1 Topic by lUKEy (edited by lUKEy 2010-03-01 14:32:54)

  • From: Essex, UK
  • Registered: 2009-06-07
  • Posts: 25

Topic: My first pedal... and subsequent education!

Hi All,

I recently won an auction for a Zoom 606 (& a 1/4>1/4 cable), wooo!. Nearly....

I was hoping it would just be a case of Electro-Acoustic Uke to Pedal to Headphones (via 1/4 to 35mm jack) but having chatted to the guy in the Allegro in town he says I'm going to need either an Amp w speaker (http://bluwiki.com/images/thumb/f/fe/IconAcousticAmp.png/50px-IconAcousticAmp.png) or a pre-amp http://www.soundonsound.com/newspix/image/thumbs/12434.png and then headphones http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Headphone_icon.svg/43px-Headphone_icon.svg.png.

Alternatively, he said I can monk £150+ on a pair of "Sennies" (http://images.hi5.com/images/gifts/general/headphones01_50.png) which have a pre-amp built into them.

Not being funny but the pedal to me is just a "toy" so I've already done £30 on that and the cable and I dont want to then have to fork out much more on this.

The other day I found an old 35mm > 1/4 jack converter and using that I plugged in my MP3 players earphones and heard nothing through them when I played so I thought that maybe the little watch/CMOS battery that is in the Uke's pickup (?) may be flat.


So, my question to you is;

What do I need in order to hear the wonderful sounds my Uke & new(ish) pedal makes?

I've not got it yet but am expecting my winnings within the next few days.

Many thanks & have a wonderful week

Zoom 606
http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/606/606dg_body.jpg

big_smile [b]Its in the name![/b]
  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 192

Re: My first pedal... and subsequent education!

You could use a 1/4 to RCA adapter to plug into an input on your home stereo.

  • From: Essex, UK
  • Registered: 2009-06-07
  • Posts: 25

Re: My first pedal... and subsequent education!

My stereo is an output only kind, still running after 15 years! GO AMSTRAD!

I tried using a 1/4 RCA (http://www.cablestockroom.com/v/vspfiles/photos/30S1-14200-0.jpg) pulgged into my uke but didnt hear anything through my earphones.

Any thoughts on the whole amp/pre-amp thing?

big_smile [b]Its in the name![/b]
  • Registered: 2010-01-04
  • Posts: 41

Re: My first pedal... and subsequent education!

I think you were right the first time.
The preamp in the Zoom will probably drive headphones without any help.
Line level and headphone level are close cousins.
In fact, the Zoom website says:
"Output (Used as both Line and Headphone) : 1/4"Stereo Phone Jack x1 "
You can also run it into the soundcard line in on your computer.

Joe
Roadie & Reviewer
GoodGearGuy.com

Joe D. Roadie's Website

  • From: Essex, UK
  • Registered: 2009-06-07
  • Posts: 25

Re: My first pedal... and subsequent education!

Cool, cheers for that info Joe. I'm expecting it all to be delivered in the next few days so will let you know how I got on.

big_smile [b]Its in the name![/b]
  • From: Essex, UK
  • Registered: 2009-06-07
  • Posts: 25

Re: My first pedal... and subsequent education!

Plugged it all in last night and it makes noise so I'm happy with that. Cheers for your replies.

Next to get the manual downloaded and hopefully get the sounds i'm hoping to get out of it, e.g. Wah, metal distortion etc.

big_smile [b]Its in the name![/b]
  • From: Essex, UK
  • Registered: 2009-06-07
  • Posts: 25

Re: My first pedal... and subsequent education!

Hi All,
Just to finish the thread, this does work and its a lot of fun. I upgraded the earphones to a set of Cans as they have a 3m cable so I'm not hunched over so the 1.5m cable isnt being pulled out compared to the original mp3 player in-ear type ones. The pedal makes some cool echos, distorts, reverbs etc and some weird warpy sounds effects. Lots of fun.

Cheers for all your inputs

big_smile [b]Its in the name![/b]
  • Registered: 2010-04-21
  • Posts: 2

Re: My first pedal... and subsequent education!

hi all'
My zoom GFX-707 is starting to play up by cutting out now and again(it is 12 year old mind you) and I'm long out of touch with the latest gadgetry so whats recommended for and old rock'n roll/rockabilly player?

  • From: Essex, UK
  • Registered: 2009-06-07
  • Posts: 25

Re: My first pedal... and subsequent education!

Hi Big Dixie,
I just eBayed "guitar effects pedal" and got a whole load of results and the 606 I got was just cheap and available, didnt really dig into it too much to see what frequency the reverb was or anything complex like that.
According to the Zoom's Manuf~ website the latest and greatest are the Zoom G2 varients. A quick flick in eBay they're going for about £80+ / $120 / ¥11,478.86 .

I dont know if there'll be older models which may be more tailored to "old rock'n roll/rockabilly player" but they do offer pedals branded as "Acoustic". Now I dont know what this actually means but usually youi can find reviews in a google or on youtube where someone's got one and plays about with it for 8 mins and (hopefully) narrating what they're doing.

Hope this helps, somehow.

Zoom G2.1u - Has USB capabilites, an expression pedal, 2 stomp buttons (to select up/down like 606's pedals) and its shiny, ooooooh!
http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/products/g21u/g2.1u_e_j.jpg

big_smile [b]Its in the name![/b]
  • Registered: 2010-04-21
  • Posts: 2

Re: My first pedal... and subsequent education!

Thaks LUKEy I'll have a look at them.I'm probably a bit like you when it comes to electronics,I only bought my pedal out of curiosity really as I preter the original raw sound of the electric guitar with the stuff I  do but the tuner comes in handy!