Zoom G3 as audio interface?

[Gasp100]

In a pinch can the Zoom G3 be used as your one and only audio interface (to playback music from your computer) similar to the GSP1101?
In reading the manual I see that you can set it to monitor the signal going in from the G3, monitor 50% G3 and 50% DAW <for recording in realtime> and monitor 100% DAW <I guess this would be everything coming off disk routing through the PC.
So yes, it seems like you can right?
But a few things I don't understand:
One XLR balanced out? Can that be used to go stereo L/R with some type of Y cable, or is that only mono?
Also, it looks like you can use that out in PRE mode for ONLY totally dry guitar (useful for reamping). Is there anyway to get that totally dry guitar using the USB instead?
I just sold my audio interface and I need something in the interim. I would like to try the G3 for everything listed above and would REALLY love it if I could run a completely DRY guitar track while monitoring a full patch THRU USB. Obviously in my case the XLR "pre" option won't work because I don't have another sound card to plug into right now.

[Henky]

In a pinch can the Zoom G3 be used as your one and only audio interface (to playback music from your computer) similar to the GSP1101?Yes
In reading the manual I see that you can set it to monitor the signal going in from the G3, monitor 50% G3 and 50% DAW <for recording in realtime> and monitor 100% DAW <I guess this would be everything coming off disk routing through the PC.
So yes, it seems like you can right?Right
But a few things I don't understand:
One XLR balanced out? Can that be used to go stereo L/R with some type of Y cable, or is that only mono?It's balanced mono (you need 3 wires for a balanced signal)
Also, it looks like you can use that out in PRE mode for ONLY totally dry guitar (useful for reamping). Is there anyway to get that totally dry guitar using the USB instead?No, it's a hardware switch and not implemented as a soft switch
I just sold my audio interface and I need something in the interim. I would like to try the G3 for everything listed above and would REALLY love it if I could run a completely DRY guitar track while monitoring a full patch THRU USB. Obviously in my case the XLR "pre" option won't work because I don't have another sound card to plug into right now.You can't use the "PRE" option thru USB (i would like that as well) otherwise the USB interface is top and I use it all the time to record.
The option to adjust the USB audio monitoring balance was not present with the older Zoom pedals and you really need that if it's gonna be your major audio interface.

[fly135]

Seems like you should be able to get a totally dry signal using USB with the three stomps off and setting the global output to direct.

[Gasp100]

Seems like you should be able to get a totally dry signal using USB with the three stomps off and setting the global output to direct.

I guess what I was looking for a a dry guitar stream along with "affected" audio. This way I can track/monitor hearing affected signal (full patch) but only print totally dry guitars to disk.
Apparently it can be done, but you have to use the XLR out in "pre" mode into another audio interface, cannot do that all over USB.
Seeing that I just sold my audio interface, that won't work.

:huh