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How is the overdrive on Zoom multieffects?

I

Inconnu

Nov 1, 2005
2,407
1,148
Montreal, Canada
#1
Hi!
I’m starting to like the idea of simplifying my current setup with a single multieffect unit and Zoom products (B1on, B3n and MS60b) are on the top of my list.

My first concern was the bypass, but I own a G1on and I tested it’s bypass... No more worries, it’s perfect.

Second concern: overdrive!
I need it to be great, and it’s frequently the weakness of multis. I can’t seem to find any demos (videos) of a mild overdrive of these pedals! Can anyone tell me about it or point me to a decent demo? Perhaps one of the bass tube screamer model?
 
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#2
Inconnu said:
Hi!
I’m starting to like the idea of simplifying my current setup with a single multieffect unit and Zoom products (B1on, B3n and MS60b) are on the top of my list.

My first concern was the bypass, but I own a G1on and I tested it’s bypass... No more worries, it’s perfect.

Second concern: overdrive!
I need it to be great, and it’s frequently the weakness of multis. I can’t seem to find any demos (videos) of a mild overdrive of these pedals! Can anyone tell me about it or point me to a decent demo? Perhaps one of the bass tube screamer model?
Click to expand...

I have yet to meet a multiFX with a good dirt. Of the three Zoom pedals listed, I mostly have experience with the B3 and it does not do any kind of "good" dirt. Heck, it cannot even do a usable dirt tone.
 
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#4
I own the original B3 and the more subtle distortion effects won't wow anyone who's picky about their dirt pedals. Then again dirt pedals pale next to cranked tube amps, and so on. The fuzzes are pretty decent. With digital multiFX, I ignore what a particular effect is supposed to be modeled on and just worry about whether it sounds good.
 
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#5
brianrost said:
I own the original B3 and the more subtle distortion effects won't wow anyone who's picky about their dirt pedals. Then again dirt pedals pale next to cranked tube amps, and so on. The fuzzes are pretty decent. With digital multiFX, I ignore what a particular effect is supposed to be modeled on and just worry about whether it sounds good.
Click to expand...

I agree, I don’t care either what an effect is modeled after and use that info as an indication only.

Anyways, you’re saying the cranked tube amps are ok on these pedals?

I’m trying to figure out if I should try one before I buy instead of ordering.
 
#12
Some of the distortion, fuzz and drive pedals and amps are quite usable so I give the Zoom distortions a passing grade of "C" and certainly use them on occasion. It does take a bit more tweaking to get a comparable tone if you have a real world analog to compare and if you keep in mind that the Zoom engineers all seem to be going for extreme saturation you just have to keep the gains well down from where you would have them on an analog pedal. I do like the fact that you can save and recall settings, especially useful for live.
 
Last edited:
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#13
Inconnu said:
So it’s a personal preference thing now is it?
:)
Click to expand...

Well...I had a Zoom B3, which opened my eyes wide open to the wonderful world of effects and I was very thankful for that. But I soon found the limitations of the Zoom B3, especially that the dirt was very poor. I got a little mileage from some of the overdriven amp sims, but the poor dirt started me on a quest to find and learn about analogue bass dirt. I bought around 15 different bass dirt pedals and built another 15 or so dirt pedals on my quest. These days, I use a Source Audio Aftershock, a Mastotron and a Dam Ezekiel. That's me done for dirt. The Aftershock (although digital) serves 80% of my dirt needs. It's got some of the most transparent overdrives I've ever heard / used. But sometimes...only a specific analogue fuzz will do.
I still have a single zoom pedal, it's a MS-70CDR which is very good, especially for the price. But my Strymon Mobius and Eventide H9 are better sounding, clearer, less muddy and stack better.
 
