Having had this unit for some weeks I tend to agree that the play mode button is a major pain. Fantastic sounds but really for home use only which I suppose is Zooms intention. If only they would make the unit a bit larger and have 4 separate buttons instead of having to scroll through play mode each time it would be great. As Dave Simpson says it's a love hate love relationship.
I have this Zoom for a couples of weeks. I agree, this is for a stage not the most handy gear. However, maybe it's the way how to use it. But for studio and home playing a good pedal. It's easy to handle and a great range of tuning. Maybe too much possibilitys. I can image that it dissapointed a little, but not that hard. It seems, it's more a matter of taste then it has seriously problems to play with. In Dutch they will say ' Het is een beetje tekort door de bocht'. It was a pleasure to hear your arguments, they make sense :-)
Thanks for the effort and the video. I understand your point of view on most of the points mentioned. I have had Zoom 707, Zoom G5 and Zoom G3n. I am a big fan of their modeling just like you, I think it feels and sounds the best. I think this board is best when you have already set up your tones before-hand using the touch screen or the guitar lab software. I don't think it is a good board for editing on the fly or live performance unless you stick to the tones you already created. I hope Zoom take their users feedback seriously and improve things in the future.
Thanks a lot 😀 Two key things I look for in a multi fx (particularly for live use are Is it easy to make changes and is the switching flexibile/useful) I think the G6 fails spectularly on both counts, and knowing they've succeeded in the past smells like a cash-in.
@@GuitarGeordie If you take the time to organize the patches, which is pretty easy using the Bluetooth to iPad adaptor, it makes it far more practical, though still not great.
@goodsoundwaves Nothing will ever fix the unresponsive screen and lack of useful buttons/switches/footswithes though. The adapter is also extra, right? IMHO this is a terrible product.
@@Bronco2Cj The old G5 was better than this. I'd argue that a floor multi is better off without a touch screen and Bluetooth is a nice to have but not essential.
The looper section is so weak and you can only control the rhythm section via the UI. You can't start or stop the rhythm with a button. Get rid of the tap tempo button and let me start and stop the rhythm section. I don't mind the UI otherwise.
I agreed I prefer the sounds from Zoom rather than line 6, boss etc. I still use the Zoom G5 for modulation with other pedals and never understood why they have taken away that valve boost for newer models. The valve boost on the G5 is awesome and doesn't have to be set up as an effect as its separate on its own. I think I will carry on using the G5 until Zoom get their act together. Agree take away the tap button add a boost and add at least on more button for pedals oh and make the casing from metal with a usable interface so its easier to switch banks. Oh forgot get rid of the looper & those drum patterns and then it may be just about usable for live use.
Just about sums up my thoughts. A separate boost of some sort is a must for live use, and this doesn't have it like the ME80 / 90 has. I've literally no idea what Zoom was doing with the G6, as like you say that had it nailed with the G5 (not G5n) and also the G3 which was a perfect pedalboard utility unit. Shame on you Zoom!
Love my G5. I bought my first one back in 2013 and sold it a while after to explore other units. A few months ago I bought another one after like 10 years. There's a few things it can do with the 4-way pedal that I've found no other unit can replicate. I'm also dialing it in way better these days, and it actually surprised me how much better it sounds than I remember.
Yeah the only thing I don't like about the G5 is if you use amp models that kind of spoils your options for switching in FX and pedals pre and poat amp. I'm now inclined to just not bother with modelling anymore, in which case the g5 would be perfect.
Cannot agree entirely with you as a Gigging musician it is easy to use and works well for me I don’t find the ui hard to navigate at all don’t like the tap tempo don’t use it and it should have been assigned to the looper but thanks for the video
Thanks for watching. I guess if you don't need to edit on the fly, or aren't a heavy FX user and just need the 3 or 4 'stompboxes' it's fine (and the tones are great), but I got VERY frustrated with the G6 very quickly, and that's coming from someone who loves Zoom and isn't a technophobe (I work in I.T.). Glad it works for you.
You missed something important in the review. Unlike the G1XON, you cannot freely assign a particular effect parameter to the expression pedal. I wrote to ZOOM to fix that in the next firmware update, but no response. Other than that, the device is quite useful for playing live. The screen is large and reads well. The looper is unwieldy, the button lags a bit. The sound that is obtained using it to record in a DAW (Cakewalk in my case) is surprising, the sound is of very good quality.
