Boss GT-1B ... Arrogant? Stupid? Definitely unusable live.

[gumtown]

The GT-1B has a fully movable effect signal chain, each effect can be placed in any order,
the GT-1B can be bypassed by either switching in the Tuner (if tuner is set to bypass mode), or saving a patch with every thing switched 'off'.
I have always found the Boss gear to be quite transparent in bypass.

If you want control over effect chains, good modeling and MIDI functions you need to step up and get a V-Bass module.
The GT1B is a simple entry level multi. Zoom is indeed way ahead in this range.
How can in 2017 a company dare offer a bypass that doesn't sound totally transparent?

The V-Bass is quite old, the GR-55 does that plus more.
The type of modelling referred to in the V-Bass is HRM instrument modelling (make your bass sound like a Fender/Gibson/Guitar/Organ)
I thought the GT-1B reference to modelling was just the Pre-amps.
Their amp modelling is getting quite good in recent years, the modelling is being continually refined and improved.

I will just accept the GT-1B for what it is, a compact entry level bass multi effects,
to expect it to give you full MIDI control over your pedal board is absurd, it only has 3 buttons.
It's about the size of 3 compact effect pedals, can give you 9 at one time,
and has dozens of effects to choose from, and bass amp models.

 

[moles]

I for one am still happy with my GT-10B. I've inherited a GT-100 and can compare....not hearing a huge difference yet (other than quite a bit of compression at the input in the GT-100). Either way, I'm very much wanting to hear what their new flagship (when it comes) will be like. If it's a dead tie with the 10B sound quality-wise but fixes some things (I want to be able to change patches while on bypass! I want to be able to split the signal after the amp model but before the speaker sim! I want a 800rb model!!!) then I'd be in for sure

 

[FuzzFacetious]

I'm waiting for the local store to receive the 1B that I've ordered.

The guitar version is amazing, used with a FS7 and I intend to use the B with the FS7 too.

Of course you can use it live, especially with the FS7. You can switch things up as much as you want with "assigns" within each patch AND switch over to another patch if you need more sounds instantly available than one patch allows with all assigns maxed out.

 

[BigBasserino]

I've found myself seriously considering getting an inexpensive Ibanez 6er (500 series) and getting a midi pickup installed.

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And plugging it into this:

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If only the pickup assembly wasn't so bulky.

We're at the age where it shouldn't be fantasy, and companies like industrial radio shouldn't be selling a generic jazz bass with midi features prebuilt in for $3000 (last price I heard). As good as basses have gotten I just think it's plain pathetic nobody pursued the midi pickup category on a broader scale.

 

[tfer]

We're at the age where it shouldn't be fantasy, and companies like industrial radio shouldn't be selling a generic jazz bass with midi features prebuilt in for $3000 (last price I heard). As good as basses have gotten I just think it's plain pathetic nobody pursued the midi pickup category on a broader scale.

Completely agree.

 

[gumtown]

Something to do with patents and licensing, unless you can invent something completely new.

 

[Jantelagen]

Sounds cool. Will check it out

The Boss MS 3 has surprisingly halted my searches and I'm a hard sale! I've been using it on my main board with whatever pedals of choice. Its replacing a few other boutique pedals and probably the b3n on my small board. I like the small footprint compared to a multi as well. The effects modeling is totally improved and more organic than expected. I based my MS3 purchase from demoing the Gt-1b... Regarding your multifx issues, it seems obvious to just preload patches with what you wanted. Still IMO, and while its possible to home brew sounds, Boss sounds best in the price range right now while the Zoom stuff has a lot function capabilities but lacks in sound and a tad novelty. I know, subjectivity. Obviously, Its comes down to what you're were looking for as far as sound vs live use. The MS3 seems to cover it all with great effects and function imo. Plus, its pro gear

 

[Jazz Ad]

We're at the age where it shouldn't be fantasy, and companies like industrial radio shouldn't be selling a generic jazz bass with midi features prebuilt in for $3000 (last price I heard). As good as basses have gotten I just think it's plain pathetic nobody pursued the midi pickup category on a broader scale.

