Zoom B3 As Preamp

[DemonGene]

Is there a possibility that a firmware update will be produced and what do we suppose it will do? Just curious

[OzzyGreg]

.
There's been some discussion on it here:

In a nutshell:
The guitar version allows 6 effects per patch.
The bass version doesn't.
People have been petitioning Zoom via email to try and get a firmware update that allows the 6 and so far they haven't committed to it.

[gard0300]

Not to bring the whole "bridge mono cable" subject up again. But...wow huge difference. I had most of the B3 levels up around 100 on most patches. Channel 1 (Bridged mode) via 1/4" input and I very rarely was able to get the clip light to into the second bar. Headroom was amazing. I have some tweaking to do but still. Btw, I'm running the Crown into a pair of 212s. Thanks CharlieC

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by gard0300

Not to bring the whole "bridge mono cable" subject up again. But...wow huge difference. I had most of the B3 levels up around 100 on most patches. Channel 1 (Bridged mode) via 1/4" input and I very rarely was able to get the clip light to into the second bar. Headroom was amazing. I have some tweaking to do but still. Btw, I'm running the Crown into a pair of 212s. Thanks CharlieC

Another satisfied customer!

Unleash the beast with +1/+2 on the bridge

Cheers!

[troy mcclure]

Originally Posted by CharlieC

My B3's balanced XLR out is feeding the PA/FOH and the unbalanced L/MONO 1/4" out is feeding the power amp

Please see my previous post for more info

Post #14: Choosing Your Outs

Cheers!

Thanks Charlie...just when you almost had me making the Behringer plunge, I bought a B3... I had read that post... I just forgot it was there as we keep getting deeper and deeper into this unit. It did save my ass on a gig the 1st week I bought it...blew my speaker so I used it direct and came out the monitor... no time for tweaking I just went for the least offensive preset. I haven't used it in about 4 months and when i went to pull it out of my gig bag I ripped the adapter cable in two so I have ordered another and will start messing with the settings.
keep the tips coming.

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by troy mcclure

Thanks Charlie...just when you almost had me making the Behringer plunge, I bought a B3... I had read that post... I just forgot it was there as we keep getting deeper and deeper into this unit. It did save my ass on a gig the 1st week I bought it...blew my speaker so I used it direct and came out the monitor... no time for tweaking I just went for the least offensive preset. I haven't used it in about 4 months and when i went to pull it out of my gig bag I ripped the adapter cable in two so I have ordered another and will start messing with the settings.
keep the tips coming.

Thanks!

Here's my next Tip Of The Day:

Until the replacement adapter arrives, remember that you can also power the B3 with a USB cable or batteries

Cheers!

[gard0300]

Originally Posted by CharlieC

Thanks!

Here's my next Tip Of The Day:

Until the replacement adapter arrives, remember that you can also power the B3 with a USB cable or batteries

Cheers!

Or any old 9v 500ma negative tip adapter. Many other items use the same type of adapter. Just make sure it has at least 500ma and has a negative tip.

[claytitan]

It I'd. B

[troy mcclure]

yes Gard, I looked that up and yes Charlie, I could us batteries...I am lazy.

[drpepper]

Charlie or others doing the power amp thing...help me out (like you're talking to 6 year old)...I'm looking at this and feel clueless

I joined a band a few months ago doing IEMs/no amps on stage. I got the B3 planning to use that for amp sims and DI and for a few effects that I plan on using. We haven't played out yet, but it's getting close and it's now starting to look like there will be situations where I'll have an amp on stage.

Thinking about my setup, I have preamps in my basses, preamp in the B3, preamp in my head. With the B3, the idea of using a power amp (looking at the Crest Pro Lite because I have a good pricing source) is intriguing.

So, I'd have the B3, a power amp and my 4 ohm 410 cabinet. How would this work? DI from the B3 would still go to FOH. Then, I'd go from the B3 to the power amp with an instrument cable...

This is where I get lost in my ignorance of power amps. I'm looking at pictures, and they all seem to be two channels and have to and a single power level control for each channel.

This is Greek to me...

Rated Power Bridge 4 ohms 1,960 watts @ 1 kHz 1% T.H.D.
Rated Power Bridge 8 ohms 1,160 watts @ 1 kHz 1% T.H.D.
Rated Power (2 x 2 ohms) 980 watts per channel @ 1 kHz 1% T.H.D. both channels driven.
Rated Power (2 x 4 ohms) 540 watts per channel @ 1 kHz at <0.1% T.H.D. both channels driven.
Rated Power (2 x 8 ohms) 300 watts per channel @ 1 kHz at <0.1% T.H.D. both channels driven.
Rated Power (1 x 2 ohms) 1,050 watts @ 1 kHz at <0.1% T.H.D.
Rated Power (1 x 4 ohms) 600 watts @ 1 kHz at <0.1% T.H.D.
Rated Power (1 x 8 ohms) 290 watts @ 1 kHz at <0.1% T.H.D.

