Zoom G1 FOUR

The Zoom G1 FOUR is a guitar multi-effects processor from Zoom, launched in February 2019¹. It puts over 70 effects and amp models, a looper and a drum machine in one floor unit aimed at players who want a lot of sounds without building a pedalboard one pedal at a time². It sits in Zoom's long G1 line, which stretches back through units like the ZOOM G1 and the Zoom G1on, and it launched alongside a sibling, the Zoom G1X FOUR, which adds an expression pedal.

Amp models, effects, looper and drum machine

Zoom says the G1 FOUR and G1X FOUR carry over 70 effects and amp models². Within that count, the maker lists more than 60 traditional and boutique effects, including a ring modulator, pitch-shifting delay and a sitar simulation². On the amp side, guitar.com reported 13 amp and cab sims, including emulations of classic Fender, Marshall and Orange models³. You can run five effects and amps simultaneously, and the display shows which five are active¹.

The built-in looper records up to 30 seconds of playing, which Zoom describes as a way to "create dynamic, multi-part arrangements"⁴. The drum machine serves up 68 rhythm patterns across different time signatures, and those patterns can be used alongside the looper, so you can lay down a loop over a backing rhythm for practice or songwriting³. There is also an onboard chromatic tuner³.

The controls and performance modes

The unit has four controls, covering a 3-band EQ and a master level, plus two footswitches that activate various functions and five pads that switch the individual effects on and off¹. Zoom says the control panel is designed for desktop use as well as floor use⁵.

Zoom gives the G1 FOUR two performance modes for live use²:

PRESELECT mode suits moving between complete sounds between songs; STOMP mode works more like a row of individual pedals, kicking single effects in and out on the fly. Fifty slots are available to store user-created patches³.

Power: four AA batteries, adapter or USB

Zoom says the G1 FOUR runs on just four AA batteries, and alternatively it can be powered using the optional Zoom AD-16 AC adapter or via USB bus power². The battery option is what makes the unit portable as a practice tool: combined with the headphone output⁶⁷, it can be used anywhere without an amp or a power supply.

The USB connection is also used for firmware updates³.

The G1 FOUR and the G1X FOUR

The G1 FOUR launched alongside the G1X FOUR, and in a Sweetwater demo video, John from Zoom explained the split between them simply⁸:

That expression pedal on the G1X FOUR opens up foot control over parameters like volume and wah. Both units are otherwise the same multi-effects processor², and both launched at $79.99 and $99.99 respectively in the US³. MusicRadar also quoted a UK price of £69 for the G1 at launch⁹.

What reviewers said

At launch, gearnews.com called it "a very fair package" and suggested it could be a good bet for those on a budget or for beginners¹. MusicRadar's launch coverage promised a full review to follow⁹, and the magazine's later review of the G1X Four, by Alex Lynham, summed up the value as "Fantastic price."¹⁰

Videos

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Questions