Yeah to assign a pedal effect you need to setup one of the pedal blocks. I much prefer something like the ME80 Which has a separate pedal FX section, and it doesn't limit your FX
2:52 I am using tap tempo that is useful.. 6:20 zoom not provided the midi program change. Access.. to call a progrqm to change it cc parameters chang in live situation..
In my opinion that's not good enough. Zoom cut corners with the hardware on this. It shouldn't be necessary to use additional gear just to make it work.
So I partly agree with your disappointment about this device. But fortunatly, situation isn't as bad as it could be. This device supports midi SysEx commands from any device connected via USB in host mode. This means you can build your own usb midi controller. It can be based on arduino, raspberry pi or similar device, or even android phone or tablet. And you can assign any command you want (or even multiple commands) just to one footswitch. Yeah, this is kind of rocket science to get things together (hardware and writing software part for it), but for me this is only possible way to improve usability. I tried to send different commands over usb without native zoom tools and it's working. And I'm really planning to build something. Then I could trigger effects inside preset while I'm in bank mode. Or switch between banks just in one tap. Or almost anything else you can even imagine. That would really improve usability.
The only problem is that the commands are not documented (I only found commands for devices of the previous generation) and if I need some specific stuff, I have to find it out empirically.
Sounds like a very complicated, time consuming and inconvenient way to fix the G6s broken UI. It doesn't need more features, it needs the features it has to be useable.
@@GuitarGeordie Maybe so. But I already bought it and have been using it for a while (One year). And I love the ratio of sound/price. I just want to try to do it, and if it works, share the solution with people. Wiring diagrams, firmware, etc. It shoudn't be too expensive (maybe extra 40-50$). But it will significantly improve usability
BOSS ME80 /90, Zoom G5n or even better the old G5 (Which was amazing). For slightly more money, the BOSS GX-100. For a lot more the Line 6 Helix. Zoom used to be well in the mix but they've severely messed up with the G6.
In my experience you will need will need to go in blind at least once and tweak, because setting up patches beforehand always sounds different on a stage.
The GT1 is very entry level. Too small for me and less footswitches so I think even less versatile than the G6. Having said that I've never owned a GT1 and love the ME Series so I'm guessing the GT1 will give you less problems if it has the features you need.
Your just nippicking this great board to death. i own this and several other of zooms processors...and love them all. You are missing the whole point in why zoom designed this effect board this way. The G6 was introduced AFTER their flagship unit the G11 which i also own and love. This G6 was desingned to be the "little brother" to the G11, because the G11 was so successful and zoom needed to make a unit packed with most of the same fetures of the G11 BUT give the buyers a smaller AND more affordable unit mainly. I agree on SOME of your complaints tho with the G6 here, but if you spend enough time becoming aware how to use it then it gets much simpler. Most of yourcomplaints could be resolved by BUYING a G11 unit. AND as far as all you comparisons against the Line 6 units why would zoom copy them? Ive owned most of the Line amps and effects units too, but i think they sound horrible and very cheaply built units...YOU should just use a basic REAL amp and pedals probably...lol. OR spend more money and buy a G11 unit !!! As i said - i own both units but i set them each up differently. Amazing Zoom products !!! I also own most the other big name processors too like Boss, Digitech, Korg, ect...I got rid of my Line 6 gear last year. (over priced junk).
After my experience with the G6 there is no way I would buy a G11. Its got the same terrible UI and looks about 10x more complicated. Also It looks hideous and is much larger so I think I'll pass.
I find the G6 buttons/footswitches more modern and clean than G5n/G11. Switching between patches/bank on live performance is a breeze. Of course, making patches/bank is a pain and also true for all other mfx. Imagine making/editing a patch in a 4" screen. I prefer to do it in computer it would be much easier. But if you dont have a laptop, you can use "Edit All" when editing/adding/deleting effects in one window without going back and forth. 😅 As for me, I dont go to a gig and edit patches there. I create patches beforehand. G6 is such a convenient, just assigned a bank(which contain 4 patches) for a song or group of songs that uses those patches. I dont think you will changing more than 4 major tones in a song. 😅 Yet what solds me out with Zoom is its tone compared to its competitor. I would say its much more realiatic than others. Its just a matter of getting used to it. But imcluding a battery and wireless audio streaming would have been great.
