Conference napalm::guitar

    A friend of mine saw the ZOOM at Frankfurt last week, and said it was
    the hit of the show. Course, he isn't a guitarist, so we'll have to
    wait and see...
    
    Nick

    
    A review of the ZOOM 9002 that came in over USENET.  As usual, the west
    coast has 'em already.....
    
    
From: [email protected] (David Blevins)
Subject: Zoom 9002 Review
Date: 22 May 90 20:27:01 GMT
 
 
Well, I finally got my hands on a 9002 and have played with it a little
bit.  I've gotten quite a bit of email from my last Zoom posting so 
here's some of the technoid stuff...
 
(The Zoom 9002 is basically a digital Rockman sort of gizmo that lets
you play your guitar into headphones and sound like, oh say, David
Gilmour with ease.)
 
Specs: 16 bit linear a/d and d/a; 20 factory hardwired presets and 20
user patches stored in EEPROM; monural input (only) / 2 headphone outs
/ one stereo line out / stereo mix in (for CD/tape, etc); wired remote
control for selecting one of 4 patches in current bank (includes Velcro
strip for mounting on your guitar); main unit slides onto guitar strap;
rechargeable battery w/ AC adapter included (3 hr recharge / 3 hr use /
400 charge cycle life); includes stereo 1/4" plug to 2 RCA plug adapter.
Built-in A440 pitch reference and metronome (whose volume is not adjust-
able; this is annoying).  List price: $479.
 
FX:
 
Compression-Distortion-EQ-Pitch Shift-Delay1-Delay2
                          Phase Shift         Reverb1
                          Flange              Reverb2
                          Chorus
                          SFX
 
A maximum of six FX are available at once; the columns above represent the
"modulation group" and "reverb group."  Compression and distortion are 
analog.  EQ can be either "Hi boost/Low Cut" or "Exciter" (a "bright tube
amp tone" with selectable boost frequency).  The pitch shift sounds very
good with no warbling that I've heard, at least on distorted tones.  "SFX"
gives you STEP (sample and hold effect), CRY (dynamic filter), or METALLIC
(ring modulator).  The first delay is pretty conventional (.01 to 1 sec)
while Delay2 is a stereo ping pong (<= 900ms). Reverb1 is a large room
(up to 4 sec) algorithm; Reverb2 is a small (<= 160 ms) room.
The manual brags about a "guitar amp simulator" that's built in so
you can go straight into the board.  I believe them; it sounds very
"live" and I'm not just talking about nice reverb.  The output level
of each patch can be saved to account for volume variations induced
by different patch settings (very nice).
 
There are three sliders on the front of the 9002 that will adjust the 
parameters of each effect that's being edited.  Each effect has one to
three variables so sometimes one or two of the sliders are unused.
 
The unit is very quiet unless the compression AND distortion are both
cranked.  With the distortion on "10" and the compression about halfway
up, it's pretty quiet (certainly better than a Rockman, anyway).  The
lead tone is MONSTROUS.  I thought the FX500 had a reasonable overdrive
(for a rack mount digital box) but this is much better.
 
I won't go into the morbid details of editing a patch but suffice it to say
that it's very straightforward and "visual" unlike certain FX units with no
display who shall remain nameless (Hi Dave).
 
All in all, it's pretty dang cool.  A lot of dough for something so small,
but it's well built and comes with lots of goodies that would normally be
sold separately, like the rechargeable battery, adaptor cable, and remote
unit.  I'm not sure how well it would hold up to being dropped on a concrete
floor; I kind of wish they sold a holster for it or something.  It fits 
into a Nintendo Gameboy softcase pretty well though.  What I like is that
I will be able to go into a "jam" situation and be able to hide behind lots
of effects easily 8^).  Love that 350ms delay...
 
c ya.        dB  hplabs!hpccc!blevin

    I played with the Zoom 9002 yesterday and was very impressed.  The
    review in the previous note is about as complete as can be so I'll
    refer folks to that.
    
    It's quite a little machine and does what they claim it does very well.
    
    The algorithms are not as customizable as my DSP-128+, and it's not
    midiable, but then that doesn't seem to be what the unit is all about
    anyway.  I would say the sound quality is as good as the 128's.
    
    Speaking of the 128+, mine's for sale.  The Zoom will do what I want
    plus it'll give my very patient wife a break from the "screaming guitar
    lead practice blues".  
    
    Some body make me an offer so I can get one these things!  ;^)  ...
    
    Will

    

    Whats the distortion like on it ?
    
    Can you get a very subtle bluesy overdrive, as well as a very metal,
    screaming type distortion ?       
                                      
    This thing has got me interested, and me local store won't have
    them in stock until next month 8^(                             
    
    Thanks for any info!

    re .-1
    
    One of the factory presets is a distorted blues setting, and I liked it
    quite a bit.  It wasn't quite as smooth as my Boogie, but it was close. 
    I don't guess I would really expect it to be quite that good (Boogie
    Marshall, any of the fine tube amps).  And it did seem to go all the way
    to metal as well.  
    
    I can't remember how touch sensitive is was, (you know like when you
    get a tube amp on the edge, if you pick soft it's clear, if you punch
    it it's dirty?) but I believe it did exhibit it some.
    
    The distortion and compression circuitry is analog.  The delay stuff is
    digital.
    
