Amp simulation and multi-effects in a polished design with guaranteed versatility. Everyone knows the good work Zoom has done in the guitar processing market: multi-effects. For many years now it has been a respected brand among users. This company keeps up with technological developments and is moving down the same road as its competitors: amp simulation. The first impression before switching it on is of a spotless, carefully crafted and thoroughly attractive unit. A compact format that makes the most of every centimeter of its design to offer features to the guitarist. I imagine it's complicated to design the controls for so many functions in such a way that the end user (the guitarist) can learn to operate them simply, quickly, visually and intuitively. Given the complexity of the possibilities the processor (as opposed to a single pedal) includes, I think the conception and development of the Zoom GFX-5 is quite successful.

To get to know 100% of this machine's possibilities, we'll need to set aside a quiet, dedicated stretch of time (though nothing excessive) until we've fully mastered it. In this test we'll take the opportunity to lay out what it offers and describe the results the product gave us in response to our demands (via guitar).

Designed for live use
Its floorboard format makes it a good tool for live use (including the rehearsal room). The processor can be operated with your feet without any problem (we'll have to bend down every now and then), and the LEDs are well laid out, since from "up top" we can clearly see which effect modules are active and access most of the visual information we'll need on stage, even in the more than likely low light.

To quickly outline its controls: the processor is operated through its footswitches 1, 2, 3 (multi-function) and the two (bank) footswitches for moving from one preset to another, as well as switching from "auto" to "manual," triggering the sampler and a good number of the preprogrammed functions.

Amp sections and rotary controls
On the top of the ZOOM GFX-5, on the right, are the EQ knobs with which we adjust bass, mid, treble and presence.
Right next to the presence control is a tool that gives the Zoom a certain exclusivity: ENERGIZE. This distinctive knob gives the sound a special punch, attack, volume and power; it's useful when recreating amp simulation, looking for that edgy, powerful vibe.

Moving to the left, we have the distortion block. A convenient way to select the type of saturation/distortion we want to use. On one side is the knob that controls the gain, and on the other, a "drive" type selector. The drive module includes 30 types of distortion and acoustic simulation effects. Among them we can go through blues sounds from a tube amp, saturated tube sounds, dry sounds, heavily distorted sounds, high-gain tube preamp sounds, crunch, warm combo sounds, British sounds, and a whole lot more...

So the drive module is handled with the selector, choosing the desired sound type, to which we can add further possibilities with the three buttons beside it:

Variation: this button modifies our drive selection according to three categories (classic, standard and modern). This means that for each position of the selector, we in turn have three ways of voicing each option.

Turbo: this button increases the sound pressure of the previously selected sound.

Edge: emphasizes the highs of the selected program.

The truth is that the Zoom GFX-5 is especially rich in possibilities when it comes to shaping gain and amp types. The experience and sound it gave me in the tests was generally satisfying. The test gets especially interesting when we explore the unit direct to line (bypassing the guitar amp), in order to see how true to life and how good its simulation is. The range of amplification and saturation is tasty. We asked the processor for soft sounds with little saturation but with an edge, looking for the tube, the thickness and verve of a real amp, with results quite close to what we were after. The same happened with the rest of its range of modes.

Personally I think the hardest thing to achieve isn't quality or authenticity at maximum distortion (though that too). Rather, in my view, the most complex thing is for the processor to capture the density and attack of tube amplification even on sounds with little saturation. In short, with this model Zoom has achieved good results thanks to the ENERGIZE, TURBO and EDGE controls, which, properly adjusted and seasoned with EQ and gain, manage to deliver warm, real-amp sounds.

The tuner
A simple feature, but one that comes in very handy. A digital tuner that automatically detects the string played (in tuner mode, of course), indicating whether we need to go up or down, or whether the note is finally perfectly in tune.

The drum machine
Lately many processors have been enhanced with rhythm units. The Zoom GFX 5 has a rhythm section in which we control the tempo or the type of pattern (60 different ones). It's something basic that, in my opinion, makes particular sense mainly for guitarists who need to work on their "affinity" for tempo. In other words, getting used to playing at specific, steady tempos can help make your band tighter and more cohesive (with prior practice with this rhythm unit). It may also give you an idea or two, but I insist that it's a simple rhythm unit.

