The Zoom G1on is a digital guitar multi-effects pedal in a stompbox format. Zoom describes it as taking "guitar effects to new heights," and says the company has been "leading the way in multi-effects processing for the past twenty-five years."1 The G1on offers 100 guitar effects, including distortion, compression, modulation, delay, reverb and amp models, and up to five of them can be used at once, chained together in any order.2
Effects and features
The effect count is the headline figure: 100 effects covering distortion, compression, modulation, delay, reverb and amp models.2 For a player, that means one pedal can stand in for a board of single effects, from a compressor at the front of the chain to delay and reverb at the end, with amp models for direct playing.
Other features, as reported by Guitar Interactive Magazine at the pedal's 2014 release:
- Up to five effects used simultaneously, chained in any order2
- A looper that records up to 30 seconds of CD-quality audio2
- An onboard chromatic tuner supporting all standard guitar tunings, including open and drop tunings2
- An auxiliary input jack for portable music players, so you can play along with recorded tracks2
- A large backlit LCD screen for navigating patches and settings2
Zoom's own page adds that "the G1on is sure to become an instant favorite in your pedalboard,"4 and the Japanese product page describes it as available "at an astonishingly affordable price," though no price figure is given.5
Power requirements
The G1on runs on 9V DC, center negative, and draws 500mA.3 That current draw matters in practice: it is higher than many single pedals need, so a small shared supply or a daisy chain may not have enough headroom for it alongside other pedals. A dedicated 9V DC center-negative adapter rated for at least 500mA is the safe choice.
At 500mA, the G1on needs a supply with real headroom. Check the rating on any adapter or shared supply before plugging in.3
Zoom's English manual for the G1on and G1Xon, its sibling pedal with an built-in expression pedal, is available from Zoom's site.3
Where it sits in Zoom's range
The G1on is part of a long line of Zoom guitar multi-effects pedals, from early compact units like the Zoom 505A and Zoom G1 through the Zoom G3Xn and Zoom G5n to the current Zoom G6 and Zoom G11. The Zoom G1Xon is the same pedal with an added expression pedal, and bass players get the equivalent Zoom B1Xon.
Videos
Ola Englund
Chris Benton
Direct Recording Guitar
Questions
Does the Zoom G1on run on batteries?
The G1on is powered from a 9V DC, center-negative supply drawing 500mA. No battery option is given for it, and a 500mA draw is high enough that a standard daisy-chain supply shared with other pedals may not be suitable. Use a dedicated 9V DC center-negative adapter rated for at least 500mA.
How long can the Zoom G1on looper record?
The G1on's looper can record up to 30 seconds of CD-quality audio, according to Guitar Interactive Magazine's 2014 coverage of the pedal's release.
Does the Zoom G1on have a tuner?
Yes. The G1on has an onboard chromatic tuner that supports all standard guitar tunings, including open and drop tunings.
Is the Zoom G1on analog or digital?
The G1on is a digital pedal. Its circuit type is listed as digital on RockBoard's PedalPedia reference.
Does the Zoom G1on have amp models?
Yes. The G1on offers 100 guitar effects, and among them are amp models, alongside distortion, compression, modulation, delay and reverb effects.
What power supply does the Zoom G1on need?
The G1on needs a 9V DC, center-negative power supply delivering 500mA. Because of that current draw, a supply rated for less than 500mA will not run it properly.
Sources (5)
- | ZOOM, Zoom
- Zoom Releases G1on & G1Xon Stompboxes, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2014-04-29
- G1on by ZOOM, RockBoard PedalPedia, 2026
- | ZOOM, Zoom Corporation
- | ZOOM, Zoom Corporation