    Will

    Well, I bought one last night. I couldn't resist. I picked it up for
    $400 at EUW's. No, it's not going to replace my GP-16, but I'll never
    have to play a dry guitar ever again. I am ultra impressed by what they
    were able to pack into this baby. Some of the effects, like the ring
    modulator, are pretty useless, but some are downright nasty. The
    envelope follower ( CRY ) is the best I've heard, sounds like a voice
    box. The reverb is smooooth.
    
    WARNING: Don't try one out unless you have $400 to burn.
    
    						John.

I tried one last night with my 'hot french's mustard tele' (the one that hurt 
Buck's eyes). I was fairly impressed. The distortions are not up to the 
fine Kitty Hawk/Rivera standard that I'm used to, but remain useful in spite of 
that,even for live work. the reverbs, flanges, eq etc. were all top notch. 
The effects processor in this little gem is more advanced than my Alesis 
quadraverb by far, although the user interface is a bit less attractive but 
again not unusable.

I'm very tempted to get one for my travel bag and get rid of my boss headphone
amp....this thing makes a top of the line rockman look like a tinkertoy in 
comparison...

needless to say I was impressed!

dbii

    My 2 (Irish) pence worth ..... for what its worth....
    
    	I tried one for a week to decide whether to buy it or not but
    	returned it today to wait for an ME-5 which I originally
    	ordered...
    
    	Although the effects are superb... and the unit very easy to
    use I did find the following few drawbacks... ( and by all means
    correct me if Im wrong on this....)
    
    	o There was no 'bypass' setting ... ie you had to select a patch...
    
    	You could get around this by selecting a user patch and turn
    all effects off, but this still affected the tone (due to the preamp
    I suppose..)
    
    	To me this simply meant that you couldnt start a song 'clean'
    then select/deselect a patch as required
    
    	o I noticed a delay when selecting a different patch.... it
    sounded in the region of 1/4 second or less... this I found a bit
    offputting...
    
    	o There is no individual level controls on the effects. ie going
    from a rythm sound (say chorus + delay) on one patch to a distortion
    patch (with a lot of depth selected) the output level jumped...
    This is a traditional problem with using pedals (one I wanted to
    get away from)...
    
    	o They would have done well to include an overdrive effect ..
    distortion on its own is a bit 'heavy'..

    	o They should have included an optional foot controller .. afterall
    guys used to pedals would find the remote akward to use.
    
    	o Finally, having 4 wires attached to the unit and hanging out
    of your guitar strap or belt didnt appeal to me..
    
    	I know it has a lot of advantages over the ME-5 (the ME-5 is
    probably considered old technology at this stage) but coming from
    a 4-boss-pedal background the me-5 would appear to suite my needs
    better....
    
    
    As I think back I hope I made the right decision!!!???!??
              
    Ray
    

    I had another question about the ZOOM. Could someone describe in more
    detail how the "remote" control system works? It was my understanding
    from reading some of the literature that this is some kind of a pad
    that attaches to your guitar and allows you to select patches by
    pressing buttons. It's sort of hard for me to visualize how that's
    actually implemented. Any help?
    
    - Ram

    re .8:
    
    There is a master volume setting for each patch, which you adjust in
    order to match volumes. You have to read the manual to spot it, as it
    isn't real clear in the LCD.
    
    re .9:
    
    The remote is a small button pad with a short cord that plugs into the
    unit. You have to have the Zoom unit on you to use it. They give you
    Velcro which you attach to your guitar in some manner. The buttons have
    LEDs so you can see where you are. Mine is still in the box.
    
    In my opinion, they would have been better using standard Nicads or
    something. Either that, or they could sell separate batteries/chargers.
    
    IMO, the unit is good for home and travel, but I would not want to gig
    out with it. The sound is really good, but I'd hate to have the battery
    run out.
    
    I guess another alternative is to get an extension for the remote(?).
    
    							John.

    
    I bought a Zoom 9002. Tried it out. Took it back to the store
    after a few days and exchanged it for a Yamaha FX500 and a MFC05. The
    Yamaha blows the Zoom out of the water for a bit less money.
    
    The Zoom, whilst the effects are great (except the distortion is crap) is 
    very limited in use, and although, its great as a practise/novice device, 
    its too much of a 'toy' to be used for serious band use.
    
    -Tony

re .11:

That's what I like to hear...got an FX500 myself, and was a bit worried to
read about this darn thing being so much better than MY toy...

Poul

Experience tells me that once you bring home a new toy,
it's already obsoleted by something new and fancy.  ;)

jc 

    Anyone know anything about Zooms big effects processor?  The
    advertizements say it's a single space rack mount unit with four
    seperate multieffects processors in it. 
    
    Not that I'd want anything like this, just curious what it does...
    
    Greg

>    Not that I'd want anything like this, just curious what it does...
    
    Sure!  Famous last words of a GTS addict! ;-)
    
    Mike

I've seen the literature and scanned it briefly. It's four digital effects
processorts in one, capable of running independantly on 4 different signal
sources. Supports the full line of digital effects, I forget how many 
effects it will support simultaneously on each as the price chased me off

$1795 list, currently discounts are very slim...

dbii

<insert sound of dog running away after being booted in the butt>

Yipe, yipe, yipe... !

    Ditto on that, Coop!  VERRRRRY pricy, I doubt they sell many of them.
    

