Zoom 2020 User Manual

Thank you for selecting the advanced guitar effects processor ZOOM Player 2020 (hereafter
called “2020”).

The 2020 is a sophisticated multi-effect device with the following features and functions:

• A total of 19 built-in individual effects, which can be combined in patches of
up to six effects of five types. 20 preset patches and a user memory for 20
additional patches offer extraordinary flexibility.

• Integrated foot pedals and informative control panel show settings at a glance
and allow easy operation like a compact effector.

• Compressor and distortion effects are generated using analog circuitry, to
assure rich and natural-sounding sustain and distortion effects.

• By using the optional foot controllers FP01 or FS01, pedal wah effects and
single effect on/off switching are possible, for further enhanced playability.

Please take the time to read this manual carefully, in order to get the most out of your 2020 and to
ensure optimum performance and reliability.

1

Safety Precautions ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••3
Usage Precautions•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••3

Terms Used in This Manual •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••4
Names and Functions of Controls and Connectors •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••5

Front Panel ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••5
Rear Panel •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••6

Connection Examples•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••7

Connection to one guitar amplifier (Example 1)••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••7
Connection to two guitar amplifiers (Example 2)•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••7
Connection to a tape recorder or mixer (Example 3) •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••7
Using headphones for monitoring (Example 4) ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••7

Playing a Patch (Use of the Play Mode) ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••8

Selecting a Patch ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••8
Adjusting the patch level •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••9
Bypassing the Effects •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••9

Editing a Patch (Use of the Edit Mode) ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••10

What Is a Patch? •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••10
Entering the Edit mode ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••10
Panel Display in Edit Mode •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••11
Editing a Patch •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••11
Turning Effect Modules On and Off •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••12
Compare ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••12
Storing a Patch •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••12

Effect Types and Parameters •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••13

Effect Module 1:Compressor + distortion (COMP+DIST) ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••13
Effect Module 2: Equalizer (EQ) •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••14
Effect Module 3: Modulation •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••15
Effect Module 4: Delay••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••16
Effect Module 5: Reverb ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••17
Patch Level •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••17

Other Functions••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••18

Restoring Individual Factory Preset Patches (Patch Recall) •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••18
Restoring All Factory Preset Patches (Initialize) ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••18

Application Examples for Use of Foot Pedal and Foot Switch •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••19

Using the FP01 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••19
Using the FS01 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••19

Specifications •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••20

2

Contents

Safety Precautions

Please observe the following safety tips and precautions to
ensure hazard-free use of the 2020.

• Power requirements

The 2020 is powered by the supplied AC adapter
AD0003/AD0004. Do not use any other kind of AC
adapter to prevent malfunction and safety hazards.

When wishing to use the 2020 in an area with a different
line voltage, please consult your local ZOOM distributor
about acquiring a proper AC adapter.

• Environment

Avoid using your 2020 in environments where it will be
exposed to:

• Temperature extremes

• High humidity or moisture

• Excessive dust or sand

• Excessive vibration or shock

• Handling

Since the 2020 is a precision electronic device, avoid
applying excessive force to the switches and buttons. Also
take care not to drop the unit, and do not subject it to
shock or excessive pressure.

• Alterations

Never open the case of the 2020 or attempt to modify the
product in any way since this can result in damage.

• Connecting cables and input and output jacks

You should always turn off the power to the 2020 and all
other equipment before connecting or disconnecting any
cables. Also make sure to disconnect all cables and the
AC adapter before moving the 2020.

Usage Precautions

• Electrical interference

The 2020 uses digital circuitry that may cause interference
and noise if placed too close to other electrical equipment,
such as TV sets and radio receivers. If such problems
occur, move the 2020 further away from the affected
equipment. Also, when fluorescent lights or devices with
built-in motors are close to the 2020, the unit may not
function properly.

• Cleaning

Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the 2020. If necessary,
slightly moisten the cloth. Do not use abrasive cleanser,
wax, or solvents (such as paint thinner or cleaning
alcohol), since these may dull the finish or damage the
surface.

Please keep this manual in a convenient place for future
reference.

