Zoom MS-50G Multi Stomp

Those mad scientists at the Zoom laboratories have done it yet again. For those in the know, these Japanese audio gurus have been leading the pack with their pint-sized handheld audio (and video) recorders for quite some time, also making a memorable stamp on the guitarists' collective consciousness with their 505 and G series effects.

Now, powerful processing gets even smaller in the form of the Zoom MS-50G Multi Stomp pedal, a multi-effects processor housed in a single stomp box. Small effects processors have been around for a while, but I haven't come across any that contain 55 effects consisting of 8 amp models, 12 dynamics/ filter effects, 10 distortions, 2 clean effects (including an acoustic sim), 13 mod/ sfx and 10 delay/ reverbs.

Two AA batteries power the unit's bright led display, three rotary knobs control parameters and access different pages, a single stomp switch activates effects, engages the tuner or works as a tap tempo and four cursor buttons change effects and allow you to make up a chain. Navigation is 'child's play' and anything unknown is easily resolved in the manual.

I began by testing this unit the same way as a stomp box, between my guitar and amp, setting a clean tone and running through the 30 presets. Straight off the bat the first preset, 'RAT Drive' gave me a great rock tone. Here, five effects were chained together, a noise gate, distortion pedal, parametric equalizer, graphic EQ and a delay. You can select up to 6 effects at once and chain them together in different configurations, but beware there is a DSP limit in play. What's even better is that any alterations made to the effects when scrolling back and forth are remembered by the unit without having to save.

Distortions sounded thick and meaty, and thanks to the Zoom ZFX IV processor, tones don't sound too harsh or 'digital'.  Standout distortions were the 'Squeak' (RAT) and 'T Scream' (Ibanez Tubescreamer) which both sounded similar to the real deal, but certain pedals like the 'MetalWLRD' (Metal Zone) really failed to hit the mark, having only one tone knob as opposed to four to shape your sound. Instead, for a metal distortion I chose the 'Squeak', threw in a noise gate and scooped some mids with a couple of EQs in order to get a really impressive tone.

Amp modeling was okay too, (nothing close to Fractal Audio or Line 6) and it'd be possible to go to a gig and plug the pedal straight into the desk for a useable tone. However, I'd suggest this pedal is designed to plug straight into a guitar amp. The Marshall Plexi, Fender Deluxe and Vox emulations sounded good and the Diezel model came close in 4th place.

The real standout effects for me (besides the distortions) were the funky auto-wah and voice box, incredibly simple and effective noise gate, superb reverbs and delays, and a great Univibe effect. Tracking on the harmony and pitch shifting devices is spot on also and will please players who like these types of effects. 

In summing up, the Zoom Multi Stomp MS-50G is a brilliant device and would make a handy addition to any guitarist's pedal board. Who knows, next time your amp blows a fuse at a gig or rehearsal you might even find yourself plugging one straight into the PA.