The thing with multi-fx is all the patches are designed to wow you in the store. Build your own patches from the ground up. It takes a while to figure out what you like, but it's worth it.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Boss GT-1B vs Zoom B3N vs ???
- Thread starter Zooberwerx
- Start date
The thing with multi-fx is all the patches are designed to wow you in the store. Build your own patches from the ground up. It takes a while to figure out what you like, but it's worth it.
Yep. Once you learn what you like, and how to get around the UI, it's quite simple to build your own patches.
I figured out the utilities and able to navigate same via the control panel solely. That's a real plus as I can tweak on-the-fly...I'm guessing the box will sound somewhat in our rehearsal space and gig venues once up to volume. One of our guitarists has some sort of rackmount Line6 something-or-another. Sounds like hell and claims he can only re-tweak via his PC...worthless.
I'm still a little unsure of the "Latch / Unlatch - Control" function.
Riis
La
Latch is basic click on/click off, Unlatch is press on/unpress off. That make sense?
YES! It's awful. There is a lot of gimmicky crapola, and none of it is normalized for a gig in terms of volume, etc. It's a lot of work to get that sucker gig ready!
I would actually pay a decent coin for a configuration that puts together real, useable patches that replicate a pedal board instead of all that junk.
I would actually pay a decent coin for a configuration that puts together real, useable patches that replicate a pedal board instead of all that junk.
So true, and so annoying. I'm not wow'd.
Thing is that it does take a long time, and I *hate* doing that. So I'm eternally looking for something that sits in between the hassle of multi headaches, and the physical downsides to pedals (static configurations, velcro, electrical points of failures, expense, etc.)
I had the Boss ME-50B, and I actually kinda liked it. Physical knobs. Relatively simple and straightforward. No crappy software to deal with. Borderline but acceptable sounds. Maybe I should have kept it. Its technology really is long in the tooth at this point though.
The Bass Fly Rig is a a modern example of such a thing, although reviews are mixed. Maybe V2 puts it over the line.
Last edited:
I just stick with pedals. One of these days I'll sell everything and get a Helix. But today is not the day.
I had the Helix effects. Pretty cool. Very professional and logical. Great sounds. You're still going to be spending a lot of time dealing with USB cords, software, scroll menus, etc.
And someone should have their face belched in for providing that ridiculously short power cord
The other option is buy a midi switcher and program everything with USB cables, software, scroll menus, etc. Helix seems like the better option of the two. But again, nothing I'm looking at right now.
Another seemingly-dumb question: Is there a library or source for user-contributed patch suggestions? I thought I ran across one once but unable to lay hands on it. I don't mind "stealing" from those who have done the extra work...flying the pirate flag!
Riis
Riis
I thought there was one here, maybe under the B1four or similar for patch suggestions. There is also the Tonelib forums. I have found some over there for various Zoom pedals. ToneLib Community Forum
Thank you. I've been following a super-thread but it's more of complaint-fest about the product deficiencies which is not unusual. I like to work along the lines "...here's what we've got and here are some of the better applications".
Riis
The ToneLib library is pretty neat and perfect resource for those who don't quite have the ear for this sort of thing...including me! The pickings are a little slim...appears there was a barrage of contributions which had dried-up over time. Considering starting a "Patches" thread but don't want to re-invent the wheel or subject myself to the onslaught of "do a search" responses.
Quick question: old habits die hard and I'll probably be adding a HPF and compressor to each and every patch. Among the various comp models, is there a particular sim you would consider best all-purpose for a global application? Suggestions are always appreciated!
Riis
Quick question: old habits die hard and I'll probably be adding a HPF and compressor to each and every patch. Among the various comp models, is there a particular sim you would consider best all-purpose for a global application? Suggestions are always appreciated!
Riis
To resurrect an old thread: do any of you still have the GT-1B or B3n? I'm looking at both of these pedals now, leaning toward the GT-1B. What I'm looking for is something I can set up effects for each song in a setlist and scroll through them as I go.
I know the B3n does that, but it sounds like the Boss is a little better. Does the GT-1B do that? How many slots do you get? Are they easy to rearrange for different sets?
Or, should I be looking at a completely different FX pedal? Right now I currently have just a Boss tuner going to a Darkglass X Ultra for my tone and any distortion if needed.
I know the B3n does that, but it sounds like the Boss is a little better. Does the GT-1B do that? How many slots do you get? Are they easy to rearrange for different sets?
Or, should I be looking at a completely different FX pedal? Right now I currently have just a Boss tuner going to a Darkglass X Ultra for my tone and any distortion if needed.
I know I can but have never done so or have seen the need. I guess it would be easy enough to shuffle your patches around, even drop the identical patch in multiple locations via the B3n. You could even give the same patch multiple names depending on the location if it helps navigate the set list.
Riis
Riis
The Zoom B2 Four is certainly worth a look, if that's within your budget. Apart from the tremolo, which I don't like very much, the compression, drives, preamps, distortions, filters, EQ, and reverbs are all pretty good. The general sound quality is quite improved over the n-series, I think.
I'll add to the vs ???
I've had both and still have a GT-1B tucked away but have moved on to an HX Stomp and never looked back. Depends on your budget.
I've had both and still have a GT-1B tucked away but have moved on to an HX Stomp and never looked back. Depends on your budget.
I have the Zoom B3 and have since I bought it had both the B6 and the Boss GT-1B for a shorter time. I'm sure both the Boss and the B6 are both good bass multi-effects once you get a grip on how to program them but for my purpose as a stomp box person and with my needs the old B3 will stay. I've found the best synth- and chorus sound in the B3 as well as a feeling of quality and not as plastic and 'toyis'h as the others. I'm sure the B6 with time would have been very good but for me it was too big and had too many parameters that I'm not interested in.
I like the sound of my basses as they are straight into a good amp when it comes to the basic sound and have no need for preamps, amp simulation or digital tube efforts. If I want compression I'd like a good compressor like the Diamond BC or similar. and as far as octave sound nothing has surpassed my old Boss OC-2 so far (I have a OC-5 as well but seldom use it).
I've been looking at different reviews of bass multi-effectis on youtube and I must say I get more and more sure about what I don't want when I hear all the radical sound efforts going on. Still I'm surprised there hasn't come along any good multi effect focusing on the basic sound of an electric bass and what you can do to enhance it. Most of the presets are ridiculous and would probably get bass players unpopular and fired from normal bandsituations.
And I'm still a player that likes the old 70's fat synthbass sounds and sometimes I go for the fretless chorus experience... but it has to be good and not cheesy, plastic and bad tracking, blurry. But for whatever reason those sounds still seems to be best achieved in older, analog pedals.
I like the sound of my basses as they are straight into a good amp when it comes to the basic sound and have no need for preamps, amp simulation or digital tube efforts. If I want compression I'd like a good compressor like the Diamond BC or similar. and as far as octave sound nothing has surpassed my old Boss OC-2 so far (I have a OC-5 as well but seldom use it).
I've been looking at different reviews of bass multi-effectis on youtube and I must say I get more and more sure about what I don't want when I hear all the radical sound efforts going on. Still I'm surprised there hasn't come along any good multi effect focusing on the basic sound of an electric bass and what you can do to enhance it. Most of the presets are ridiculous and would probably get bass players unpopular and fired from normal bandsituations.
And I'm still a player that likes the old 70's fat synthbass sounds and sometimes I go for the fretless chorus experience... but it has to be good and not cheesy, plastic and bad tracking, blurry. But for whatever reason those sounds still seems to be best achieved in older, analog pedals.
