Digitech, zoom, and korg comparison review

Crystalman85 · #1 04-03-2011, 08:57 PM

This is a special requested review. this is a comparison review on a digitech bp355, a zoom b2.1u, and a korg "toneworks" ax3000b.

Digitech bp355

This is a great sounding multi-effects processor. this multi-effects processor has smooth sound quality. the amp and cab models are fairly accurate, but pretty smooth sounding compared to the zoom b2.1u and the korg ax3000b. the distortion channels are pretty cool sounding. I like the fact that the distortion channels are smooth and heavy and that's how I like my distortion effects. there are plenty of multi-effects that can give me smooth and heavy distortion effects and the digitech bp355 happens to be on of them. other than that, modulation effects has plenty of lush, the reverbs and delays sounded pretty cool, the fretless and wah effects sounded real nice, the synth effect is interesting(even though the digitech bp355 is limited on synth effects), and the whammy effects sounded pretty cool. I'm not quite sure if it's comparable to the digitech bass whammy, but I think it's pretty decent sounding. honestly, I dig this multi-effects processor. it's keeper for me.

Zoom b2.1u

Another great sounding multi-effects processor. it may not have large variety of effects, amp and cab models like the digitech bp355 and the korg ax3000b, but it does have many effects, amp and cab models to choose from when it comes to programming sounds. the amp and cab models sounds a little more authentic compared to the digitech bp355 and korg ax3000b. I personally dig the hartke and the fender bassman models. the distortion channels sounded pretty cool. I dig the mxr m-80 and the boss odb-3 models. the modulation effects sounded real nice. it does have plenty of lush just like the digitech bp355, but not as lushful as the korg ax3000b. also it has decent reverb and delay effects. this synth effects sounded awesome. unlike the digitech bp355, the zoom b2.1u has 3 synth effects to choose from. you can choose square wave, saw tooth, or the pulse modulation synth(excellent for playing 80s tunes). wah effects is pretty decent, but not as good as the digitech bp355. the fretless effect is pretty decent too. all in all, it's portable and versatile. rather if you're an amateur or an advanced bass player, the zoom b2.1u a great multi-effects processor to own.

Korg "toneworks" ax3000b

This multi-effects processor is totally awesome. even though this processor is now discontinued, the sound quality on this mulit-effects processor is phenomenal. like the digitech bp355, it has a large variety of effects, amp and cab models. what makes this multi-effects processor sound phenomenal is the effects. the distortion channels sounded pretty cool. the modulation effects sounded very smooth and colorful. the bi-chorus on the korg ax3000b is definitely the most lushful sounding chorus effect I ever heard out a multi-effects processor. the reverb effects sounds more deeper than the zoom b2.1u. the delay effects are pretty decent, but some delay effects are a little different compared to the digitech bp355. and in additions of having distortion channels, modulation efffects, reverbs and delays, this multi-effects processor has pre-effects like a compressor, a limiter, and exciter, and a synth effect. the one beauty part of the synth effect is that you can combine the synth effect with a distortion channel to add more character to the synth sound. the amp and cab models are pretty decent. they are as comparable to the amp and cab models on the line 6 processors, but the korg ax3000b has nicer sound quality. other than that, you can create a lot of useful sounds on this multi-effects processor. if you come across this multi-effects processor on ebay or craig's list and you're curious about it, purchase one. it's totally worth checking out.

this concludes my comparison review on the digitech bp355, the zoom b2.1u, and korg ax3000b. I will be posting sound samples of amp and cab models and effects from those processors to give you guys an idea on how they sound. also I'll post on the verdict on which of these multi-effects processor has the best amp and cab models, the best effects, and which one of these multi-effects processors has the most decent sound quality.

Crystalman85 · #2 04-03-2011, 09:14 PM

Here is some sound samples of certain amp and cab models.

Fender bassman model

Digitech bp355 SoundClick artist: Crystalman85 - page with MP3 music downloads

Korg ax3000b SoundClick artist: Crystalman85 - page with MP3 music downloads

Ampeg svt model

Digitech bp355 SoundClick artist: Crystalman85 - page with MP3 music downloads

Korg ax3000b SoundClick artist: Crystalman85 - page with MP3 music downloads

Scoop model from the korg ax3000b SoundClick artist: Crystalman85 - page with MP3 music downloads

All 7 amp models on the zoom b2.1u SoundClick artist: Crystalman85 - page with MP3 music downloads

Crystalman85 · #3 04-03-2011, 09:32 PM

gastric · #4 04-04-2011, 07:35 AM

In the recordings the Zoom always seems to sound thin compared to the other boxes IMO. Digitech sounds a little fizzy in the high end, particularly with gain settings. But that's not uncommon with digital multifx. Usually you need to run EQ after anything with a high gain, assuming the box provides that flexibility. Line6 has the best sounding gainy amp/drive FX due to the lack of that high fizz, based on my personal experience. It's too bad their modeling doesn't sound that great for bass guitar amps and effects use.

Crystalman85 · #5 04-06-2011, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gastric

In the recordings the Zoom always seems to sound thin compared to the other boxes IMO. Digitech sounds a little fizzy in the high end, particularly with gain settings. But that's not uncommon with digital multifx. Usually you need to run EQ after anything with a high gain, assuming the box provides that flexibility. Line6 has the best sounding gainy amp/drive FX due to the lack of that high fizz, based on my personal experience. It's too bad their modeling doesn't sound that great for bass guitar amps and effects use.