Well 4 quadraverbs would be about $1600 so.....

not that I'm running out to buy one...

dbii

    	I bought one of the 9002 units yesterday.  It is wonderful!  The
    variety of sounds it can produce is uncanny!  I don't tend to like most
    distortion sounds out of most amps, but this one produces most any kind
    of sound I like with ease.  And it sounds great clean, too.  I don't
    think its noisy at all, but then again, most of its noise is produced
    with high amounts of compression and distortion - neither of which I
    want.  I ran it through my stereo last night and it sounded great!
    
        The only concern I have is the fear of it breaking down.  Being
    plastic and such I'm petrified of dropping it.  At first I thought I'd
    sell off my Rat and Realtube pedals, but I think I may hold onto them
    as backup units.
    
    	Definately money well spent, though...  This will really make
    taking a travel guitar on two week training trips something to look
    forward to!
    
    	Dan
    

    Now that you guys had a few weeks to play with your new toy, do you
    still like it as much as when you first bought it? Also in one of the 
    replys I read, it states that it takes up to a 1/4 of a sec to change
    from one preset to another, is this true?? That would be a big downfall
    of the unit. I was thinking of buying one but I only heard it once in a 
    store, which I was blown away on how great this little thing sounded.
    
    Mike____

      Well, the British magazine 'International Musician and Recording
      World', November 1990, has a competition to win one of these 9002
      pocket units. Being a complete novice at effects units, I think
      most of the answers have been in these notes but I'm not sure.
      Maybe some kind soul could help :-)

      1. How many effects are available simultaneously?		6.
      2. How many effects groups are available?

         - not sure on this, would that mean types of effect? which would
      give 8, counting the two delays as 1 group, etc. Or, one note talks
      about 'modulation group and reverb group', ie 2. Any ideas?

      3. The Zoom 9002 compression and distortion effects are analogue
      for a warm sound - True or False?				True.

      4. What is the maximum range of the pitch shifter/harmoniser?

         - I couldn't see any mention of this.

      Thanks for any help, and good luck to anyone else who enters.
      By the way, UK price is given as �369.95, which seems a bit more
      than the US price.
      
      Graham.

I had mine for some time, and I am still really pleased with it. Great little
box for the home. Not rugged enough for stage work, however. I only use a few
of the settings. I find I like to use the pickup switch for tonal variations,
and there are only a few subtle settings that I like. I would still recommend
it for home use, but I would hate to find out how well it takes punishment.

								John.

Hi !
		  We are two guys from DEC Finland. We have played 
                  guitar in several bands trough the years. At the 
                  moment Jukka is playing a Fender Stratocaster -64 
                  connected to a Marshall 2550 MAP. Eero is playing a 
                  Stratocaster -74 model with no amplifier at the 
                  moment.

		  We have read guitar notes with great interest and 
                  will be communicating in it from now on.

		  We would like to ask a question to Notes readers, 
                  particularly for those of you who live in the U.S. 
                  There has been a lot of discussion here about the 
                  Zoom 9002 multi processor. We would be very happy to 
                  hear what an average price for it is at the moment ?

		  After making some inquiries in local stores here in 
                  Helsinki it seems that an average price for it is 
                  almost 750 $. So it seems heavily overpriced. Cause 
                  the box is fairly small the best way to acquire it, 
                  would probably be from a mail-order.

		  Best regards to all of You great guitar players 
                  throughout the world. 

		  Jukka and Eero 

    Y'all have a Marshall 2550 and you'd want a Zoom ??
    

    Obviously has some taste.... 8*)
    
    

       
       
       
       
       
       I saw a used one (I think) in the recycler (a weekly publication
       consisting entirely of classified ads) for $450 (southern
       California dollars).  They're proably cheaper in New England
       dollars, though...
       
       
       
       
       

re: a few back:

I'm envious of your English.  I wouldn't recognize Finnish if it slapped me in
the face!

I wouldn't mind having your Marshall or your Zoom for that matter.  ;^)

Welcome!

Will

       
       
       
       
       
       Found a better price on the Zoom 9002: $319 at Goodman Music.

       Goodman has 5 stores in Southern California; here's the number
       for the North Hollywood store: (818) 760-4430.
       
       
       
       
       

HI !
Thank You Guy(s) for giving the up to date price for the Zoom !
Goodman Music seems to be the place for the best buy.

Zoom is so much cheaper in Hollywood compared to Helsinki that 
the price difference almost covers personal airtickets ! 
Maybe we don't bother travelling that long for a tiny box
like that anyhow, mail-order may work better.

Leo Fender died, may his soul rest in peace. 
Take Care ! 

Jukka and Eero

    Hi!
    
    Has anyone used or bought a Zoom 9002 guitar special effects processor?
    Its the small black box that can clip on to your guitar strap, and even
    has a remote control.
    
    I tried one in a shop here in Munich and was impressed, but the price
    put me off - 1000 Deutschmarks!  
    
    How much are they in the UK or America? Would you recommend them, 
    compared to other processore like th Yamaha FX500?
    
    Thanks for any advice
    
    Martin

    See note 1717.

Hi Martin !

You should look for a new dealer, it's 799,-DM over here. I have several
reviews of that in various magazines. If you want to hear more give me a ring
or send mail.

	best regards

		Richard

    I just bought a Zoom guitar effects processor (strap mount) and
    generally am well impressed (light isn't it !!!!!????!) The battery
    life is a tad n the short side and it would be very emarrassing in a
    gig to have it fail on you... and it really is impractical to have a
    power lead connected to it when its on your guitar strap.
    
