Equipping your guitar with a decent effect pedal can greatly widen the range in which you can expand your fullest creativity and skill. There are various models that can be your choices on the market. However, you perhaps have narrowed the list to only Digitech RP500 and Zoom G3X. Both are very popular on the market and have been trusted by many guitarists. So, which is the pedal that you should choose? Find the answer by reading the comparisons below.
Design
Digitech RP500 and Zoom G3X have quite distinctive designs. Digitech RP500 comes with a rather bulkier body. It is certainly wider due to embodying various onboard controls. It has dedicated switches for specific effects like compressor, distortion, chorus, delay, and reverb. This design allows for quick and intuitive operation. You can easily change the sounds in the middle of the song. It is equipped with a wide alphanumeric LED display. On the other hand, Zoom G3X appears to be sleeker and more compact. It is significantly slimmer than Digitech RP500, making it easier to be brought along to gigs. Despite the smaller form factor, it also provides intuitive and comprehensive control. Interestingly, it comes with three separate LCD screens with each own footswitch and control knob. As the effect, with Zoom G3X, you can effortlessly edit effects and bring them in and out as needed. (Take a look : Boss ME 25 Vs Zoom G3X)
Features
Quite interestingly, these two effect pedals come with similar features. Both come with a chromatic tuner, amp/cabinet models, and a built-in looper. However, Digitech RP500’s looper can only record for up to 20 seconds while Zoom G3X has a 40-second looper. On the other hand, though, Digitech RP500 comes with a richer collection, featuring over 125 built-in effects, while Zoom G3X has 116 total effects. Both also come with 100 factory preset patches, and allow the user to create and save up to 100 custom patches.
Although they both have 2-in/2-out USB audio interface, we would like to note that Digitech RP500 records in 24-bit, whilst Zoom G3X already offers 32-bit signal processing. Thus, Zoom G3X’s digital quality is better. They come with a standard mono ¼” input, independent XLR left and right outs, also independent ¼” left and right outs. Digitech RP500 also adds stereo 1/8” CD/MP3 input and stereo 1/8” headphone output. Both come with the Cubase LE software.
Digitech RP500 Vs Zoom G3X
| Digitech RP500 | Zoom G3X | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | DigiTech | Zoom |
| Key features | - 20-Second Looper-Full time, play, loop, change tones then overdub - Effect switching system offers control over internal stompboxes and effects - Exclusive Pedalboard mode changes the RP500 into 5 individual stompboxes and effects - Amp/Cabinet Bypass defeats internal amp and cabinet effects in all presets - 40 Tone and 40 Effects Libraries 200 presets (100 factory, 100 user Over 125 effects including stompboxes, choruses, delays, amps and cabinets Up to 5 seconds of delay time | - Three large LCDs with intuitive amp and stomp box interface, Built-in expression pedal - 22 amp or 94 stomp box models can be used in any combination, Looper function with 40 seconds of phrase recording and overdubbing Over 100 built-in ZFX-IV DSP effects, Integrated drum machine and auto-chromatic tuner, USB audio interface for DAW recording - Create and store up to 100 original tones, Balanced XLR output and selectable modes for DI use |
| Price | ||
| Customer Ratings* | 3.9 out of 5 stars | 4.3 out of 5 stars |
| Best Deal* | Save Money Please click here | Save Money Please click here |
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Decision
In general, Zoom G3X makes the best way to go. It has a better design, offering a more compact size and better control. It also has a better looper and higher bit processing.