Zoom B2.1u Questions

mlbarlow · #1 01-14-2008, 08:28 AM

Okay, so I love multis ... you'll simply have to forgive that fact when you comment here.

I currently play an ME-50B, which has served me well, but I'm intruiged by the new Zoom B2.1u, so a little help would be appreciated:

1) Are the various patches in the Zoom at a consistent volume? One issue with the ME-50B is that I've constantly got to tweak dials to get a consistent volume.

2) If the answer to the above is no, are these easily fixed in patch edits?

3) Would I have as easy a time as I do on my ME-50B jumping between various sounds? It's currently no probably if I want to, on the fly, grab an effect that I didn't rehearse using.

4) And lastly, for those who've used both, how do the sounds compare (of course, the all important question.)?

Thanks,
Matt

Steelers Fan · #2 01-14-2008, 09:17 AM

I currently use the B1X, which is the hard plastic version of the B2.1U. I use it ALL the time!! To me, even if the effects are set at the same level (say 80 which is unity gain), some sound louder than others. However you can easily adjust them one time and save it to memory. You have forty locations that you can save to and forty permanent ones. I program my favorite effects all in order so I can get to them quickly with the up and down footswitches.

It has a pretty good built-in tuner that I use when needed. Funny thing though, I bought it with the drum machine feature in mind.....and I don't use it

Go figure.

I love both the effects (wah, distortion, fretless etc) and the amp modeling features. I don't know anything about the ME-50B so I can't comment there.

Swift713 · #3 01-14-2008, 03:16 PM

The B2 has only up and down foot switches so you have to save patches next to each other to switch very quickly between them. This may be a challenge if you've got tunes that require lots of effects switching. You can set up an external bank up switch but no bank down

niftydog · #4 01-14-2008, 04:01 PM

1) Would depend on your bass and playing style since some have strong compression and EQ and other don't. I would strongly recommend you tailor all the patches you intend to use anyway so you can tame the typical Zoom factory patch over-emphasis problem.

2) yes, patch volume is quickly and easily edited with a twiddle of a knob - you can even adjust on the fly without having to browse menus, or even save the patch! Just grab that knob and give it a twist. You might even want to patch the treadle to the volume control!

Can't comment on the rest as I've never used an ME-50B.