B1on vs B4

[ryrich22]

I got the B1on in 17, I think a few years after it came out. I play as a hobby and enjoy messing around with it. Creating patches, however impractical some may be, is fun to do by itself. I guess my ? is for those who have had both. Comparing them, they look so similar, with not much change given the amount of years between them. Did Zoom just repackage what it already had, change a few things and call it an upgrade?

 

[bassbrad]

The differences aren't so much that it is worth buying again. If you are looking for something with more fun and funky sounds check out the MS60b and plug that into your b1on.

MS-60B MultiStomp Bass Pedal

 

[ryrich22]

The differences aren't so much that it is worth buying again. If you are looking for something with more fun and funky sounds check out the MS60b and plug that into your b1on.

MS-60B MultiStomp Bass Pedal

Thanks. I looked at the MS. is this as old or a little older than the b1on? I have seen reviews from 2013. B1four reviews seem to agree that is overall easier to use than the ON and better. For somebody like me, is it really a $100.00 upgrade?

 

[bassbrad]

@ryrich22 unless the new features on the B4 are something you will use I would hold what you got.

If you want some new sounds especially crazy ones to amuse and amaze then the MS60b has lots of those, it is in the same generation of sounds but they are still quite good quality for live and studio.

 

[SteveCS]

I got the B1on in 17, I think a few years after it came out. I play as a hobby and enjoy messing around with it. Creating patches, however impractical some may be, is fun to do by itself. I guess my ? is for those who have had both. Comparing them, they look so similar, with not much change given the amount of years between them. Did Zoom just repackage what it already had, change a few things and call it an upgrade?

Tbe B1 Four uses the same effect algorithms as the B3n, which IME are are significantly improved over the MS/B3/B1on effects. I also believe the B1 Four uses the same DSP chip as the B3n, which is a more modern chip than that used in the B1on and MultiStomp units. For context, I have two MultiStomp units, a B1on and a newer B3n. The B3n is significantly more pleasing to the ear than any of the older units - it somehow seems more natural and transparent, and less 'processed', even on the more extreme or radical settings. I don't know if the B1 Four follows suit in overall sound quality, but if it does I would say that alone is a worthwhile upgrade from your B1-on. In addition, direct editing using 4 dedicated knobs is a significant HMI improvement for the B1 Four over the B1on, again a worthwhile upgrade.

YMMV

 

[ryrich22]

Tbe B1 Four uses the same effect algorithms as the B3n, which IME are are significantly improved over the MS/B3/B1on effects. I also believe the B1 Four uses the same DSP chip as the B3n, which is a more modern chip than that used in the B1on and MultiStomp units. For context, I have two MultiStomp units, a B1on and a newer B3n. The B3n is significantly more pleasing to the ear than any of the older units - it somehow seems more natural and transparent, and less 'processed', even on the more extreme or radical settings. I don't know if the B1 Four follows suit in overall sound quality, but if it does I would say that alone is a worthwhile upgrade from your B1-on. In addition, direct editing using 4 dedicated knobs is a significant HMI improvement for the B1 Four over the B1on, again a worthwhile upgrade.

YMMV

Thanks for reply.
I have been leaning toward getting it and your comments have hit on some good points, further pushing me in that direction. Even to only play in living room, would be nice to have an improved unit that is easier to use. On a side note, doing a search for multis shows many that have been around for a while. Such as the bp 90, Bss mb 50 I think it is. Literally the same pedal from maybe 7 years ago. Not upgraded, the same pedal. Then look for it and many places dont even carry them any more. Zoom may not be putting out a new pedal every year but at least they put something new out and try to improve upon earlier models.