ZOOM B3 A Few Observations and Questions

nashman · #1 04-08-2013, 07:17 PM

I bought a Zoom B3 on the weekend - my first effects pedal. I have some initial observations, questions - and an offer ....

1. In going through all the pre-set patches, there are a few that are quite common (eg 160 COMP) and some that are not used at all (eg Heaven amp sim).

2. Are all amp sims and effects available for each of the three pedals?

3. Does it really matter what order the effects are in a patch?

4. I assume the compressor sims aren't actually compressors, rather they simulate a compressed sound(?)

5. I created an Excel spreadsheet with the banks across the top and 0 - 9 on the side, showing each patch's name, what effects are used in what order, and whether they are on or off (based on the factory presets). I thought I would do so for reference. I'm also going to use to decide which ones to keep and whch ones to replace with my own creations. PM if you would like me to email a copy.

nashman · #2 04-08-2013, 08:32 PM

... oh ... and some of the patches are WAY louder than others.

Crystalman85 · #3 04-08-2013, 10:24 PM

Congrads on your purchase of the zoom b3. to answer your 1st question(or statement), some of these patches do remained unused, but it does give you the opportunity to create your own patches. If you needed some patch ideas, you should come check out my zoom b3 patch ideas thread. here's the link.

Zoom b3 patch Ideas

To answer your 2nd question, yes all the amp sims and effects are available to use on each 3 pedals. you simply need to program each amp model or preamp model and effects to each section so that you can memorize the sections easily and turn them on and off when you use the zoom b3 in manual mode.

To answer your 3rd question, it probably doesn't really matter what order of effects and amp models you put in the sections of the zoom b3. as long as these settings are easy for you to remember where they are when you want to engage or disengage a section of the effects and amp models.

As for the 4th question(or statement), not all of the compressor models are compressors, but one of them is a limiter and they do simulate compressed sounds very well. I use one of the compressor models on one of the patches that I created and it does sound very nice.

And lastly the 5th question, there should be a patch list that came with the zoom b3 that tells the names of the patches. not quite sure what order they should be in, but that's really up to you if you want to keep one of the original patches on your zoom b3.

Crystalman85 · #4 04-08-2013, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nashman

... oh ... and some of the patches are WAY louder than others.

If some patches are louder and it's causing your amp to clip, you should adjust the volume levels by holding section 1 of the zoom b3(where it says hold for patches) and there you can adjust the volume levels on each section of the zoom b3. there's also the total button. this will lead you to the master volume control. from there you can adjust to volume level to the entire patch. hope this helps you out.

nashman · #5 04-09-2013, 07:18 AM

Crystalman85 - I thank you for your responses - and providing the link to your patch ideas. I will definitely check them out. Thank you

andreas_flf · #6 04-13-2013, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crystalman85

... you should adjust the volume levels by holding section 1 of the zoom b3(where it says hold for patches) and there you can adjust the volume levels on each section of the zoom b3 ...

I own a B3 but don't understand what you mean by section 1. Could you please be a bit more specific? Thnks!

thehangingmist · #7 04-13-2013, 09:24 AM

i just look at it like putting three pedals together so depending upon what i need i just dial that pedal in

my usual clean sound is,

Avalon DI - Markbass amp or Flip flop - random test comp

switch between the amps for a modern or a old school sound for different band settings and the comps just for fun to find the right one for me

Avalon DI is replaced by an envelop filter or a chorus/reverb if i want one and i might switch the order if needed
for dirt and dirt related sounds, i might use just a sansamp or a big muff and a sansamp
and for a crazier night sansamp big muff going into a phaser or a flanger. these are the sounds i always wanted anyway.

so you see i just look at it like a magic pedal board or sorts where am limited to 3 at a time

Crystalman85 · #8 04-13-2013, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nashman

Crystalman85 - I thank you for your responses - and providing the link to your patch ideas. I will definitely check them out. Thank you

Anytime, dude. my zoom b3 patch ideas thread can help you out on what ever patch you want to create.

Crystalman85 · #9 04-13-2013, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andreas_flf

I own a B3 but don't understand what you mean by section 1. Could you please be a bit more specific? Thnks!

On the zoom b3, there are 3 stomp controls(which can be used in memory mode for scrolling patches and manual mode to turn on and off the individual effect) and each one has screen for effects, amp and cab models on the left, middle, and right of the zoom b3. those I usually refer to as sections. each of these section has an effect and/or amp,and cab model when it's on manual mode. so basically they are sections of effects, amp and cab models that are programmed on the zoom b3.

andreas_flf · #10 04-16-2013, 03:22 PM

Thanks. I see, you call effect 1 (or left effect) section 1. And when you meant "holding section 1" I understand now you meant to stomp on the left button to activate "Home" mode (assuming you were initially in "Patch select" mode), right?

In "Home" mode you can tweak any of the 3 effects, including the level of each effect currently in use. Any change one makes to a patch's effects will be remembered for good, which is of course also true for any changes to an effect's volume level.