Zoom B3 As Preamp

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by OzzyGreg

.
On the cab sims off/on subject...

While I totally agree with you Charlie on the cab sims being turned right off when playing live, I find that when recording I am prefering the cab sims to be set at around 40-50%.

At least that's what I'm finding at present playing around recording with the Markbass simulation in the B3. I sort of like a bit of SWR 4x10 cab sims in the mix, rather than the original Markbass cab.

Greg

Absolutely, Greg! There are no set rules, but instead there is much to be gained by breaking them!

Just to clarify my position on cabinet sim:

When playing through real bass speakers with the intention of having things sound most realistic in front of the rig, I always run with a B3 Mix value of 0 (100% signal after the preamp, 0% signal after the cabinet)

When I need to provide a bass tone to any other full-range device like a mixer/recorder, I start with a B3 Mix value of 100 (0% signal after the preamp, 100% signal after the cabinet) and usually blend-in a little of the signal after the preamp to find a better place in the band mix or to bring more "immediacy" to the bass tone.

When I need to do both of the above at the same time on the B3, that's where the trouble begins, LOL!

Cheers!

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by jaeman111

I use the Ampeg B15 model with compression and parametric eq. I send this through an Avalon U5 to the FOH, my IEM and a small 1x12 bass rig I run for a little stage ambience and rumble. For a little dirt in my tone I use the SVT model in place of the B15. It sounds killer.

Nice setup! Indeed, both of those Ampeg models kill on the B3!

[almeak]

Thanks Charlie C. With you at the helm of this I know you're going to come up with some cool settings just like you did with the V-amp Pro. Would like to here a comparison between the two units from you.....

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by almeak

Thanks Charlie C. With you at the helm of this I know you're going to come up with some cool settings just like you did with the V-amp Pro. Would like to here a comparison between the two units from you.....

Thanks, almeak!

It is almost unfair to compare the V-AMP Pro and the B3 as the former is 10-year old technology, but since you asked I will simply say that the bass tones coming from the B3 are the best I have ever heard from a DSP device IMHO, yet somehow I cannot seem to part ways with the V-AMP Pro

Cheers!

[discreet]

Very interesting, CharlieC! I have quite recently begun using a pre/power set-up with a VT Bass/DC9 Comp as pre through a 1kW power amp and 2 X ABM 410Ts... I auditioned a B3 when they first appeared but I'm sorry to say that after a fairly cursory examination, I dismissed it out of hand as a something of a gimmick.

Having read this thread however, I'm certainly going to renew my acquaintance with the machine - I too am a rock player who favours pick-style and the SVT/8X10 sound, so your excellent information is very relevant.

The notion of having just one unit that can apparently offer such flexibility and ease of use both live and in the studio is extremely attractive! Thank you very much.

I wish you all that you would wish yourself in the coming new year.
Thanks again.

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by discreet

Very interesting, CharlieC! I have quite recently begun using a pre/power set-up with a VT Bass/DC9 Comp as pre through a 1kW power amp and 2 X ABM 410Ts... I auditioned a B3 when they first appeared but I'm sorry to say that after a fairly cursory examination, I dismissed it out of hand as a something of a gimmick.

Having read this thread however, I'm certainly going to renew my acquaintance with the machine - I too am a rock player who favours pick-style and the SVT/8X10 sound, so your excellent information is very relevant.

The notion of having just one unit that can apparently offer such flexibility and ease of use both live and in the studio is extremely attractive! Thank you very much.

I wish you all that you would wish yourself in the coming new year.
Thanks again.

Merry Christmas, discreet!

... and rest assured that I would not steer you wrong! The B3 is an absolute wonder of a tone machine and I am here to prove it :-)

Cheers!

[dave2]

I bought a B3 a few weeks back and when I figure it out a bit more I plan to use it as my preamp in this situation:
Warwick bass ->B3 ->Crown XTi4000 -> Aguilar GS410 cab.

I'm digging the drum machine on the B3 as well. I'm going through all the presets now to check them out. Some are useful useful with some tweaking - the SVT for one. I'm sure I'll get to the Looper at some point.

Thanks for this thread and all contributors! Happy holidays all.

Dave

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by dave2

I bought a B3 a few weeks back and when I figure it out a bit more I plan to use it as my preamp in this situation:
Warwick bass ->B3 ->Crown XTi4000 -> Aguilar GS410 cab.

