the tube to almost 8V instead of the healthier 5.6. That is no way to go if you want the tube to last. And this tube will last forever with these voltages :).

[toneseek]

Great work - I want to change my tube now too to get more clean range as you mention - now you can go above 11! I have to see what I have ready to go and plug it in. Sounds like you have some great old tubes to use. I think I have a couple good ones laying around that I can pop in and try. Time to get the screwdriver out again

Yes, I agree that starved voltage circuits will keep a tube healthy for a long time if the voltage remains low - there should be no reason to replace a tube except that it sounds bad to begin with.

[johnnymegabyte]

check your power - any dirty power and the G5 is very sensitive to throwing noise. I isolated mine with a different circuit and with a power conditioner for live use - also check your levels, patch and global, they are active even when stomps are all off, also check your output setting (direct, combo, power amp, effects loop, etc.) and change to taste
My Saturday gig was a noisy AC nightmare, but buried when band was rocking, it was almost an embarrassment between songs.
Then Sunday gig at another location, super clean.
I use a PC voltage regulator which sits in the back of my Tech 21 Power Engine amp, had problems with our Sunday jam night hosting location power fluctuations (blew tube in my G7 twice in the last 10 months )
Maybe I need one of those furman devices

[Guitar1969]

I really couldn't resist, even though I allready should have been in bed (pneumonia and going on pencillin)

Normally when rolling preamptubes in a proper done tubecircuit there is very little difference between tubes of same spec but different branch but in this little fellow, our belowed G5, the anodeplates are starved on voltage.
I measured it to be just 5.9 Volts! It could very well be more revealing between different manufacturer but also individuals of the same one.
Also the Japan video linked posted yesterday here got me going this night. Because I have the same shitty, crackling, no creamy distortion with both the Cihinese tube that was in it from the beginning and the other ones I have bought on Ebay, as on this video. The Chinese tubes work excellent in any "normal" tubecircuit but apparently not here.

I found that any other tube then the chinese 12ax7 worked better. A lot better ! :omg
I smiled when I settled on a 50 year old used, but perfectly measuring Mullard. It take longer to warm up the old gentleman but thats no problem. :)

I now have an almost transparent or no difference in sound, exept some very slight warmth, when I engage the booster and use 7 and 5 as the settings on the volume and tone knobs. Same as minimum volume and full tone.Best use for lead boosting is around 10 and 3 oclock.

Interresting if anyone else can try this. I'm really glad I took the time once more and tried. And yes, Electro Harmonix 12ax7 sounds smoth.


One more thing. I tried a higher voltage PSU, 12V. It does change the filament voltage to the tube to almost 8V instead of the healthier 5.6. That is no way to go if you want the tube to last. And this tube will last forever with these voltages :).

I put a JJ in mine that I had laying around and not sure it sounds much different than the cheap chinese one that was in there. Not smooth, still crackly and cant really go past 10 on the boost control before it sounds really bad. I also set the internal pots to a minimum to get more range.I am going to buy another tube specifically for this use - since you know tubes, can you recommend a reasonably priced one , maybe the EH?

[Radioman62]

I put a JJ in mine that I had laying around and not sure it sounds much different than the cheap chinese one that was in there. Not smooth, still crackly and cant really go past 10 on the boost control before it sounds really bad. I also set the internal pots to a minimum to get more range.I am going to buy another tube specifically for this use - since you know tubes, can you recommend a reasonably priced one , maybe the EH?

Yes, the crackly, farting distortion you want to get rid of. (Sounds as if you got an old Ibanez tubescreamer pedal set at low dist and with "the wrong" OP amplifier. I do such mods on the TS9 and the crackly, farty dist. is gone after that.)
I listened and tested with different tubes going clean with no effect. Otherwise it's hard to compare.
Old tubes are nice but you should succed with a new tube as well. The EH I tried was also very good. And they are cheap. I let the old Mullard stay because it also gave me a nice, maybe alltogether subjective, feeling of good sound :)
You should have heard at least some small difference between your JJ and the Chinese. All other tubes then the Chinese ones was better when I tested. And beware! Let it warm up at least a minute to be sure the tube is really warmed up. Otherwise it could be misleading. My old tubes which all measures as new on my tubetester (http://www.radiohistoriska.se/forum/files/avo_mk3_front_191.jpg) needed more time to settle.
But if you go to high in level, past 12 I don't know if it's that useful. You get very high levels and I don't know what you should use it for. You will also easily overdrive the stage after which you have to take into account when doing tests. The preamp or drivestage before endstage, or whatever you have after your G5 maybe doesn't sound to good to be overdriven. Zoom claims you can boost 16 dB. I havent measured but it's probably possible and that is a very huge boost.

I only tested trough headphone last night, not to wake up the family. Today I will go trough my amp rig :)

[toneseek]

Yes, the crackly, farting distortion you want to get rid of. (Sounds as if you got an old Ibanez tubescreamer pedal set at low dist and with "the wrong" OP amplifier. I do such mods on the TS9 and the crackly, farty dist. is gone after that.)
I listened and tested with different tubes going clean with no effect. Otherwise it's hard to compare.
Old tubes are nice but you should succed with a new tube as well. The EH I tried was also very good. And they are cheap. I let the old Mullard stay because it also gave me a nice, maybe alltogether subjective, feeling of good sound :)
You should have heard at least some small difference between your JJ and the Chinese. All other tubes then the Chinese ones was better when I tested. And beware! Let it warm up at least a minute to be sure the tube is really warmed up. Otherwise it could be misleading. My old tubes which all measures as new on my tubetester (http://www.radiohistoriska.se/forum/files/avo_mk3_front_191.jpg) needed more time to settle.
But if you go to high in level, past 12 I don't know if it's that useful. You get very high levels and I don't know what you should use it for. You will also easily overdrive the stage after which you have to take into account when doing tests. The preamp or drivestage before endstage, or whatever you have after your G5 maybe doesn't sound to good to be overdriven. Zoom claims you can boost 16 dB. I havent measured but it's probably possible and that is a very huge boost.

I only tested trough headphone last night, not to wake up the family. Today I will go trough my amp rig :)

I agree 100% - just wanted to add that the tube boost sound using built-in headphone jack is different than the tube boost sound that is output through 1/4" L and R line outs and XLR. In my opinion, and this goes for most MFX units, even though it may be inconvenient, I prefer headphones connected to a mixer of some sort which is connected to MFX with line out instead of the built-in headphone jack. With the G5 which has a great headphone circuit, I think with the tube boost on the G5, the tube boost sounds a little bigger on the headphone circuit than it may be line out. And turning the tube boost volume up high, especially with the built-in headphone jack, probably will not sound good to most people, but line out depending on what amp and speakers you are using, could be useful to overdrive a real tube amp, but that is a specific situation.

You also may want to turn the tube boost up high if your preset and/or global volumes are low or amp model level is low or if your using a long cable from guitar to G5 and signal is low and needs a boost, I guess, But 16db is a pretty big boost. Different tubes with more headroom will also have an impact on the level of tube distortion generated when boost is high. Here are some basic examples of tubes but they are just someone's opinion and you may disagree: http://tubedepot.com/12ax7reviews.html

[Radioman62]

I agree 100% - just wanted to add that the tube boost sound using built-in headphone jack is different than the tube boost sound that is output through 1/4" L and R line outs and XLR. In my opinion, and this goes for most MFX units, even though it may be inconvenient, I prefer headphones connected to a mixer of some sort which is connected to MFX with line out instead of the built-in headphone jack. With the G5 which has a great headphone circuit, I think with the tube boost on the G5, the tube boost sounds a little bigger on the headphone circuit than it may be line out. And turning the tube boost volume up high, especially with the built-in headphone jack, probably will not sound good to most people, but line out depending on what amp and speakers you are using, could be useful to overdrive a real tube amp, but that is a specific situation.

You also may want to turn the tube boost up high if your preset and/or global volumes are low or amp model level is low or if your using a long cable from guitar to G5 and signal is low and needs a boost, I guess, But 16db is a pretty big boost. Different tubes with more headroom will also have an impact on the level of tube distortion generated when boost is high. Here are some basic examples of tubes but they are just someone's opinion and you may disagree: http://tubedepot.com/12ax7reviews.html


About the headphones ... If it sounds almost good with the headphones, compared with the tube before, it couln't be wrong could it :) ?
No ampmodel or no level ar low IMHO. Exept for trying clean sound with ampmodels intended for crunch or drive.
If you loose level with long cable from guitar to G5 your in trouble. Then you have allready losed alot more treble. Long cable = large capacitance = low pass filter = muffled sound.
Then the exaggerated treble in the G5 can be good. I have no loss and active setup on one guitar. The other is also no problem because I go radio these days.
To be cordless is to be free :)

[toneseek]

"...Then the exaggerated treble in the G5 can be good" - a-ha!
"To be cordless is to be free" - I'm jealous, have wanted to try wireless for a long time but I just did not get around to it. Do you find the signal to be just as good and what wireless equipment do you recommend for just short distances (up to 25 feet)?

[toneseek]

Also, your old "gentleman" Mullard is better then what I have lying around my studio. I priced them online and the cost for something like that is pretty high. Do you remember which of your more ordinary tubes sounded second best? I want to get something similar. Not sure if I even trust some of the tubes I have lying around here - there is a reason they were taken out of something! :)

Also, do you find it is unfortunately common for some new tubes to be unbalanced (triodes, etc.)? I think I want a little more clean headroom, less overdrive, and balance between channels too. Then I will turn the potentiometers way down as you have and just balance L and R

Which reminds me, I had to balance my tube booster using external line out and headphones with mixer as the first time I thought I balanced with built-in headphone jack, it sounded unbalanced to me line out.

[camstudio]

Swapped the Tung sol in yesterday. The tube booster sound has completely changed. I was after tighter bass and more transparent boost and that is exactly what I got. You can boost the level a fair bit higher before it starts to sound overdriven. Top end sounds more refined but seem to have lost warmth in the mids. I did not touch the calibration pots, will test balance tonight. If you were using the tube to get a 'different' sort of tone this may not be the one to go for. If you want transparent boost this would do the job. With the stock tube I tended to dial back the tube parameter but with this one it could be a different story. It was late when I got round to testing so had it through my hifi at pretty low levels. I would imagine the thing may need time to 'burn in' as well probably. Can't decide if I like the sound any better. Almost like starting over with the unit again. However, for recording purposes and perhaps using it as pre amp for bass the tighter response will be a big plus. For fun sound factor? Need more testing. I think I may have opened the can for myself as far as messing about with valves :). Going to stick with the new tube for now. Not in a rush to tackle the bendy board the tube is set on again.

