Zoom B3 multi-effects

[Testing123]

Originally Posted by OzzyGreg

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Thanks Bradass, it worked!

Glad you got it working!
The ASIO driver on my system (Windows 7 64-bit) seems to have selected the B3 as the playback device automatically when it (the B3) was connected via USB. It also switches back to my computer's soundcard and speakers when the B3 is disconnected from the computer.

[OzzyGreg]

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Now all I need is some softer headphones. The ones I have here grip my head like a bloody g-clamp! (Not good for hours of silent practice.)

Thanks again!

[stingray69]

Originally Posted by OzzyGreg

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The new Zoom MS50-B

Interesting that they allow use of up to six effects simultaneously!

Hey Zoom, what about the B3 then, eh?

http://www.keymusic.com/en/product/Zoom-MS50B

+1

I'm not real happy with Zoom leaving B3 owners twisting in the wind regarding the 6-simultaneous effects at once. A Zoom rep even told me an upgrade was available in the comments of the now infamous/edited Victor Wooten video on YouTube.

The G3 owners didn't have to beg & petition this way for their upgrade. I've owned many of their products (H2, various Hartke heads & cabs). They sure are losing favor with me real fast over this B3 BS.

[autodidact]

Originally Posted by stingray69

+1

I'm not real happy with Zoom leaving B3 owners twisting in the wind regarding the 6-simultaneous effects at once. A Zoom rep even told me an upgrade was available in the comments of the now infamous/edited Victor Wooten video on YouTube.

The G3 owners didn't have to beg & petition this way for their upgrade. I've owned many of their products (H2, various Hartke heads & cabs). They sure are losing favor with me real fast over this B3 BS.

A marketing guy made a mistake with the comment on the video obviously. It is advertised as being able to run 3 effects simultaneously, not 6. Just because other units can run 6 effects doesn't automatically entitle us to them. Yes, I'd like the extra features but to start liking the company less because of something that they've never even said they were going to do? That's absurd.

The B3 is a good unit, Hartke gear is great, customer service is always top notch and a lot of people are quite satisfied. if you want 6 effects then buy 2. Don't wanna buy 2? Then wait for a POSSIBLE update but for goodness sakes relax, I'm tired of the whining that comes into this thread every few days.

/rant

[Swift713]

How about it? The B3 is still $100 less than the M9 for the same number of effects, better overdrive, and much better filters.

[gjbassist]

I have a question about the Edit & Share software. When I have the B3 plugged in to my computer the audio from Windows Media or Best Practice, etc plays through my amp instead of my computer speakers. It is as if the B3 becomes the default audio program. I would prefer the sound still come from my computer speakers. Is there a way to change this?

[Bradass]

Originally Posted by gjbassist

I have a question about the Edit & Share software. When I have the B3 plugged in to my computer the audio from Windows Media or Best Practice, etc plays through my amp instead of my computer speakers. It is as if the B3 becomes the default audio program. I would prefer the sound still come from my computer speakers. Is there a way to change this?

Yep, same way I described to OzzyGreg how to make the B3 the default audio device. Right click on the volume icon in the lower right corner of your screen and select "Playback devices". Make your computer speakers the default device and you're good to go. You can also access that menu through Control Panel > Sound > Manage audio devices.

[gjbassist]

Originally Posted by Bradass

Yep, same way I described to OzzyGreg how to make the B3 the default audio device. Right click on the volume icon in the lower right corner of your screen and select "Playback devices". Make your computer speakers the default device and you're good to go. You can also access that menu through Control Panel > Sound > Manage audio devices.

That did it. Thanks Bradass!

[roceci]

Had a B3 for a while now but have only just managed to find time to really put the thing thru its paces. I love it for the most part but have to say the synths are a bit disappointing in terms of tracking & attack & the pitch bend fx are horrendous! Even my old Behringer US600 did a much better job in terms of smooth bending & stabilising held notes, & it just had a prettier sound. All I'm getting with the exp pedal on the B3 are annoying nasally digital/artificial sounds, really unmusical. If anyone cares to differ by all means enlighten me, cos otherwise thing's ace!

