zoom b2 users.....????'s

poomwah · #1 01-04-2009, 12:48 PM

how did you decide on the zoom over other things...what style of music do you play. do you use it alone or with other pedals. do you use it live. how is the overdrive? how accurate are the amp models? ANY other info is GREATLY appreciated :] Thanks :]

NoFrets4Me · #2 01-04-2009, 01:16 PM

I just got a B2.1u a few weeks ago so I obviously don't have a huge amount of experience with it, but here goes...

how did you decide on the zoom over other things?
I was looking for a good basic multi-effects pedal and wanted to keep it under $200. I read some reviews and suggestions (here and other places) and the Zoom seemed like a good fit for what I wanted

what style of music do you play?
Mostly rock-oriented

do you use it alone or with other pedals?
Alone. It's my only pedal.

do you use it live?
I don't play live (I assume you mean gigs), but I use it when jamming.

how is the overdrive?
I don't want/like/use overdrive, so no real opinion on that.

how accurate are the amp models?
I honestly don't have much basis for comparison. They seem OK, but I couldn't really tell you how accurate they are.

ANY other info is GREATLY appreciated.
It's definitely a bit complicated to use and the display is not too user friendly, but if you work with the documentation and keep a good spreadsheet of your settings, it's a pretty powerful device.
It's well-suited for quiet practicing - plug in your bass, plug in headphones, use the rhythm functions if you want (there are a few decent ones in there), and have at it.
I like the built-in tuner.
40 user-programmable patches (along with the 40 read-only patches) so lots of storage.

Swift713 · #3 01-04-2009, 04:41 PM

I don't use mine anymore partly because one of the foot switches gave out completely, for the second time. The first time it was still under warranty and they repaired it so fast it made my head spin. This time, no such luck. I haven't heard of this happening to anyone else in the two years I've been hanging around this forum.

There are plenty of threads on the Zooms if you search.

I chose the B2 because it had the least noise and best frequency response (to my ear) for under $200.

I haven't gigged with (or without) it but I've used it for band practice, recording, and lots of headphone practice. It sounds very IMO, of course with any budget equipment there is room for improvement. What I've been gradually replacing it with has cost me over $1000 so far (don't tell my wife

).

The amp models are fine as far as models go I think. I'm no aficionado of either modeling or classic amps but I found the models certainly were reminiscent of the tones we've all heard so much of. I don't really care if it sounds "just like a *****" as long as I can get the kind of tone I'm after. There are some pretty nice lower gain overdrives in there, some very warm vintage type sounds, some thick punchy tones etc. It has the ability to blend any model with your clean tone which gives the models a lot more life and depth.

The bypass is not completely transparent. I think that a consequence of the ADDA conversion is a sort of compression of the signal that subtly changes the dynamic response of some other pedals, like overdrive, compression, etc. It's not a huge horrible thing and a similar thing can happen with certain buffered pedals (Boss?), compressors, or gain type things.

I used the B2 to record some of the stuff on my mypace, linked below.

topper · #4 01-04-2009, 04:55 PM

My choice for the B2 is similar to others, was looking for a decent multi effect on a budget, read some favorable reviews and went for it.

Overall I like it. It has some decent effects. The compressor isn't great, but the limiter is a nice feature.

I have no idea how accurate the amp models are. Honestly I've never played through half or 3/4 of the amps in there. They do sound pretty different from each other and provide some nice color for the sound.

I'm not big on bass distortion either, but I do think the distortions on the unit sound pretty good. You can get everything from a very subtle crunch to an all out wall of distorted bass.

I found the controls to be pretty easy to figure out. At least compared to other multi effects units I've owned.

I typically use it alone, but I have used it with other pedals, a digitech bass synth wah and a boss phaser. It worked well in both scenarios.

I do play with this live and feel confident in its reliability. I've had mine for a couple years now. I throw it in a back pack, it get's knocked around but feels very sturdy. All metal construction. No cheap plastic.

