Hands-On Review of the ZOOM MS-200D+

What kind of distortion pedals do you use? For guitarists, distortion is a category where many put a lot of thought, as it plays a central role in shaping one’s sound.
This “MS-200D+” really felt like it could become a new option in that category. After trying it out myself, I’ve put together my thoughts and impressions in this article—hope you find it helpful.

First, an introduction to the "MS-200D+"

ZOOM / MS-200D+ MULTISTOMP

This compact unit is a multi-effect pedal that contains over 200 types of distortion effects. It's truly a multi-effects pedal that’s specialized in distortion. It includes distortions categorized into four types: overdrive, distortion, booster, and fuzz. In addition, it features preamp effects and tools such as a noise gate and equalizer.

You can save up to 250 patches, with each combining any two effects. These effects can be connected not only in series, but also in parallel, or set to alternate between two types of distortion. You can toggle between presets and effects within a preset using the black switches located around the main footswitch.
The operation doesn’t seem too complex, so I think that even those using a multi-effects pedal for the first time should be able to get used to it pretty quickly.

Built-in Tuner Function!

One of my personal favorite features is the tuner function—it’s really well done! You can activate the tuner by holding down the footswitch.
First off, it’s highly visible and easy to tune with.
Below the display, it shows “BYPASS”, but this can also be switched to MUTE. If you simply want to mute the sound while tuning, set it to MUTE. On the other hand, if you're using a preset with effects connected in series and want to turn off both effects at once and switch to a clean bypassed tone using the footswitch, then setting it to BYPASS does exactly that.
I found this to be a really convenient feature!

Impressive Range of Effects!

As mentioned at the beginning, this unit packs over 200 different effects and they’re all focused on distortion. That’s pretty amazing.

When you press the LIBRARY button, the display shows a menu like the one in the image on the right, where you can change the effects within a patch. The display color changes depending on the distortion category, which is a fun touch (laughs). For example, the screen shown on the right is for the fuzz category, and it’s pink.
You can switch categories and effects using the black switches arranged around the footswitch. Because you can quickly toggle through effects while playing, it really feels like you’re trying out a whole bunch of pedals as time just flies by!
Each effect also has its own unique visual design registered, so it’s not just about the sound, but it’s also about enjoying the look. I thought this was a really well-thought-out feature.

As for the sound of the built-in effects, I found them more than playable, and the quality is definitely good enough for practical use with my preferred effect settings. I imagine there are players who might be hesitant about creating distortion with a digital multi-effect pedal, but I believe this unit transcends the “digital” vs. “analog” debate and stands as a solid choice purely within the distortion category.

I especially liked the clone-type distortions, and among them, the “TS+BOOST DRIVE” was my favorite! It has that classic, gritty feel and is highly practical. Plus, it includes a booster function, which makes it feel like a great value in one unit. If you then add a fuzz or distortion after it, you’re essentially running three pedals in one (laughs).

Basically, since the number of built-in effects is huge, you’re sure to find some favorite effects while checking them out!

Who would I recommend this to?

First of all, I think it’s great for beginners. If you don’t have any distortion pedals yet and just want to try out a variety of guitar sounds, this is probably the best choice. The sound variety is practically infinite with this unit, so it’s also a fantastic way to learn what distortion effects are all about. You can experiment with many different settings on this pedal first. Then as a next step, when you get a standalone distortion pedal, you’ll be able to use it more skillfully having that experience.

For those who already have their go-to distortion pedals decided, honestly, this unit might be less appealing for practical, everyday use. However, for distortion enthusiasts who like to collect and try out various pedals, I think this pedal is definitely worth getting. It packs in more distortion effects than you’d expect at this price point, so just playing around with each one can be a valuable experience in itself. And, if you find an effect that really suits your taste, you might be inspired to try it out in your recording sessions or live performances!

Finally

So far, I’ve shared my impressions after trying out the “MS-200D+.” How do you feel about it? For me personally, it feels like a treasure chest of distortion! It’s a unit that’s really fun and exciting to play around with (laughs). Why not give it a look at it for yourself?