[Radioman62]

"...Then the exaggerated treble in the G5 can be good" - a-ha!
"To be cordless is to be free" - I'm jealous, have wanted to try wireless for a long time but I just did not get around to it. Do you find the signal to be just as good and what wireless equipment do you recommend for just short distances (up to 25 feet)?

I'm very very happy with the cheap unit I bought from a local dealer who I also serve with service and maintenance on tubeamps and other orchester electronics.

I'm more than happy. This is the best gear I have bought ever for my guitar !

I have built my own A/B loop switcher and testet the unit by ear and I can't hear any coloration or disturbances at all. Particular the bass have been reported lacking on cheap units. But on my unit ... no.

What more is.... there is no groundloop hum that often creeps into your rig! That was an extra bonus I didn't expect. :omg

Where do you live Toonseek? US? Anyway in Europe there is a very cheap and good place to buy from which is called Thomann in Germany. They have a similar wireless unit as mine but much cheaper. But there is absolutely no review of it to find on the Internet. No specification and ... nada ... nothing.
My unit is this one (http://www.jts.com.tw/_en/01_professional/01_detail.php?sid=587), dedicatet for guitar.
Clear and understandable specification and downloadable manual. They are also known for there good mike jobs. For me it was top notch! You can go as far as you want from the receiver, then you get latency problems because of the natural law of air and sound.
And because I'm dealing with my own workshop and the music store I sometimes work for, my deal was the best value
But there is other cheap alternatives that probably is good. Try Sennheizer f.e. YMMV.

Once you gone to the wireless side you never go back ;-)

[Radioman62]

Also, your old "gentleman" Mullard is better then what I have lying around my studio. I priced them online and the cost for something like that is pretty high. Do you remember which of your more ordinary tubes sounded second best? I want to get something similar. Not sure if I even trust some of the tubes I have lying around here - there is a reason they were taken out of something! :)


Electro Harmonix is very good ... at least the one and only I had around from 2007. And as I said before, every other tube then the Chinese ones are better[/QUOTE]

Also, do you find it is unfortunately common for some new tubes to be unbalanced (triodes, etc.)? I think I want a little more clean headroom, less overdrive, and balance between channels too. Then I will turn the potentiometers way down as you have and just balance L and R

You are beggin for to much. With that low voltage on the plates it's impossile to be on the "right" side. It's not in the "tubeworld" from the beginning. :-)

[Guitar1969]

I had an observation using the Tube boost with my cheap tubes and wanted to get some feedback. If using the Tube boost with a Tubescreamer stomp activated on the G5, I am getting some stranger overtones/digital artifacts/wierd feedback on some specific notes, like an A note played on the G string. Its a bit hard to describe, but they are unnatural sounding (Almost like the tube is defective, but I have heard it with the JJs anc stock chinese one. I know it might be patch specific but tried on a few different patches with a TS. Can someone try a patch with the Tubescreamer effect, with boost about 10 oclock and see if you are hearing any strange sounds on individual notes. At first when I heard it I thought it was a bad tube, but then tried other ones with same result.

[Souper]

I had an observation using the Tube boost with my cheap tubes and wanted to get some feedback. If using the Tube boost with a Tubescreamer stomp activated on the G5, I am getting some stranger overtones/digital artifacts/wierd feedback on some specific notes, like an A note played on the G string. Its a bit hard to describe, but they are unnatural sounding (Almost like the tube is defective, but I have heard it with the JJs anc stock chinese one. I know it might be patch specific but tried on a few different patches with a TS. Can someone try a patch with the Tubescreamer effect, with boost about 10 oclock and see if you are hearing any strange sounds on individual notes. At first when I heard it I thought it was a bad tube, but then tried other ones with same result.

I tried it (with headphones). I didnt notice anything odd.

[DR5Guy]

@ Deanesque

I think it is pretty weird that the G3 and G5 seem to have the same DSP chip - yet, the G3 not only can only do 3 effects at once, but often only 2 effects ay once because some effects seems to use too much "DSP" and then the 3rd effects goes off

The G5 in comparison seems to have exact same chip, yet can do up to 9 effects?

Either they are not really the same chip, or the firmware of the G3 sets the DSP chip to run slowly or else the bus clock speed of the G3 is much slower.

I don't like that the G3 turns off one of the pedals when it reaches some kind of max'd CPU. In fact, I just got rid of my G3 today. That was very lame. They should not have made it so that could even happen. So lame.

Now, I am ordering the G5 and that will go back to if I see that same overload thing happening a lot.

Just a speculation - it is possible that the G3 has a single-core DSP chip, while G5 has a double/triple core. It might be also the same chip on both with the extra cores disabled on G3. In many cases it is cheaper to have one hardware platform and just enable/disable features for different 'markets'.

[Guitar1969]

Also, your old "gentleman" Mullard is better then what I have lying around my studio. I priced them online and the cost for something like that is pretty high. Do you remember which of your more ordinary tubes sounded second best? I want to get something similar. Not sure if I even trust some of the tubes I have lying around here - there is a reason they were taken out of something! :)

Also, do you find it is unfortunately common for some new tubes to be unbalanced (triodes, etc.)? I think I want a little more clean headroom, less overdrive, and balance between channels too. Then I will turn the potentiometers way down as you have and just balance L and R

Which reminds me, I had to balance my tube booster using external line out and headphones with mixer as the first time I thought I balanced with built-in headphone jack, it sounded unbalanced to me line out.

It also makes me wonder if a variant of the 12ax7 tube, like a 12AU7, which has the same pinouts, would improve tone. I know on my Peavy Valveking, I ended up using a variation specifically for one of the 3 preamp tubes. Too many choices - I will probably just buy the basic EH 12AX7 and call it a day - not sure the gold pin version of that tube would even provide benefit in a starved plate design

[toneseek]

It also makes me wonder if a variant of the 12ax7 tube, like a 12AU7, which has the same pinouts, would improve tone. I know on my Peavy Valveking, I ended up using a variation specifically for one of the 3 preamp tubes. Too many choices - I will probably just buy the basic EH 12AX7 and call it a day - not sure the gold pin version of that tube would even provide benefit in a starved plate design

Yes, I have experimented with 12AU7s in the past to get more headroom out of an amp. Good idea. However, I may want some tube overdrive too, so I will pop in a decent 12AX7 and rebalance the potentiometers lower.

[Radioman62]

I have not tried 12AU7 in G5 but I think you will get to low signal level. But the 12AT7 is a better candidate to test.
Hmm. I have to test myself. I haven't done screwing the bottom again. ....
Was that last sentence possible to take as a bold joke? :-)

I'm not used to do word jokes in a languish I don't fully understand :-)So this is considered rare ;-)

[Guitar1969]

I have not tried 12AU7 in G5 but I think you will get to low signal level. But the 12AT7 is a better candidate to test.
Hmm. I have to test myself. I haven't done screwing the bottom again. ....
Was that last sentence possible to take as a bold joke? :-)

I'm not used to do word jokes in a languish I don't fully understand :-)So this is considered rare ;-)

i actually posed the question to tech support at www.TheTubeStore.com (http://www.TheTubeStore.com), explainiong that it was starved plate and here was the response:

Michael,
Thanks for the email and interest in our tubes.You definitely want a 12AX7 in your final stage as it will have the most gain of any preamp tube.The EH 12ax7 would be a great choice for your processor.
http://tubedepot.com/eh-12ax7.html (http://tubedepot.com/eh-12ax7.html)
As an alternative recommendation, check out the Mullard 12AX7. This is a very smooth sounding tube that responds well in a variety of settings.
http://tubedepot.com/mu-12ax7.html (http://tubedepot.com/mu-12ax7.html)
Both of these tubes are clean yet break up smoothly. Hope this helps. Let us know if you have any more questions.Thanks again.
Jeff
I actually knew I would be fiddling with this more, so I only put a few screws back in on the plate. I hate those black screws, because once you touch them, they get all sctached up and it is obvious to others that it was messed with. Dont know how the manufactures get them in and keep them perfect (but I digress).
So I am going to go with the EH 12AX7.

[Guitar1969]

I tried it (with headphones). I didnt notice anything odd.

Any chance you can download my patch on the guitarpatch site called "Matchless" as that patch is the worst offender of this issue wit hthe Tube Boostr and trying to figure out what characteristic/setting in that patch is causing it.


Also, regarding buzz when not playing, I have come to the conclusion that the Compression effects on the G5 are the worst offenders. When I disengage it(No matter what compressor it is) it is way better. I know some people like comp, but the downside(that buzz) is not worth it IMO for this particular unit.

Another thing regarding fizz - I know some engineers sometimes use Low Pass filters to remove it (Above 5k-7K, which is not used for guitar sound). Seems like the M-filter effect on this unit could help with it. I am not familiar with how to use it for the frequency range (played around a bit) but I think it could help with fizz if dialed in.

[Souper]

Cant see the Matchless patch. I assume you mean guitarphtches.com?

[Radioman62]

i actually posed the question to tech support at www.TheTubeStore.com (http://www.TheTubeStore.com), explainiong that it was starved plate and here was the response:

Michael,
Thanks for the email and interest in our tubes.You definitely want a 12AX7 in your final stage as it will have the most gain of any preamp tube.The EH 12ax7 would be a great choice for your processor.
http://tubedepot.com/eh-12ax7.html (http://tubedepot.com/eh-12ax7.html)
As an alternative recommendation, check out the Mullard 12AX7. This is a very smooth sounding tube that responds well in a variety of settings.
http://tubedepot.com/mu-12ax7.html (http://tubedepot.com/mu-12ax7.html)
Both of these tubes are clean yet break up smoothly. Hope this helps. Let us know if you have any more questions.Thanks again.
Jeff
I actually knew I would be fiddling with this more, so I only put a few screws back in on the plate. I hate those black screws, because once you touch them, they get all sctached up and it is obvious to others that it was messed with. Dont know how the manufactures get them in and keep them perfect (but I digress).
So I am going to go with the EH 12AX7.
Good info
I can only tell that if there is a Mullard factory that is on the go today ... I just wonder where it resides...
I'm not a tube guy nerd that knows all about present and past tubes but "new" Mullard's are making me suspicious .....
Same as New Telefunken and new Siemens and new Philips ... now I have told you about the good stuff from the heydays in Europe. Not reproduced anymore.

Who are claiming they do real Mullards today? Same setup or same factory equipment?

Then I can tell you a real story from a colleague in TV/Radio repair business where I started.
"Mullard was the worst pile of shit in tubeway I have ever comed close to."