I agree with the tone. Zoom have always been great. But that UI is a nightmare, plus only 4 footwitches (plus a mode ÷ Tuner/tap). Just not enough.... plus the DSP limitations etc etc... I recently purchased a Velaton GP-200 and it blows the G6 out of the water.
Great video, mate, as I can sympathise with many of your criticisms with the G6. Ive have the "pleasure" of borrowing a Zoom G6 as I was shocked how much of a step back it is to the previous generation (G3n, G5, etc.) - I still happily rock a G3n for teaching and a backup to my gear as it still does a lot well in 2023. While the G6 can load IRs and has a few new effects and amps, it really is a compromised product for live use with an unresponsive touch screen, inferior casing and worse user interface compared to the solid metal housing and intuitive nature of the G3 and G5 models that came before it. Im not saying it's incapable of sounding decent, but I just can't put my faith in it for the price - especially against the stuff NUX is doing at a cheaper price point.
Thanks Gabriel. ''Compromise' just about nails it. It's unusable for live use unless you have 100% nailed the tones you need beforehand and only need to switch between 4 FX and the expression pedal... but even then it lacks battery power which is the backup option for many. Recordingwise the sounds are great but with that UI its just not fun to use, which kills the creativity. Just don't get where zoom were going for this. It feels rushed, badly designed and cheap.
I have had the G6 for over a year now. I agree the UI is clunky and far from perfect. I aim for super clean sounds, while not on par with the Tech 21 Blonde the Zoom is pretty good. I used a fullton Fulldrive 2 in the s/R and it took that exceptionally well. For a while I shelved the G6 and bought a TC Ampworx '65 which initially I thought sounded great with my Headrush FRFR108, turning up the gain on the TC was horrible and took pedals badly although the reverb was superb, there is a sweet spot on the TC. I went back to the Zoom and really liked the TwinR sound, admittedly the spring reverb is nowhere near that of the TC. The G6 isn't as bad as some reviews I have seen. I do most of the editing with my Zoom Guitar Lab and Macbook Air so not getting bogged down with the UI. I have to add if you download the Jensen IRs it opens up the possibilities.
Thanks for watching and glad the G6 worked better for you. The UI isn't the only issue for me, also having just 4 footswitches (plus tuner and mode) is very limiting too. I think the ONLY thing it has going for it is the tones, which are helped by the IRs but vastly hindered by the DSP limits. So what is the G6 actually good for? Live playing? No because editing on the fly will drive you to tears and there aren't enough footswitches? Recording? UI isn't such a big issue but then all the footswitches are kind of redundant... ... To be honest with you I'm really struggling to see the point of the G6 at all.
@@GuitarGeordie I forgot to add that It's pretty good with acoustic instruments. I use my Weissenborn through it and sounds good. I would use it live as I normally use Tremolo (T Rex) a little delay and reverb (Atlantic) a boost (Nobels) and a Tech 21 Blonde. If I was doing a theatre gig I probably break out a larger pedalboard. Going back to '85, It's certainly better than my Korg A3 which including foot controller cost me £1500. You can buy a G6 for £199, you certainly get what you pay for. I'm glad I didn't go the whole hog and buy a Kemper, Reverb is a wash with them. I would be interested in what you think of the TC amp emulators.
@@GuitarGeordie yes sir the old g5 has metal frame and sounds really good in any type of amp i'm looking for another maybe bossgx100 or pod go line6 what do you think?
I've just ordered another Boss Me80. Does everything i need, decent sounds, and easy to adjust mid-gig IMO there's nothing to beat except the next ME model.
yeah, i root for zoom, but this unit is pretty much useless at the gig, might as well get two of G1fours' and you'll be better off. line 6 got UI right, helix on a gig is just perfect. Boss GT 1000 is good too, any switch can do anything you could imagine, and pretty much unlimited dsp in both units. Even Pod Go and new Boss GX-100 are way better options. Same money pretty much too. I love zoom, but they fucked up hard. Such a shame, cause amps and effects are decent
I looked at the Line 6 stuff and although the UI looks better its core tones imo are worse than the Zoom. It's a shame because I love zoom for their tone and Guitar friendly features, but the G6 is so guitarist unfriendly! I think I'd rather go seperates / pedalboard than go down the Line 6 route.