[Diaos]

On the 6 fx at once thing:

There's a firmware patch on the zoom website for the g3. Anyone try updating the b3 with it? Or perhaps someone could look and see what's different between the original and updated one and apply that bit of code to create a new b3 firmware with 6 fx at once.

Also, anyone know what pedal the dual compression is modeled after? It's great.

[Grateful]

Originally Posted by Swift713

How about it? The B3 is still $100 less than the M9 for the same number of effects, better overdrive, and much better filters.

+1. I sold an M9 for the Zoom, and couldn't be happier. There are far more useable bass effects on the Zoom, and the software is better, IMHO

[OzzyGreg]

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There's a firmware patch on the zoom website for the g3. Anyone try updating the b3 with it?

I have thought about trying this but haven't been game to give it a shot with my own B3.
If you want to send me yours i'll try with it!

Greg

[Diaos]

Originally Posted by OzzyGreg

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I have thought about trying this but haven't been game to give it a shot with my own B3.
If you want to send me yours i'll try with it!

Greg

I think I might. It's possible to backup the firmware and I don't have a show for awhile. One for the team! I suspect the firmware is interchangeable with the fx stuff being untouched... though there might be some protection to prevent this.

The g3 is going for super low now on ebay because Zoom released the pedal one.

[Diaos]

Tried. Won't let me. There's an error. Someone would need to edit the hex of the .exe to allow for it to update. Though, holding the patch select keys on the power on makes the b3 wait for the update, so that's somewhat promising.

[Testing123]

Reading through some of the earlier messages in this thread brought to mind that some may be unaware of the FAQ section on the Zoom site.

The B3 section is located at: http://www.zoom.co.jp/faq/b3

The answers to the 30 questions listed tend to be somewhat terse, but they usually hit the mark (the same could be said of the B3 manual I suppose).

Anyway, I hope this helps…

[Black Sheep]

Thinking about going B3 - Any opinions on how this is for recording and using as a PC interface?

If I go B3, I probably will put off any other interface gear for a while, but if it's not good at this, I'll prob put off the B3 for a while...

I don't need anything spectacular, just decent basic recording ability for demo and practicing purposes.

[Grateful]

Originally Posted by Black Sheep

Thinking about going B3 - Any opinions on how this is for recording and using as a PC interface?

If I go B3, I probably will put off any other interface gear for a while, but if it's not good at this, I'll prob put off the B3 for a while...

I don't need anything spectacular, just decent basic recording ability for demo and practicing purposes.

I use it on my Mac for this purpose and it has been ideal. I can't imagine why it wouldn't function similarly on a PC. Though I'm not sure about Windows 8 compatibility.

[Bradass]

Originally Posted by Black Sheep

Thinking about going B3 - Any opinions on how this is for recording and using as a PC interface?

If I go B3, I probably will put off any other interface gear for a while, but if it's not good at this, I'll prob put off the B3 for a while...

I don't need anything spectacular, just decent basic recording ability for demo and practicing purposes.

Perfect for your purposes then. I wouldn't want to record anything serious on it, but for demos and practices? As stated above, it's pretty much ideal. Works great on my Windows 7 laptop. There is a used one for sale in the classifieds right now also, if you're looking to save a few bucks. For $200 this pedal is a veritable swiss army knife.

[pan1k]

Originally Posted by Bradass

Perfect for your purposes then. I wouldn't want to record anything serious on it, but for demos and practices? As stated above, it's pretty much ideal. Works great on my Windows 7 laptop. There is a used one for sale in the classifieds right now also, if you're looking to save a few bucks. For $200 this pedal is a veritable swiss army knife.

+1. It's very versatile. If they add the 6 pedal option it's be unbeatable. But since I rely heavily on compression I might just buy a standalone tube driven pedal to free up a slot on my settings.

[Black Sheep]

Thanks - I think I missed what's been on the classifieds, but I'm interested so I'll keep checking!