    Also, if I nit-pick, it would have been nicer if it was mounted upright
    rather than sideways on the strap. The 1/4 second delay between
    switching patches IS a bit of a restriction.
    
    Overall though I believe it money well spent (not that I could afford
    it you understand) and I am having lots of fun.
    
    
    Jonathan

anybody see/try a 9030 yet?

It's a half rack space multi-effects processor that sells for about $750 list.
Does most if not all of what my intellifex will do and also has a comp/limiter
and some "guitar preamps" ie: distortions and clean/semi-clean sounds in it.

What attracts me to it is that it has a headphone output and can be used
as a headphone amp as well as an effects processor. I need one of each and
if I can combine the two devices I'd prefer to...

No dealers in Maine have one in stock at this  time, but my trusty drummer
can get me one if I decide it's what I want...at his usual 
band_member_discount....

I spke with zoom on the phone yesterday, and the guy told me in his humble 
opinion it stood up well to being a/b'd with any effects processor currently
on the market....bs or not? time will tell


dbii

>I spke with zoom on the phone yesterday, and the guy told me in his humble 
>opinion it stood up well to being a/b'd with any effects processor currently
>on the market....bs or not? time will tell
-----------------------------^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

So, db, does this mean you told Al to get one for you?


Gonna trade the Rivera for it? 8^)


Chuck (formerly DNEAST::RAMSEY_CHUCK, now doing time at Tewksbury)

    Nothing is certain...
    
    dbii who plans on looking at one soon somehow...
    

     I bought a Zoom 9001 guitar processor and I can't believe how
     happy that I am with it.
    
     I'd highly recomend one to anyone !
    
     Gonzo

      Hey Gonzo, were you able to deal on the 9001? That's ZOOM's
    biggest ticket item! They are touting some new gizmo's to come out
    at the winter NAMM show next month. I figured you might get a good deal 
    if they were "cleaning house" in anticipation of new products.
      Me? I only buy from defunct companies!
    
    							-B()()M-
    
    						(rhymes with Z()()M!)

     I got mine used for $249.00 ( the metronome button is pushed in , but
     still works fine )
    
     I love it 3 months later !

Yo got a 9001 for $249??

Isn't that  the $1700 list 4 seperate effects in one box thingie?

dbii who though he had gotten some good deals lately...

Dave,

I think the one your thinking of is the 9004 (??)

    	No you're thinking of 9010.  That's the one with four independent 
    multi-FX processors in a one-rack-space box.  And expensive...  I 
    couldn't justify one even if I DID have four FX sends!  
        I think he's actually referring to the 9002, which is the small unit 
    that hooks to your guitar strap.  Real nice too, I hear...
    
    - Jim

    Re: .35
    
    Hi Dave !
    
    My dealer was kind enough to let me play with a 9030 over the weekend,
    so I will write a short  review:
    
    This unit sounds excellent !! It has very good presets that really can
    demonstrate the capabilites. Sounds can be configured in various
    combinations. The analog section (compression, distortion) and some of
    the EQ are always available. Same applies to the last in the chain, the
    reverb. In between are 2 effects and one special effects. Special
    effects contains also the intelligent pitch shifter, which can only be
    used with reverb, not with FX1 and FX2. Parallel or serial routing can
    be selected. It has all the usual effects Churus, Flanger, Symphonic,
    Delays, all sorts of Reverbs, Pitch-Shift (in addition to the
    Harmonizer) etc. It has a mono effects loop.
    
    What I liked:
    
    - as said before the pushy sounds
    - the variety of distorted sounds
    - the warmth of the sounds
    - really easy to use and to program:
    	most effects have four parameters and there are four
    	knobs where you can directly change these settings
    	modications to the presets are done very quickly
        the display is good to read and informative
    - it are at least 3 ways to affect the sound colour (?)
    	- a regular EQ, if I remember correctly a four band graph. EQ
    	  or 3 band semi-param. EQ
    	- there's an amp-emulation section (incl. a base amp !)
    	- there's a line driver for simulating speakers
      all in all very effective EQ
    - the harmonizer works quite good
    
    What I didn't like
    - it has only mono-input, ok. you may say that's not needed for guitar,
      but I also wanted to use it for recording.
    - it doesn't allow any panorama settings or a MIDI-pan (not to confuse 
      with a panner, which modulates the panorama position) besides setting
      the levels for right and left delay.
    - it doesn't have a leslie effect
    - there's no noise gate
    - there's no +4dB selector for input
    
    Considering the good quality of the sounds (ie. distorted) I was
    thinking for myself selling the ADA and the SPX and to use the 9030
    instead and even saving some money. Well, I only thought that until I
    used the ADA as input to the 9030 (bypassing the distortion unit of
    course). This was cool !!!!! So for me TuBe or not TuBe is not a
    question. But if anybody for general purpose fx including distortion I
    can really recommend it. However, I will look for a tube/fx
    combination... see you in the SGX note....
    
    	Richard
    
    

     It was/is the 9002 for 249 $
    
     B*)    Still grinnin' about it months later.

    A friend let me put his new Zoom 9000 (and foot controller) thru its paces 
    while he went out of town.  It is a nifty little thing, but I can't 
    imagine using it for serious gigging.  I suppose it would be okay for
    practicing at home, or small gigs (like street corners, small church,
    coffee house, etc., that's what the owner uses it for).  It strikes me as 
    more of a high dollar (paid $320!) novelty item (its about as big as a 
    walkman).
    