@@GuitarGeordie L6 just dropped a fat firmware updates for Helix and stomp, not podGo, with really good new cab block, pod go probably will get it soon too, tone got definetly better, way easier to dial in. I found some amps on Helix really good, some not that much, didn't like Marshalls at all. Nux cerberus is another cool unit, looks legit, different approach, looks very giggable and compact, 6 foot switches.
Zoom had pretty decent modelling nailed years ago, and to some extent BOSS also. Just never been a fan of Line 6 tone, particularly overdriven tones. If they haven't cracked it by now they never will IMO.
@@GuitarGeordie I still own and use a Zoom PS02 Palmtop Studio. It's over 20+ years old and the emulation of effects and amps is great. That thing is a pain to use at first, but I got used to it and it's easy to edit patches. With that said, every effect module I got after this unit was always sent back. Hated Line 6. Early Pod 2.0 was unusable. Haven't looked at Boss because I hate their UI. I was considering Zoom again because I wanted to bascially copy over the effects set up that lives on my PS02. I was considering the G6. I'm a rhythm guitarist who doesn't cycle through a ton of shit. I'm pretty much set it and forget it. You mentioned the G5. Had one over a year ago and sent that right back. Hated the UI and was more complicated than the ancient PS02 that I use for headphone practice. What about the model that came out in December. It's the GX4 or something like. Without expression pedal is $199 USD, with pedal $229 USD. I like NUX, too. My experience is limited to their Mighty Plug 2 headphone amp. Brilliant little piece of kit for silent playing to work on ideas. Great for travelling, too. I still wanted to at least demo the G6 for a week as I have different playing purpose. But if it's not gig worthy, then it cannot work if it won't hold up.
When they released the Zoom G5n and didn't keep the vacuum tube at the end of the effects chain, I was done. I've had some recently released expensive units including a touch screen Headrush, but it was awful and I returned it. To this day, the Zoom G5 and 9.2TT are the best processors I've ever heard, and it's specifically because of the vacuum tubes in them. I hear the 9.2tt and even compared to the Line 6 Helix, that ancient thing mops the floor with it. Too much trimming shit down while raising prices up now. Digital gear in general is just insane in pricing and performance is often mediocre in light of what it costs. I watch lots of reviews from mainstream youtubers and their praise is so very dishonest, they're all getting comp'd by the companies, so somehow every single piece of gear is just amazing! *But it's not.*
100% and its not even tubes for me. Some of my favourite recorded preset tones are from.an old zoom 505...... and I still think the g3 is hard to beat.... I always remember a/b in the 'squeak' model with a real Rat 2 and the only difference was the Rat 2 was a tiny bit quieter.
@@GuitarGeordie some crazy bitch smashed my Zoom G5 when I wasn't home, and I have it in my electronics lab trying to repair it, but I finally got fed up and ordered another one. The only place I could find it decently priced was all the way from Japan! It will be here in 2 days lol. I may still be able to repair the one that was smashed, but I just couldn't stand being without it any longer and I have 10 tons of gear as it is.
Having had this unit for some weeks I tend to agree that the play mode button is a major pain. Fantastic sounds but really for home use only which I suppose is Zooms intention. If only they would make the unit a bit larger and have 4 separate buttons instead of having to scroll through play mode each time it would be great. As Dave Simpson says it's a love hate love relationship.
If it was intended for home use why even have the 4 footswitches? If that's what Zoom are saying its a poor excuse for a poorly designed unit.
@@edstock9864 have you stacked it against the Valeton GP200? Heard it is more gig friendly
Yeah the Valeton is miles better. Having said that, anything would be better than the G6!
I have the ZOOM B6 for bass. For battery power I use a USB power bank and a USB to barrel adapter cable. It runs for hours without any issues.
Great tip. Thanks!
I have this Zoom for a couples of weeks. I agree, this is for a stage not the most handy gear. However, maybe it's the way how to use it. But for studio and home playing a good pedal.
It's easy to handle and a great range of tuning. Maybe too much possibilitys. I can image that it dissapointed a little, but not that hard. It seems, it's more a matter of taste then it has seriously problems to play with. In Dutch they will say ' Het is een beetje tekort door de bocht'. It was a pleasure to hear your arguments, they make sense :-)
Thanks for watching Christinaan!