His worship of good tubes back in the -60's was Siemens and Telefunken.
This was from an old Tv repairman, he got 65 years old this spring. :-)
The only older tube-mentor that I can speak to in "electronic languish" and who also understands.

We old tube, rectified, guys who have adjucation in electron tubes are in minority. Please help us before we die .... .... :beer

[Guitar1969]

Cant see the Matchless patch. I assume you mean guitarphtches.com?

Here's the link to the patch I posted (On www.guitarpatches.com (http://www.guitarpatches.com)):

http://www.guitarpatches.com/patches.php?mode=show&unit=G5&ID=5948

[Souper]

I downloaded the Matchless patch and gave it a go with headphones.
I tried with and without the boost. It seemed OK to me.

Can you describe what you are hearing?

[Guitar1969]

I downloaded the Matchless patch and gave it a go with headphones.
I tried with and without the boost. It seemed OK to me.

Can you describe what you are hearing?
With the TS Stomp on, when I use tube booster, I am getting an odd sustained feedback sound for certain notes, kind of like a harmonic but not natural sounding at all. Not sure how else I can describe it. Well I have a EH tube on the way - hopefully it will resolve it.

[Camaro]

Hi,
I got a Zoom G5 since a few Weeks now and I like it a lot.
But I have a Question, because I cannot find the Answer in the Manual.
I want to Tap Tempo a Delay Effect and cannot figure out, how this can be dialed in.
Some Presets have this Feature, but when I want to make a new Preset,
I don´t know, how to put a Delay in the Tap Tempo Mode.
Does sombody know how to manage this?

[Guitar1969]

Hi,
I got a Zoom G5 since a few Weeks now and I like it a lot.
But I have a Question, because I cannot find the Answer in the Manual.
I want to Tap Tempo a Delay Effect and cannot figure out, how this can be dialed in.
Some Presets have this Feature, but when I want to make a new Preset,
I don´t know, how to put a Delay in the Tap Tempo Mode.
Does sombody know how to manage this?


For the Delay, in the settings for that Delay, you need to turn the Time dial 1 to the far right - Past all the millisecond settings, and then you will see the different tap tempo beat settings such as quarter notes, eight notes etc. Once this is set, you can tap tempo to the beat of the music with the finger presses on the tap tempo button, by using foot pedal 2 when in Looper mode, or usuing a separate switch plugged into the unit (If doing this, you need to activate the switch for this in the "Total" setting for that patch. Or if playing with the drum machine, it will be at the same tempo since they share the tap tempo settings.

Does this clear it up?

[Camaro]

Thank you so much!!!
This was exact the Answer, I was looking for!
(Even the Zoom Corporation couldn´t answer it...)

[SeeMoore]

A couple questions for g5 owners who may also have the g3.
Have you tried to compare similar patches between the two and do they match up well?

Is the tube boost more for gain than volume, I would like the latter

[Camaro]

A couple questions for g5 owners who may also have the g3.
Have you tried to compare similar patches between the two and do they match up well?

Is the tube boost more for gain than volume, I would like the latter

I do not have a G3 but have the G2.1nu and here the Patches are totally different.
For example the Marshall Governour Simulation of the G2.1nu is really great,
but the one of the G5 is bad.
Fortunately there are a lot other Pedal Simulations that do their Job pretty well.

The Tube Boost of the G5 is something that I really don´t like.
It´s such a good Idea to have a Boost for Soloing, but this Thing sounds like crap for my Taste.
It distorts the Sound and makes it muddy - even with low Boost.
However the G5 is a great Thing, so I use a seperate Volume Boost for Solos.

[SeeMoore]

I do not have a G3 but have the G2.1nu and here the Patches are totally different.
For example the Marshall Governour Simulation of the G2.1nu is really great,
but the one of the G5 is bad.
Fortunately there are a lot other Pedal Simulations that do their Job pretty well.

The Tube Boost of the G5 is something that I really don´t like.
It´s such a good Idea to have a Boost for Soloing, but this Thing sounds like crap for my Taste.
It distorts the Sound and makes it muddy - even with low Boost.
However the G5 is a great Thing, so I use a seperate Volume Boost for Solos.

Too bad about the boost, that's one reason I wanted to upgrade.

The other was more effects at once, like setup a good amp model then have a few pedals in front and behind it, like one would do with a live amp and board.

Trying to go without an amp live and the only thing that has worked so far is the G3, even with its limitations, that the G5 should correct.

[Souper]

On the other hand, my boost seems to just boost the volume. I dont seem to have any distortion.
There does seem to be some difference of opinion about this.

[camstudio]

Couple of rough jams. Not originally intended for posting but what the hell.

http://soundcloud.com/cam-watson/sets/g5-jams

First uses the FD Clean with a Dist 1 or + i think. Second is the MS 1959. Baja Tele. Tube boost was on throughout both. I have changed and balanced the tube since doing these. There is no post production other than normalization.

[johnnymegabyte]

The Tube Boost of the G5 is something that I really don´t like.
It´s such a good Idea to have a Boost for Soloing, but this Thing sounds like crap for my Taste.
It distorts the Sound and makes it muddy - even with low Boost.
However the G5 is a great Thing, so I use a seperate Volume Boost for Solos.
not for me, brings me up in volume to solo and not get drowned out by the other guitar player with a 50 watt Marshall Half Stack 4x12. I play the G5 through a Tech 21 Power Engine 60 1x12, everything at 12 o'clock (mid way), including volume.
Set the Boost at 2 o'clock and Tone at 3 o'clock. Works quite well with my Les Paul and Ibanez RG370DX
I use the Two Rock patch (moved to #1), Marshall 59 patch (to #2). FD Clean (to #3)
Not done any tweaking yet of any patches, other than shuffle them

[Camaro]

On the other hand, my boost seems to just boost the volume. I dont seem to have any distortion.
There does seem to be some difference of opinion about this.

Like you can hear in the Demo from Camstudio, the Sound breaks up when the Boost is switched on.
Maybe this is O.K. for some People, but I just want to get the Sound louder,
without changing the original Tone.
And this is not possible with the Tube Boost but works fine with a Nobels PRE-1,
or really good with a Amp FX (Berlin), or a MXR Micro Amp.
When I have a fat Overdrive Sound and go into Soloing with the Tube Booster,
then the Overdrive sounds muddy and not just louder.
It´s simply because of the additional Overdrive from the Tube Boost.
But I just need a louder Solo Sound without further Distortion.

[Camaro]

http://soundcloud.com/vbornefeld/zoom-g5-tube-boost/s-Dqchy

The Tube Boost comes in after 52 sec. (ends at 1:08) and distorts the whole Thing, even the Drums.
The Boost is positioned at 8:00 and Tone at 13:00 - nothing extreme.

[johnnymegabyte]

http://soundcloud.com/vbornefeld/zoom-g5-tube-boost/s-Dqchy

The Tube Boost comes in after 52 sec. (ends at 1:08) and distorts the whole Thing, even the Drums.
The Boost is positioned at 8:00 and Tone at 13:00 - nothing extreme.
Tube Boost will BOOOOOST everything on the G5, Looper, drums ... why ? :huh
One would think it should only boost the guitar signal, not the "whole output"

[roachone]

Quote:
''The Tube Boost of the G5 is something that I really don´t like.
It´s such a good Idea to have a Boost for Soloing, but this Thing sounds like crap for my Taste.
It distorts the Sound and makes it muddy - even with low Boost.
However the G5 is a great Thing, so I use a seperate Volume Boost for Solos.''

:omgThis CAN BE FIXED! I to was really disappointed in the tube boost with the G5 until I bought a JJ 12ax7 tube and turn the trim screws back on the tube board. You do have to adjust them quite a bit for the right sound. Now, I'm thrilled with the sound!!!

[Camaro]

:omgThis CAN BE FIXED! I to was really disappointed in the tube boost with the G5 until I bought a JJ 12ax7 tube and turn the trim screws back on the tube board. You do have to adjust them quite a bit for the right sound. Now, I'm thrilled with the sound!!!

I did as you said, turned the Trim Screws down (Clockwise!) and changed the Tube (Electro Harmonix).
And you are absolutely right - it does, what it should!!!
The Sound remains original with only a little Saturation.
Wonderful!
The Drum Sound is still kind of distorted, but that can be fixed with some Reducing of the Volume.
And on Stage I don´t need the Drums anyway.
But I don´t understand yet, why the Drums are running through the Signal Path of the Booster...there´s no need for that.

However - thank´s a lot for that Advice!:rotflmao

[camstudio]

Think booster may work better as a boost with fx only into front of an amp, more headroom with lower signal. With amp models on it works to warm the sound rather than a volume boost. I have replaced my tube and trimmed the levels. Sound is tighter with new tube but still distorts past 11o'clock.

[Camaro]

Think booster may work better as a boost with fx only into front of an amp, more headroom with lower signal. With amp models on it works to warm the sound rather than a volume boost. I have replaced my tube and trimmed the levels. Sound is tighter with new tube but still distorts past 11o'clock.

I get the best Results with the Boost at 09:30 - 10:00.
That´s loud enough and does not distort.
(Tone sounds good at 15:00 - 16:00)

[Miggyman]

I have had the G5 for a week now. I think it's a great unit, especially at the $299 price point!!!

But I have the same problem many of you have discribed regarding the unuseable distortion from the Tube Boost circuit. Where did you learn about the trip pots for the tube? I just want the tube circuit on most of the time anyway to get some tone out of it.

BTW: I have found that a simple boost can just be kicked in by using the level control of the last effect of choice in the signal chain. Very effective without changing your tone. Any of the Eq effect choices can really enhance your lead tone when kicked in on any patch and can easily achieve level boost too.

[toneseek]

I have had the G5 for a week now. I think it's a great unit, especially at the $299 price point!!!

But I have the same problem many of you have discribed regarding the unuseable distortion from the Tube Boost circuit. Where did you learn about the trip pots for the tube? I just want the tube circuit on most of the time anyway to get some tone out of it.

BTW: I have found that a simple boost can just be kicked in by using the level control of the last effect of choice in the signal chain. Very effective without changing your tone. Any of the Eq effect choices can really enhance your lead tone when kicked in on any patch and can easily achieve level boost too.

its really easy - see beginning pages of this thread - I think Radioman62 posted photos etc.

you need to adjust the tube boost volume and perhaps L and R balance if you are a picky player

you may also want to replace the tube if you are a picky player

I have never had such warm tube tone from a digital box - but I did adjust the tube potentiometers (just use a small screwdriver) and replaced the tube in mine - others like theirs just like it is out of the box

anyways, the tube is a PLUS of the G5, not a minus. it gives real warm analog tube tone that nothing else can match IMO - because it is final analog tube stage

[burningyen]

Can you choose which effect appears in which display, or do they always have to be sequential?

