Zoom introduces Steve Vai Endorsed G2NU and G2.1 NU Effects Pedals
(MattG | Posted 2010-03-19)
Zoom has introduced their new Steve Vai endorsed G2.1 NU and G2 NU multi-effects pedals. The pedals are focused on overdrive and distortion sounds but also have a number of other effects. The G2.1NU has an expression pedal where the G2NU does not. The controls seem to be very simple. There are two foot switches: Stop/Clear and Record/Play. Four knobs across the top include: Effect type, Gain, Tone, and Level. The effects are supposed to be very controllable but I’m sure that will take some learning because many of the knobs and buttons have more than one function.
It has some pretty neat features and looks to be built well. It can get power from batteries, AC or USB which is nice for recording. It also has different output types such as a direct if you are recording direct. It also has a six band graphic EQ to further fine tune the patches. The LCD screen is a little small for my taste. It looks like you will have to get down pretty close to see what you are tweaking. One thing that will be a selling point for a lot of players is that Steve Vai created 20 patches to his liking that are preset on both models, so if you like Vai tone and have a good amp you may get some sounds you like. The pedal has 100 preset sounds and has the ability to save 100 more for those players that like to change their sound a lot. The pedal has a tuner and over 80 other effects including tremolo, delay, chorus, flangers, and pitch shifters. There is a footswitch input for an expression pedal or a tap tempo for the G2.1 NU. There is a loop function but it can only loop up to five seconds so it probably won’t be a function that gets used. The G2.1 NU and the G2 NU are $199 and $149 respectively.
