Anyone actually use a Zoom B2/B2.1u Live? need advice

[thejohnkim]

hey guys. I got a Zoom B2.1u in last week and have been checking it out for the past few days, making some basic patches, trying to recreate the sounds of my actual live pedalboard (filled with singles) on the unit,and so far the results are "good enough" just what i expected. i wanted something small and portable to carry back and forth to rehearsals, while my big board stayed where it is used most.

however.

i cant use the B2.1u like my single effects in rehearsal. switching to bypass, and coming back from bypass ends up in my switching to an adjacent patch to the one i really want at least 50% of the time. which ends up making me sound different for at least a moment, especially since i go from different sounds very quickly even within a few seconds. heck, even switching from one patch to another involves 'scrolling' but i can deal with that for rehearsal, as i expected it from reading the manual. but the bypass issue has me wondering if this is the right unit for me.

i didn't have this issue with the Boss ME-50B's, GT-6, ME-8B's i used to use (before i got into singles), and Zoom says it has the fastest switching, and i believe them. its too fast for me. is there any way around this? i already made a clean patch that i scroll to, which gives me the patches immediately 'up' and 'down' from it easy access, but thats about it.

if anything it helps that the expression pedal can be used to engage one effect per patch. but it sure has me wondering if the easier use of the manual mode of boss multi units might be better for my needs.

tips? tricks?

[kyral210]

Search around. There was a thread here the other week showing Black Lable Society's bassist using one live in a stadium as his only effects unit!

[Alun]

Can you add an extra footswitch for bypass?

I use a B2.1u for about 95% of my effects live and have found the best thing to do is turn your foot 90 degrees so that you hit both switches together. Takes some practice but I usually get it first time now.

Another option is to put the B2 in a loop and switch it in and out as required.

Cheers
Alun

[Swift713]

I don't have that problem with mine. From bypass mode either switch will get me right back where I was. It could be that you have one or more bad switch. One of mine went bad, it would either do nothing or jump up two patches or sometimes work properly. I sent it in for repair just before the 1 year warranty ran out and got it back a week later, no hassle. I don't know about the B2.1u but I would imagine it's the same, you can get an external switch and set it for bypass so you don't have to step on both switches simultaneously. Good luck, and keep tweaking that thing, I've had mine for 13+ months and I'm still figuring out new sounds.

[phillm47]

Originally Posted by Alun

Can you add an extra footswitch for bypass?

Yes, add the FS01, (or any momentary for that matter) and you're set. In the "Ct" module one can assign various functions to this switch, such as "bypass", "bank up", "delay hold" other things. I really like using it as a bank up and delay hold.

Another trick is if you just want to toggle a module as a single stomp pedal, assign the expression pedal to this module, and save it to the patch with the module turned off. Then pressing down on the expression pedal toggles the module like a stop box.

Too bad we can't have all the functions of these pedals simultaneously. Com'on Zoom, release a B7.1U !!!

[thejohnkim]

thanks guys. yeah i've been using teh espression pedal to switch on individual effects and that definitely helps.

i am not willing to buy an external footswitch since that brings up the cost to the boss me-20b and me-50b range, and i bought the zoom as a cheap value just for rehearsal, so i just want to get the most out of it the way it is. i have more than enough money invested into my real effects board.

but i'll just work with what i got. its annoying but not a deal breaker. its still a great value with some nicer sounds i've heard out of a multi effects unit including the me-50b. just not as usable.

[bassbrad]

I program neutral patches in between effects patches or set them up in the sequence I use for a song, by passing in the heat of the moment is too much for me to handle.
I only switch into bypass for tuning or mute.