    - 21 basic effects: compression, distortion, EQ, enhancer, pitch shift,
         phase, flanges, choruses, tremolo, wah, delays (.5 secs max), reverbs, 
         step (auto-arppegios?)
    - 5 simultaneous effects
    - 20 user program locations
    - built-in tuner (kind of nice)
    - mixer input for playing along with the stereo
    - headphone jack
    - battery or wall bug powered
    - amp simulator for playback in your stereo
    - controller uses standard phone cable for connection
    
    I can't see buying one, but it might suit someone else's needs in here.
    
    Mike

re .46


My husband asked me to but in a reply here and ask you why you can't imagine
using it for serious giging.  What are it's limitations?


Jenny

>My husband asked me to but in a reply here and ask you why you can't imagine
>using it for serious giging.  What are it's limitations?

    Jenny, I thought the effects were mediocre and the foot controller too
    limiting.  Better sounding units with better controllers are available
    for the same money.
    
    Mike

Which ones would you recommend? (if you can't name names here please VAXmail
me or send ALL-IN-1 mail to Jenny Gibbons @ rto)

    Well in another note (try a DIR/TITLE=DIGITECH), I gave a pretty good 
    review of the Digitech RP-1.  Since I'm in the market myself, I'm
    trying new stuff all the time.  
    
    I'll be test driving a Boss SE-50 and some ART processors later this
    week.
    
    Mike

I think if I were in the Market - I'd be looking really close at that HK unit 
that BoOm just bought, or the ART SGX.  DIGItechs distortions and modulated
FX never did much for me...

Natch, I'm still a moodular kinda guy myself, i.e. - keep the preamp away 
from the digital FX...

    >> I think if I were in the Market....
    
    Coop,
    
    when have you NOT been in the market!!??
    
    Steve (who Coop used to take shopping when he had $100 burining a hole
    in his pocket)

    so who needs SS distortion anyway?

RE: Mike

Oh...

If your talkin' EFFECTS and not analog stuff (distortion, compression, 
excitation etc) then I'd recommend a QV for low $$, high quality.
If you got money, a Lexicon LXP15 would be killer, or maybe a TC2290.  
(Which, BTW, is blowing out at Musicians fiend for like $1200! :)

RE: Steve

Shame on you.  Speakin' of which though, I've had my Mp1 in my rig for
3 years and two months!   A new record!
:)

>>>>Shame on you.  Speakin' of which though, I've had my Mp1 in my rig for
3 

    Go Coop!  I've had my Les Paul for over 2 1/2 years...that's pretty
    good fer me....
    
    P.S. Does the rest of yer rig have any age on it....hmmm?
    
    Dawg
    

    Well...yeah!
    
    I got the power amp at the same time...And the Hush (thanks Buck)...
    And the PL-Plus...
    
    The only things that have changed have been the FX stuff and the
    wireless got upgraded.  Imagine that ??  I bet people go thru 
    stomp boxes faster than that !
    :)

>    The only things that have changed have been
    
    ...and about *all* the rest of his musical equipment, except his main
    amp rig.  
    
    C'mon Jeff, you gotta admit that things come and go pretty fast around
    your place...  8^)
    
    gh

Well...Yea, I gotta try new toys when they come out...
:)
I'm just inmpressed with myself that I've used the same amp rig 
for so long...  I htink I need a change !  I gotta reputation to 
think about.
:)

    The problem with these is that you sound processed.
    
    The majority of the Rack Brigade never get a great distortion, because
    they are covering up the shit fuzz with buckets of delay, ch, etc
    
    You will never get the same shift of air and HONK  that you get from a
    Marshall,  Mesa Boogie  or any other tube amplifier.  It all comes from
    attack,  not a RACK.
    
    
    Nigel (a bass player who really thinks that effects manufacturers
    should spend just as much time developing products for us to muck about
    with)  and who also thinks that rack gear is great for  processing your
    sound,   but not for generating it.
    
    
    

>    You will never get the same shift of air and HONK  that you get from a
>    Marshall,  Mesa Boogie  or any other tube amplifier.  It all comes from
>    attack,  not a RACK.

Horsefeathers...
 

    No mate - Just remember,  we invented Rock 'n' Roll over here in
    Blighty.  All the greats were English.  Tommy Steele,  Tommy Steele, 
    Tommy Steele. etc  
    
    But seriously.  what's the first thing that you reach for when
    recording that lead break in the studio.   That crappy beaten up old
    Marshall Head and the Four x 12 sitting in the corner.  What do you do
    when it's plugged in?   You say "Bloody hell you can't beat this sound
    can you.  It's all Hendrix used..." etc
    
    
    I rest my case
    

    re: -1
    
    amen...nuff said!
    
    Steve (gimme an old tuber!)
    

Eye-yi-yi.

FWIW - I've never heard of Tommy Steele.  

>All the greats were English.

"were" ??

I say that while metal got it's roots in Great Britain (Priest, Sabbath etc.),
it got perfected quite a bit since the late 60's, early 70's...

As for the age old (and beaten to death) topic of "my amps better than your
amp"...  All I gotta say is (everybody now!):

Metaltronix rules!
:)

Somebody get this guy a copy of GN_V1.
:)

    I second Steve's Amen!