3

• Effect Module

The 2020 offers five basic effect groups, as shown in the
illustration below. Such an effect group is referred to as an
“effect module”. Each effect module can be thought of as a
single compact effector. The 2020 therefore operates like
five compact effectors connected in series. The following
effect modules are available:

• COMP+ DIST (Analog compressor and distortion
effects)

• EQ (Equalizer and wah effects)

• MODULATION (modulation effects such as chorus
and flanger)

• DELAY (delay effects)

• REVERB (reverberation effects)

• Effect Type

Each effect module contains several effect variations which
are called “effect types”. Each effect module can use one
effect type at a time. For a list of effect types in each effect
module, see the table on page 13.

• Patches and Groups

The 2020 allows you to use a maximum of five effect
modules simultaneously. A combination of effect modules,
each with individual parameter settings plus the final output
level setting, is referred to as a “patch”.
The 2020 has two memory areas or “groups” where patches
are stored: the user group for patches created by the user,
and the preset group for factory defined patches where only
the output level can be changed.

• Bank

The 2020 calls up patches in sets of four, and the foot pedals
serve to switch between patches. Such a set of four patches
is referred to as a “bank”. To select a patch, first specify the
group and the bank, and then use the foot pedals to select
patch number 1 - 4.

• Parameter

The elements which determine the sound of an effect are
referred to as “parameters”. Parameter values can be
adjusted for each effect module, to create your own patches
with the 2020.

• Mode

The functions of the 2020 can be roughly divided into three
different categories. These are called “modes”, as described
below.

• Play Mode

In this mode, patches can be selected and played. This is
the default mode of the 2020 when power is turned on.

• Edit (Manual) Mode

In this mode, the parameters of each patch can be edited.
The mode can also be used as a manual mode to switch
effect modules on and off during a performance using a
foot pedal.

• Special Mode

Serves to return some or all patch data to the factory
preset condition.

GROUP BANK No. PATCH No.

0 1 – 4
1 1 – 4

USER

2 1 – 4
3 1 – 4
4 1 – 4
0 1 – 4
1 1 – 4

PRESET

2 1 – 4
3 1 – 4
4 1 – 4

PATCH LEVEL

COMP+ DIST

EQ MODULATION

DELAY

REVERB

INPUT

PATCH

OUTPUT

4

Terms Used in This Manual

This manual has been written so that it can be easily understood also by first-time users. However, the 2020 offers
several special functions which are not available with a conventional compact effector. This section explains some of
the terms used throughout the manual to describe such functions.

Front Panel

(1) Display

The display shows vital information for operating the 2020,
such as group and bank numbers of a patch, effect parameter
values and other messages.

(2) GROUP key

• In Play mode

Serves to select the memory group for the patch, as
follows.
USER Only patches from the user group are

available.

PRESET Only patches from the preset group are

available.

BOTH Patches from both groups are available.

• In Edit mode

Serves to compare the currently edited patch with the
patch before editing (compare function). For details,
please refer to page 12.

(3) STORE key

Serves to store an edited patch with its new parameter and
level settings in the user group.

(4) VALUE + / - keys

These keys serve to change the value of a parameter.
Tapping the VALUE + key increases the value by one step,
and tapping the VALUE - key decreases the value by one
step. Keeping a key depressed changes the value
continuously. To increase the speed of the change, press the
other key as well.

• In Play mode

The keys serve to adjust the output level of the patch.

• In Edit mode

The keys serve to select an effect type and adjust the
currently selected parameter.

(5) PARAMETER SELECT keys

Serve to select the parameter to be edited in Edit mode.

(6) EDIT (MANUAL) / CANCEL key

Pressing this key switches from Play mode to Edit mode.
The Edit mode can also be used as Manual mode to switch
effect modules on and off with a foot pedal.
The key also serves to return from the Edit mode to the Play
mode, and to cancel a store process.

