Zoom B3 multi-effects

[PilbaraBass]

Originally Posted by jweber76

What is going on with the terrible grammar in the replies from zoom? I understand that they are not based in the US so English may not be the writer's first language but they are a corporate entity and (in my opinion) that stuff makes them look like a Chinese Craigslist scam!
To all international TBers: please note that I am not referring to you here! My own English and grammar are far from perfect but we are not a multi-national company, someone should be checking this stuff before they send it.

I wouldn't fault the grammar. Zoom personnel do an excellent job responding to customer issues, both real and imaginary.

The fact that they care enough about their customers to respond to emails is enough, in my books ...

It's not like they do a billion $ turnover and can keep people on staff just to write emails... The people writing emails are generally doing other duties, too

How many of us could respond to an email in Japanese?

I thought so...

Have a bit of grace.

Good on Zoom Corp for keeping us informed.

[OzzyGreg]

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I'm trying to decide whether I should go with the MXR M83 so I can control the chorus effect on the low end or spend $40 extra bucks on the B3 and get that option plus a few other things I've been gassing for like reverb, amp modeling and looping.

No brainer.
It's B3 all the way, but I'm biased!

[sledgehamer73]

Just got mine in the mail the yesterday! When I ordered it from MF, their web site said it was backordered until 3/1. So I was plesantly surprised to find a package on my door step after work.

Very happy with it so far, but have only spent a few short hours going through some of the presets they have.

Can't wait to really but it through it's paces and find out how it sounds in a mix with my band.

[OzzyGreg]

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Can't wait to really but it through it's paces and find out how it sounds in a mix with my band.

If you are using any of the amp sims, cut the "mix" (cabinet blend) right back for the best results live.
(BTW, That's a CharlieC tip, I'm not claiming it for my own or anything!)

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by OzzyGreg

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If you are using any of the amp sims, cut the "mix" (cabinet blend) right back for the best results live.
(BTW, That's a CharlieC tip, I'm not claiming it for my own or anything!)

OzzyGreg, even I cannot rightfully claim it for my own so you are equally entitled

Cheers!

[OzzyGreg]

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What is going on with the terrible grammar in the replies from zoom? I understand that they are not based in the US so English may not be the writer's first language but they are a corporate entity and (in my opinion) that stuff makes them look like a Chinese Craigslist scam!

Yes, ok, it's a bit annoying sometimes. But really, we should be happy that they are at least trying.
I think they do pretty well at it. I can understand what they are on about 99% of the time.

[OzzyGreg]

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Originally Posted by Mike M.
I understand what you're saying and you're right.
But as far as initially setting up the tones at home to use at church....that's where I'm not sure by which means would give me the best results.

For that I suggest from your bass, to the B3, to a set of headphones from the B3 (to best simulate the future IEM tone, unless you have access to the actual IEMs at home for that)

I'd like to agree, but sorry, I can't.
From my experience with the B3, the headphone tones sound very different to the live ones.
I thought I had all of my tones sorted at home with my headphones.
My first rehearsal with the B3 proved otherwise. I had to change a lot to get a good enough sound for the time.
I ended up going to our band's rehearsal space an hour before our next rehearsal and setting my tones that way.
They were a lot closer and needed only minor tweaking to get right in a band environment.

[Emibass]

Originally Posted by OzzyGreg

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I'd like to agree, but sorry, I can't.
From my experience with the B3, the headphone tones sound very different to the live ones.
I thought I had all of my tones sorted at home with my headphones.
My first rehearsal with the B3 proved otherwise. I had to change a lot to get a good enough sound for the time.
I ended up going to our band's rehearsal space an hour before our next rehearsal and setting my tones that way.
They were a lot closer and needed only minor tweaking to get right in a band environment.

Trough headphones is not the adecuate way to do it. Imgaine you mix a song with headphones, it will sound like crap anywhere you want to listen it except your headphones. The same thing happends here.

[Kuroth]

To me the Zoom B3 Manual is kind of confusing..


I wanted to check with all you other B3 users to make sure I understand correctly:

1. A patch consists of three of the effects correct?

2. You can turn on and off individual effects one at a time? (According to Page 8) To turn affect’s On or Off Press Foot switch 1,2 and 3. So that means you can turn them on and off?

