[Harp-L] Zoom G2 effects pedal (Frank Sloat)

["geoff atkins" <geoffatkins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Quote: Frank Sloat
> i went to the lamesa harp fest and sawa guy steve bulger play..all of a
> sudden the sounds from his harp sounded weirdly cool... then i think he
> mentioned  the effects pedal..so i go and find one called a zoom g2
> with a drum machine.. what would that be like?
> Frank

[GA] 
I use the Zoom G2, with separate control pedal from an earlier Zoom 505ii,
and for the price the G2 cost, I'm completely satisfied.
It's robust, even more than its predecessor, and offers user-programmable 
patch settings. There are also 20 twinned sound effects which are intended
for live, and recording use respectively. In the latter the amp modeling is
accentuated in line.
As the unit like is a whole string of nine stomp boxes, you need to read the
manual a couple of times before the four control knobs become intelligible.
Three knobs control the sound qualities of the effect which is chosen by the
fourth knob. 
You could say the latter acts like each of the stomp boxes in turn.

The drum machine is a basic unit with 40 different sounds, with selectable
tempo and is ideal for practice,(though we don't use it for gigs as the Lead
guitarist has a Roland specialized unit). 
-There's also a chromatic tuner which makes it easy to check a suspect harp.

As the settings are intended for guitar, you will wish to change some of
them , then set new patches instead. There's an eprom which retains all
patches until you modify them in another session, or reset them to factory
values. 
One lack is not being able to fit externally-created harp patches, like say
Richard's. But it's fun to experiment to find what suits your playing style,
and get that "special" effect. I made a calliope and a brass band, (-which
the band cordially forbad me to play.  ;)
You can expect the amp to react strongly to the patches so it needs to have
"neutral" settings to reflect modeling. It's good to have a critical and
patient listener across the room to help with the set-up, or a Zoom H2 or H4
recorder.

Try to experiment at your local store before buying, and get the salesman to
show you the functions and use.

Best of luck Frank !
Geoff Atkins (no affiliation with Zoom products)