bypassing Zoom B2.1u

jjl5590 · #1 06-08-2008, 12:32 PM

hello,
i just bought a zoom B2.1u effects unit, but after playing with it for a bit, well it just sounds so... electronic. i much prefer the sound of my bass without the colouring of the effects pedal. so my question is:
is it possible to have my bass plugged into my effect pedal, plugged into the amp, but the effects pedal actually playing no part? so just bypassing it so to speak? i want to do this because then i dont have to choose one of the preset tones, and i can just add an effect here and there when i want to instead of having it continuously on.

sorry if that sounds a bit confusing but i'd appreciate any help in the matter.

many thanks

Jazz Ad · #2 06-08-2008, 12:41 PM

Press both footswitches at once to get into bypass mode.
Reading manuals isn't a capital sin.
If the built-in bypass isn't enough for you, you can use an external looper switch to bypass the whole unit.

jjl5590 · #3 06-08-2008, 01:15 PM

i've read the manual many times but i must have missed it. you say if the built-in bypass isnt enough, but wouldnt it be enough if it does what it says?
also, if i hold it down for longer it goes onto mute, and both times it goes onto the tuner. does it just go onto the tuner for convenience when its on bypass mode?

sorry and thanks for your help

manicbassman · #4 06-08-2008, 01:59 PM

get an addon footswitch for it... so much easier than trying to press both footswitches at the same time... and less danger of getting the mute function accidentaly.

It's the arrangement I use, but I personally don't have my Zoom bypassed all the time, I use an extra footswitch to get the zoom muted quickly in between numbers so I can silently tune and also don't have to keep my fingers muting the strings all the time.

(I play in church so there are long pauses between numbers...)

optikhog · #5 06-08-2008, 02:10 PM

I use a loop pedal to get around my Zoom - it allows me to preselect the next effect setting I need while playing clean.

landwomble · #6 06-08-2008, 02:48 PM

the built in bypass sounds fine to me: both pedals at once, or hookup a footswitch and set that: or the obvious other solution if hitting both pedals at once is tricky (used to be easier on the older pedals which had big fat plastic switches, but the new ones definitely sound better!) - is to set up a patch with zero effects.

i've not noticed the bypass mode sucking my tone at all so far.

ric

jjl5590 · #7 06-08-2008, 03:05 PM

yeah the bipass function on the pedal itself seems fine to me now that i can do it! although yes it is a tad tricky to press. if i were to get a pedal, what one would i get and how would i configure it to do that specific task?
dont know if this has anything to do with it, but i'm getting a GK 700RB-II which has something called an effects-loop or something like that. should i plug the pedal in there?
cheers once again

landwomble · #8 06-08-2008, 03:15 PM

you can get the zoom fs01 pedal (basically a clicky footswitch that plugs in the back) or you can get *any* momentary-make footpedal with a 1/4 inch jack to do the job. I've looked into this and last week made my own so I could attach it to my pedal board, but any click-to-make switch'll work. You need to turn the top left knob to CONTROL and then the 3rd knob to mute (check the instruction manual) to tell the B2 that the pedals' a mute pedal rather than, say, a tempo pedal.

i use a pedal to do tempo and delay hold - I use about 4-5 patches per set and have them arranged in A1 onwards. Patch A0 is set to no effect, so "bypass" is always a couple of clicks away at most.

jjl5590 · #9 06-08-2008, 03:25 PM

hold on, you say A0 is no effect? so this is essentially bypassing it right?

landwomble · #10 06-08-2008, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjl5590

hold on, you say A0 is no effect? so this is essentially bypassing it right?

yes, if you programme a patch to have zero effects, then essentially it's a bypass. works nicely for me, anyway.

ric

LzeroKI · #11 06-08-2008, 04:46 PM

can someone give me a link to the sort of external pedal needed to do a quick bypass (such as the zoom fs01) ?

landwomble · #12 06-08-2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LzeroKI

can someone give me a link to the sort of external pedal needed to do a quick bypass (such as the zoom fs01) ?

