Hack on Zoom G1Xon effects pedal power supply solve USB

Hacks and DIY Tricks

There are loads and loads of reviews on YouTube about this multi-effects pedal, so I decided to do differently. Im here to share my hacks and DIY tricks on this effects pedal called Zoom G1Xon.

When you buy this product, it does not come with power supply only 4 AA batteries. Although this pedal can run with a standard 9V power supply because I got a spare 9V adaptor my old effects pedal and it did work with it. So the first hack or trick is that you can power this pedal using an old digital camera USB cable with a micro USB jack on one end, which will then be connected to the pedal and the standard USB to your computer. It's easy when you're jamming or learning songs.  Because you are already connected to your laptop or computer.

After I've done that, I thought of using an old phone charger. So I connected this old digital cam USB cable to my old HTC charger and connect the micro USB end bit to my pedal and it worked nicely.

Now, with the batteries, it's good when you're doing live gigs especially outdoor ones where extension leads and power source are issues. That's when I bought rechargeable batteries from IKEA and USB chargers. At first, I used old phone chargers for these. But, eventually, I found in ALDI a multi USB charger, which is called Maxtek 5 Port Usb Charging Hub with quick charge capability. It solved the problem. I can charge my phone and at the same time charge my AA batteries. That way, I can save from buying batteries in Poundland.

Last, but not the least, is the Wah Pedal. It doesn't say in the manual on how to manually turn it on or off by stepping on the Wah Pedal itself. But I sort of discovered it because of the button underneath the pedal. The problem was that it does not contact or unable to push that button. So the solution that I did was cut my old plectrum/pick which was the thin one and superglue it underneath the Wah Pedal itself in the direction where that button/switch was located. It did the trick.  Hope this review/tips help you. Cheers!

Review of Bose SoundTrue on ear headphones mint and purple

Mint and Purple

This is the most comfortable headphones I've tried. The pads are super soft and comfortable to your ears. The headphones as a whole is super lightweight. Also the colour combination is unique and beautiful design. If this headphones was coloured white and red, I would have called it Van Halen headphones.

To me, the sound quality is superb, although I've read on some reviews that the sound quality is not that great for the price. Well, I think Bose, is always a bit pricey. Im really glad I got this. It's actually a xmas gift from my wife.

The only downside with this headphones is that it's intended for Apple products like iPod, iPhone, iPad and/or Mac. So the remote does not work properly on Android or other smartphones. But, obviously as a headphone, it still works but not the remote.

Another thing, I've tried it on my effects pedal so that when Im jamming just by myself or with backing tracks, I wont be disturbing the missus or the neighbours. But, because the jack that comes with this headphones are three layers, there's a bit of polarity issues. It's not working as I would like it to be. I ended up using my son's headphones which is for kids but works well and more practical for me rather than buying another set of headphones.

Overall, this headphones to me, is a very nice product. The way it is built, the colour, the comfort it gives, portable because you can easily fold it and it comes with a bag/case, and for obvious reason the sound quality. Hope this review helps. Cheers!

Review of Behringer GDI21 V-Tone Guitar Driver

A DI Box and a distortion pedal plus amp simulator rolled into one gadget.

This gadget basically is an effects pedal but has got loads of functions. First one is a DI Box. When you are in a rehearsal or gig and you forgot your amp or your guitar amp is not working for some reason like you forgot the lead, fuse or valve problems or it blew up the speaker. Then, this gadget is your saviour because you can plug this directly to your PA and on off/bypass setting, it serves as a DI box. Use an XLR lead for better quality on your PA. But obviously your guitar lead will also work because this GDI21 got two outputs; one XLR and one 1/4-inch.

Second function of this gadget is an amp simulator. You can choose between Fender, Marshall or Mesa Boogie and match it between Clean, Hi Gain or Hot channel. Added to it is a mic simulation, you can choose between Off axis, Centre or Classic. It means where the mic is positioned during mic'd in. It also got a Ground lift on and off to cancel humming or compatibility issues with amp, other effects pedal or the PA itself for that matter.

Third function is as a stompbox or a distortion pedal. Technically it works like an amp simulator but because you can dial the Drive/Gain knob on a desired level plus the tone/EQ which are bass and treble and the level/volume that you would want.... this is a perfect fuzz/distortion pedal. Tone and Drive are really nice.  If you pair this with a reverb pedal or a delay pedal, plus wah pedal, then it makes a perfect gigging gear.

Here are the sample settings of this pedal:

How to do a DIY improvised jamhub silent rehearsal

Silent Rehearsal

Things needed:
1. Mixer (Behringer Xenyx 1002FX)
2. Headphones
3. Headphone mixer amp (Behringer HA400 Microamp 4 Channel Stereo Headphone Amplifier)
4. Leads
5. Jacks/connectors

Behringer HA400

This did not happen overnight. Bought all these separately and one after the other until I figured out what I needed to improvise a silent rehearsal home studio. The first one I bought and it was ages ago was the Behringer Xenyx 1002fx mixer. I've used it a lot during live gigs, disco, karaoke, rehearsals, etc. Then, bought earphone extension leads from Poundland. Because I needed it during recording and/or rehearsals. The headsets or earphones, it's always my obsession so time and again during birthdays or xmas, I often buy one for myself or for my son or my wife would buy me one.

The only mixing piece of gadget on my planned silent rehearsal studio was something that will make all headset individualised or independent in terms of volume. And that's when I found, online, this Behringer micro amp HA400. A four-channel mixer for headphones with individual volume control which you connect to an earphone/headphones out of your mixer. And that solves all my problem in terms of doing a silent rehearsal home studio like JAMHUB.

Here are some of the video reviews I did about the Behringer Xenyx 1002 FX mixer and Behringer micro amp mixer HA400.