[Camaro]

Can you choose which effect appears in which display, or do they always have to be sequential?

You can put any effect anywhere you want.
First select "Total", then there appear small Pictures of the Effect Chain (three on each Display).
By turning the Knob underneath an Effect you can put it to the left or to the right.
For Example, when you want to have an Effect at the Beginning of the Effect Chain,
you first have to turn the Knob underneath counterclockwise, then the same with the next Knob on the left and so on,
until the Effect is where you want it to be.
You simply push it from one Point to another.

[burningyen]

Cool, thanks!

[Radioman62]

its really easy - see beginning pages of this thread - I think Radioman62 posted photos etc.

you need to adjust the tube boost volume and perhaps L and R balance if you are a picky player

you may also want to replace the tube if you are a picky player

I have never had such warm tube tone from a digital box - but I did adjust the tube potentiometers (just use a small screwdriver) and replaced the tube in mine - others like theirs just like it is out of the box

anyways, the tube is a PLUS of the G5, not a minus. it gives real warm analog tube tone that nothing else can match IMO - because it is final analog tube stage

Yes, I just want to chime in again on this one. Been in London a few days and now back home to my guitar again. :)
The Tubeboost is amasing after adjusting it and changed tube. I have alot of new and old tubes and choosed a 50 year old Mullard but the new EH 12AX7 is also very good sounding.
It's a pity they picked the wrong tube at Zoom. Not everyone are comfortable to unscrew the bottom lid and fiddle with the unit as soon as you have bought it. But the difference is like night and day. This one is a must.

[Souper]

Yes, I just want to chime in again on this one. Been in London a few days and now back home to my guitar again. :)
The Tubeboost is amasing after adjusting it and changed tube. I have alot of new and old tubes and choosed a 50 year old Mullard but the new EH 12AX7 is also very good sounding.
It's a pity they picked the wrong tube at Zoom. Not everyone are comfortable to unscrew the bottom lid and fiddle with the unit as soon as you have bought it. But the difference is like night and day. This one is a must.

Im sure the tubes must just be poorly biased, because my stock tube is absolutely fine. Only seems to do clean boost. I wonder what proportion are problematic.

[Miggyman]

The tube booster can boost signal, yes, but can also be used to warm signal - musical tube warmth. Just keep level down and tone to darken or lighten to taste. If you turn level up too much you will get overdrive or distortion from your amp model or amp because signal is boosted really high/hot - not because the low voltage starved plate tube 12AX7 is really giving you distortion - it doesn't - it's just that you are overdriving amp model or amp with volume/hot signal.

Toneseek, I believe you are incorrect that the tube booster is affecting the front end of the signal chain.

First, I was so grateful to find information regarding the trim pods on this site because I too had the challenge of getting a usable tone out of the Booster. I opened up the unit and saw one of the worst quality tubes I have ever seen in 35 years since I started playing. I replaced it with a Mesa tube from the 1980's and got instant results regarding better tone. But, I had to turn the tirm pods down to their min setting. to check the signal routing I turned all the effects and amp model off and was still able to clip the signal with very little gain (9 O'clock). Thus I believe the signal it receives is at the end of the signal chain. Does Zoom state somewhere that it adds boost to the front of an amp model?

Thanks for all the input on the G5.

[Radioman62]

Im sure the tubes must just be poorly biased, because my stock tube is absolutely fine. Only seems to do clean boost. I wonder what proportion are problematic.

Many of us have problem with the Chinese 12AX7B tube that came along. I also have tried with five other Chinese tubes with the same label, exept the B. I bought them on Ebay. Same dirty distortion. ...

ANY other tube sounds better. :)

Poorly biased? Ha ha, Yes, It's ridiculous that they even work at those totally wrong voltages. I haven't experimenting myself at that voltages (I'm building amps) but I am very used to high voltage, as they should be on. :)
Maybe it's on the border and your unit managed that? Sounds normal because Zoom should have been done some tests before shipping.
Apparently we are a coule of dedicated toonsekers that's not satisfied. :)
Anyhowe, whats you serial number? My is slightly above 1000.

[Souper]

Many of us have problem with the Chinese 12AX7B tube that came along. I also have tried with five other Chinese tubes with the same label, exept the B. I bought them on Ebay. Same dirty distortion. ...

ANY other tube sounds better. :)

Poorly biased? Ha ha, Yes, It's ridiculous that they even work at those totally wrong voltages. I haven't experimenting myself at that voltages (I'm building amps) but I am very used to high voltage, as they should be on. :)
Maybe it's on the border and your unit managed that? Sounds normal because Zoom should have been done some tests before shipping.
Apparently we are a coule of dedicated toonsekers that's not satisfied. :)
Anyhowe, whats you serial number? My is slightly above 1000.

Im on 1200. Havent delved inside to look at the details of the tube.

[Radioman62]

To look inside is the best of all.....

Cheers // Ove

[roachone]

I did as you said, turned the Trim Screws down (Clockwise!) and changed the Tube (Electro Harmonix).
And you are absolutely right - it does, what it should!!!
The Sound remains original with only a little Saturation.
Wonderful!
The Drum Sound is still kind of distorted, but that can be fixed with some Reducing of the Volume.
And on Stage I don´t need the Drums anyway.
But I don´t understand yet, why the Drums are running through the Signal Path of the Booster...there´s no need for that.

However - thank´s a lot for that Advice!:rotflmao
You are welcome. I turned the trim screws way down and worked them up till I got them perfect. Played live Tuesday night, was thrilled with the G5!!! Sounds far better live than through headphones. :band

[Guitar1969]

Well I replaced the JJ I put in it with the EH 12AX7 I bought online spefically for it. My ears must not be trained very well, but I don't think the EH sounds any better than the JJ. In fact, it seems it farts out at lower levels than before - Only sounds good from about 9oclock to 11 settings on the Boost, any higher and its pretty useless. One mistake I made is I have the trim pot all the way down, except for one a little higher for balancing L-R. Now when I am at around the 8 oclock mark on the Boost knob, the signal is quieter than if its not engaged (No good) So my assumption that turning the trim pots would give me more range didn't really work, and created a whole other issue. Now I goota remove all those screws again and readjust the trim pots (I already lost one screw last go round). I am going to just turn them up similar to the way it came from the factory, so that when the Boost knob is at far left, minimum setting, the Boosted Signal is equal to without it on - Obviously it will then fart out at even lower levels but at least I wont run the risk of accidentially setting it quieter than without it in a live situation.

[Souper]

I looked inside :) Nothing unusual.
I suspect one of those trimmers are to adjust bias in the circuit. They probably have to be set carefully to avoid clipping. Either an iterative process (play-adjust-play), or to adjust while the looper plays something; slightly risky.
I havent heard mine do anything odd. I keep the total patch levels at 100 or less, and the fx/amp levels at 100.

[Souper]

After reading that v2 is coming for the g3, I looked on the zoom website, and v1.1 is coming for the g5.

[toneseek]

Toneseek, I believe you are incorrect that the tube booster is affecting the front end of the signal chain.

First, I was so grateful to find information regarding the trim pods on this site because I too had the challenge of getting a usable tone out of the Booster. I opened up the unit and saw one of the worst quality tubes I have ever seen in 35 years since I started playing. I replaced it with a Mesa tube from the 1980's and got instant results regarding better tone. But, I had to turn the tirm pods down to their min setting. to check the signal routing I turned all the effects and amp model off and was still able to clip the signal with very little gain (9 O'clock). Thus I believe the signal it receives is at the end of the signal chain. Does Zoom state somewhere that it adds boost to the front of an amp model?

Thanks for all the input on the G5.

Not sure what you mean. I have said from beginning that tube is the final output stage of whatever the G5 is doing. If you are looping, rhythm activated, etc. the tube will affect everything. But, it is not present in USB feed because it is final analog audio stage. So, no the tube does not somehow boost an amp model - it warms/boosts the entire sound coming out of the G5. I never said it was the first stage - it is the last stage and it is pure analog dream sound. Sorry if I confused anyone somehow.

[toneseek]

If you want to "boost" one of the amp models, just add one of the boost pedals to your effects chain (ahead of your amp model) - that is not the function of the tube booster which is not a digital effect - the tube booster warms and/or boosts the total output of the G5 - basically at lower settings you can get gorgeous warm (or bright if you like) analog tube tones, even with headphones

[Henky]

Looks like there's a firmware update for the G5 (System Version 1.10) on the Japanese Zoom site too (apart from the G3 v2.0 update).
It will let you turn the auto save function on or off.
I guess a lot of people will be happy with that as well ;)

http://zoom.co.jp/products/g5/software/?lang=jp

[Miggyman]

If you want to "boost" one of the amp models, just add one of the boost pedals to your effects chain (ahead of your amp model) - that is not the function of the tube booster which is not a digital effect - the tube booster warms and/or boosts the total output of the G5 - basically at lower settings you can get gorgeous warm (or bright if you like) analog tube tones, even with headphones

Toneseek, sorry I misinterpreted your comments regarding the Booster stage.

I have a question regarding what appears to be unclear in the manual (finally reading it through after I was able to download it and print it out in large 8x14 size). Will lowering the master global level affect the overall level the Tube Booster is getting hit with/by or is the master level set after the tube Booster. If it affect the level before the tube Booster then that may be the key to limiting the saturation threshold of the tube to get a "clean or at least cleaner" Boosted signal. Even with lowering the trim pods on the tube circuit I am not getting enough headroom in general.

Has anybody experimented with this yet?

Thanks

[camstudio]

i think master is after the boost. If you keep your amp fx level down you may have more head room. I usually set amp master to bring it up to line level. Need more testing!

[Guitar1969]

I need some help still - I bought the EH 12AX7 and put it in and I have to say that I still think it sounds bad even at pretty low settings. I am not getting a warm tone at all - just a farted out clipped sound like a damaged speaker. I have spent alot of time trying to adjust the trim settings, but if they are too low, I lose volume on the lower Boost settings which defeats the purpose of Boost, and then if I turn it up a bit it sounds bad. For those that are getting a warm tone, can you share what settings you used for the trim settings. If you have been in there you know they are notched. Can you share the setting for the one closest to the tube and then below it.

Maybe I am expecting to much - It is only a starved plate tube, not a true preamp, but I cant get a useable tone out it.