5

Names and Functions of Controls and Connectors

1

BANK

PARAMETER SELECT

EDIT (MANUAL)

ADVANCED GUITAR EFFECTS PROCESSOR

PARM1

PARM2

PARM3

PARM4

PARM5

COMP+DIST

1

EQ

2

MODULATION

3

DELAY

4

REVERB

B

COMP+ DIST

EQ MODULATION DELAY REVERB

COMP

[0-3]

EDGE

[0,1]

GAIN

[1-8]

ZNR
[0-15]

HIGH

[–7-+7]

MID

LOW

[–7-+7]

MIDf

[1-16]

[–7-+7]

LEVEL

[1-8]

SENS
[0-10]

FREQ
[1-64]

PIT

[–12-+12]

FINE

[–10-+10]

BAL

[0-10]

DEPTH

[0-10]
RATE

[1-50]

PERK

[0-10]

STR

[0,1]

[0-99](mS)

DELAY TIME

MIX

FEEDBACK

[0-10]

[0-10]

[0-10](x100mS)

TIME

[1-10]
TONE

[–7-+7]

[0-90](x100mS)

TIME

FEEDBACK

[0-10]

MIX

[0-10]

EFFECT

CLN I

1

CLN II

2

OD I

3

OD II

4

DST I

5

DST II

6

EQ

1

WAH2PIT

1

PHA

2

FLG

3

STEP

5

TRM

4

CHO

6

MONO

1

PPD

2

REV

1

E/R

2

DELAY

3

3 – 6 2 – 56

VALUE

+

–

STORE

GROUP

GROUP • BANK

USER
PRESET

BOTH

( )

(EDIT VALUE)

PATCH LEVEL

[0-31]

ZOOM

2 3 4

CANCEL

(9)

(8)

(11)

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)
(6)

(7)

(10)

(7) Edit mode LED

This LED lights up when the 2020 is in the Edit (Manual)
mode.

(8) Module cursor LED

• In Play mode

Lit LED indicates which effect module in the current
patch is ON.

• In Edit mode

Lit LED indicates which effect module in the currently
edited patch is ON, and flashing LED indicates the
currently edited effect module.

(9) Parameter cursor LED

Flashing LED indicates the currently edited parameter in
Edit mode.

(10) BANK pedal

• In Play mode

Selects the next higher bank.

• In Edit (Manual) mode

Switches REVERB for the effect module on and off. The
pedal LED lights up when REVERB is on.

(11) Pedal 1 - 4

• In Play mode

The pedals serve to select a patch. The respective pedal
LED lights up.

• In Edit (Manual) mode

The pedals serve to switch the effect modules
COMP+DIST, EQ, MODULATION, DELAY on and off.
The respective pedal LED lights up.

6

Rear Panel

(1) INPUT jack

Serves for connection of a guitar.

(2) TUNER OUT jack

The guitar signal from the input is supplied without
alteration at this output, to allow tuning without the need for
cabling changes.

(3) CONTROL IN VOLUME jack

This connector allows use of the optional foot pedal FP01 to
control the volume level of the 2020. Since the level is
adjusted between the EQ module and the MODULATION
module, the volume can be changed without affecting
reverberation.

(4) CONTROL IN MANUAL/WAH jack

This jack serves for connection of the optional foot switch
FS01 or foot pedal FP01. The FS01 can be used to switch
between Play mode and Manual mode, and the FP01 can be
used to control the wah effect of the EQ effect module.

When connecting the FP01 to a CONTROL IN jack,
use the EXP. OUT connector of the FP01.

(5) OUTPUT L/MONO/R connectors

Serves for connection to a guitar amplifier. To use the 2020
in stereo, connect cables to both jacks. For a monaural
setup, connect the cable to the L/MONO jack.

(6) PHONES (REC OUT) jack

For connection of a pair of stereo headphones. Since the
output at this jack has been processed by an amp simulator,
it can also be used as recording output for connection to a
tape recorder or mixer.

(7) DC INPUT (AC adapter) jack

The supplied AC adapter is connected here. To guard
against inadvertently disconnecting the adapter cable, wind
the cable once around the hook. As long as the AC adapter
is connected here, the unit is turned on. There is no separate
power switch.

NOTE

INPUT TUNER

OUT

VOLUME

MANUAL(SW)
/WAH(PEDAL)

CONTROL IN

L/MONO

R

OUTPUT

PHONES

(REC OUT)

DC9V 150mA

SERIAL No.

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)