RE: -1
    
>>Meta
    
    Coop, I thought you were a "regular model of restraint"....?
    
    8^)
    
    Steve

    RE:  Brits and yanks ...
    The US invented rock and roll ... the british took it, corrected it,
    and sent it back.
    
    RE:  Rack or not ...
    I've been expensively deep in both tubs ... the rack tub is too cold.
    
    But, some folks like their's thin and whiney .... so who am I to try
    and change 'em ... 

    I invented Rock and Roll,..
    
    Chuck Berry got into a time machine, came to the present, stole 
    my licks,. went back to the 50's and well,. the rest is history.
    I also worte every song ever recorded,.. Bob Dylan was in that time
    machine too...
    
    							/Arnold_Ziffer
    

>    I invented Rock and Roll,..
    
    Well, that explains why all Chuck's songs sound alike!
    
    Paul (I'm dead you know) McCartney

    Hi all,

    I can not stop feeling to tell you a great new toy from ZOOM I got it a 
    weeks ago.

    It's a ZOOM 5000 which is kinda stomp box distortion but it has different 
    concept than the other ones. Because it has a DSP for simulating some 
    typical cabinets like some other multi effect processer does, not only 
    an analog distortion and its price is very good(16,800yen about US$135 
    in current rate).

    When I went to the shop I heard the great sound was much like Marshall
    from somewhere near the place to sell the practice amps. Then I went to 
    there and saw the salesman tried it thurough the small practice amp 
    Guyatone Zip 60(25cm X 1 speaker). I knew a ZOOM 5000 by magazine but I 
    could not belive that it really made a small practice amp great. I 
    asked the salesman to bypass a ZOOM 5000 then a ZIP 60 sounded clean. 
    This surprised me also because only a ZOOM made it sounds great. I 
    tried all of cabinet types, stack 1, stack2, combo, R&B, Metal and Zoom 
    box, and I thought all of cabinet types were exellent then I bought it.

    When I went home I plugged it into my ZOOM 9002 which was setup with 
    clean and tried a 5000. It was funny that the cabinet type of Zoom box
    is very similar sound as my ZOOM 9002. Other types are not. Stack 1 is
    much like the sound of Gary Moore. Stack 2 is a bit smaller cabinet 
    than 1. Combo and R&B has much middle likes Boogie. Metal is bright, 
    thin and gritty.

    I'm one of a person who loves to do home recording and I do not have a
    good place to record my guitar by mic with screaming an amp. So I
    attempted to use it by line recording. At first I connect the line from
    output of 5000 direct into my mixer. It was a bit thin but better than
    connecting other stomp box direct into a mixer. Then I plugged it via
    Palmer PDI-05 speaker simulator and got a better result. The exellent
    result is that when I use it with PDI-05 and ENGL type 620 preamp. I set
    an ENGL with clean and 5000 was set a stack 1. I guess nobody could not
    see through that it is recorded by line.

    Anyway I LOVE it!!!

    Try ZOOM 5000 before you sell your practice amp due to you do not like
    a sound of it!!!

    Kaz

    Hi Kaz,
    
    Do you know if the Zoom 5000 is available in the US?  I haven't seen or 
    heard of it yet.  
    
    Since I've heard the sound of your ENGL and Soldano preamps recorded
    with the Palmer cabinet emulator, I'd be interested in hearing your
    opinion of how the Zoom 5000 compares to that combination.  (Sorry if
    you tried to explain that in the last reply, I didn't understand).
    
    Greg

    Hi Greg,

>    Do you know if the Zoom 5000 is available in the US?  I haven't seen or 
>    heard of it yet.  

    It's really new product in Japan as my serial number is around 1080. 
    I'm not sure if it will be available in the US. But I guess it will be
    exported because it is printed the shipping place "JAPAN" on the label.
    
>    Since I've heard the sound of your ENGL and Soldano preamps recorded
>    with the Palmer cabinet emulator, I'd be interested in hearing your
>    opinion of how the Zoom 5000 compares to that combination.  (Sorry if
>    you tried to explain that in the last reply, I didn't understand).

    No problem, coz my explanation was not enough. I thought that one of
    your impression was both ENGL and Soldano sounds with Palmer were a bit 
    gritty and compressed. Because without boosting much gain these
    combinetion could not get a FAT sound. And it was tired thing that I 
    had to do an equalizing on preamps in through trail and error to get
    a sound which I want(Garry Moore type). The advantage of using a Zoom
    5000 is that the preset of 6 cabinet types are excellent so it allows
    me to get a real sound, which is normally obtained by using a mic,
    without trial and error. The followings are what I've been tried so
    far:

    	(1)Zoom 5000 -> Practice Amp
    	(2)Zoom 5000 -> Mixer
        (3)Zoom 5000 -> Zoom 9002 -> Mixer
	(4)Zoom 5000 -> Palmer PDI-05 -> Mixer
	(5)Zoom 5000 -> ENGL 620 -> Palmer PDI-05  -> Mixer
	(6)Zoom 5000 -> Soldano SP-77 -> Palmer PDI-05  -> Mixer

    (1)it is good. You think the sound of it comes from a big cabinet if an
    amp is hide. (2) It's thin and gritty but you could get a fatter sound
    than using other distortion/overdrive stomp box. It doesn't cost you 
    much compared with SansAmp. But it is not excellent on clean sound than
    SansAmp. (3) It's fatter than (2) when I set a gain of 9002 into 1. If 
    you already have 9002 and you enjoy home recording by using it, you 
    could get more nice and variety sound with adding a 5000. (4) it's 
    similar to Valvesate preamp(Rocktron GAP1)->PDI-05 combination. (5) 
    EXCELLENT!!!!! It's very much like the sound of Garry Moore. I could 
    not belive that it is recorded by line when I tried to tape it. (6) It 
    is thinner sound than (5). I'd like to add more middle. This is the
    characteristic of Soldano.