See, the thing is, string instruments make terrible MIDI controllers. Whatever you do you still need 1/2 a period to detect the pitch.
Add the low range of the bass to it, a bit of processing time and you get unbearable lag even with the most modern solutions.
Sympathetic resonance confuses the hell out of sensors and strings tend to wobble on decay with less than accurate pitch.
There is no cheap way out of this. You have to use hexaphonic pickups or remain mono. From there there are two schools.
You can modulate around the core signal to build synthesis, this is the GR-55 or Variax way. It doesn't get you MIDI though.
The alternative is to install sensors inside frets so you can instantly detect pitches and only rely on string detection for the envelope and harmonics. This is the Peavey / Industrial Radio way and it require heavy modifications and wiring inside the instrument.

 

[Jazz Ad]

The MS3 seems to cover it all with great effects and function imo. Plus, its pro gear

Sound quality is subjective, however I don't understand why you'd qualify the MS3 as pro gear (whatever that means) and not the B3n. Similar construction and ADA conversion is cleaner on the Zoom, to the point of being transparent.

 

[The Deep End]

The Boss MS 3 has surprisingly halted my searches and I'm a hard sale! I've been using it on my main board with whatever pedals of choice. Its replacing a few other boutique pedals and probably the b3n on my small board. I like the small footprint compared to a multi as well. The effects modeling is totally improved and more organic than expected. I based my MS3 purchase from demoing the Gt-1b... Regarding your multifx issues, it seems obvious to just preload patches with what you wanted. Still IMO, and while its possible to home brew sounds, Boss sounds best in the price range right now while the Zoom stuff has a lot function capabilities but lacks in sound and a tad novelty. I know, subjectivity. Obviously, Its comes down to what you're were looking for as far as sound vs live use. The MS3 seems to cover it all with great effects and function imo. Plus, its pro gear

I looked at the MS-3 features and find them alluring, particularly having built-in loops for external pedals.

I returned the GT-1B and went for a Zoom G5N - mostly due to an interface that made immediate sense to me and a plethora of pedals (with lit up labels). This adds up to me as being an easier play live.

Also only ran me $70 more than the GT-1B (Sweetwater demo) versus an extra $200 for the MS-3. So I'll use it for a while and see where it takes me. Hopefully (probably) there will be technology that makes all these options obsolete

 

[Jazz Ad]

I returned the GT-1B and went for a Zoom G5N - mostly due to an interface that made immediate sense to me and a plethora of pedals (with lit up labels). This adds up to me as being an easier play live.

What made you go with a G5n rather than a B3n? The interface is similar and you'd get tones better suited for bass. You can use an expression pedal with it as well.

 

[The Deep End]

What made you go with a G5n rather than a B3n? The interface is similar and you'd get tones better suited for bass. You can use an expression pedal with it as well.

I had read of several bassists being happy with the G5N effects, and for additional $70, like the additional stomp pedal, volume/expression pedal, and (most of all) separate pedal for tuner / bypass.

But really, only time will tell if these multi fx pedals work for me. So far, so good.

 

[jimfist]

I had read of several bassists being happy with the G5N effects, and for additional $70, like the additional stomp pedal, volume/expression pedal, and (most of all) separate pedal for tuner / bypass.

But really, only time will tell if these multi fx pedals work for me. So far, so good.

Yup. I'm one of those bassists who has been gigging the G5n regularly (for about a year-and-a-half). If you RELY on amp/cab simulation, the G5n will require some creativity and experimentation in order to turn that trick. But for straightforward "virtual stompbox" serial routing without amp/cab simulation, you can load up to 9 stomps and have "always available" access to 4 at any one time + (always) exp pedal fx, and then a quick scroll left or right exposes the remaining virtual stomps. Dedicated tap tempo switch, tuner switch, vol knob, tone knob, boost knob, and USB audio.

