Zoom MS-50G Multistomp : (Part 1) General overview as direct device

There's a lot to love about the MS-50G. You could start with the vast selection of great effects on offer - about 55 of them; then there's the size, tweakability, it's stereo... The list goes on. Not least is the fact that the MS-50G can be used as 1. A regular stompbox; 2. an amp substitute (direct to board application) complete with effects and noise gates; 3. a general multieffect.

Zoom have been in the business a LONG time. Long enough to perfect their sounds, approach, software and hardware departments. This longevity and commitment to perfection has recently manifested itself in products like the MS-50G, A3 Acoustic DI and G5 Multieffect. So if you're not fussed about pricey 'boutique' gear but you do want a complete and very well made all-round solution that offers much more value for money, I recommend you investigate.

This demo deals primarily with the MS-50G used as a direct device. For the purposes of an unadulterated clean sound I've run the MS-50G directly to Pro Tools via an Mbox 3 Pro. No plugins were added in Pro Tools except a Limiter (Waves L3-16) at the Output, just to keep levels in check.

Many thanks to Bruce and Greg at Dynamic Music, Australia, for their assistance and correspondence help on behalf of Zoom, Japan.

Recording gear:

Guitar : Ernie Ball Music Man 2009 Axis (stock)
Amp: Zoom MS-50G (direct to Mbox 3 Pro)
Cables : Providence
Mic : Samson Airline77 (my voiceover headset)
Camera : Canon 60D (me) and Sony HDR CX150 (MS-50G)
Soundcard : AVID Mbox Pro 3
Computer : Apple iMac 27" i7 3.4 GHz 16 GB RAM
Software : Pro Tools 10 LE, Waves L3-16 Limiter (to keep levels in check at output), Apple Final Cut Pro X (video editing and Youtube compression).

[fuzzfizz]

Because of your review, I bought the 50g, and later the 100bt when it came out, and managed to convince 3 friends to buy the 50g, and 3 more bought the 70cdr, and all of em are performing level musicians....

[erictoniaschwab]

The Zoom MS50 is my main delay/reverb effect. With the 3.0 update, it gives some fantastic ambient sounds with shimmer reverb. I use 3 presets; one for just standard rock delay/reverb, a setting with shimmer for ambient sounds and a setting specifically for swells. I’m not a big audiophile so I don’t see the need to get 1000 dollars worth of Strymon Big Sky and Timeline.

[jayegeler]

I've been using my MS50g for quite a while.  I do a lot of giging where I need to get in and out quickly.  My current rig is my ZT Lunchbox, Parker Deluxe and the MS50g.  No more draggin around tons of gear.  I can get in and out in one trip and kill, no matter the size of the gig.  My other stuff sits around. 

[beatnicksodyssey]

I know this is older, but this video helped me a lot. I have one of these coming because I want something small for bedroom playing and recording. I didn't understand what line select did when I read the manual and your little caption told me what it did and that sounds very useful. Also you mentioned how it can be set to cycle between 2 or 3 patches with the footswitch, something I was hoping I could do, but wasn't sure. Thanks a lot, big help and I can't wait to get this pedal.

[BrettKingman]

Yes. Just place the LinSel in the first effect position and use the footswitch to turn it on and off. Everything after the LinSel will be bypassed when it's off. It's basically a router that doubles as a bypass module.

[BrettKingman]

The effects are great in mono. I'll upload a video of the MS-50G, mono, into a clean amp shortly. It's a handy little device.

[BrettKingman]

That's a good question, the answer to which I will have demonstrate at length at at a later date. Briefly, though; yes, the amp models do react well to playing dynamics. There is a very short example of this in my Part 2 MS-50G, towards the end when I'm demoing the Diezel amp model; I wind the guitar's volume down and you can clearly hear it clean up quite well, surprising for 1. such a high gain amp, and 2. for a relatively inexpensive modeller. Good stuff. :)

[GlennMichaelThompson]

Very good demo of the direct sounds. One feature I really like is that you can put the effects in any order. So many multi-effect units have one order for the effects chain without being able to change it. Changing the order is one way of finding some very different tones... for example it sounds different to distort a chorus than it does to chorus a distortion. Seems like a very versatile little unit!

[anthonybymallia]

when u r plugged only to the amp and u switch on the zoom it makes a huge difference i never play without this little box

[BrettKingman]

Mercifully, there is a ZNR (noise reduction) module that you can switch on/off - you'll need it for the high gain stuff but I didn't use it here because I tried to show of the MS-50G's true colours. Yes, the Zoom stuff does sound good. Stand by for Part 3 where I show its merits as a regular stomp box. Cheers, B.

[BrettKingman]

No probs. I hope you enjoy it should you decide to get one. My best to all in your beautiful country. :)

[paulclacher]

Awesome Brett. I bought the Zoom MS100BT model of this one. It kicks arse. It has two inputs (Stereo). One I can use for Harp and the other for guitar. And these little monsters can also run on battery. Hope the Picks are going well. That's a great video.

[jbp]

A workaround would be: Once you saved your patches, in memory page (where all patches are shown) select the patch you want to memorize then press the knob assigned to A/B and the patch will be assigned to an Alphabet Character. If it is the first time you assign a patch it will be assigned the letter' A'. next assignment will be B and so on.

You can then use the foot switch to cycle through these patches(only those assigned) instead of turning the center knob every time you change patches.

I own both ths MS50g and MS70CDR. The reasons: 1. MS70CDR has more modulation effects 2. It avoids "memory full" issues since i have two chips. MS50g for Amp Sims, Distortions/Overdrives, Compressor, Wah. MS70CDR for chorus, reverb, delay. each of them has ZNR to keep the patches quiet. i use the ms50gs NR only.

So far i am very happy with the combination both direct to audio interface and in front of my amp.

For Live situations? It's the same. Just make sure you place them properly assigned in ascending order. sometimes you need to duplicate a patch to be able to assign it in a different letter to fit your live sets.

The manual is too tiny to be readable but the learning curve is very basic. I love the Tube Screamer Emulation boosting the Alien Amp Sim. A few things i dislike but overall.. Zoom MS series: "Bang for the Buck"

[MarcBenham]

Hi Brett i can't believe the tone of a Marshall plexi you can get from this box !
Even better than the one on the line 6 pod HD to my hears and much cheaper after listening to this demo i have to get one lol must be the best stomp box on the planet!;-)
for recording thanks and take care man !

[BRANDON]

I like this pedal a lot. It doesn't sound really awesome with my Fender Squire Strat HSS Affinity series, but it does a great job at trying to fix my playing! :)

[BrettKingman]

I hear you. You've got to admit that these are a lot of fun, though... Chip technology gives you the whole cheese platter on shiny, metal saucer. You can even change the composition of the saucer... !

[anthonybymallia]

the incredible thing that this little box has so many things u can do i  and the sound that comes out from it is more than enough amazing the zoom is expanding and they r doing an awesome fuckin job and good prizes and another thing they r made in metal

[anthonybymallia]

im n love with this pedal i have the g5 too the difference is that the g5 has more stomp boxes and the z pedal and in one tone u can add 9 pedal effects but the sound that comes out from the multistomp is the same

[maryannmay]

Hi Brett thank you for your reply.
Great videos by the way, keep up the good work.

[JK.Fraser]

One thing I don't understand is why Zoom included the ambient noise of each effect and amp in the models. One of the best parts of digital effects is that they are clean. At least offer an option in settings to get rid of the noise. I know there's a suppressor, but when each effect adds it's own signature hiss or buzz, it's kind of silly.