Thanks for the effort and the video. I understand your point of view on most of the points mentioned. I have had Zoom 707, Zoom G5 and Zoom G3n. I am a big fan of their modeling just like you, I think it feels and sounds the best. I think this board is best when you have already set up your tones before-hand using the touch screen or the guitar lab software. I don't think it is a good board for editing on the fly or live performance unless you stick to the tones you already created. I hope Zoom take their users feedback seriously and improve things in the future.
Thanks a lot 😀 Two key things I look for in a multi fx (particularly for live use are Is it easy to make changes and is the switching flexibile/useful) I think the G6 fails spectularly on both counts, and knowing they've succeeded in the past smells like a cash-in.
@@GuitarGeordie What would you advise on something with a drum machine, touch screen, bluetooth capablilty and simple to use?
@@GuitarGeordie If you take the time to organize the patches, which is pretty easy using the Bluetooth to iPad adaptor, it makes it far more practical, though still not great.
@goodsoundwaves Nothing will ever fix the unresponsive screen and lack of useful buttons/switches/footswithes though. The adapter is also extra, right? IMHO this is a terrible product.
@@Bronco2Cj The old G5 was better than this. I'd argue that a floor multi is better off without a touch screen and Bluetooth is a nice to have but not essential.
The looper section is so weak and you can only control the rhythm section via the UI. You can't start or stop the rhythm with a button. Get rid of the tap tempo button and let me start and stop the rhythm section. I don't mind the UI otherwise.
I didn't get as far as the looper or the drums. Getting returned tomorrow 🙂
I agreed I prefer the sounds from Zoom rather than line 6, boss etc. I still use the Zoom G5 for modulation with other pedals and never understood why they have taken away that valve boost for newer models. The valve boost on the G5 is awesome and doesn't have to be set up as an effect as its separate on its own. I think I will carry on using the G5 until Zoom get their act together. Agree take away the tap button add a boost and add at least on more button for pedals oh and make the casing from metal with a usable interface so its easier to switch banks. Oh forgot get rid of the looper & those drum patterns and then it may be just about usable for live use.
Just about sums up my thoughts. A separate boost of some sort is a must for live use, and this doesn't have it like the ME80 / 90 has. I've literally no idea what Zoom was doing with the G6, as like you say that had it nailed with the G5 (not G5n) and also the G3 which was a perfect pedalboard utility unit. Shame on you Zoom!
Love my G5. I bought my first one back in 2013 and sold it a while after to explore other units. A few months ago I bought another one after like 10 years. There's a few things it can do with the 4-way pedal that I've found no other unit can replicate. I'm also dialing it in way better these days, and it actually surprised me how much better it sounds than I remember.
Yeah the only thing I don't like about the G5 is if you use amp models that kind of spoils your options for switching in FX and pedals pre and poat amp. I'm now inclined to just not bother with modelling anymore, in which case the g5 would be perfect.
Cannot agree entirely with you as a Gigging musician it is easy to use and works well for me I don’t find the ui hard to navigate at all don’t like the tap tempo don’t use it and it should have been assigned to the looper but thanks for the video
Thanks for watching. I guess if you don't need to edit on the fly, or aren't a heavy FX user and just need the 3 or 4 'stompboxes' it's fine (and the tones are great), but I got VERY frustrated with the G6 very quickly, and that's coming from someone who loves Zoom and isn't a technophobe (I work in I.T.). Glad it works for you.
You missed something important in the review. Unlike the G1XON, you cannot freely assign a particular effect parameter to the expression pedal. I wrote to ZOOM to fix that in the next firmware update, but no response. Other than that, the device is quite useful for playing live. The screen is large and reads well. The looper is unwieldy, the button lags a bit. The sound that is obtained using it to record in a DAW (Cakewalk in my case) is surprising, the sound is of very good quality.
Yeah to assign a pedal effect you need to setup one of the pedal blocks. I much prefer something like the ME80 Which has a separate pedal FX section, and it doesn't limit your FX
@@pradophoto perhaps buy a separate dedicated pedal then?
@@ernestojr.angeles9707 I solved it using my old G1XON conected through the G6 FX loop.
Do you recommend the usb direct recording?
2:52 I am using tap tempo that is useful.. 6:20 zoom not provided the midi program change. Access.. to call a progrqm to change it cc parameters chang in live situation..
In my opinion that's not good enough. Zoom cut corners with the hardware on this. It shouldn't be necessary to use additional gear just to make it work.