Just a personal choice, but for me there's something to be said for having a pedal that doesn't require add-ons or a whole lot of pre-programming or thought just to be able to do simple functions like turn on individual stomps or tune. For live, the G5n lets me concentrate on my playing and lets me perform switching changes in a way that is intuitive and immediate. No guessing as to which switch was programmed to do what function for patch XYZ.

The Gt-1B is definitely a neat little pedal, and has a lot of programmability. But as an all-in-one item, IMHO the pedal format of the G5n is not only very easy to grasp (no menu diving or computer editor needed), but has enough physical switches to accommodate live needs. The comparison between B3n and GT-1B might be a little tougher to call, and depends really on what you need from a pedal in performance. Both have their pluses/minuses.

 

[moles]

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!! What is this MS-3 thing? How did I miss this???

 

[TodaysTomSawyer]

Sound quality is subjective, however I don't understand why you'd qualify the MS3 as pro gear (whatever that means) and not the B3n. Similar construction and ADA conversion is cleaner on the Zoom, to the point of being transparent.

So have you already had the chance to try out the MS-3 or the GT-1B for impressions or comparisons with the B3N aside from user issues or preferences?

 

[Jazz Ad]

GT1-B no, MS-3 yes. Very cool little machine. While not a wiring fest like the ES8 it should be great for someone liking to mix pedals with a multi. Outstanding modulations and delays.

On the topic of conversion and bypass, the bypassed MS3 is audibly different from a cable bypass. Not bad but hearable. It has that bright clean tone shared by a lot of Boss gear. I certainly could live with it.
There already are tests around with measurements that demonstrate the B3n bypass as impossible do distinguish from cable bypass. It doesn't come as a surprise since it was already the case with the B3.
The same early tests regarding the GT1B currently go from "unbearable" to "decent".

 

[The Deep End]

GT1-B no, MS-3 yes. Very cool little machine. While not a wiring fest like the ES8 it should be great for someone liking to mix pedals with a multi. Outstanding modulations and delays.

On the topic of conversion and bypass, the bypassed MS3 is audibly different from a cable bypass. Not bad but hearable. It has that bright clean tone shared by a lot of Boss gear. I certainly could live with it.
There already are tests around with measurements that demonstrate the B3n bypass as impossible do distinguish from cable bypass. It doesn't come as a surprise since it was already the case with the B3.
The same early tests regarding the GT1B currently go from "unbearable" to "decent".

Excellent feedback. Thanks!

 

[TodaysTomSawyer]

GT1-B no, MS-3 yes. Very cool little machine. While not a wiring fest like the ES8 it should be great for someone liking to mix pedals with a multi. Outstanding modulations and delays.

On the topic of conversion and bypass, the bypassed MS3 is audibly different from a cable bypass. Not bad but hearable. It has that bright clean tone shared by a lot of Boss gear. I certainly could live with it.
There already are tests around with measurements that demonstrate the B3n bypass as impossible do distinguish from cable bypass. It doesn't come as a surprise since it was already the case with the B3.
The same early tests regarding the GT1B currently go from "unbearable" to "decent".

Very cool. Sounds promising! Thanks for addressing the bypass as well

 

[FuzzFacetious]

GT1-B no, MS-3 yes. Very cool little machine. While not a wiring fest like the ES8 it should be great for someone liking to mix pedals with a multi. Outstanding modulations and delays.

On the topic of conversion and bypass, the bypassed MS3 is audibly different from a cable bypass. Not bad but hearable. It has that bright clean tone shared by a lot of Boss gear. I certainly could live with it.
There already are tests around with measurements that demonstrate the B3n bypass as impossible do distinguish from cable bypass. It doesn't come as a surprise since it was already the case with the B3.
The same early tests regarding the GT1B currently go from "unbearable" to "decent".

Where are you reading about these tests?

 

[Jazz Ad]

Youtube and TB mostly.