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#14
bassbrad said:
Some of the distortion, fuzz and drive pedals and amps are quite usable so I give the Zoom distortions a passing grade of "C" and certainly use them on occasion. It does take a bit more tweaking to get a comparable tone if you have a real world analog to compare and if you keep in mind that the Zoom engineers all seem to be going for extreme saturation you just have to keep the gains well down from where you would have them on an analog pedal. I do like the fact that you can save and recall settings, especially useful for live.
Click to expand...
I just (finally!) found videos and audio demos of interesting enough dirt sounds from Zoom to get me to want to try them out. Only problem: the only model available in a store around town is the B1on, which is at the bottom of my list (I tend to prefer the flexibility of the B3n and MS60b in terms of switching one or more effects on or off in a patch). I guess it will give me an idea of the sound so I could decide if I’d order another model.
 
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#15
Inconnu said:
I just (finally!) found videos and audio demos of interesting enough dirt sounds from Zoom to get me to want to try them out. Only problem: the only model available in a store around town is the B1on, which is at the bottom of my list (I tend to prefer the flexibility of the B3n and MS60b in terms of switching one or more effects on or off in a patch). I guess it will give me an idea of the sound so I could decide if I’d order another model.
Click to expand...

I'm gonna sorta try a similar thing with the Zoom B3, to see if the sounds are similar.

I've been on a sorta tone quest lately as well and have been viewing lots of demos, reading reviews, etc. (There aren't too many music stores where I am)

On the whole Zoom B3N thread it gets lots of rave reviews and I still wanna try one (or even buy one for fun?), but I also know that I'm very picky and have a feeling I might be disappointed.

OTOH I've heard *absolute* rave reviews about the newer Line6 multi's, but I don't need that much either(and it's costly)...

With all that I'm gonna go with a Source Audio setup, I just ordered 2 off the classifieds (Aftershock and Orbital)and will definitely get the Manta again (down the road the Hub/midi setup as well).

Either way, good luck to the OP! I'm interested as to your findings, the B3N *is* pretty cheap.
 
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#16
Inconnu said:
Second concern: overdrive!
I need it to be great, and it’s frequently the weakness of multis. I can’t seem to find any demos (videos) of a mild overdrive of these pedals! Can anyone tell me about it or point me to a decent demo? Perhaps one of the bass tube screamer model?
Click to expand...


The "Billy sheehan setting is pretty good for light/medium, TS type overdrive.
 
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#17
I have a zoom b3 and I would say that some of the distortion models are quite decent. while other were meh. it all about personal tastes really. I personally like the metal zone, the odb-3, the proco rat, tube-screamer, and the xotic bass bb for dirt. especially when used with amp models. right now, I plan to upgrade to the zoom b3n sometime soon. I'm really intrigued by the darkglass models that multi-effects processor provides.
 
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#18
I own many different multi fx pedals, both guitar and bass. I've only ever used em at home for practice or just playing. Mostly with headphones but with amps too. Don't get me wrong I love playing with them, think they are more to give me a taste for what I'm looking for. I don't think any of them are up to snuff to use onstage for a show. Recording maybe, but live I will buy the real deal actual effect needed for the job.
 
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#19
IMO, the drives are passable for the odd gig, but if you want a 'great' overdrive, I'd supplement it with something else.

Until the firmware update for the MS60b, there wasn't anything that I found usuable as a very light drive - they all sounded too artificial and digital. So I use an EBS Billy Sheehan drive on my big board and an EHX bass Soul Food on my small board. The Tube Screamer model in the new firmware however isn't too bad and I can get away with using that if I'm playing a short set and only want to take minimal gear (ie, the MS60b running on batteries).
 
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#20
PS If you need the flexibility of turning off/on effects within a patch, avoid the MS60b. Switching between patch mode and stompbox mode during a gig is a PITA. Yes, there's the Disaster Area midi controllers that alleviate this issue but if you need to spend extra just to make it work the way you want it to, just spend the extra on the B3n to start with.

IMO, the MS60b pedal is better as a set and forget pedal with just a handful of patches, supplemented with other pedals. Or used to replace a number of infrequently used pedals in one unit alongside your main stompboxes. It pretty much fails as a standalone 'pedalboard in a box' type unit.
 

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