@@GuitarGeordie have you use any GT product Roland (Boss)? A lot of assignments switch on the fly, is useful...
@@人造书 I have an ME-80 and much prefer it. it can do it all out of the box.
So I partly agree with your disappointment about this device. But fortunatly, situation isn't as bad as it could be. This device supports midi SysEx commands from any device connected via USB in host mode. This means you can build your own usb midi controller. It can be based on arduino, raspberry pi or similar device, or even android phone or tablet. And you can assign any command you want (or even multiple commands) just to one footswitch. Yeah, this is kind of rocket science to get things together (hardware and writing software part for it), but for me this is only possible way to improve usability. I tried to send different commands over usb without native zoom tools and it's working. And I'm really planning to build something.
Then I could trigger effects inside preset while I'm in bank mode. Or switch between banks just in one tap. Or almost anything else you can even imagine. That would really improve usability.
The only problem is that the commands are not documented (I only found commands for devices of the previous generation) and if I need some specific stuff, I have to find it out empirically.
Sounds like a very complicated, time consuming and inconvenient way to fix the G6s broken UI. It doesn't need more features, it needs the features it has to be useable.
@@GuitarGeordie Maybe so. But I already bought it and have been using it for a while (One year). And I love the ratio of sound/price.
I just want to try to do it, and if it works, share the solution with people. Wiring diagrams, firmware, etc.
It shoudn't be too expensive (maybe extra 40-50$). But it will significantly improve usability
Is it possible to edit the firmware?
Yes, but you'll need an SD Card and a laptop to download it to. You can't do it direct.
If not this, please recommend something which i should get at this cost or something similar
BOSS ME80 /90, Zoom G5n or even better the old G5 (Which was amazing). For slightly more money, the BOSS GX-100. For a lot more the Line 6 Helix. Zoom used to be well in the mix but they've severely messed up with the G6.
My 2 cents, not so stressful using unless you know the system inside out and set tones and patches before hand ☺️ but I get what you mean
In my experience you will need will need to go in blind at least once and tweak, because setting up patches beforehand always sounds different on a stage.
Zoom G6 or Boss GT1.? Which better?
The GT1 is very entry level. Too small for me and less footswitches so I think even less versatile than the G6. Having said that I've never owned a GT1 and love the ME Series so I'm guessing the GT1 will give you less problems if it has the features you need.
Your just nippicking this great board to death. i own this and several other of zooms processors...and love them all. You are missing the whole point in why zoom designed this effect board this way. The G6 was introduced AFTER their flagship unit the G11 which i also own and love. This G6 was desingned to be the "little brother" to the G11, because the G11 was so successful and zoom needed to make a unit packed with most of the same fetures of the G11 BUT give the buyers a smaller AND more affordable unit mainly. I agree on SOME of your complaints tho with the G6 here, but if you spend enough time becoming aware how to use it then it gets much simpler. Most of yourcomplaints could be resolved by BUYING a G11 unit. AND as far as all you comparisons against the Line 6 units why would zoom copy them? Ive owned most of the Line amps and effects units too, but i think they sound horrible and very cheaply built units...YOU should just use a basic REAL amp and pedals probably...lol. OR spend more money and buy a G11 unit !!! As i said - i own both units but i set them each up differently. Amazing Zoom products !!! I also own most the other big name processors too like Boss, Digitech, Korg, ect...I got rid of my Line 6 gear last year. (over priced junk).
After my experience with the G6 there is no way I would buy a G11. Its got the same terrible UI and looks about 10x more complicated. Also It looks hideous and is much larger so I think I'll pass.
Try boss..zoom is worst😂
I find the G6 buttons/footswitches more modern and clean than G5n/G11. Switching between patches/bank on live performance is a breeze. Of course, making patches/bank is a pain and also true for all other mfx. Imagine making/editing a patch in a 4" screen. I prefer to do it in computer it would be much easier. But if you dont have a laptop, you can use "Edit All" when editing/adding/deleting effects in one window without going back and forth. 😅 As for me, I dont go to a gig and edit patches there. I create patches beforehand. G6 is such a convenient, just assigned a bank(which contain 4 patches) for a song or group of songs that uses those patches. I dont think you will changing more than 4 major tones in a song. 😅 Yet what solds me out with Zoom is its tone compared to its competitor. I would say its much more realiatic than others. Its just a matter of getting used to it. But imcluding a battery and wireless audio streaming would have been great.