[Henky]

Just confirmed the auto save function can indeed be turned off with the new firmware version 1.10
The Japanes install works fine, just like the 2.00 version for the G3.

http://www.henkybacker.com/autosave.jpg

[Souper]

I need some help still - I bought the EH 12AX7 and put it in and I have to say that I still think it sounds bad even at pretty low settings. I am not getting a warm tone at all - just a farted out clipped sound like a damaged speaker. I have spent alot of time trying to adjust the trim settings, but if they are too low, I lose volume on the lower Boost settings which defeats the purpose of Boost, and then if I turn it up a bit it sounds bad. For those that are getting a warm tone, can you share what settings you used for the trim settings. If you have been in there you know they are notched. Can you share the setting for the one closest to the tube and then below it.

Maybe I am expecting to much - It is only a starved plate tube, not a true preamp, but I cant get a useable tone out it.

Hey, you sound like you are having a bit of a nightmare. I assume the tube boost always sounded bad, not just after you swapped it?
I suspect others settings might not help, but need adjusting for the specific components in the circuit; hence the use of trimmers.
Is it possible to post a clip of what you get? Honestly mine sounds fine to me, but I may not be using it like you; obviously I tried your patch and it was fine with mine. Perhaps yours is somehow faulty and needs repair?

[GeoNjules]

I want to make my own setups but dont want to overite the factory banks. Is ther a way to make your own setups with a "blank" bank?

[Ringleader42]

Question for you G5 users - can you toggle wah/volume with the vertical exp pedal toe switch? If so, does it burn two effects blocks?

[Camaro]

Looks like there's a firmware update for the G5 (System Version 1.10) on the Japanese Zoom site too (apart from the G3 v2.0 update).
It will let you turn the auto save function on or off.
I guess a lot of people will be happy with that as well ;)

Absolutely!
That´s a really good Improvement.
Sometimes when you just want to test new settings the old Preset should remain unchanged and only stored, if you want it so.
After changing of Presets I did mostly forget the old settings and
the original Patch was gone.

[camstudio]

Question for you G5 users - can you toggle wah/volume with the vertical exp pedal toe switch? If so, does it burn two effects blocks?

You would need 2 FX blocks unless you custom assign a volume parameter to the horizontal Z pedal. If you set the Z pedal FX slot to THRU it is automatically assigned to switch on any pedal effect you have (pitch, wah etc.). If you had the Z volume effect ON and a wah switched OFF you can toggle between them without having to assign parameters to anything but it would require 2 slots.

Or you could use an expression pedal for volume.

[Jimp]

GeoNjules: 'I want to make my own setups but dont want to overite the factory banks. Is ther a way to make your own setups with a "blank" bank?'

I don't think you can start with a blank bank, but you do have to overwrite one of the factory presets. However, using the Edit & Share software you can quickly access these presets online and restore the original bank. I would recommend taking a copy of the online bank and storing on your computer harddrive as its quicker & enables you do this offline

[Jimp]

When I plug the G5 into my laptop via USB to use Edit & Share to swap banks (cos its much easier than fiddling around with the knobs on the pedal), it disables my Windows speakers which means I have to unplug the G5 in order to play a MP3 backing track. Has anybody come across this and knows how to solve it ?

[camstudio]

When I plug the G5 into my laptop via USB to use Edit & Share to swap banks (cos its much easier than fiddling around with the knobs on the pedal), it disables my Windows speakers which means I have to unplug the G5 in order to play a MP3 backing track. Has anybody come across this and knows how to solve it ?

It may be setting the G5 as the soundcard when you plug in. Check your audio pref's or see if the audio is routed through the G5.

[Ringleader42]

You would need 2 FX blocks unless you custom assign a volume parameter to the horizontal Z pedal. If you set the Z pedal FX slot to THRU it is automatically assigned to switch on any pedal effect you have (pitch, wah etc.). If you had the Z volume effect ON and a wah switched OFF you can toggle between them without having to assign parameters to anything but it would require 2 slots.

Or you could use an expression pedal for volume.

Thanks for the info!

[camstudio]

Anyone here got usb midi working yet? I had one attempt and got nothing.

[Jimp]

It may be setting the G5 as the soundcard when you plug in. Check your audio pref's or see if the audio is routed through the G5.
It indeed sets the G5 as the default playback device but Windows won't let me set the internal speakers as the default device - pressing 'set default' has no effect. This is using 'Sounds' under control panel.

[camstudio]

You have to plug your speakers into the G5. Windows should let you change back to your internal soundcard. If not I don't know.

[Sash]

You have to plug your speakers into the G5. Windows should let you change back to your internal soundcard. If not I don't know.

Correct, because most Asio drivers are not multi client. i.e. you can't select two devices at the same time which you would be doing if you wanted to use your PC's soundcard for listening and the G5 for inputting at the same time.

[Jimp]

Correct, because most Asio drivers are not multi client. i.e. you can't select two devices at the same time which you would be doing if you wanted to use your PC's soundcard for listening and the G5 for inputting at the same time.

Managed to fix it by setting the PC's soundcard as the default for speakers through Media Player. Now I can play Mp3 backing tracks on the PC while controlling the G5 settings through Edit & Share.

[Jimp]

As a newbie I thought I'd give a brief introduction. I am a long time user of the Korg AX3G, one of the first sub-£100 multi-effects units which has met most of my needs for a long time. I thought I'd treat myself to a G5, lured by the ability to turn on/off individual effects through the foot switches like a pedalboard + the greater range of effects. I've now had this around a week and have just had an initial explore through all of the effects/models. Compared with my trusty Korg, there are a few notable things that aren't covered ignoring differences in modelled brands for common effects:
1. No Pickup emulator - useful for getting that singlecoil sound and virtual middle pickup when I've only got humbuckers. Also useful for giving my semi-acoustic a bit of a boost
2. Basic acoustic sim - just top, body & level. The Korg can select type of body: small, medium, dreadnought (like the Boss pedal can) + resonator. In fact one the presets on that is perfect for "Nothing Else Matters"
3. No Tycobrahe Octavia - the octave fuzz pedal favoured by Jimi Hendrix & used by QOTSA on "Little Sister"
4. No slapback or plate delay - I suspect I could use Early Reflections to cover this
5. No Leslie phaser - you can't control the speed of the rotary speaker on the G5 - only fast and slow. On the Korg, you can actually hear it simulate the cone getting up to speed

Don't get me wrong, these aren't gripes. I'm just working out what kind of songs I will have to use the Korg for, where I can't use the G5. The G5 is a lot more versatile than the Korg (putting up to 9 models in any order, usb connection, to name but two). I haven't quite got the hang of swapping between banks with the pedals (the equivalent on the Korg is just press on one footswitch to move to the next), so prefer using Edit & Share.

Still early days, next to explore the presets to decide which to keep and which to ditch :-)

[Guitar1969]

Hey, you sound like you are having a bit of a nightmare. I assume the tube boost always sounded bad, not just after you swapped it?
I suspect others settings might not help, but need adjusting for the specific components in the circuit; hence the use of trimmers.
Is it possible to post a clip of what you get? Honestly mine sounds fine to me, but I may not be using it like you; obviously I tried your patch and it was fine with mine. Perhaps yours is somehow faulty and needs repair?

I finally got a decent tube tone out of the Tube Boost - after trying many and not getting good results . I ended up going with a variation of the 12ax7 - A Sovtek 12AX7LPS. It is not as loud as the EH or JJ, but also not as harsh for this use, but since in general the Tube Boost only gives a small range of useable tone, it works good. I can now get a slight tube clean at the same volume as off at the 9 oclock position, and then get a full on overdriven loud boost up to the 3 or 4 o'clock position of the Boost Control before it gets unmanageable. Much more range than the others at least to my ears.

[Jimp]

Ignore what I said about the lack of Leslie emulation. My mistake - I forgot about the page separate from the rest of the manual that covers the Z pedal effects ! -duh!

[iridereallyslow]

When I plug the G5 into my laptop via USB to use Edit & Share to swap banks (cos its much easier than fiddling around with the knobs on the pedal), it disables my Windows speakers which means I have to unplug the G5 in order to play a MP3 backing track. Has anybody come across this and knows how to solve it ?

I had the same problem while playing with my g5 plugged into amp, and laptop at the same time. I selected a backing track from my laptop (to play through my computer monitors) and it came on through my amp. I was totally lost at first because I had done this successfully before. I came to realize that the USB port that I had the g5 plugged into in my laptop (1 of 3) caused the sound to transfer from the computer monitors to the amp instead. It happens with that one USB port only. I'm not good with computers so I'm not sure why that's happening, I just keep it in mind when I'm plugging everything in.

[toneseek]

As a newbie I thought I'd give a brief introduction. I am a long time user of the Korg AX3G, one of the first sub-£100 multi-effects units which has met most of my needs for a long time. I thought I'd treat myself to a G5, lured by the ability to turn on/off individual effects through the foot switches like a pedalboard + the greater range of effects. I've now had this around a week and have just had an initial explore through all of the effects/models. Compared with my trusty Korg, there are a few notable things that aren't covered ignoring differences in modelled brands for common effects:
1. No Pickup emulator - useful for getting that singlecoil sound and virtual middle pickup when I've only got humbuckers. Also useful for giving my semi-acoustic a bit of a boost
2. Basic acoustic sim - just top, body & level. The Korg can select type of body: small, medium, dreadnought (like the Boss pedal can) + resonator. In fact one the presets on that is perfect for "Nothing Else Matters"
3. No Tycobrahe Octavia - the octave fuzz pedal favoured by Jimi Hendrix & used by QOTSA on "Little Sister"
4. No slapback or plate delay - I suspect I could use Early Reflections to cover this
5. No Leslie phaser - you can't control the speed of the rotary speaker on the G5 - only fast and slow. On the Korg, you can actually hear it simulate the cone getting up to speed

Don't get me wrong, these aren't gripes. I'm just working out what kind of songs I will have to use the Korg for, where I can't use the G5. The G5 is a lot more versatile than the Korg (putting up to 9 models in any order, usb connection, to name but two). I haven't quite got the hang of swapping between banks with the pedals (the equivalent on the Korg is just press on one footswitch to move to the next), so prefer using Edit & Share.

Still early days, next to explore the presets to decide which to keep and which to ditch :-)

I have used the Korg extensively and YMMV but I think you will find the G5 to be so much better sounding, feeling and more versatile. But, there will be a learning curve unfortunately as you are really tight with the Korg. There is an ovtaver effects and multiple fuzz effects and you can nail Hendrix for sure. There are a lot of ways to do snapback delay which is really just delay set for a short duration - no, not a separate "effect" for that which I can recall, but so easy to dial in what you need with one of the delays. Acoustic sim and/or EQ effect will get everything you refer to, though maybe not labeled that way (dreadnought, etc.). Same for pickup sims, which are really just EQ and gain adjustments. You can get those too. Yes, Leslie is there and I read your follow up.