you want a momentary-make, unlatched switch (i.e. it only closes the contacts when you're standing on it).

you want a 1/4 inch jack on the end. any music shop should be able to sort you out. i was sick of the prices of these things and made my own with a naked footswitch, a short length of cable, and a jack plug and mounted it to the outer of my effects pedal board.

most musical switch pedals are either momentary make or latching (i.e. press it and it switches on, press again and it unlatches) - you want the former: have tried it and it works.

ric

LzeroKI · #13 06-08-2008, 11:30 PM

assuming I have an understanding of how to solder basic circuits, and have access to a power drill, how hard would it be for me to just buy the switch, jack and cable, and then buy a cheap project box from radioshack and build a pedal like this for myself?

landwomble · #14 06-09-2008, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LzeroKI

assuming I have an understanding of how to solder basic circuits, and have access to a power drill, how hard would it be for me to just buy the switch, jack and cable, and then buy a cheap project box from radioshack and build a pedal like this for myself?

1x momentary footswitch: i got a SPDT one from maplin for 5UKP
1x 1/4 mono jack
a couple of feet of cable
solder them up and stick them in a little project box and you're done.

manicbassman · #15 06-09-2008, 04:47 AM

you could have saved yourself some hassle and money if the DU99H unit was in stock or ordered it and waited a few days.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=10004

Jazz Ad · #16 06-09-2008, 04:48 AM

If you're going for an external bypass, a looper switch would really be a better idea.

landwomble · #17 06-09-2008, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manicbassman

you could have saved yourself some hassle and money if the DU99H unit was in stock or ordered it and waited a few days.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=10004

nah, i saw that and it's too big. I'm a bit short of space and didn't want a massive flappy thing. Instead I've got a custom made one that's bolted to the outside of my pedal case as a kickswitch - see pic, it's on the front face just on the left hand side of the zoom. takes up zero space in my pedal case and it's easy to work.
only problem is it makes the flightcase look a little like an al-quida special as the button's next to your thumb as you carry it!

LzeroKI · #18 06-09-2008, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landwomble

1x momentary footswitch: i got a SPDT one from maplin for 5UKP
1x 1/4 mono jack
a couple of feet of cable
solder them up and stick them in a little project box and you're done.

Im really interested in doing this, Ive already found a switch and and enclosure to use, what sort of cable should I get?

landwomble · #19 06-09-2008, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LzeroKI

Im really interested in doing this, Ive already found a switch and and enclosure to use, what sort of cable should I get?

It really won't matter - you just need two core cable. Speaker wire will do, as will a chunk of guitar lead - the switch isn't going to carry any real power. I used a foot of figure-of-8 speaker wire as I had some to hand.

Now, the expression pedal: not figured that one out yet!

origami · #20 06-09-2008, 08:40 PM

+1 if you want it completely out of your loop use a loop pedal. watch for volume differences between the patch and bypass and/or loop and not loop.

I have the B2.

this is what I do.

i make patch A0 completely no effects or compression and the patch vol at "1.0" although i think the manual said that a volume of "80" was approx. unpadded volume. this is so i have a bone dry signal is needed.

the way i use my B2 is have all my even patches "empty" (although all my patches have the same overall volume, amp simulation, noise reduction, and hint of limitor, chorus and EQ regardless if it is a "dry" or "effected") this way there is no change of tone and volume between patches of effects and dry. since i use a seperate tuner and my digitech bass dist. for distortion, i put a different effected patch at every odd patch. i always know every no matter how many jager shots i have drank, that even #s means a dry patch.

like so: A0- completely dry- A1 synth- A2 clean- A3 octave- A4 clean- A5 flange- A6 clean- A7- trem... and so on, etc...

this way if i accidently or drunkenly hit the wrong patch i am always one stomp away from a "dry" patch.

i never could get an expression pedal to work 100% with my B2. the roland one almost worked.