[For Students] How to Create Compact Pedal Sounds with the ZOOM G3n!! - Overdrive Edition

Hey, you students!!
Are you broke!?

“Yeeeaaah!!”

Let me start with this sad call and response. I’m S, a high school guitarist.
We guitarists, after playing the electric guitar for a while, eventually come to this realization:
“I want to build a pedalboard.”

But!!

We students face a high and sturdy wall blocking us from obtaining pedals. Yes, that wall is money.

If you’re allowed to have a part-time job, that’s one thing, but many schools have strict rules that prohibit working. So, the only way for us to earn money is through allowances or New Year’s gifts.
But pedals cost anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 yen each, sometimes even more. Even if we put our entire 5,000 yen monthly allowance toward pedals, building a pedalboard is just a distant dream.
However, pedal manufacturers haven’t abandoned us. Enter the multi-effects unit.
This wonderful device packs dozens of effects into one box, allowing you to freely combine them.

There’s no reason not to buy one, right?

Multi-effects units are like hope and the future for us students.
And I thought,

“wouldn’t it be perfect if I could recreate the sound of actual pedals with this godlike device?”

I took out my very first pedal purchase, the ZOOM G3n multi-effects unit, and started crafting sounds.

In this first part of compact pedal sound creation using the G3n, I’m focusing on overdrive. While it’s easy to recreate the classic OD or SD Series, I decided to go a different route and recreate the sounds of three iconic pedals: the rising star from a popular anime, the BD-2, the king of boost pedals, the TS808, and the clone pedal, Centavo.

Let’s start with the BD-2 sound.

I used two effects to create the sound. For distortion, I chose RedCrunch and set the tone and presence around 70. I also boosted the midrange using the Gt GEQ7 EQ.
This gave me the signature crunch and stylish vibe of the BD-2.
You can customize the amount of distortion by adjusting the gain.
Since the BD-2 is such a standard pedal, why not try recreating this one first?

After nailing the BD-2 sound, I moved on to the TS808. And what do you know...

There’s a TS808 model built into the G3n!
“Not a TS9 but a TS808 model? Nice!”
I thought as my eyes lit up. The final EQ settings are as follows:

I emphasized the low end to create that distinct filter effect and drastically cut the midrange.
This setting worked best for me, but you can tweak it to your liking.
Whether you use it as a booster for the BD-2 or mix it with other sounds, it’s a versatile pedal.

Lastly, I recreated the Centavo, a pedal I added because I remember my senior using it in our band.

The G3n has an effect called GoldDrive, described as “a model of a gold overdrive pedal that represents boutique pedals.”
Boutique pedals are handcrafted effects made in small workshops, and Centavo is one of those pedals.
(Wait, is this sound already modeled for me...?)
I dialed in EQ settings that emphasize the Centavo’s rich low end and sparkling highs.
Let’s recreate that iconic gold pedal sound with a multi-effects unit!

Since I’m still a beginner without much knowledge or experience, my settings might seem a bit off to pros or more knowledgeable people, but please bear with me!

In the end, here’s what I want to say:

While it’s great to invest in pedals to chase your dream tone, for us broke students, it’s better to get a multi-effects unit and fine-tune your sound, which will benefit you in the long run!

That’s all.

I wish you all an awesome guitar life!

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