All in all, nothing is going to be super easy going from one brand of MFX to another. Nothing will be labeled the same and you will need to spend some time building your sounds. You can refer to your old unit of course to replicate what you are used to - I did the same thing with my G5 to emulate patches on my Digitech units - was tricky but I ultimately found the G5 to be far more versatile and sounding so much better.

[Guitar1969]

I updated my G5 to the japanese 1.10 firmware and it works fine except it now wont connect to edit and share.

[Henky]

I updated my G5 to the japanese 1.10 firmware and it works fine except it now wont connect to edit and share.
1) Reboot your PC (if you didn't already done so), my update program wouldn't close and had to be killed the hard way.
2) Install Edit & Share 5.0 (also from the Japanese website).

[Camaro]

1) Reboot your PC (if you didn't already done so), my update program wouldn't close and had to be killed the hard way.
2) Install Edit & Share 5.0 (also from the Japanese website).

Here it is:

http://zoom.co.jp/products/edit_share/software/

[Jimp]

Here's a simple way to add your own tooltips in Edit & Share with descriptions for your own patches.
1. Close Edit & Share
2. Open the patch set file on your PC using a text editor such as Notepad. It is just a
straight XML file in text format
e.g. My Documents/ZOOM/Edit&Share/patchgroup/User Area 001.g5a
3. Locate the patch you want to edit
4. Add/edit the text between <Tooltip> and </Tooltip>
e.g. <Tooltip>This is the MS 1959 (Plexi) crunch. Use for Children of The Revolution.</Tooltip>
5. Save and exit
6. Open Edit&Share and hover the cursor over the effect you just edited & hey presto the text appears.

P.S. If like me, you've saved a copy of the presets on your PC, I strongly recommend setting the file properties to read only to prevent accidental overwrites

[Henky]

Here it is:

http://zoom.co.jp/products/edit_share/software/

Still version 4.0.0.0 though, so for now you still need to go to the Japanese site to get version 5.0.0.0

http://zoom.co.jp/products/edit_share/software/?lang=jp

[Guitar1969]

Thanks - upgrading to 5.0 was the trick. On the firmware 1.10 I like that autosave can be turned off but zoom needs to improve the saving feature a bit. without autosave when a parameter in a patch is changed, there is no indication that anything is changed like on the older models. On my g21.nu when something is changed, the save/store button would light up indicating you need to save the change. No such indication on the G5 from what I can tell.

[Camaro]

Still version 4.0.0.0 though, so for now you still need to go to the Japanese site to get version 5.0.0.0

http://zoom.co.jp/products/edit_share/software/?lang=jp

Sorry, I had the Links mixed up!:bonk

[baratijas]

Hola desde España (Spain)

En primer lugar pido disculpas por no escribir en ingles, ya que mi domino del lenguaje ingles es muy pobre, agradeceria que alguien de ustedes pueda traducir mi respuesta.

El Zoom G5 es una herramienta excelente, pero en mi humilde opinion pienso que los ingenieros de Zoom han cometido errores, aunque estos errores pueden ser mejorados por firmware:

1- Tres patch por banks son pocos, Tendria que ser reescrito el firmware para habilitar el boton numero 4 como patch, y asi tener 4 patch por bank, y manteniendo pulsado el boton 4 varios segundos entra en modo stompbox (como funciona actualmente).
En modo patch los cuatro displays pueden ser utilizados para ver el numero de patch, el bank, el nombre del patch... y otra informacion: como Wha on/off .

2- Cuando cambiamos de Bank (donw o up) con los botones 1+2 o 2+3, el sonido cambia imediatamente al patch del banco, esto puede ser un problema al querer usar otro bank en directo.
Tendria que ser reescrito el firmware para que al subir o bajar de banco no cambie el sonido, y cuando se pisa cualquiera de los botones 1-2-3 o 4 confirmamos el patch que queremos que suene.
O tambien usar CONTROL IN para subir bank y confirmar sonido con los botones 1-2-3- o 4.

El BOOST es demasiado potente para mi, 16dB son demasiados, y sobrecarga las entradas de otros equipos, yo he ajustado el rango para que el BOOST trabaje aproximadamente entre -3 y 13dB. Yo prefiero que el BOOST pueda funcionar tambien como atenuador de la señal, para mi es mas util.

El BOOST tiene otro problema: esta colocado al final de la cadena de sonido, modificando el sonido de la señal del LOOPER y de la seccion RHYTHM que suenan "distorsionados".

Muchas gracias por leerme,


google translation:

Hello from Spain (Spain)

First I apologize for not writing in English because my command of the English language is very poor, would appreciate anyone of you can translate my answer.

The Zoom G5 is an excellent tool, but in my humble opinion I think the Zoom engineers have made mistakes, but these errors can be improved by firmware:

1 - Three patch by banks are few, I would have to be rewritten the firmware to enable the button number 4 as a patch, and so have 4 patch by bank, and holding the button for several seconds 4 goes into stompbox (how it works currently).
In patch mode the four displays can be used to display the patch number, the bank, the name of the patch ... and other information: such as Wha on / off.

2 - When we change Bank (donw or up) with buttons 1 +2 or 2 +3, the sound changes patch immediately to the bank, this can be a problem when using another bank want to live.
I would have to be rewritten the firmware to get on or off the bank does not change the sound, and when you hit any button 1-2-3 or 4 confirm the patch you want it to sound.
Or also use CONTROL IN to upload sound bank and confirm buttons 1-2-3 - or 4.

The BOOST is too strong for me, 16dB are too many, and overload the inputs of other teams, I have set the range for the work BOOST approximately -3 to 13dB. I prefer the BOOST can function also as a signal attenuator, for me it is more useful.

The BOOST has another problem: is placed at the end of the string sound, changing the sound of the signal from the looper and the RHYTHM section that sound "distorted".

Thank you very much for reading,

[Jimp]

OK, I decided to install the Cubase LE software but it does not pick up any signal from the G5 (plugged in through USB). The startup guide (step 5) shows 'USB Audio CODEC In/out' in the diagram under Device Setup whereas mine shows 'Zoom G Series Audio In/Out'. Yet I followed the instructions to the letter several times. What am I doing wrong?

[Henky]

OK, I decided to install the Cubase LE software but it does not pick up any signal from the G5 (plugged in through USB). The startup guide (step 5) shows 'USB Audio CODEC In/out' in the diagram under Device Setup whereas mine shows 'Zoom G Series Audio In/Out'. Yet I followed the instructions to the letter several times. What am I doing wrong?

'Zoom G Series Audio In/Out' is correct.
You should be able to use the G5 as a soundcard for your comp (windows).
Try that first so we know if it's your operating system or Cubase which is causing the problem.

[moonblack]

OK, I decided to install the Cubase LE software but it does not pick up any signal from the G5 (plugged in through USB). The startup guide (step 5) shows 'USB Audio CODEC In/out' in the diagram under Device Setup whereas mine shows 'Zoom G Series Audio In/Out'. Yet I followed the instructions to the letter several times. What am I doing wrong?

Is the g5 detected? If not, replace your usb cable.

[Jimp]

Is the g5 detected? If not, replace your usb cable.
Yes the G5 is detected (it launches Edit&Share automatically) & Windows says the device is working. Strangely in the Sounds Control Panel it shows no playback or record level for the G5 & clicking configure or test or level has no effect and I've all 3 USB ports on the laptop.
If I try selecting the G5 as a device in Volume Mixer it tells me no audio device is installed yet it shows up under Audio Devices.

Oh well, I didn't buy the G5 to record myself :-(

[Guitar1969]

Did you install the latest ASIO driver from the Zoom Website? Not saying that is the reason, but the default windows driver may be flakey, so you definitely want to have the latest Zoom driver installed before plugging. I have not installed the Cubase software (never used the Zoom provided software) but have used my previous G2.1nu with other softwares and the ASIO driver.

[DualRectifier]

I picked up a G5 last night at Sam Ash. I used a $25 coupon from this week's mailer so I got it for $275. They only had one G5 in stock but 7 G3s so I'm happy I got a deal on top of grabbing the only one. And the guy even let me keep the coupon, which is good through 7/31!

I hope this thread has more ideas on getting good sounds going than the technical info it has been focusing on.

[Guitar1969]

I picked up a G5 last night at Sam Ash. I used a $25 coupon from this week's mailer so I got it for $275. They only had one G5 in stock but 7 G3s so I'm happy I got a deal on top of grabbing the only one. And the guy even let me keep the coupon, which is good through 7/31!

I hope this thread has more ideas on getting good sounds going than the technical info it has been focusing on.

As far as sounds, head over to gutarpatches.net and check out some of the patches that have been uploaded.

[mpv]

As far as sounds, head over to gutarpatches.net and check out some of the patches that have been uploaded.

I agree about guitarpatches.com (http://guitarpatches.com/patches.php?unit=G5). It has quite a few g5 patches, and it has a bunch of g3 patches that can be used on the g5.

[Jimp]

Did you install the latest ASIO driver from the Zoom Website? Not saying that is the reason, but the default windows driver may be flakey, so you definitely want to have the latest Zoom driver installed before plugging. I have not installed the Cubase software (never used the Zoom provided software) but have used my previous G2.1nu with other softwares and the ASIO driver.
Yes, got the latest ASIO driver from Zoom, I even uninstalled and reinstalled it under 'run as administrator' but same effect- it adds the G5 as an audio device but I cannot set any sound levels. Giving up with this & focussing on just playing my guitar through the thing :-)

[xman]

After much time spent with Line6 products (M13, POD HD500 POD HD PRO) I sold my last pod yesterday and now I'm trying something new.

I was very disappointed with the sound quality of POD, especially if used as a multifx in front of a real amp... very bad! :(

I have an analog pedalboard, but I also like to have a floor digital multifx to use in specific situation (amp sim does not interest me much... i use it in front of Hiwatt dr504 1977)

I'm torn between TC Nova System and Zoom G5
The G5 seems a really nice system ... and seems to have great sounds.

