ShortScale.org

haven't seen much about the different ZOOM pedals but I just obtained one of these fellows




G1N; this is the cheapest one (although I think it came out after the G2 if that makes any difference). you can get them from various places around the web for only $60 shipped.

I bought it mainly for the amp sim and speaker sim for recording purposes. I previously had a line 6 pod that I used for this purpose, and would use various pedals of mine for drive/distortion and anything else. this thing excels at that task, but also I've never really messed around with a multi-effects unit such as this and I have to say it's incredibly useful. I'm not sure why more people don't use these. it's very high quality digital audio. 24 bit, 96kHz. that's more than twice the sample rate of CD quality audio, ensuring your signal isn't going to be harmfully mangled in any way. I was impressed with the inclusion of more unusual effects such as ring modulator, slow gear like effect, pitch shifter/harmonist, and whammy like effect (which can be controlled with an expression pedal) that all perform very well.

the only apparent drawback is that you don't have control over all the parameters for the effects (the higher up models do however). but assuming you already rely on stand-alone pedals for your sound then this can easily function as just an extra bag of tricks.

every processing stage can be turned on or off, letting you save presets for individual effects or other processing. all in all a very inexpensive way to bag a dozen or so useful effects/processors.

I actually own the model with the expression pedal built in (G1X). I bought mine pre-owned from Guitar Center for $29.99. They also had the model like yours for $24.99 which included the power supply. Mine did not. Everything did work 100% when I bought it, for practice purposes when I got my apartment last year.

I will say in terms of the effects and amp sims, it has a good sound.

I do have my issues however.

-I hear serious breakup on guitars with high output pickups. I find I need to roll my guitar volume back to prevent clipping.
-Reverb effects do not work if you are using the drum loops. Delays and other modulations work just fine.
-My biggest fear with this, having previously owned a Zoom GFX707, was that the input or power jacks would crap out. After about 6 months of gentle use I've had intermittent problems with the guitar input turning the power on. Considering use with an adapter means the pedal is always on, I just go that route and have had no problems since.

yeah, you cannot drive it really hard. I don't think it's designed for that really. that could be a problem for some people. I use a distortion pedal before it and use the fender twin model set fairly clean. that seems to work well.

the reverb thing, well I think the drum machine function is more or less a bonus feature, it's a great effects box even without it. it seems like it's intended mostly for use as just like a practice aid, like a metronome but a bit more inspiring. although I was thinking it could be useful in recording a quick idea on your tascam or whatever. select the desired drum beat and tempo, and record it to a track. then you can overdub the guitar with full reverb ability. I'm not sure but I think the higher up models have more processing power and don't have this issue (or is this the only one with the drum machine?).

that's interesting about the jacks. that seems like it's probably not a very good design that the only way to turn it off is by unplugging it. that's bound to cause wear and tear on what you said is a weak point of the pedal. I suppose you could just always turn it off by unplugging the powersupply from the wall, turning off the powerstrip for your pedal board, etc. do the higher up models have better jacks?