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HELP! Unwanted Distortion

Hekbass

Hekbass

May 21, 2005
120
0
Zephyrhills, FL
www.reverbnation.com
#1
Yesterday I asked for some help here. As usual, some nice folks took the time to offer their suggestions.
Unfortunately, I tried it all and the issue persisted.

I'm using a Zoom B21.u and I'm getting distortion even on the clean patches.

I found out that unless I pluck VERY softly, it starts distorting. When barely touching the string, the sound comes out nice and clean.
Of course, I can't possibly play that soft in a band setting. I'm in a METAL band!! Trust me, to avoid the distortion, the strings have to be plucked much softer than almost anyone could ever manage. It's ridiculous.

I made a video demonstrating the issue.

Watch--> Gear Issue - YouTube

The problem doesn't happen when I take out the effects pedal and go straight to the amp. I've tried 2 different sets of cables.
The batteries on the bass preamp (yes, it uses 2) are brand new.

The pedal sounds GREAT through headphones. No matter how hard I play, even at ear-splitting volume, the sound remains clean.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON!!!!

I really hope it's my cables...

THANK YOU ALL. I APPRECIATE ALL YOUR FEEDBACK AND HELP.
 
#4
You've tried the cable route. It ain't the cables. You've used the scientific method very well to narrow down the problem.

It looks like you are running the Zoom in the FX loop. Try moving it between the bass and amp.

Bass -> Zoom -> Amp input

Also try

Bass -> Zoom -> Amp FX Return

What happens?
 
#6
I could be wrong, but I don't think my amp has an effects loop.
It's got 2 instrument inputs 1/4" (active and passive), a 1/8" AUX In (for CD/MP3), a 1/4" headphone jack, and a Direct Out (3 prong). On the back it's got a speakon (?) output which I actually use to run an extension cab. That's it. That's all it's got.
 
#11
Floyd Eye said:
Try ditching the zoom and spending gobs of money on a pile of pedals that will do all that stuff a million times better.

I know, I'm sorry.
Click to expand...

LOL! Man, I've been playing for 20 years - since 1992. It wasn't until 2005 that I decided to get an effects pedal. Up until then, I was strictly a no-effects guy. I don't think I see myself dealing with all that. I like the multi-effects thing.
And I guess I'm not the only one. Off the top of my head, Christian McBride I believe uses a Boss multi.

But, most importantly, "gobs of money?" I don't have that. *shrug* No can do.
 
#12
pantherairsoft said:
Have you tried your bass without that unit? Just want to rule out a dying preamp battery!

Does the Zoom have a gain trim pot of any sort of calibration process that you may of accidentally altered?

Shep
Click to expand...

Without "that unit?" You mean without the pedal? Yes.
When the bass is plugged straight to the amp, it sounds beautiful. No matter how hard I pluck, it stays clean.

And, again, the pedal sounds great through headphones!! The same patch that distorts like **** through the amp, sounds clear as a bell through headphones - even plucking as hard as I can at ear-splitting volume. WEIRD, EH?

Bottom line - the issue happens ONLY when running the pedal through the amp. Both sound great separately!! Damn.
 
#13
Hekbass said:
LOL! Man, I've been playing for 20 years - since 1992. It wasn't until 2005 that I decided to get an effects pedal. Up until then, I was strictly a no-effects guy. I don't think I see myself dealing with all that. I like the multi-effects thing.
And I guess I'm not the only one. Off the top of my head, Christian McBride I believe uses a Boss multi.

But, most importantly, "gobs of money?" I don't have that. *shrug* No can do.
Click to expand...

Well, I was just kidding. Although, really it doesn't take gobs of money. It's also worth noting ( in a very subjective way) that generally individual pedals besides being more user friendly are better at the effects they produce, unless you start getting into the very high end multi FX units. This is of course just my opinion.
 
#18
Could the effects processor signal be too hot? Check the output volume of the effects processor. I believe on your model, it's the "Patch Level" parameter in each individual patch. It may have been changed inadvertently.

Also, my processor has a parameter that has to be set for 'headphones' or 'Amp / Direct'. If I plug anything into the 1/8" headphone jack, it automatically switches itself to 'headphone' mode and you have to shut it off manually if you don't want 'headphone' mode. This might be why it sounds good through headphones. The headphone setting limits volume to a predetermined level and automatically adds a cabinet simulator to the effects chain. If you're accidentally sending a cabinet simulator through the amp, to the cabinet, even at limited levels, it would probably distort.

Have you contacted Zoom customer support?

Tel: (1) 631-784-2200 Fax: (1) 631-784-2201
Invalid Link Removed
E-mail: [email protected]
 
#19
pantherairsoft said:
Have you tried your bass without that unit? Just want to rule out a dying preamp battery!

Does the Zoom have a gain trim pot of any sort of calibration process that you may of accidentally altered?

Shep
Click to expand...

^This, I think the gain on the pedal is sending a very hot signal to the amp causing it to distort, because in your video, not only did it distort, it got really loud..... read the manual and set the gain to unity....
 

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