My reference sound is Pink Floyd, U2, Genesis

[Guitar1969]

Yes, got the latest ASIO driver from Zoom, I even uninstalled and reinstalled it under 'run as administrator' but same effect- it adds the G5 as an audio device but I cannot set any sound levels. Giving up with this & focussing on just playing my guitar through the thing :-)

Where are you looking to control the Zoom settings. Are you saying you do not have a separate "Zoom G Series Menu" under Control Panel (Its not under the Sound Menu), its in its own menu. See attached screenshot of my Control Panel:

[img=http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/2931/zoomza.th.jpg] (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/221/zoomza.jpg/)


FYI - This is Win 7 64 bit, so your computer control panel may look a bit different.

[Guitar1969]

I agree about guitarpatches.com (http://guitarpatches.com/patches.php?unit=G5). It has quite a few g5 patches, and it has a bunch of g3 patches that can be used on the g5.

I have not tried it yet, but can I import in a G3 patch into E&S and then move it onto my connected G5 user area in Edit and Share and it will work? I see on guitarpatches.net someone is posting a conversion tool but not sure if its needed.

[mpv]

It worked for me with no problem.

[moonblack]

After much time spent with Line6 products (M13, POD HD500 POD HD PRO) I sold my last pod yesterday and now I'm trying something new.

I was very disappointed with the sound quality of POD, especially if used as a multifx in front of a real amp... very bad! :(

I have an analog pedalboard, but I also like to have a floor digital multifx to use in specific situation (amp sim does not interest me much... i use it in front of Hiwatt dr504 1977)

I'm torn between TC Nova System and Zoom G5
The G5 seems a really nice system ... and seems to have great sounds.

My reference sound is Pink Floyd, U2, Genesis

if you like simple thing go for g5. but, i you like spend time for tweak and stay with manual go for nova. :D

you can get u2 and pink floyd easily from g5.

[Guitar1969]

if you like simple thing go for g5. but, i you like spend time for tweak and stay with manual go for nova. :D

you can get u2 and pink floyd easily from g5.

I have been trying and still not sure you can get the U2 "Shimmer" sound simultaneously along with a delay melody line on the G5 (like Bad). It can be done on a POD HD because you can have 2 chains going but the G5 only has one. I think that sound may be in the G5 somewhere but I have not been able to figure it out.

Both Edge and Gilmour have very elaborate setups, so not sure a couple hundred dollar unit is going to get you there, but it depends on how accurate you want it to be.

[Jimp]

The English version of the new firmware is now up on the Zoom site. Installed that with no problem & turned off auto save. Only it's not detected by the old version of Edit & Share and the new version is taking hours to download :-( while try again tomorrow when it's not so busy

[xman]

if you like simple thing go for g5. but, i you like spend time for tweak and stay with manual go for nova. :D
you can get u2 and pink floyd easily from g5.

I have been trying and still not sure you can get the U2 "Shimmer" sound simultaneously along with a delay melody line on the G5 (like Bad). It can be done on a POD HD because you can have 2 chains going but the G5 only has one. I think that sound may be in the G5 somewhere but I have not been able to figure it out.
Both Edge and Gilmour have very elaborate setups, so not sure a couple hundred dollar unit is going to get you there, but it depends on how accurate you want it to be.

Thanks!
Yes The Edge and David Gilmour have a very elaborate setups, but I've seen that you can have a good sound, like them, even with a single effects chain.

The biggest problem I found in the POD HD500 was the low quality of sound effects, even working deep on the setup (I have talked for months with members of the community) the sound coming out was always too "fake", too "simulated". There is a big loss of dynamics.

Listening to the samples online, it seems that the Nova System and G5, have better sound, more real ... especially on drives.

The amp simulation is not very important to me, since I will use the system as multifx before an Hiwatt Custom 50 with 2x12 cab.

The most important thing, for me, is the quality of the sound effects and the ability to build elaborate chains effects.
And seems to me that the G5 in this, is greater ... true?

[toneseek]

G5 is better than Nova IMO YMMV. Except that Nova is a simple more nuts and bolts interface in a way. Nova has far fewer effects which might make it easer for some people too. It also does not do amp or cab sims, etc.

[toneseek]

v. 1.1 of Zoom G5 firmware now available!
Going to try it out tonight.
Lets you turn on or off the "auto saving" feature! Good for those of us coming from non-Zoom processors or like Windows sufferers coming to Mac
Can this G5 get any better? Still loving it so much, can't believe it

[dance2noise002]

v. 1.1 of Zoom G5 firmware now available!
Going to try it out tonight.
Lets you turn on or off the "auto saving" feature! Good for those of us coming from non-Zoom processors or like Windows sufferers coming to Mac
Can this G5 get any better? Still loving it so much, can't believe it

Hey, I have a question for you. I have a BOSS ME-70, and while it's good, it really only allows 1 effect from the effect section at a time. Based on the quality of the ZOOM G5, would it be worth buying it just for the effects? Are the effects good enough to warrant selling the ME-70 and buying a G5?

Thanks.

[roachone]

Hey, I have a question for you. I have a BOSS ME-70, and while it's good, it really only allows 1 effect from the effect section at a time. Based on the quality of the ZOOM G5, would it be worth buying it just for the effects? Are the effects good enough to warrant selling the ME-70 and buying a G5?

Thanks.
Yes.:D

[dance2noise002]

Yes.:D

Well then.... I'll definitely check it out. Thanks.

[xman]

Finally... I bought yesterday G5 (after POD HD) and it is fantastic!

I changed the tube (12AX7 made in china) with a JJ 12AU7 and ... wow!
I never had a sound so that with a multifx.
Great job ZOOM!

Do you know if there is something like a G5 users forum or community, where exchange information, tips, patches? or we can do it here?

[mpv]

guitarpatches.com

[toneseek]

Hey, I have a question for you. I have a BOSS ME-70, and while it's good, it really only allows 1 effect from the effect section at a time. Based on the quality of the ZOOM G5, would it be worth buying it just for the effects? Are the effects good enough to warrant selling the ME-70 and buying a G5?

Thanks.

There's nothing wrong with the ME-70 for basic effects at all. It is excellent.

In comparison, the G5 is at least as good for all effects, but has more, more at once in the same category even, and has amp and cabinet modeling too if you want that. It also has a lot of rhythm tracks for practice and a good quality looper, plus a real tube that gives analog warmth to it all if you like. It also has very high quality passive/active input and DAC to sent out 1/4" or XLR audio.

So, if you need none of that, the ME-70 is still great. But even for just basic effects, the G5 is at least as good, so you will not be losing out on anything by going with G5 except for time with the learning curve of the device.

Just depends on what you need or want in terms of MFX. Good luck in your tone travels

[dance2noise002]

There's nothing wrong with the ME-70 for basic effects at all. It is excellent.

In comparison, the G5 is at least as good for all effects, but has more, more at once in the same category even, and has amp and cabinet modeling too if you want that. It also has a lot of rhythm tracks for practice and a good quality looper, plus a real tube that gives analog warmth to it all if you like. It also has very high quality passive/active input and DAC to sent out 1/4" or XLR audio.

So, if you need none of that, the ME-70 is still great. But even for just basic effects, the G5 is at least as good, so you will not be losing out on anything by going with G5 except for time with the learning curve of the device.

Just depends on what you need or want in terms of MFX. Good luck in your tone travels


Yeah... it's good for BASIC effects. But there's something about the usability of them in a live performance situation that turns me off. I imagine it MIGHT be similar to how the G5 is laid out as well with changing banks and turning effects on and off. But... I just need more effects. LOL I love effects. I like the idea of the Z pedal on the G5 as well!

[toneseek]

Yeah... it's good for BASIC effects. But there's something about the usability of them in a live performance situation that turns me off. I imagine it MIGHT be similar to how the G5 is laid out as well with changing banks and turning effects on and off. But... I just need more effects. LOL I love effects. I like the idea of the Z pedal on the G5 as well!

On G5, you can change presets one at a time or "banks" (which then gives you a few presets on-screen at once - all foot selectable in place of the effects)

For effects mode, you just turn them on or off like stomp boxes (like Boss) except you can have multiple effects even in one category (delay into delay into delay, for example)

[Blahbbs]

I've been lurking here for a while, fully intending all along to get a Mustang Floor. But thanks to Youtube clips and the informative comments of toneseek among others, in a moment of weakness I bought a G5! It should arrive in a few days.

So thanks, although I'm sure my wife will not be amused.

--Blahbbs

[jbxFree]

...in a moment of clarity I bought a G5!

FTFY ;)

Mustang sounded extraordinary to me, but didn't have the versatility or the right effects for a bass player.

[DarthElvis]

like Windows sufferers coming to Mac


What is this suffering of which you speak? Running 7 since it came out, not one issue, And I do everything a Mac can do (and considerably more), faster and cheaper.

Back on topic, any other goodies included in the update? Like the G3's update?

[roachone]

:agreeWhat is this suffering of which you speak? Running 7 since it came out, not one issue, And I do everything a Mac can do (and considerably more), faster and cheaper.

Back on topic, any other goodies included in the update? Like the G3's update?

[dance2noise002]

I've been lurking here for a while, fully intending all along to get a Mustang Floor. But thanks to Youtube clips and the informative comments of toneseek among others, in a moment of weakness I bought a G5! It should arrive in a few days.

So thanks, although I'm sure my wife will not be amused.

--Blahbbs

I was also looking at the Fender Mustang Floor! Sounds good.... but heard the pitch shift effect wasn't that good. And Pitch shift is one my critical effects! So I'm going to get a G5 as well.

[stratchamp57]

I was also looking at the Fender Mustang Floor! Sounds good.... but heard the pitch shift effect wasn't that good. And Pitch shift is one my critical effects! So I'm going to get a G5 as well.

If you need good pitch shifting, then you'll be disappointed with the g5. The pitch shifting is not usable at all. IMO

[toneseek]

If you need good pitch shifting, then you'll be disappointed with the g5. The pitch shifting is not usable at all. IMO

maybe you need to have one on hand before continuing to say that
it is usable

if you want to create harmony, HPS is great directly after an amp model, see Henky's pitch shifting youtube video on G5

if you don't want harmony, last night, I tried a number of the pitch shifting effects on G5 - if you max out the mix level for the effect and drop the delay to 0, you get pretty awesome pitch shifting IMO - great for bass lines for example or for some darker "drop" type work - but, as with most pitch shifters, some are better with single notes and some are better with chords - if you think about it, pitch shifting a chord is a pretty complex operation as it must approximate pitch of each string within that chord to make it sound like a chord again

[dance2noise002]

maybe you need to have one on hand before continuing to say that
it is usable

if you want to create harmony, HPS is great directly after an amp model, see Henky's pitch shifting youtube video on G5

if you don't want harmony, last night, I tried a number of the pitch shifting effects on G5 - if you max out the mix level for the effect and drop the delay to 0, you get pretty awesome pitch shifting IMO - great for bass lines for example or for some darker "drop" type work - but, as with most pitch shifters, some are better with single notes and some are better with chords - if you think about it, pitch shifting a chord is a pretty complex operation as it must approximate pitch of each string within that chord to make it sound like a chord again


Yeah... so I've seen on Henky's vid. Makes logical sense. Pitch shifters are usually one the first items in the chain of effects. Or else they will sound like a mess.

