Is it viable to connect 2 Zoom G1xfour in series in order get more items in the chain?

[menghc01]

Hello,
Is it viable to connect 2 Zoom G1xfour in series in order get more effects in the chain?

Zoom G1xfour allows 5 simultaneous effects, while higher end models allow many more.... so doing the math 2 units g1xfour combined is cheaper that one Zoom G6 or G11...

Is it possible?

Thanks

 

[RodeoTex]

I've read that Billy Gibbons used 6 Rockman's chained together.
Try it and let us know.
(of course one can't really believe anything Billy might say).

 

[mexicanyella]

No reason that shouldn’t work, it is a instrument-level device intended to go in a chain with other such devices.

I can see where it might be useful to spread multiple simultaneous FX across two devices at multiple points in the signal path (compressor upstream, noise gate downstream, or different kinds of EQ earlier or later in the chain).

Go for it!

 

[telel6s]

In theory it should work just fine. Having owned a G1X Four (mine had noise issues and I ended up returning it but not replacing it because I'm really not a multi-effects box kind of person -- not a knock against the G1X) I can think of a couple of things you might have to navigate.

(1) while the output of the G1X is capable of stereo, the input is mono. So if you wanted stereo effects they would have to be set in the 2nd unit only.

(2) I found that the interaction between effects could vary widely. As an example, a Tube Screamer in front of a Deluxe Reverb amp model would be drastically different than in front of an AC30 or Marshall model. Yes, that happens with individual stomps and amps but I found the G1X to be much more extreme and you can't easily adjust these things on the fly when playing a live show. Of course, by using different patches you can smooth all of that out. But I mention this because the same may or may not be true going across two units. It may be necessary to have patches matched up on each unit so even though you really are only making a change on Unit 1, you'll also have to change the patch on Unit 2 to get the volume/eq/tone/feel you are going for. BTW, I found this true with several different effects including comp, reverb and mod -- I just used the OD>Amp as an example.

(3) The G1X has always-on Patch Level and master EQ/Volume that comes after the effects. So if you have two units in series your signal chain would look like: Unit 1 FX > Unit 1 Patch Level > Unit 1 EQ > Unit 1 Volume > Unit 2 FX > Unit2 Patch Level > Unit 2 EQ > Unit 2 Volume. Just something to consider because your final output from Unit 1 will determine the FX, patch level and master settings you use on Unit 2. Also, the patches you set up to use with two units might not work well if only using one unit. Plenty of memory to create different patches for using one unit or two units. Just something to consider.

None of which is to say don't do it. I can see why you might want a set up like this. That said, how often would you be using more than 5 FX at a time? Could it make more sense to get a single G1X in conjunction with a couple standard stomp boxes? Maybe have your FX chain go Wah pedal > Fuzz > G1X or G1X > Amp Sim > Cab Sim.

 

[oyobass]

WARNING- similar but not the same idea. Also- me gushing over another brand of pedal:

I used to do this with Zoom MultiStomps in series- an MS-50G mono in, stereo out to a MS-70CDR stereo in, stereo out, with a stereo volume pedal in between. Worked well, sounded good.

Now I use the MS-70CDR in the mono switchable effects loop of my NUX MG-30 modeler multi effects. The amp models are a decade more advanced and more realistic than the MS-50G and it allows for IR loading, but the sound of the Zoom effects are really good and give me some old favorites to work with with the new modeler. If the NUX had a stereo effects loop, it would be perfect, but for $299 it does the job for me real well.

The G1xfour is a nice sounding pedal. I was planning on getting one before NUX announced the MG-30. I figured almost 3 times the price was justified when I heard demos on YouTube. I think it sounds even better in person.

Edit: I think it would work best if the first G1xfour was used for compression, drive and amp sims out to the second unit, so that the mono out wouldn't be a problem. If you do all of your stereo effects on the second one, there's no penalty from in losing depth or width of time-based effects.

 

[Peegoo]

There are no rules...only opinions. It does pay to experiment with various combinations of effects. The order (what feeds what) can make a huge difference.

if it sounds good to you, it is good. Don't let anyone tell you differently.

Stevie Vaughan sometimes ran two wahs in series.

 

[Obsessed]

If Billy Gibbons can do it with Expandoras, then heck yeah, go for it.

 

[Teleconvert53]

In theory it should work just fine. Having owned a G1X Four (mine had noise issues and I ended up returning it but not replacing it because I'm really not a multi-effects box kind of person -- not a knock against the G1X) I can think of a couple of things you might have to navigate.

(1) while the output of the G1X is capable of stereo, the input is mono. So if you wanted stereo effects they would have to be set in the 2nd unit only.

(2) I found that the interaction between effects could vary widely. As an example, a Tube Screamer in front of a Deluxe Reverb amp model would be drastically different than in front of an AC30 or Marshall model. Yes, that happens with individual stomps and amps but I found the G1X to be much more extreme and you can't easily adjust these things on the fly when playing a live show. Of course, by using different patches you can smooth all of that out. But I mention this because the same may or may not be true going across two units. It may be necessary to have patches matched up on each unit so even though you really are only making a change on Unit 1, you'll also have to change the patch on Unit 2 to get the volume/eq/tone/feel you are going for. BTW, I found this true with several different effects including comp, reverb and mod -- I just used the OD>Amp as an example.

(3) The G1X has always-on Patch Level and master EQ/Volume that comes after the effects. So if you have two units in series your signal chain would look like: Unit 1 FX > Unit 1 Patch Level > Unit 1 EQ > Unit 1 Volume > Unit 2 FX > Unit2 Patch Level > Unit 2 EQ > Unit 2 Volume. Just something to consider because your final output from Unit 1 will determine the FX, patch level and master settings you use on Unit 2. Also, the patches you set up to use with two units might not work well if only using one unit. Plenty of memory to create different patches for using one unit or two units. Just something to consider.

None of which is to say don't do it. I can see why you might want a set up like this. That said, how often would you be using more than 5 FX at a time? Could it make more sense to get a single G1X in conjunction with a couple standard stomp boxes? Maybe have your FX chain go Wah pedal > Fuzz > G1X or G1X > Amp Sim > Cab Sim.

Hi all, newbie in the forum, bought my 1st ever tele today! A Player Plus Nashville, very excited... Anyway, my question is: Does anyone know if it is possible, through Zoom Guitar Labs, to load effects for the G1 Four onto an A1 Four? I have an A1 Four and was set to buy a G1 Four but thought maybe I could make the A1 Four work for both my acoustic and electric guitars, or should I have both units? Seems like a possible hack and would save me a bit of dough - also seems a bit silly to have 2 pretty well identical units bar the effects inside them! Would appreciate some advice. Cheers!