Zoom G5 guitar effects and amp simulator

With the G5, Zoom engineers have somehow extracted extra goodies from the same ZFX-W chip used in the G3 version. The G3's trio of LCD display/footswitches is increased to four, while simultaneous use of up to six effects jumps to nine--with four visible at a time for instant tweaking. The new 3D Z-pedal can control three separate parameters with up and down and left and right motion. Looping is extended to 60 seconds, and there are 22 amp models and 123 effect models. Also added is a 12AX7 Tube Booster with dedicated Tone control. Like the G3, the G5 contains an integrated drum machine, a tuner, and a USB audio interface for DAW recording (a version of Steinberg Cubase LE is included).

Zoom multi-effects have long found favor with metal guitarists who groove on their high-gain pedal and amp simulations. The G5 has those in abundance, but there are plenty of quality, vintage-oriented Fender, Vox, and Marshall emulations as well--the 59 MS, based on a 1959 model Marshall is exceptional. The amp models don't attempt to ape the exact controls of the originals, but capture their feel and flavor admirably. Pedal models also nail the signature tonalities of classic effects like Fuzz Face, Marshall Guv'nor, Pro Co Rat, and E-H Big Muff. 

As an occasional experimental guitarist, I was over the moon about some of the more outside effects, such as the wiggle and warping of Space Worm and W-Shift, and the digital chop of Granular. For me, the G5 is worth buying solely for the BendChorus, which automatically slides notes and chords into the target note from above or below. The Tube Booster is touted to kick a solo or signature lick up a notch, but I found leaving it on all the time added warmth to all the models, and its Tone control became a global EQ tweaking tool. One quibble: The only parameter an external expression pedal can control is the master level output, thus cutting off reverb and delay tails. 

With all of these digital goodies going on, I expected some sonic compromise--I was wrong. As far as I can tell, the only thing sacrificed on the altar of these additions--other than $100 more of your cash--is the ability to run it all on batteries. Pitch shifting displayed minimal aliasing, the HD Reverb at full wet resisted graininess, and the sound quality overall was uniformly high. If the G5 ran out of processing power, it let me know by rejecting the latest effect installed. I just had to place that effect on another patch. 

With its massive range of great-sounding vintage, metal, and "beyond" tones, ease of use (I barely cracked the manual), solid build, and compact size, the Zoom G5 rates a high priority to investigate if you are in the market for a multi-effects pedal.