    Interesting thing is I could get a good result when I use it with some 
    other preamps even if a preams are clean. I think it is designed for (1)
    purpose mainly so it needs another preamps.

    Kaz

>    I thought that one of your impression was both ENGL and Soldano sounds
>    with Palmer were a bit  gritty and compressed.
    
    Yes, but that wasn't a negative comment, just an observation.  The
    sound of the distortion channel of my Marshall JCM900 when recorded
    (with the cabinet miked) is also gritty and somewhat compressed, but I
    like that sound.  I thought the sounds you got recording direct were
    very convincing, I wouldn't have known they were done direct if you
    hadn't told me.  They were some of the best direct guitar sounds I've
    heard.
    
    Direct recorded distorted guitar often seems to have this ugly,
    unflattering tone to it.  It always seems thin sounding, buzzy, and
    overly bright.  I've heard it on several recordings and it's not
    something I like (unless for a special effect).  The recordings you
    sent me didn't have that sound.  You had a fat, warm distorted sound
    that I was very impressed with.
    
    Sounds like your testing of the Zoom 5000 has been very thorough. 
    Thanks for the additional info.  From your description, it sounds like
    your conclusion is correct, that they designed it to be used before
    another preamp.  
    
    Sounds like an interesting unit, especially for the price.  If it
    becomes available here in the US, I'd like to check one out.
    
    Greg

I assume they're available here in the states, I recently saw
on avertised in this months guitar world.

    Strange. The distortion on the 9002 is the worst I ever heard. I ALWAYS
    mic my amp when doing recording. I only use my Zoom for clean guitar
    sounds.
    

    Anyone have more information/impressions of the Zoom 9000?  This
    appears to be the cost reduced version of the Zoom line.  I played
    around with one yesterday and was not displeased.  I'm not a big
    fan of effects processors in general, but I could actually imagine
    using some of the sounds I heard from the Zoom.  This box was
    downright fun!
    
    The 9000 has a headphone out; from what I gather, the 9002 doesn't?
    The amp simulation in the 9000 sounded pretty good; this may be one
    of the reasons I liked it so much.  Touch response was very good too.
    Does the 9002 have amp simulation?  Does it have more effects?  Is the
    quality of effects better?  Know any reason I SHOULDN'T treat myself
    to one of these :-)
    
    /rick

    Uh, I just checked reply .2, which basically answers the physical
    differences questions.  I'd still like to hear from someone who's
    tried both.  Think the 9002 is worth the extra bucks?

    
    I was wondering if anyone with the 9002 has programmed any effects they
    feel are worth posting it would be cool to exchange any new tweeked out
    effects..

Well, while alla youse guys was out goofin' off, I was working on the weekend and
saw what I felt was a good deal on a ZOOM 9000. Helpless though I may be without
the benefit of the Great Notes Oracle, I made an executive decision and got it.

Now I hope to get the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, at least:

Anyone have any comments on this beastie, any tips on parameter tweaking for the
"best" (subject to taste) results?

I got this for two reasons:

(1) My only FX unit at present is an SE50. While I generally love it, its
distortion (pardon whilst I lapse into technical jargon) bites the big one. I'm
fundamentally an acoustic player, and in trying to develop some sort of style
on the electric which doesn't simply sound like "Gordon Lightfoot: the Metal
Years," I felt the lack of good distortion and/or amp simulation was a real
obstacle.

(2) When I leave the rack and keyboard at home, it's nice to have the ultra-
portability of something like the ZOOM. (I got it with the footswitch, BTW.)

The editing capabilities seem pretty limited, which is OK by me. The distortion-
related pre-amp settings (Crunch, Overdrive, Distortion, if I recall correctly)
are fairly noisy, which seems almost unavoidable in any unit which doesn't
directly incorporate a noise gate. Apart from auditioning it prior to the sale,
I haven't yet had a chance to *really* play with it as of yet.

So- any hints, advice, gut-wrenching guffaws?

Bob

    
                         -< I'm ZOOMing- should I be? >-
    
    Well, there's part of your problem right there, Bob.  If you're going
    to be an electric player, you've got to be a little less tenative.  You
    made your choice - now you're obligated to either dump it quickly
    before anyone finds out (too late), or state blind (deaf) allegiance to
    your selection with statements like "ZOOM Roolz!".
    
    You see, it's all about attitude...  
    

Ah. Lessee now, I'll give it a shot.


Hey, dudes, just got me the hottest little preamp-FX sucker in the GALAXY! This
baby kicks *righteous* butt, man, makes Marshalls and those Tri-whatsis
thingies sound like kazoos! WHOoooAh baby, I think I'm gonna SCREAMMM!!!


(How'd I do? No, wait, I shouldn't ask, should I? Am I being too tentative? Oops,
I asked *again!* Sheesh, guess I'll never learn...)

