Zoom GFX-3

I've been playing guitar for almost 40 years, harmonica for almost 35 years, and bass for about 25 years. I've played in acoustic trios, and duos, spent a little bit of time in a power-jangle-pop trio and now do mainly singer/songwriter solo stuff in a hybrid style I call "psychedelic country gospel."

I purchased this yesterday at a local dealer. The retail cost was $150 but I got it for $75 because I received a trade-in allowance for a Digitech RP350 I purchased a year ago that I never was happy with.

First off, this can be battery-powered or AC-powered. I prefer battery power to AC because the AC-power packs usually have a power cord that is too short (usually under 6-feet long) and very flimsy (inviting line noise since the power cord usually runs in less than 2 feet from the patch cables between the unit and the guitar and amplifier.
Second, this has an on/off switch. I've noticed that Zoom is the only manufacturer who actually puts a power switch on their floor units.
This is less noisy than the Digitech unit it replaced, it has better EQ, and the modulation FX seem to have more variability than between types of FX and more variability in the range between subtle and extreme.
Finally, the frosting on the cake is one effect that Digitech ignores: reverse reverb/echo/delay. Set the delay long enough and one can get some very Beatle-esque type effects like they did on the song "Rain."

About the only thing I don't like about this unit is the output is a 1/4" stereo jack. I would prefer to have two 1/4" mono jacks: one for left channel and one for right.

The construction and quality of this unit is solid. The base and upper case are metal. The jacks are anchored to the case with metal retaining rings. I've had a few cheapos that anchor the jacks to the circuit board and they do not last.

Lest I forget to mention, this has 120 settings: 60 factory and 60 user. It is easy to edit and store user settings--very similar to the old DOD AcousTec, VoTec, 4Tec series FX boxes.
I do not regret dumping my Digitech for this. I do regret not getting this to begin with instead of wasting money on Digitech stuff.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Multi effect
Case mtal
50 7 effects modules
8 simultaneous effects
120 programs (60 presets + 60 user)
Frquence of Sampling: 31.25 khz
7 amp simulations
ZNR: Zoom Noise Reduction (attnuateur noise)
Chromatic Tuner

UTILIZATION

Yes, the configuration is very simple, we can find sound "correct" it, the manual is trs
clear

SOUND QUALITY

The effects are effective, only the clean sounds are usable trs, distortions, its just nverse li ..... unlistenable!! I plug it on a stack ibanez and warlocks, the distortions are BOFs!

OVERALL OPINION

I used the last three months, it is not bad for beginners, but if you find a big distortion in his special, go your way! but hey it is worth its small price !!!!!

I take the features already mentioned:

• Metal
• 50 7 effects modules
• 8 simultaneous effects
• 120 programs (60 presets + 60 user)
• Sampling frequency: 31.25 kHz
• 7 amp simulations
• ZNR: Zoom Noise Reduction (noise suppressor)
• Chromatic Tuner

adding that the connection could not be simpler: one IN, one OUT / phone and it is
everything!

UTILIZATION

Very easy to set up after a quick read of the manual, you begin to quickly search the sounds according to our needs.

SOUND QUALITY

My current configuration leads me to only use modulation effects and reverb / delay, the rest for my part unnecessary.

I use a Peavey Classic 30 with two channels clean and lead (both suit me perfectly).
My guitar, a Lag RS 100 is connected in series with a Marshall Jackhammer overdrive pedal that I use to boost returns and the input of the amp.
The GFX 3 passes through the effects loop in series with a Boss CH1 (chorus) upstream and thus serves me just like an effects pedal and volume.
The result is really convincing, I have no breath and can adjust the effect is even simpler. I use an effect such as preset by the delay. Each piece, depending on the tempo will have a different delay, in this case, I can simply change the preset to get the necessary delay. The same goes for the effects of modulation: the tremolo is, for me, beautiful!
When I do not need to because I bypass (not a true bypass but frankly it is little agreement) without any problems.
In this configuration, I would not recommend using the GFX 3 equalizer because it aporte too much breath. As against the noise reduction, even at minimum is very efficient, do not overdo it or you will not be a pumping sound, not really nice.

I'm not a fan of modeling, except to play and practice my headset, however, I think it's the least successful part of this pedal. The distortions are quite aggressive and sound a little "plastic", either through headphones or plugged into an amp. This is the real weak point of this pedal.

OVERALL OPINION

I use this pedal for the past seven months, I've already done a lot around.

What I like:
strong side (reassuring)
the possibility to use only certain parameters and to disable others (such as distortion, EQ, compressor ...)
Quality effects alone (chorus, tremolo, delay, flanger ....)

What I like least:

The distos, equalizing the breath of the breath of the compressor (difficult to adjust)

For that price I can have only one pedal, then I pedal with different settings and I pass from one to the other seamlessly (practice on stage)

My pedalboard is beginning to grow and the GFX 3 is a further effect affordable.

The t CHARACTERISTICS have already prcises below.

UTILIZATION

The pedialier is very easy to use small easy to transport. Rgler enjoyable with the value knob.

SOUND QUALITY

I t trs surprised at the good quality of sound by distortion against it is a pity not being able to combine two modulation effects. Otherwise all the effects are satisfactory.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 8 months before I used the pedals boss. I'm pretty happy with it against a large default, we talk about what pdalier as so strong, I do not have the same exprience, is certainly the chssis m tal, but the switches are trs fragile, I have one that has ject by pressing it, the hooks fixing them break easily. D'APRS o the store I bought it the problem is quite frquent to zoom.
The report price is good quality but it would be even zoom while consolidating their switches. If ever I had known before, this little problem could mcanique minor when rebutoir same is for the purchase of this pdalier.