[toneseek]

Yeah... so I've seen on Henky's vid. Makes logical sense. Pitch shifters are usually one the first items in the chain of effects. Or else they will sound like a mess.

yes, but interestingly the HPS sounds worse first in the chain after the raw signal from guitar and better right after amp model (despite any other effects ahead of amp model) which is interesting to me

[Blahbbs]

I suppose I'll know soon enough, but when you plug in headphones into the headphone jack on the G5, do any of the other analog outputs mute?

Thanks!

[Henky]

If you need good pitch shifting, then you'll be disappointed with the g5. The pitch shifting is not usable at all. IMO
Well, I USE it in my vid:

ZlLhxtGvmdg

[Guitar1969]

I suppose I'll know soon enough, but when you plug in headphones into the headphone jack on the G5, do any of the other analog outputs mute?

Thanks!

No - They all can run at the same time, which I find a great feature.

[Blahbbs]

The UPS guy dropped off my magic silver and black box this evening! It had a serial number in the high 4000's, and after a quick and easy preset and system update, I was off.

I currently have it running into the clean channel on my little Spider II 30, all effects off, gain at zero, and the tone dials at 5. At first, I was a little concerned with the tinny grating sounds I was hearing, but a quick adjustment to output to Combo Front cured that right away.

I thought I'd start giving all the patches a listen, but instead got the drums and the looper going and played with patch 01-1 for some 20 minutes! Fun stuff!

I did start going through the patches, but got bored with all the sounds I'd never use about 20 banks in.

I haven't listened through headphones yet, but I didn't hear any unpleasant artifacts when the tube booster was engaged. I did adjust the boost to about 9:00 and tone to about 1:30. At that level, it didn't raise the volume much at all, but it was nice, smooth, and warm!

I made copies of all the patches on my Mac and got to work putting together a clean patch. Within a few minutes, I had a really nice ZNR -> Booster -> Deluxe-R -> Early Reflections patch going. Very easy.

Granted, the only MFX pedal I've ever owned was a Digitech RP80, so the bar isn't set very high, but this G5 is phenomenal so far.

Question: Is there an easy way to clear all the preset patches from the G5?

Woot!

[Souper]

The UPS guy dropped off my magic silver and black box this evening! It had a serial number in the high 4000's, and after a quick and easy preset and system update, I was off.

I currently have it running into the clean channel on my little Spider II 30, all effects off, gain at zero, and the tone dials at 5. At first, I was a little concerned with the tinny grating sounds I was hearing, but a quick adjustment to output to Combo Front cured that right away.

I thought I'd start giving all the patches a listen, but instead got the drums and the looper going and played with patch 01-1 for some 20 minutes! Fun stuff!

I did start going through the patches, but got bored with all the sounds I'd never use about 20 banks in.

I haven't listened through headphones yet, but I didn't hear any unpleasant artifacts when the tube booster was engaged. I did adjust the boost to about 9:00 and tone to about 1:30. At that level, it didn't raise the volume much at all, but it was nice, smooth, and warm!

I made copies of all the patches on my Mac and got to work putting together a clean patch. Within a few minutes, I had a really nice ZNR -> Booster -> Deluxe-R -> Early Reflections patch going. Very easy.

Granted, the only MFX pedal I've ever owned was a Digitech RP80, so the bar isn't set very high, but this G5 is phenomenal so far.

Question: Is there an easy way to clear all the preset patches from the G5?

Woot!


Yep, its a very easy machine to use. Much easier than any other ive tried.

I dont think you can clear the patches so easy. Just create one straight through patch, then copy it to where you want to start. Thats the best I can do on the unit itself. There may be a slightly quicker way with edit.

[camstudio]

To clear all patches. Start a new patch group in edit program. All patches are empty. Then export them to the zoom.

[robby&14]

Hi G5 friends,
what do you think about "wall of sound" (double the guitar track) with the outputs of G5?

I had tested G5 with mixer: i've found that the two outputs (with the balanced output with POST select that enter in the MONO Mic/Line of the mixer and the two unbalanced stereo outputs that enter in the input STEREO LINE) can easily create a "double" guitar track mono (center Pan) and the other stereo (R/L pan).

I've also tested the G5 with the return of amp Peavey Classic 30 (it's nice), but i prefer to send the G5 to a mixer and monitoring the G5 with a P.A. 80W (mono) Monitors (160w Stereo).
I must prepare my future gigs and I'm oriented in the last solution because I really like stereo sound and P.A. sound (for monitoring my guitar sound on the stage).
What do you think?
Anyone did used this guitar set-up?

[rabidgerry]

Hi guys I have posted my query here but if some of you nitce I have posted the same thing on another forum, just trying to get as much help as possible.

here it goes:

So far playing the G5 into a digital recording unit I can get nice tone, but not enough gain for that spongey feel. That is unless I want a lot of what I would describe as internal clipping.

For example, I'm working on the premise that pedals and amps can be combined same as in real life individual stomp boxes and I have created a patch using the overdrive pedal and BGN Drive amp as the base. I can get it sounding great but not enough gain. I'm using ther Tangerine guitar cab also.

Can anyone gimme some hints or am I slowly but surely coming to the conclusion that my hi gain options are limited to a few amps on their own?

I have also tried combos (again applying the same principals as real life) such as booster and some of the marshall amps, i.e MS 1959 with boost or overdrive in front.

To describe a little more of the problem, you know that feeling you have when you can just do pinch harmonics like nobody's business, and the sound is very saturated? Well that is what I'm after.

I haven't played the pedal much through an amp yet so I dunno if the same problem exists for me there. However connecting the main outputs left and right to my zoom digital recording unit is definately not cutting it for me.

I have the out put settings in Global menu set to direct. I have played with all of these and there isn't any change with the feel of things.

Adding a lot of gain on either the pedal or amp makes the sound spongier for sure, but then there is internal clipping which gives undesirable "sand in my speakers" type side affects.

Hope someone can help me out as I'd be very disappointed if I have to sell the G5 after lloking forward to having one for so long.

[toneseek]

Hi guys I have posted my query here but if some of you nitce I have posted the same thing on another forum, just trying to get as much help as possible.

here it goes:

So far playing the G5 into a digital recording unit I can get nice tone, but not enough gain for that spongey feel. That is unless I want a lot of what I would describe as internal clipping.

For example, I'm working on the premise that pedals and amps can be combined same as in real life individual stomp boxes and I have created a patch using the overdrive pedal and BGN Drive amp as the base. I can get it sounding great but not enough gain. I'm using ther Tangerine guitar cab also.

Can anyone gimme some hints or am I slowly but surely coming to the conclusion that my hi gain options are limited to a few amps on their own?



I have also tried combos (again applying the same principals as real life) such as booster and some of the marshall amps, i.e MS 1959 with boost or overdrive in front.

To describe a little more of the problem, you know that feeling you have when you can just do pinch harmonics like nobody's business, and the sound is very saturated? Well that is what I'm after.

I haven't played the pedal much through an amp yet so I dunno if the same problem exists for me there. However connecting the main outputs left and right to my zoom digital recording unit is definately not cutting it for me.

I have the out put settings in Global menu set to direct. I have played with all of these and there isn't any change with the feel of things.

Adding a lot of gain on either the pedal or amp makes the sound spongier for sure, but then there is internal clipping which gives undesirable "sand in my speakers" type side affects.

Hope someone can help me out as I'd be very disappointed if I have to sell the G5 after lloking forward to having one for so long.


look at Henky's youtube video of G5 with pitch shifting - but ignore the pitch shifting part - might be the sound you want - he uses the Engl Invader amp model which is high gain for example

also, recording digital I prefer to NOT use USB direct - I prefer to use the G5 1/4" out to a mixer/interface and from that to computer via USB or firewire

that way you can also engage the tube booster for some nice analog tube warmth that can make your sound awesome awesome

I like the MS Crunch model too with gain ramped up and the BG models as well - you can get what you are looking for - play with tube parameter and also presence and don't be afraid to adjust guitar volume (on guitar) to taste

sounds like your settings are off - don't ramp up global volume and patch volume if not necessary and
check to see what your output is set for (direct, combo front, etc...) - that makes a HUGE different as it adjusts the freq. range sent out depending on what you are connected to - if set wrong you will get sand in your speakers sound - (never heard that expression but I get it)

[rabidgerry]

I too am using the 1/4" outputs of the zoom, left and right, I'm just plugging it into my Zoom MRS1608 which is a digital recording unit.

I love Henky's patch, I haven't had a chance to stick that on my zoom yet.

I'm just concerned I may ened up only having one or two amps to use for this sorta application. I was hopeing for more.

I kinda play within the range of 1975 - to 1995 metal tones, that's a hell of a lot of range.

I haven't tried recording via usb at all yet.

I have to say I have ramped up the global and patch volume when recording this way, however I have set the output connection as I said previous to "direct". I have actually tried them all to see what was best. Didn't do much in the line of what I was after.

So far haven't had much noise issues, then I don't think I'm getting the gain I would like.

[rabidgerry]

if set wrong you will get sand in your speakers sound - (never heard that expression but I get it)

hahaha yeah I got that term "sand in speakers" because one time I got sand in some head phones and ruined them, not lots but some, and bascially it sounds like what internal clipping/distortion sounds like, lol.

I'll claim copyright for it ;)

[Cool Hand Luke]

Weird. I have plenty of gain on a number of amp models in my G3 with v2.0 firmware. Beware that the default output level of the overdrives and distortions are very loud so they tend to push the following amp models HARD which may or may not cause heavy saturation in a way you don't like. I know, for me I get too much saturation from almost any amp model when putting any overdrive/distortion in front without turning down the output level of the overdrive/distortion.

Plenty of gain available with pinch harmonics flying left and right? You bet. Digital clipping? Haven't run into that yet.

Maybe the loud overdrive/distortions are causing the G5 to overload your audio interface? The G3, at least, has a very powerful output. Maybe you should try turning down the master volume of the unit when hooking up to your audio interface?

When I run the output of my G3 into the line in on my Blackstar 1w head I have to turn down the master volume to around 5 (default 100) to avoid pissing off my neighbours. Granted I live in an apartment in a 100-year old building but still...