10 reasons why Zoom G1Xon is the best effects pedal

10 reasons why you should buy Zoom G1xOn

1. Price - One of the most affordable multi-effects pedal in the market. To be blunt, it's really a cheap pedal (cheaper than buying a single branded stompbox). If you are a beginner and you are relying from your parents to buy your first effects pedal, I recommend that you ask for this one. It is very affordable that you can ask them to buy it for you and then you just pay them back on an instalment basis.

2. Battery option - Zoom G1xOn uses 4 AA batteries and can stay up to 20 hours of continuous play. Most individual stompbox pedals use 9V battery which is expensive. Another thing that's very useful when you got the battery option is when you have outdoor gigs and there's no power output for your effects pedal, you are safe with this one. Also when you're busking or small events outdoor in the garden or outside a shop, no need to look for power outlet.

3. Size - Small and lightweight, meaning it's good when you travel. It can fit in your gigbag or backpack. You can easily bring this anywhere. It's only the size of a netbook. You can buy a netbook bag and surely it will fit. Or, like what I did, I used an empty biscuit tin as a DIY hardcase for this pedal.

4. Headphone out - If you are a beginner and you don't have an amp or you only got practise amp and your mum or neighbour is complaining of the noise, well this is the answer. You can jam anytime. Just plug your guitar and connect your headset and you're good to go (you might need a 3.5 mm to 6.5 mm adapter). No need to buy or use a guitar amp.

5. Aux in - Another lovely feature of this pedal. All you need to do is to buy a 3.5 mm aux cable (earphone lead) to connect your phone/ipad or mp3 player to the effects pedal and start jamming along to a backing track or full track of the songs you like. You can even use your computer to jam along or learn songs by connecting it to your effects pedal.

6. Looper - The built-in looper allows you to record up to 30 seconds and your can overdub/overlay as many loop as you can. Also you got the option to use the built-in drum machine in combination with the looper. You can be a one-man band. There are lots of demos/tutorials online on how to use the looper.

7. Expression pedal - Normally, you will buy this separately. Good thing, it's already built-in on this pedal. If you are a beginner, you can save a lot of money because not only it's already there but you'll get the chance to explore and experiment on how to use this pedal. There's lots of option for this pedal, you can use it as Volume control, WahWah, Whammy pedal or even to adjust certain settings like modulation, gain, delay or tremolo. Very versatile pedal option.

8. Built-in tuner - Most of the multi-effects pedal and even new amps got built-in tuner nowadays. But, it's still handy if you got it on the floor. Especially during live performances. It's good to have a tuner ready anytime. And the tuner got option between bypass and mute mode. Meaning you can tune your guitar discretely on stage.

9. Amp simulation - Again, as mentioned above, the headphones out. The amp simulation is very good because if you dont have an amp yet and you're planning to buy one in the future, then this is the answer. You can choose between 22 amp models. You get the idea of what amp to buy in the future. Also when you are just jamming using the headphones out, you got a lovely jam because you can select an amp that you like most or amp that you need on a particular song.

10. Pedal chain - This is another neat option especially if you are a beginner. You can experiment on the arrangement of your pedals. You will learn a lot and also understand that changing pedal positions can have an impact on your tone and how your guitar would sound through an amp.

 Zoom G1xON https://amzn.to/2FztXmf

   Zoom G1On  https://amzn.to/2IUEEBU

DIY gigbag or case for Zoom G1xOn effects pedal

Improvised hard case for Zoom G1xOn

Things Needed:

1. Empty biscuit tin - it should be big enough to accommodate Zoom G1xOn and deep enough so that the pedal as well as the wahwah can fit in.

2. Metal cutter or a strong scissors - something that can cut the lid of the biscuit tin. We need to cut one side of the lid so that it can be opened.

3. Old bag - to use as strap/handle.

4. Old wrist support or anything that's got velcro - to hold the lid and serves as lock.

5. Super glue - very important because this is mostly what we are going to use to attach something.

6. Old toy boxes - both carton and plastic. This will serve as cushion to our pedalboard/hardcase.

7. Stickers - to serve as decorations. Making your pedal case unique.

Challenge 0.5 Litre Mini Dehumidifier Review

A quicklook at Challenge 0.5L Mini Dehumidifier

We bought this dehumidifier because this is what's available at the time and it's winter time, so heating system is on, we badly needed it and lastly, price point that we can afford.

Out of the box, this is straigth-forward, no need for manual just connect stuff or put reservoir on, making sure everything's connected and intact like the adaptor and plug it to the socket then turn it on. That's it. Good to go.

Mind you, this unit is small.... really small. But not to worry because the reservoir got 500 ml maximum capacity. We use it overnight and in a week's use it's about 1/4 or a bit more of the 500 ml water tank. The water tank is transparent, so you can always check how much water is inside.  Plus, it has got a full tank indicator and an auto cut off. Meaning, when the tank reached its maximum capacity it will cut off to avoid overflow and spillage.

You need to manually extract the water from the reservoir once it is full or if you are keen on emptying it every so often. It's really up to you. The dust filter is removable and can be access easily.  There's a little bit of noise in the night but not loud to disturb your sleep. I think this suitable for small rooms judging from its size. It says on the box, suitable for room size 15 square metre.

So far, we are happy with this tiny dehumidifier.  We will update you in the future, if there's something wrong or we noticed something bad about this product. For now, it works well for us.

ALDI Light Chain and Christmas Projector Review

Indoor/Outdoor Christmas Light Chain and Projector

Two weeks ago we saw a Christmas projector in the shop and we were interested to buy on but it's a bit expensive ranging from £50 up. Then, we looked online, Argos and Ebay, for outdoor garden decorations and lighting, still way above our budget. So we bought a different one from Argos. It was an outdoor Christmas Cane that lights up and a window snowflakes that is battery operated.

After a week, we brought home a brochure from ALDI and saw Christmas outdoor light chain battery operated and a Christmas projector. But, when we went to buy from the shop, we only found the light chain and didn't see the Christmas projector. So, we bought one light chain and installed it in our garden as well as the snowflakes and cane. We loved the effect so we decided to buy another light chain and that's when we saw the projector. We bought the snowflakes projector but before we install it, we had to go back to ALDI to do some groceries and found a snowman and other colourful xmas character projector, so we decided to buy that one as well and decide which one to use.

It is very easy to assemble, you won’t be needing the manual. But it is always good to browse it and keep it handy because you might want to read something. These lights have a timer function. Both are 6 hours on and 18 hours off.

The light chain is battery operated and batteries included when you buy it. The cables look durable. It has a button that will let you choose between continuous on or timer. Press once for timer function to activate and the lights will be on for 6 hours and off for 18 hours. Press twice for continuous mode. Press three times for off.

On the other hand, the Christmas Light Projector is indoor and seasonal/temporary outdoor. It is mains operated. Once plugged in, it will automatically set to light for 6 hours and switch off automatically for 18 hours.  Here's the sample of the lights that we bought.