I agree with the tone. Zoom have always been great. But that UI is a nightmare, plus only 4 footwitches (plus a mode ÷ Tuner/tap). Just not enough.... plus the DSP limitations etc etc... I recently purchased a Velaton GP-200 and it blows the G6 out of the water.
@@GuitarGeordie Tried the valeton, great interface but tonewise not just for me.
Zoom G6 or Nux mg30?
Anything but the g6
@@GuitarGeordiecan you clear it nux mg30 or zoom g6
Great video, mate, as I can sympathise with many of your criticisms with the G6.
Ive have the "pleasure" of borrowing a Zoom G6 as I was shocked how much of a step back it is to the previous generation (G3n, G5, etc.) - I still happily rock a G3n for teaching and a backup to my gear as it still does a lot well in 2023.
While the G6 can load IRs and has a few new effects and amps, it really is a compromised product for live use with an unresponsive touch screen, inferior casing and worse user interface compared to the solid metal housing and intuitive nature of the G3 and G5 models that came before it.
Im not saying it's incapable of sounding decent, but I just can't put my faith in it for the price - especially against the stuff NUX is doing at a cheaper price point.
Thanks Gabriel. ''Compromise' just about nails it. It's unusable for live use unless you have 100% nailed the tones you need beforehand and only need to switch between 4 FX and the expression pedal... but even then it lacks battery power which is the backup option for many. Recordingwise the sounds are great but with that UI its just not fun to use, which kills the creativity. Just don't get where zoom were going for this. It feels rushed, badly designed and cheap.
@@GuitarGeordie Totally agreed! I wonder how those plastic chassis will last a few years down the line ;)
You'll get used to it my friend, just need more time❤
It's already gone! 🤣
so plug in a battery then. its not rocket science..
I think the lack of a battery option was to keep costs down. In fact the whole pedal is a cost-cutting exercise.
I bought the Zoom G1x 4 ,,,the looper is crap as is the rest of it...
I have had the G6 for over a year now. I agree the UI is clunky and far from perfect. I aim for super clean sounds, while not on par with the Tech 21 Blonde the Zoom is pretty good. I used a fullton Fulldrive 2 in the s/R and it took that exceptionally well. For a while I shelved the G6 and bought a TC Ampworx '65 which initially I thought sounded great with my Headrush FRFR108, turning up the gain on the TC was horrible and took pedals badly although the reverb was superb, there is a sweet spot on the TC. I went back to the Zoom and really liked the TwinR sound, admittedly the spring reverb is nowhere near that of the TC. The G6 isn't as bad as some reviews I have seen. I do most of the editing with my Zoom Guitar Lab and Macbook Air so not getting bogged down with the UI. I have to add if you download the Jensen IRs it opens up the possibilities.
Thanks for watching and glad the G6 worked better for you. The UI isn't the only issue for me, also having just 4 footswitches (plus tuner and mode) is very limiting too. I think the ONLY thing it has going for it is the tones, which are helped by the IRs but vastly hindered by the DSP limits. So what is the G6 actually good for? Live playing? No because editing on the fly will drive you to tears and there aren't enough footswitches? Recording? UI isn't such a big issue but then all the footswitches are kind of redundant...
... To be honest with you I'm really struggling to see the point of the G6 at all.
@@GuitarGeordie I forgot to add that It's pretty good with acoustic instruments. I use my Weissenborn through it and sounds good. I would use it live as I normally use Tremolo (T Rex) a little delay and reverb (Atlantic) a boost (Nobels) and a Tech 21 Blonde. If I was doing a theatre gig I probably break out a larger pedalboard. Going back to '85, It's certainly better than my Korg A3 which including foot controller cost me £1500. You can buy a G6 for £199, you certainly get what you pay for. I'm glad I didn't go the whole hog and buy a Kemper, Reverb is a wash with them. I would be interested in what you think of the TC amp emulators.
Awful review lol... To sum it up= "Im too old for digital, I want knobs"
I'm not averse to digital and the issue isn't that it's digital. it's the terrible design and awful UI.
I’ll stick to my old G5😂😂 after viewing this and others review🤘🏼🤘🏼
Good call. The G5 is brilliant
@@GuitarGeordie yes sir the old g5 has metal frame and sounds really good in any type of amp i'm looking for another maybe bossgx100 or pod go line6 what do you think?