I want to run a single 4 ohm cabinet. How would I be doing that? Am I only using one channel? Bridging? How is that accomplished?

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by drpepper

Charlie or others doing the power amp thing...help me out (like you're talking to 6 year old)...I'm looking at this and feel clueless

I joined a band a few months ago doing IEMs/no amps on stage. I got the B3 planning to use that for amp sims and DI and for a few effects that I plan on using. We haven't played out yet, but it's getting close and it's now starting to look like there will be situations where I'll have an amp on stage.

Thinking about my setup, I have preamps in my basses, preamp in the B3, preamp in my head. With the B3, the idea of using a power amp (looking at the Crest Pro Lite because I have a good pricing source) is intriguing.

So, I'd have the B3, a power amp and my 4 ohm 410 cabinet. How would this work? DI from the B3 would still go to FOH. Then, I'd go from the B3 to the power amp with an instrument cable...

This is where I get lost in my ignorance of power amps. I'm looking at pictures, and they all seem to be two channels and have to and a single power level control for each channel.

This is Greek to me...

Rated Power Bridge 4 ohms 1,960 watts @ 1 kHz 1% T.H.D.
Rated Power Bridge 8 ohms 1,160 watts @ 1 kHz 1% T.H.D.
Rated Power (2 x 2 ohms) 980 watts per channel @ 1 kHz 1% T.H.D. both channels driven.
Rated Power (2 x 4 ohms) 540 watts per channel @ 1 kHz at <0.1% T.H.D. both channels driven.
Rated Power (2 x 8 ohms) 300 watts per channel @ 1 kHz at <0.1% T.H.D. both channels driven.
Rated Power (1 x 2 ohms) 1,050 watts @ 1 kHz at <0.1% T.H.D.
Rated Power (1 x 4 ohms) 600 watts @ 1 kHz at <0.1% T.H.D.
Rated Power (1 x 8 ohms) 290 watts @ 1 kHz at <0.1% T.H.D.

I want to run a single 4 ohm cabinet. How would I be doing that? Am I only using one channel? Bridging? How is that accomplished?

IMHO, I would bridge that amp, and based on the specs you provided, achieve 1960 watts with the 4-ohm load (I will assume would be the GB Uber 410)

I do not have any experience with that particular amp/manufacturer and I will skip past that 1960 watts into a 410 cabinet is overkill and potentially damaging if one does not know when to back-off on the output level.

Most all dedicated power amps today are 2-channels and are bridgeable, meaning that you can utilize both sides at once to achieve full-rated power with one sensible speaker load. Each amp manufacturer has specific bridging instructions and it is best you refer to their respective user manuals for details. The common-end result for all is that under bridge mode, you connect input to Channel-1 only and ignore use of Channel-2. A special speaker wiring or speaker output jack is used to tap the sum of both channels governed by Channel-1.

Cheers!

[Swift713]

Many power amps can be "bridged" in order to combine the two channels into one more powerful channel.
You may be better off with a different cabinet if you're using amp and speaker models. Most bass cabs have an inherent voice which may conflict with your chosen models. I'd suggest a fEarful cab or possibly a PA or monitor cab with good low end response.

[Swift713]

OK, I believe the amp you're looking at will put 1900 watts into your cab so you'll want to keep it on about 1 max.

[drpepper]

Thanks

[discreet]

Originally Posted by Swift713

You may be better off with a different cabinet if you're using amp and speaker models. Most bass cabs have an inherent voice which may conflict with your chosen models.

Or just use an amp simulation and dispense with (or reduce the effect of), its cab simulation, effectively using only your 'real' cab. CAB > MIX.

[troy mcclure]

discreet that would be fine for him, but the FOH gets not cab simulation.

[discreet]

Originally Posted by troy mcclure

discreet that would be fine for him, but the FOH gets not cab simulation.

Ahh... so ideally you would want 100% Mix of the Cab Sim for PA and 0% for on-stage cab or monitor..? Which can't be done, hence recommended change of cab..?

[steve_rolfeca]

Originally Posted by Swift713

...You may be better off with a different cabinet if you're using amp and speaker models. Most bass cabs have an inherent voice which may conflict with your chosen models. I'd suggest a fEarful cab or possibly a PA or monitor cab with good low end response.

That solution is fairly common amongst guitarists that are into modelling. Use an amplification system that mimics FOH, and let the modeller do the heavy lifting. This way, your stage sound doesn't fight your DI feed.

fEarful, Audiokinesis Thunderchild and LDS TB153 would all work in the bass cab market. So would some of the better powered PA cabs from QSC, EV and others (maybe with a powered sub)...

[DemonGene]

Could one use a keyboard combo?

[CharlieC]

Originally Posted by DemonGene

Could one use a keyboard combo?

Certainly this is an option, but IMHO, on many levels, the near-perfect match for the B3 as an amp/monitor is any one of the major players' powered speakers (e.g. QSC, Mackie, etc.)

Cheers!