I'm digging the drum machine on the B3 as well. I'm going through all the presets now to check them out. Some are useful useful with some tweaking - the SVT for one. I'm sure I'll get to the Looper at some point.

Thanks for this thread and all contributors! Happy holidays all.

Dave

Dave, congrats and please keep us updated here as to how that rig works out for you

Cheers!

[NoChi]

Can anyone tell me how the zoom b3 does against the VT deluxe ( amp & cab SIM) ?

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by NoChi

Can anyone tell me how the zoom b3 does against the VT deluxe ( amp & cab SIM) ?

I have the original VT Bass pedal without cab sim defeat button and I have found the B3 to offer me comparable, if not better, SVT tones and more flexibility.

I have another page you might find helpful:

http://www.zinfanus.com/svt

Cheers!

[jovino]

CharlieC,

Thanks so much for running this thread. After reading through the whole thing I was excited to put the B3 to the test. An A-B Test that is.

I'm running a Yorkville Bassmaster xs800 through an Eden D410XST. It's a super sweet rig that has more headroom than the Sistine Chapel (and weighs about the same).

I started with a baseline by setting all of the amp models flat. After a bit of knob tweaking and cable swapping, I managed to dial the FlipTop pretty close. When I tossed in the Splitter (BBE Sonic Maximizer) things got even sweeter.

This is excellent. It opens up the possibility of leaving the boat anchor at home and going DI should the need arise.

Thanks for the information in inspiration to go exploring!

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by jovino

CharlieC,

Thanks so much for running this thread. After reading through the whole thing I was excited to put the B3 to the test. An A-B Test that is.

I'm running a Yorkville Bassmaster xs800 through an Eden D410XST. It's a super sweet rig that has more headroom than the Sistine Chapel (and weighs about the same).

I started with a baseline by setting all of the amp models flat. After a bit of knob tweaking and cable swapping, I managed to dial the FlipTop pretty close. When I tossed in the Splitter (BBE Sonic Maximizer) things got even sweeter.

This is excellent. It opens up the possibility of leaving the boat anchor at home and going DI should the need arise.

Thanks for the information in inspiration to go exploring!

Thanks, jovino!

As you now know, the B3 is like having a world of bass gear in a device the size of an iPad

At a minimum, packing one in your gig bag is like having an entire backup rig, DI box and tuner on-hand just in case

Cheers!

[NoChi]

Thanks Charlie, the B3 sounds like a steal. Will definitely be replacing the VT deluxe with the B3.

Happy holidays

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by NoChi

Will definitely be replacing the VT deluxe with the B3.

If possible, why not keep them both?

Happy New Year!

[discreet]

A Happy New Year to all!

My B3 is on order from Thomann and I have traded up to a Crown XLS 402, which I am very pleased with. I'm quite sure that as far as the B3 is concerned, expectation will not exceed reality...

I'm looking forward to not having to buy and sell my gear all over the place when changing band, project or genre. Here's to 2013.

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by discreet

A Happy New Year to all!

My B3 is on order from Thomann and I have traded up to a Crown XLS 402, which I am very pleased with. I'm quite sure that as far as the B3 is concerned, expectation will not exceed reality...

I'm looking forward to not having to buy and sell my gear all over the place when changing band, project or genre. Here's to 2013.

Congrats, discreet and as I understand it, all B3 units purchased from Thomann's include complimentary chromatic tuner, looper and rhythm patterns

Cheers!

[discreet]

Originally Posted by CharlieC

...as I understand it, all B3 units purchased from Thomann's include complimentary chromatic tuner, looper and rhythm patterns...

I thought these features were standard..? If not, then BONUS!

Though I'll be happy just to get a decent 'SVT' sim initially... everything else can wait.

[CharlieC]

USB Cable MIA

Upon my purchase of the Zoom B3 in the USA, I was surprised to discover that no USB cable was included in the box.

As I had extra USB cables in my possession, I thought nothing of this until I heard that others also had the same experience.

FYI, should you be expecting the arrival of a new B3, I suspect this USB cable omission to be standard practice.

[discreet]

Originally Posted by CharlieC

USB Cable MIA
...FYI, should you be expecting the arrival of a new B3, I suspect this USB cable omission to be standard practice.

I think so too, but thanks for the heads-up.

[oldcatfish]

You guys have me gassing for a B3 again. How does the GK model sound compared to an actual GK?