Bob_the_(semi?)elitist_COMMUSICer

    Bob,
    
    From previous entries I think that noone in here owns the 9000, so that
    makes you the expert, not us  8^)  8^)
    
    							Brian

Ahem. All right, everyone just sit tight and hold on- I'M THE EXPERT!!! (Hoo,
scary thought...)

I'll keep y'all posted as I get some experience playing with the little bugger.

Bob

    
    
    Didn't Al Herb's son buy one of these?  He notes in here sometimes...
    
    

    So Bob, how's it sound?
    
    Greg

Well, as I said, I haven't had time to play with except for my pre-purchase
audition. And I must also qualify my opinion by stating again that I don't have
much experience (and therefore not much of an "ear") with sounds and playing
styles specific to electric guitar. I'll givea brief rundown, anyhoo.

I auditioned the thing through a Princeton amp the guy selling it had. There
is a switch to turn the cabinet simulation on (for direct line) or off (for
playing through an amp). Can't assess the direct sound at all yet, sorry.

In terms of the "general" effects, such as reverb and delay, I won't say this
competes with a studio effects unit (nor should it). For what I'd call
"guitar-specific" effects, I like it a lot better than my SE50.

I'd feel bad if I didn't put in a good overview of its functions. (I put it
after the formfeed, though.)

Hope it proves useful and/or interesting to some.

	Bob

------------------------------------------------------------------------------


This is the grey wedge-shaped unit; it's unbelievably light, mebbe half a pound.
It has an AC adapter or can run on six AA batteries. The footswitch comes with a
really long cord, permanent on the footswitch side, 6-wire modular phone jack
into the FX unit.

There are six effects, which can be used in any combination, but in fixed
order. Following are the effects and their settings. (Any effect can also be
turned off.)

(1) Compression/Distortion:
This effect has five options: Clean, Rhythm, Crunch, Overdrive, and Distortion.
They seem (to my somewhat naive ear) to basically be ordered by increasing
degree of distortion. Somewhere around Crunch or Distortion I could do a
ham-handed imitation of some Moody Blues stuff.
The only parameter besides type of distortion is a coarse setting for the amount
of compression, which can be 0, 1, or 2.

(2) Equalizer:
This effect allows you to set two EQ bands (High and Low; mid is covered
elsewhere) to a setting from -7 to +7.

(3) Enhancer:
This is basically a high-end boost. A depth setting (0 to 10) varies the strength
of the effect, and a frequency setting (0 to 10) varies the frequency range which
is affected.

(4) Modulation:
This one is sort of 10 "special effects" pedals, condensed version. <g> For some
totally unknown reason, the manual *says* it has 11 effects- go figure. Maybe
they're counting "off" as a setting...
	Pitch: a pitch-shifter, a little warbly. Settings for depth (0 top 10)
		fine tuning (-10 to +10), and balance (wet/dry, 0 to 10).
	Phase: phaser with settings for depth (0 to 10) and rate (0 to 50).
	Mid-range Equalizer: Parametric EQ with settings for the amount of
		boost ("Depth," 0 to 10), Frequency (0 to 50), and the width
		of the range to be boosted("Peak," 0 to 10)
	Flanger: flanger with settings for depth (0 to 10), rate (0 to 50), and
		the amount of feedback ("Peak," 0 to 10).
	Chorus1: chorus with settings for depth (0 to 10), rate (0 to 50), and
		mix (i.e., wet/dry: 0 to 10)
	Chorus2: same as above, but a stereo effect.
	Tremolo: A tremolo with settings for depth (0 to 10), rate (0 to 50), and
		degree of clipping ("Edge," 0 to 10).
	Step: A step flanger (there's a similar effect on my SE50), which sounds
		like you might expect: like a "stair-stepping" flanger, stepping
		through frequencies instead of "gliding" smoothly. Settings for
		depth (0 to 10), rate (0 to 50), and speed (0 or 1, which is six
		times the speed of 0).
	Cry: Sort of an auto-wah, with settings for Sensitivity (0 to 10) and
		direction (0 or 1, making frequency vary up or down).
	Metal: At the factory setting I listened to, this was wildly unmusical.
		sounded sort of like an unpitched steel bar. Settings for depth
		(0 to 10) and frequency (0 to 50).
(5) Delay:
Digital delay, max 480 ms. Settings for "Decay," which is actually the number
of repetitions (0 to 10), time (0 to 48, in 10ms increments), and mix (wet/dry,
0 to 10).

(6) Reverb:
This one contains two types of reverb and a ping-pong delay:
	Reverb1: A hall-type reverb with settings for time (0 to 10) and mix
		(wet/dry, 0 to 10).
	Reverb2: A few variations on a room-type reverb. Setting for "Shape" of
		0, 1, or 2 selects a room type, a reverse of the room type, or
		a reverse reverb. (Without some serious listening, I can't give
		the slightest clue as to the alleged difference between 1 and 2!)
	Delay2: A stereo ping-pong delay with settings as for the delay above.

There's also a patch-associated "level" setting.

There are five banks of four patches each; the footswitch has a bank pedal and
four pedals for selecting the patch within the bank. You can also set one of
the pedals as a "bypass" switch if you wish.

    Has anybody tried a new ZOOM 9002PRO? From the article on Japanese 
    Guitar Magazine, it has twice user memory than a previous one and it is 
    added ZNR and a cabinet simulator. It's pretty interesting that 9002 has
    a cabinet simulator if it is the same quality as a ZOOM DRIVER.

    Kaz