The Zoom G11 is a multi-effects guitar processor in a floorboard format, built around a 5-inch color touchscreen that lets you drag, drop and swipe your way to new sounds1. It sits at the top of Zoom's G series of multi-effects units, and Zoom describes it as its most advanced pedal ever while remaining familiar to use23. It packs amp and cabinet modeling, a five-minute looper, a built-in expression pedal and five footswitches for activating individual effects45.
The G11 can run one amp model and up to nine effects simultaneously, with 240 patch slots built from up to 10 blocks each65. It also works as a complete audio interface for direct recording via USB, with a Cubase LE license included5.
The controls: touchscreen, footswitches and expression pedal
The centerpiece of the G11 is its 5-inch color touchscreen, which Zoom says lets you drag, drop and swipe your way to new sounds1. Guitar World noted at launch that the display is similar to that found on the HeadRush Pedalboard8. Below the screen are five switches for activating individual effects, plus a built-in expression pedal49.
The G11 offers three play modes, each aimed at a different way of working1:
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Play by Patch | Scroll through all of your patches; Zoom calls it ideal for live performance1 |
| Play by Effect | A complete visual representation of your custom pedal chain; Zoom calls it great for studio work1 |
| Play by Bank | Organize patches in song lists for quick access to every sound for every song1 |
Guitar World's reviewer, Trevor Curwen, found the interface approachable, writing:
"This is one of the easiest to use units in the whole floorboard multi-FX genre"
Amp and effects modeling
The G11's modeling covers amps, cabinets and impulse responses. GuitarPlayer reported 48 amp and cab models that mix models based on classics, contemporary models and Zoom's own52, while Guitar World's review counted 24 amps covering popular Marshall, Fender and Vox models plus a smattering of others, as well as some Zoom originals6. Zoom itself lists 22 cabinet emulations of all modeling amps plus 70 pre-loaded full impulse response data captured with different microphones in various positions1, and there is space to add 130 of your own IRs52.
Among the Zoom original amp models are several the company describes by character4:
- Krampus: combines the brightness of an 80's British amp with the solid low range of a modern high gain amp; Guitar World's reviewer pointed to it for hard rock sounds46
- Redloom: merges the simple tone of early guitar amps with the rich overtones of a 60's tube amp, aimed at rhythm guitar4
- Velvet: a smooth character that balances the dynamic response between the wound and plain strings, enabling lead and rhythm without switching amp channels4
- Muddy: a vintage amp sound for gritty blues4
The unit also includes a five-minute looper and 68 rhythm patterns for jamming5.
Power and connections
The G11 runs on a 12V power supply only, which is included in the box; there is no battery option, and its 2,000mA draw rules out sharing a typical pedalboard daisy chain65. The box also contains a Quick Start Guide, and the included adaptor is Zoom's AD-1910.
Its socket list is extensive6:
| Inputs | Outputs |
|---|---|
| Standard guitar input | Standard stereo phones output |
| Stereo mini jack Aux input | Standard Main outputs L (mono) and R |
| Standard Return inputs (1 and 2) | Standard Send outputs (1 and 2) |
| Control in, Remote | MIDI Out |
| MIDI In | USB x 2 |
The effects loop connections (Send 1 and 2, Return 1 and 2) let you place external pedals or a real amp's loop in the chain, and the G11 is MIDI compatible for controlling or being controlled by other gear67.
Bluetooth is not built in. Wireless functionality requires the optional Zoom BTA-1 adaptor, with which the G11 can sync to Zoom's Guitar Lab 6.0 app for perusing and downloading patches52.
The USB connection does double duty: the G11 can be used as a complete audio interface for direct recording via USB, and a Cubase LE license is included5.
History and versions
Zoom announced the G11 in April 2020, with Premier Guitar reporting availability in May 2020 at $799.997. MusicRadar and Guitar World both noted US preorder pricing of $799 at launch28. By the time of Guitar World's review, the price was listed at $5996.
Gearnews observed at announcement that the G11 appears similar to the previous Zoom G5n and the GCE-3 mini effects unit, with manual effect parameter tweaking via real knobs11. It is the latest in Zoom's G series of multi-effects pedals, which MusicRadar called the company's most significant to date2. Zoom has been designing multi-effects for guitar players for over 30 years1.
The G11's effect library has grown since launch through Zoom's Guitar Lab software, which added 67 effects in December 20213.
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Questions
Can the Zoom G11 be used as a USB audio interface?
Yes. The G11 works as a complete audio interface for direct recording via USB, and a Cubase LE license is included. It has two USB sockets alongside its main stereo outputs, so it can sit at the center of a simple recording setup without a separate interface.
Can I load my own impulse responses into the Zoom G11?
Yes. The G11 ships with 70 pre-loaded full impulse responses captured with different microphones in various positions, and there is space to add 130 of your own. It also provides 22 cabinet emulations of all its modeling amps.
Does the Zoom G11 have Bluetooth?
Not built in. Bluetooth requires the optional Zoom BTA-1 adaptor. With it, the G11 can sync wirelessly to Zoom's Guitar Lab 6.0 app, which is used for browsing and downloading patches.
How long is the Zoom G11 looper?
The built-in looper records up to five minutes. That is enough for layering full song sketches and practice loops without an external looper pedal.
Is the Zoom G11 true bypass?
No. Guitar World's review lists the G11's bypass as buffered, not true bypass. As with any buffered unit, it will always color the signal slightly when bypassed, which matters most to players running long signal chains.
Sources (11)
- G11 | ZOOM, Zoom Corporation (zoomcorp.com)
- Is Zoom's new G11 amp and effects modeller a serious rival to Helix and HeadRush?, MusicRadar, 2020-04-27
- G11 | ZOOM, Zoom Corporation
- G11 Guitar Processor, Zoom Corporation
- Zoom Announces New G11 Multi-Effects Pedal, GuitarPlayer, 2020-04-27
- Zoom G11 review, Guitar World, 2020-11-26
- Zoom Releases the G11 Multi-Effects Unit, Premier Guitar, 2020-04-28
- Zoom launches touchscreen-equipped G11 multi-FX pedal, Guitar World, 2020-04-27
- Zoom unleashes the G11, its latest multi-effects processor, guitar.com, 2020-04-28
- G11 | ZOOM, Zoom Corporation (zoomcorp.com)
- Zoom set to release flagship G11 Multi-Effects Processor, gearnews.com, 2020-04-26
