ZOOM B2 & TECH 21 VT DELUXE

[REDLAWMAN]

I'm running a Littlemark III into a Berg' NV412.

I've got a Zoom B2 in the chain.

I play, generally, using Patches B6 (SWR) & B7 (Tube), but quite like B0 through B4 AND C6 (Mo' Soul) & CT (Marcus Miller), too.

Basically, warm, rounded, full, clear, clean 'tubey' sounds.

I never use it to distort, nor ever will.

If I get a VT Bass (Deluxe or otherwise), is it going to add anything significant (or improve upon) what I can already get (and I love) with the B2?

I'm talking using it instead of the B2, not in addition to it.

On a final note, if I stick an Aphex 'Punch Factory' compressor in as well (with either of them), what exactly will I notice as the difference in my sound?

Thanks everyone.

[REDLAWMAN]

bump

[Crystalman85]

Comparing the amp models from the zoom b2 with the tech 21 vt deluxe is basically like comparing apples and oranges. although the tech 21 vt deluxe seem to be a pretty good choice to achieve tubey sounds if you want to go analog. also with the character control on the tech 21 vt deluxe you can go from a warm clean sound to a gritty distorted sound. either way, the tech vt deluxe can give you what ever tube sound you desire.

[REDLAWMAN]

So basically, the VT far surpasses the Pre-set Patches on the Zoom for the spectrum of 'tube-type' sounds and for realistic emulation?

[BackToTheGroove]

The B2 gives you a lot of other choices the VT doesn't. I had the B2.1U and the effects were very handy, quiet and useful. Not the synth or fuzzed out ones, but subtle chorus, octave and reverb. The useful ones to ad some 'extra' when needed.

Remember you can tweak those presets yourself for further preferential quality.

...maybe you already have what you need and will it really be noticeably different when blasting full band? It's your doe, friend.

[Crystalman85]

Originally Posted by REDLAWMAN

So basically, the VT far surpasses the Pre-set Patches on the Zoom for the spectrum of 'tube-type' sounds and for realistic emulation?

It really doesn't matter if you don't care if the tube-like effects you use is digital or analog. what does matter is that which of these effects sounds better to you. some prefer the analog sound they get from the tech 21 vt deluxe. others like the digital sound they get from one the amp models from the zoom b2. since you have a zoom b2, perhaps this clip of a tech 21 vt bass(which is similar to the tech 21 deluxe) would help you out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr8kdWpB3U4

[REDLAWMAN]

Thanks for posting that link: great sounds from the VT.

Whilst I appreciate the distinction between digital and analogue, I don't appreciate it well enough to understand the distinction in so far as how different each of the formats sound in the real world and the inherent differences.

I assume that an all-analogue signal is generally preferable, largely because that's right at the top of the Tech 21 Info list and, of course, the VT Deluxe is more expensive than the Zoom.

Is that about the measure of it?

[oldcatfish]

If you like your B2, why would you want to change it? No doubt that the Tech 21 sounds a little more "organic" but people really underestimate the B2's quality in a live setting.

I use my B2 most of the time. I play at several area contemporary churches and I get a lot of complements on my bass tone. In fact, the sound engineer at one of my fill in gigs said that I had the best front of house bass tone that they have ever had...and at least one of their bassists uses a Line 6 X3 and a high end bass. I don't think that any of their bassists use a Tech 21 though, but I personally don't feel the need to change from my B2. And I rarely use any effects other than the amp simulations on the B2. I don't use any of the presets...I tweaked my own. I usually use the Ampeg, Hartke, Tube Pre, or SWR models...in that order of preference.

My advice to you...try a Tech21 out. If you like it better, you can always bypass the amp models on the B2 and just use the effect modules.