3 To activate (And turn on) a patch, Press and Hold Foot Switch button 1 (All this I get now)

So Part of the point of my above questions is if I want to keep my B3 all hooked up to my Amp and Guitar BUT I want to sometimes NOT use any of the Patches or effects (Just use my Amp and its effects…It’s a BG250 with TonePrint), I would go to the Home screen, and just make sure none of the 3 red LED’s are on correct?


Thanks!

[theLimeyBrit]

Originally Posted by Kuroth

if I want to keep my B3 all hooked up to my Amp and Guitar BUT I want to sometimes NOT use any of the Patches or effects (Just use my Amp and its effects…It’s a BG250 with TonePrint), I would go to the Home screen, and just make sure none of the 3 red LED’s are on correct?

Correct.

[fkh006]

Or in any patch hold down button two until it goes into tuner mode.
That disables any patch you are in.
one more click on two and the patch is back.

[theLimeyBrit]

Originally Posted by fkh006

Or in any patch hold down button two until it goes into tuner mode.
That disables any patch you are in.
one more click on two and the patch is back.

Note that if you hold button two down long enough it will go from Bypass mode to Mute. Useful for silent tuning and preventing loud pops if you need to unplug.

[gard0300]

Originally Posted by theLimeyBrit

Note that if you hold button two down long enough it will go from Bypass mode to Mute. Useful for silent tuning and preventing loud pops if you need to unplug.

So holding the tuner button down for extra time allows silent tuning? If so that's awesome!!

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by gard0300

So holding the tuner button down for extra time allows silent tuning? If so that's awesome!!

Yes, the B3 user manual actually tells of this, but in a very inconspicuous way

IMHO, the G3 makes "Bypass vs. Mute" easier to see and set while using the tuner. Although I have not confirmed this, I believe that change was an improvement delivered via the G3's v2.0 firmware update. Can anyone confirm?

Cheers!

[gastric]

I use an external footswitch configured to toggle the tuner/bypass/mute. The benefit is it does not first toggle FX2 prior to bypass/mute which I found annoying. I think it's about 1 second faster, too, as it instantly goes into tuner mode using the ext footswitch. But don't quote me on that.

[KodyAudette]

Well, I've had mine for a couple months now and I still think it's been the best investment I've made in a long time. My only complaint is that the compressors are pretty limited. I need something that'll let me set the attach and release as well as the threshold and ratio. I guess it'll still be a rack compressor for me. I had hoped this thing would help me get rid of everything but the bass and the amp, but I've gotta say it's gotten pretty close!

[Emibass]

Originally Posted by KodyAudette

Well, I've had mine for a couple months now and I still think it's been the best investment I've made in a long time. My only complaint is that the compressors are pretty limited. I need something that'll let me set the attach and release as well as the threshold and ratio. I guess it'll still be a rack compressor for me. I had hoped this thing would help me get rid of everything but the bass and the amp, but I've gotta say it's gotten pretty close!

I think some does let you adjust the attack and release if not mistaken. For example the Mcomp lets you adjust the attack.

[1BassDreamer]

Originally Posted by gastric

I use an external footswitch configured to toggle the tuner/bypass/mute.

Please elaborate on this "configuration".

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by gastric

I use an external footswitch configured to toggle the tuner/bypass/mute. The benefit is it does not first toggle FX2 prior to bypass/mute which I found annoying. I think it's about 1 second faster, too, as it instantly goes into tuner mode using the ext footswitch. But don't quote me on that.

Confirmed.

Functionality is as described and it seems faster at achieving both Bypass and Mute status.

The only issue to keep in mind, not that it matters much, is that assignment of the footswitch is at TOTAL level and not GLOBAL so one must ensure that all the required patches have the expected footswitch assignment.

Cheers!

[theLimeyBrit]

Originally Posted by CharlieC

Confirmed.

Functionality is as described and it seems faster at achieving both Bypass and Mute status.

The only issue to keep in mind, not that it matters much, is that assignment of the footswitch is at TOTAL level and not GLOBAL so one must ensure that all the required patches have the expected footswitch assignment.

Cheers!

Does setting up a footswitch like this preclude the use of an expression pedal, or does it plug in somewhere other than the exp jack?