I doubt you can beat this unit at this price anywhere.

poomwah · #5 01-04-2009, 08:29 PM

thanks everybody, it sounds like a great product from everything you've said, and what I've read on other forums.
I'm just having trouble deciding if its the best thing for my needs right now. My most immediate need is a tuner and something that will give me an ampeg svt kinda growl. Eventually I'm going to want other effects. SO right now its about trying to make the best decision for right now. If I can get the right sound out of the zoom, then I'm all set. But I'd hate to get it , then find out I still need an overdrive pedal.
Anyway, enough of my whining. thanks guys :]

Honk'n_down-low · #6 01-04-2009, 08:44 PM

30 Day return policy at GC - there is a restocking fee - but if you end up getting another pedal no big deal - at least you can decide if you really want it - you can also resell here - I just bought one here waiting for it to arrive.

Marill · #7 01-04-2009, 09:44 PM

i'm a b2.1u user

how did you decide on the zoom over other things...
for a $200 multi-effects, it's good for the money, built-in rhythm drum machine, USB connection, and I'm a sampling rate freak - zoom's 96kHz sampling rate, as compared to 44.1kHz or lower on other multi-effects.

what style of music do you play.
rock

do you use it alone or with other pedals.
with a EBS multi-comp after the zoom

do you use it live.
not yet

how is the overdrive?
can't comment, not interested in overdrive

how accurate are the amp models?
the tube model is EXCELLENT.

Psychotic_Hell · #8 01-04-2009, 10:56 PM

I have used my one for 3 years now

how did you decide on the zoom over other things...
-It was a gift!

what style of music do you play.
-Brutal Death Metal

do you use it alone or with other pedals.
- Yes! Its the main thing on my board though

do you use it live.
-I have but not actively

how is the overdrive?
-IMHO it is crapola. I use both a Tube-Screamer and a Digitech OD(not at once) to get my overdrive

how accurate are the amp models?
-MY GOD!!! EXCELLENT! I use the SWR and the Hartke amp models and it makes my sound absolutely pop. Once you find one that you like, you will use it forever!

More info-

I love it and i would say buy it but you have to be rather good at technology. It took me 2 years to fully understand how to work it (i have every bit of technology under the sun BTW) but when you work it out it is a breeze.

bassbrad · #9 01-05-2009, 06:07 PM

I chose the Zoom for sound, the choice of effects and the way the modules are laid out allowing multiple effects. The models are quite useful. I play rock & jazz. I use mine live with other effects.

pendergasta · #10 01-05-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poomwah

thanks everybody, it sounds like a great product from everything you've said, and what I've read on other forums.
I'm just having trouble deciding if its the best thing for my needs right now. My most immediate need is a tuner and something that will give me an ampeg svt kinda growl. Eventually I'm going to want other effects. SO right now its about trying to make the best decision for right now. If I can get the right sound out of the zoom, then I'm all set. But I'd hate to get it , then find out I still need an overdrive pedal.
Anyway, enough of my whining. thanks guys :]

Even if you move on at some point, I can't imagine that you'd regret getting the B2. I really like mine, although it took me some time and frustration to really figure out how to get "my" sound out of it.

poomwah · #11 01-07-2009, 01:19 AM

how's the overdrive? can you get a mild overdriven tube sound?
can you use an overdrive and the amp sim at the same time?

**RedsFan75** · #12 01-07-2009, 08:18 AM

I don't like the overdrive on mine, but using an OD, and the sim works pretty good.

The amp models are really pretty good, and if you use the Acoustic model you can get some 'mild' break up on it.

Swift713 · #13 01-07-2009, 08:38 AM

IMO the amp sims are better for OD than the stomp sims. The tube pre, bassman, sansamp, and ampeg were my favorites for OD.
And, like the real thing, they provide a continuum from clean to dirty. All the OD, fuzz, distortion & amp sims are in the same module and you can only select one at a time so you can't combine, for instance, the fuzz with the ampeg, but you can get the ampeg to sound pretty fuzzy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by poomwah

how's the overdrive? can you get a mild overdriven tube sound?
can you use an overdrive and the amp sim at the same time?

**mr sprocket** · #14 01-07-2009, 07:22 PM

I have had the zoom b2.1u for about two years I think now. I choose it because of price and sound. I was not happy with the digitech models.

I use it live at church and gigs since I got it. I do not use any other effects and use teh direct out at church.

I have used the usb out for recording at home.

The models and preamps are pretty good for the price range. It does take some playing with the whole patch to get the sounds right.

For the price it is a good choice. If you want to bump up there is the B9 and the Line 6 unit.