The effects
Although these days amp simulation almost carries more weight than the modulation or reverb effects themselves (surely because those have been well done for longer), we can't forget the processor's own tools: the effects.

Each effects module can be switched on or off, adding to or subtracting from the final sound in series. All the blocks can be active at once (or none).

Summary of the effects modules

Boost (low/high input signal adjustment)---- -> Compression---- -> Drive (FDR, MS, BG, CLEAN, HI GAIN, ZOOM, OVERDRIVE, DIST, FUZZ, METAL, ACOUSTIC) ---- -> Equalizer ---- -> Noise gate ---- -> Cabinet, cabinet type (BOX, Z BOX, BR CMB, CMB, CMB + EV, STK, STK + EV) ---- -> Modulation (chorus, V chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo, A-Apn, A- wah, P- wah, sep, Pitch, P-pit, ring M, slow A, filter, delay, echo, t-trip, rinvib, vive) ---- -> Reverb (hall, room, spring, mn delay, pp delay, dyhal, dyrom, hlddly).

To anyone's eyes, this collection of effects is more than enough for almost anything a guitarist might want to do. So, since it's plain to see, I'll wrap up the effects section by saying that the sounds are good and the resources practically "infinite."

The sampler
This section also deserves a mention. Not all processors give us a sampling option. It lets you sample the guitar for a period of time. In other words, you press rec, play, and it's recorded. Then, whenever you need it, you press the pedal and the recording is triggered, so you can play over it. And it's not just guitar recording; it can record anything you connect to the "aux in" input. ISP's opinion: the sampler is interesting for doing things a lone guitarist can't do, and an extra you won't find on other multi-effects units (some do have it, obviously). Six seconds, which is its storage capacity, strikes me as a bit short.

Expression pedal
The expression pedal is a feature that provides various functions you can control with your foot. For example, we can use it to control volume changes, modify some effects in real time, change distortion intensity, change pitch, the sampler playback volume, etc...

As for the expression pedal included on the unit, I'd say it's a deciding factor when buying a processor, because of the number of actions we can program into it and, ultimately, the convenience it gives us for handling certain changes we'll need to make quickly live (or in the rehearsal room).

Automatic mode / manual mode
You can work in either mode. Automatic mode puts the preset unit at your disposal, so that, using the bank footswitches and the three selection footswitches, you can scroll through the different factory presets or the ones you've tweaked and stored beforehand.

The second option, manual, turns the Zoom GFX 5 into a kind of pedalboard (like the old conventional ones, with a few little advantages). That is, footswitch one turns the drive module on/off (according to the selection you've chosen), footswitch two acts on the modulation effects and, finally, the third controls the reverb module.

If you're clear about the sound that defines you and that you want, manual mode is very interesting, since we program exactly the sounds we want each footswitch to trigger (DRIVE/MOD/REV), and between the three, the expression pedal and the top-panel EQ, drive and gain controls, we can play perfectly well in a tightly controlled way, just the way we like.

In automatic mode, all you need to know is which presets suit what you need and trigger them with your feet. It's simple.

Editing and the digital display
A large, highly visible display (in red) that shows each adjustment we make. Every time a knob is turned, the display shows the changes you're making.

Through this display we control all aspects of storage, selection, parameter changes, editing, etc., aided by a rotary "wheel" (Value control) and several buttons (and LEDs) located in this section.

Conclusions
It's clear: companies' efforts and trends are heading toward simulation. It's the most complicated part and the one that should ultimately make us choose one unit over another, since modulation and reverb have offered quality on almost any device for a long time now (with exceptions and caveats). The other factor, in my view, is ease of use and handling in situations where the multi-effects unit can't steal our concentration (live, at rehearsal, or any time we want to play and not have to worry about a machine as a tether, but rather use it as a resource).

As for the ZOOM GFX 5, I think it's a sort of "complete toolbox." It has absolutely everything: tuner, expression pedal, sampler, drum machine, plenty of good modulation and reverb effects, rich amp and saturation possibilities, etc... What's more, it's quite comfortable to operate and makes handling it live easy.

Retail price €375, VAT included. An "all-inclusive" package at a competitive market price. If you need to experiment and want versatility and lots of resources across different sounds: a guitar, the Zoom GFX 5, and off you go; you don't need anything else.