That's true, gastric. it is not uncommon for digital multi-effects processors to have fizzy high-ends on distortion channels. but I've done this comparison review because a certain talkbass member requested one. and yes...line 6 does make great multi-effects processors, but this thread is focused on the comparison between digitech, zoom, and korg.

Crystalman85 · #6 04-06-2011, 12:30 AM

And now the verdict on all three of these mulit-effects processors.

the winner of amp and cab models that sounds more authentic sounding: zoom b2.1u and korg ax3000b

winner of great modulation effects: korg ax3000b

winner of great synth sounds: korg ax3000b and zoom b2.1u

winner of good reverb and delay effects: digitech bp355, korg ax3000b, and zoom b2.1u

as for distortion channels, that's a tough call for me because I enjoy the distortion channels that these processors provide. if anything, I'll post a reply on distortion comparisons so that everyone can judge for themselves on what distortion channels from these multi-effects processors they like most.

AnDerSon BoLLo · #7 04-06-2011, 09:36 PM

Thank you for comparative review
Can speak of best pedals, as Line 6, etc... is good...

I believed that the BP355 was best what the B2.1u... You really think not?
Your user opinion left me disappointed... in recording the sound is good...

I have acess the Bp200 and B2.1u (and too the Boss Gt6b)
In some things the Bp200 is best (octave, fretless simu, expression pedal, the construction, etc)
Thought that in BP355 would have best quality, and with these features of the B2.1u (as USB, on/off in expression pedal, balanced out, the construction, etc)... Thought that would be a mix BP200 + B2.1u... and what was missing in a, would have in other

What you think best in BP355 for the B2.1u?

Ahh!... and... What is "fizzy high-ends"?

Crystalman85 · #8 04-07-2011, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnDerSon BoLLo

Thank you for comparative review
Can speak of best pedals, as Line 6, etc... is good...

I believed that the BP355 was best what the B2.1u... You really think not?
Your user opinion left me disappointed... in recording the sound is good...

I have acess the Bp200 and B2.1u (and too the Boss Gt6b)
In some things the Bp200 is best (octave, fretless simu, expression pedal, the construction, etc)
Thought that in BP355 would have best quality, and with these features of the B2.1u (as USB, on/off in expression pedal, balanced out, the construction, etc)... Thought that would be a mix BP200 + B2.1u... and what was missing in a, would have in other

What you think best in BP355 for the B2.1u?

Ahh!... and... What is "fizzy high-ends"?

Anytime, dude. I'm not saying that the digitech bp355 isn't the best. it's actually one of the best multi-effects processors I've ever used. so really don't feel disappointed about it. many people has different opinions about these mulit-effects processors. I did the verdict thing to let people know what certain features on these multi-effects processors are more accurate. some members here are little opinionated.

What I think best in the bp355 for the b2.1u is the fact that the bp355 has a smoother sound quality and the fact that the bp355 has a larger variety of effects, amp and cab models. I actually prefer a multi-effects processor that has a large variety of effects, amp and cab models because it makes it a lot easier to find what sound I like to create. I like both the bp355 and the b2.1u, but the bp355 is a close winner to the best multi-effects processor I ever used. If you're curious about the bp355, I'd say give it a try. I think you'll be amazed by the sound quality of this multi-effects processor.

AnDerSon BoLLo · #9 04-08-2011, 01:04 PM

Here in Brazil does not sell (yet)
But I'll sell some pedals to import a BP355
not need four pedals
and too need "explore" more my pedals =]
But if see some cheap here in talkbass, pm-me.

because you have the two pedals yet?
how and when to use each one?

Crystalman85 · #10 04-08-2011, 10:42 PM

I enjoy using the digitech bp355 and the zoom b2.1u. I now use the zoom b2.1u with the hard rock band that I joined. and I use the digitech bp355 with my brother's band and my band(my brother and I share the same rehearsal spot for our bands). I use them whenever I have a gig with one of the bands that I play in.

AnDerSon BoLLo · #11 04-09-2011, 03:10 PM

Thanks for everything

Crystalman85 · #12 04-10-2011, 01:14 AM

Anytime, dude.

Crystalman85 · #13 04-10-2011, 01:18 AM

I've tried out my digitech bp355 with my brother's band earlier today and it sounded awesome. I've created some pretty cool sounds and it sounded really awesome through the band mix. it's a definite keeper. I can hardly wait until I gig with it next saturday.

AnDerSon BoLLo · #14 04-10-2011, 07:42 AM

Live impressions is always good...

Crystalman85 · #15 05-01-2011, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnDerSon BoLLo

Live impressions is always good...

I've gigged with the digitech bp355 a few weeks ago. I can honestly say it sounded totally awesome live. not only is it my first gig with the digitech bp355, but it was also my first gig with a peavey millennium bxp 4-string bass. my set-up sounded pretty cool live. I'm definitely satisfied with the digitech bp355 and the peavey millennium bass.

MNAirHead · #16 05-02-2011, 01:19 AM

I have owned all 3 of them... the Zoom is the one that has stuck around.

Crystalman85 · #17 05-02-2011, 02:50 AM

That's cool. I dig zoom processors too. I also dig the digitech bp355 and the korg ax3000b. they're great sounding multi-effects processors.