I've just ordered another Boss Me80. Does everything i need, decent sounds, and easy to adjust mid-gig
IMO there's nothing to beat except the next ME model.
Just buy a Zoom G11...lol
yeah, i root for zoom, but this unit is pretty much useless at the gig, might as well get two of G1fours' and you'll be better off. line 6 got UI right, helix on a gig is just perfect. Boss GT 1000 is good too, any switch can do anything you could imagine, and pretty much unlimited dsp in both units. Even Pod Go and new Boss GX-100 are way better options. Same money pretty much too. I love zoom, but they fucked up hard. Such a shame, cause amps and effects are decent
I looked at the Line 6 stuff and although the UI looks better its core tones imo are worse than the Zoom. It's a shame because I love zoom for their tone and Guitar friendly features, but the G6 is so guitarist unfriendly! I think I'd rather go seperates / pedalboard than go down the Line 6 route.
@@GuitarGeordie L6 just dropped a fat firmware updates for Helix and stomp, not podGo, with really good new cab block, pod go probably will get it soon too, tone got definetly better, way easier to dial in. I found some amps on Helix really good, some not that much, didn't like Marshalls at all. Nux cerberus is another cool unit, looks legit, different approach, looks very giggable and compact, 6 foot switches.
Zoom had pretty decent modelling nailed years ago, and to some extent BOSS also. Just never been a fan of Line 6 tone, particularly overdriven tones. If they haven't cracked it by now they never will IMO.
@@GuitarGeordie I still own and use a Zoom PS02 Palmtop Studio. It's over 20+ years old and the emulation of effects and amps is great. That thing is a pain to use at first, but I got used to it and it's easy to edit patches.
With that said, every effect module I got after this unit was always sent back. Hated Line 6. Early Pod 2.0 was unusable. Haven't looked at Boss because I hate their UI.
I was considering Zoom again because I wanted to bascially copy over the effects set up that lives on my PS02.
I was considering the G6. I'm a rhythm guitarist who doesn't cycle through a ton of shit. I'm pretty much set it and forget it.
You mentioned the G5. Had one over a year ago and sent that right back. Hated the UI and was more complicated than the ancient PS02 that I use for headphone practice.
What about the model that came out in December. It's the GX4 or something like. Without expression pedal is $199 USD, with pedal $229 USD.
I like NUX, too. My experience is limited to their Mighty Plug 2 headphone amp. Brilliant little piece of kit for silent playing to work on ideas. Great for travelling, too.
I still wanted to at least demo the G6 for a week as I have different playing purpose. But if it's not gig worthy, then it cannot work if it won't hold up.
@@joellebrodeur1015 100% its not gig worthy
ffs just get the bluetooth adapter and the app..Quit whining!
Pay the extra to have to get my phone out mid gig? 🤣
When they released the Zoom G5n and didn't keep the vacuum tube at the end of the effects chain, I was done. I've had some recently released expensive units including a touch screen Headrush, but it was awful and I returned it.
To this day, the Zoom G5 and 9.2TT are the best processors I've ever heard, and it's specifically because of the vacuum tubes in them. I hear the 9.2tt and even compared to the Line 6 Helix, that ancient thing mops the floor with it.
Too much trimming shit down while raising prices up now. Digital gear in general is just insane in pricing and performance is often mediocre in light of what it costs. I watch lots of reviews from mainstream youtubers and their praise is so very dishonest, they're all getting comp'd by the companies, so somehow every single piece of gear is just amazing!
*But it's not.*
100% and its not even tubes for me. Some of my favourite recorded preset tones are from.an old zoom 505...... and I still think the g3 is hard to beat.... I always remember a/b in the 'squeak' model with a real Rat 2 and the only difference was the Rat 2 was a tiny bit quieter.
@@GuitarGeordie some crazy bitch smashed my Zoom G5 when I wasn't home, and I have it in my electronics lab trying to repair it, but I finally got fed up and ordered another one. The only place I could find it decently priced was all the way from Japan!
It will be here in 2 days lol.
I may still be able to repair the one that was smashed, but I just couldn't stand being without it any longer and I have 10 tons of gear as it is.
By the way, can you get me Oscar Wilde's fax number?