How is the overdrive on Zoom multieffects?

[Dave W]

Significantly more expensive, but have a look at the Line 6 HX. The dirt is very good and there are tons of tweaking options.

 

[Inconnu]

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).

The idea of getting a multi comes from the fact that I recently had tone sucking issues when having a whole bunch of pedals plugged in (and bypassed half of the time) AND that my Bass Soul Food seems to have died last week (harsh distortion sounding like an uncontrolled peaking mic preamp appeared on the clean side of the effect at all settings). I sort of realized I’d like to explore an all in one solution, at least to cover parts of my board that I’m not satisfied with. The Bass Soul Food was ok, but I can’t say that it was optimal in terms of drive for me. I don’t feel like just replacing it by a new one. I wouldn’t mind plugging in specific pedals I all ready have (bassballs perhaps, and my delay pedal), but drive, other envelope sounds and modulation would have to be covered by a Zoom.

That said, the MS-60b as a line selector, right? So it’s possible to bypass 2 or more effects at once? But I do get that using that option, you need to bend down to switch patches with a knob.

I guess the B3n would be the best bet.

 

[Saint]

Agree with those who liked the Zoom for things other than distortion. There are distortion effects that are usable, but if you are looking for that Chris Squire/Geddy Lee crunch, this probably isn't the pedal. The only DIGITAL unit I've found that can get me close to those tones is the Line 6 POD bass amp models. Those can be quite good, but they take time to tweak. And, of course, they have a lot of other good effects.

 

[Silas Stingy]

The B3(n) is an improvement over the previous model for overdrives. There is a very long thread about the unit somewhere on TB.

 

[brianrost]

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

I've been using digital MFX for close to 30 years and the distortion effects keep improving, but as I wrote before if you are picky, you will not be satisfied.

Like most digital FX units the super high gain sounds are good, it's the ones that lie between clean and total white noise fuzz that are meh. If you go in expecting something even close to the behavior of an analog pedal, like rolling off your volume cleans up the sound, digging in increases the dirt, etc. forget it. As others have noted adding a plain vanilla Tube Screamer or similar to the B3 will definitely sound better for light overdrive.

If the goal is using a single box, you have to make a compromise. The original B3 suits me well: one box that runs on batteries (B3n does not). I use mine for EQ, compression and amp simulation when busking where the battery power is a must.

I’m trying to figure out if I should try one before I buy instead of ordering.

You should always try before you buy, if you can.

 

[andruca]

I've been using the SansAmp emulation on the MS60B for 3 years and it simply rocks. I also own a SansAmp RBI and haven't even bothered A/Bing them, but the MS60B emulation gets things done for the same kind of crunchy fat sound I dial in my RBI. Only other Zoom multiFX I've kept (from the many I've had) is the (module oriented) 708ii which, by means of its "booster" can and did provide me with a great SansAmp'esque sound (evolved around the "PCKBET" factory patch) for years before I owned the MS60B.

 

[City]

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.

I second this. Completely unusable for dirt. Mine sits in the drawer, bought new, never played out.

 

[Dynomuttasaurus]

I have the inexpensive Zoom B1on. It's good for practice as there's lots of preset beats and the bypass is quiet. It's a horrid overdirve/distortion device. Maybe you could dial something in as a custom patch, but the presets are AWFUL. Some of the other presets are okay, just not for dirt. The B1on does not go to band practice or gigs. It's place is in my practice room in the bassment.

Here's a sample of me playing with the Billy Sheehan preset. .

 

[mysteryclock]

I've had both the B3 and B3n, and I can tell you the "n" is a major step up in quality, in both preamps and effects. Their Darkglass effect in particular is very good.

 

[AndreasR]

I can't recommend the older Zoom products for dirt, though I got the MS60B to work as a pretty decent fuzz pedal. The B3n though has great options at all intensities from slight overdrive to face melting fuzz.

 

[Johno Dunn]

Get a B3n. Drives are great!

 

[Johno Dunn]

The "Billy sheehan setting is pretty good for light/medium, TS type overdrive.

He’s done some cool presets using only three slots. With the B3n you get four more slots, and more powerful effects! Imagine the possibilities!

 

[hintz]

He’s done some cool presets using only three slots. With the B3n you get four more slots, and more powerful effects! Imagine the possibilities!

I know, it all sounded really good except that fuzz!!

 

[Johno Dunn]

I know, it all sounded really good except that fuzz!!

I even kinda liked it! I would never use it, but I liked it.

 

[jimfist]

B3 dirts not so good IMO. I had much difficulty with them. B3n and new "n" series pedals are miles better than previous versions for drive/dirt stuff. I've had plenty of luck getting dirt sounds with relative ease, and not gigged my B3 since switching to the "n" series Zoom pedals.

Even amongst analog dirt pedal fans, tastes and opinions are all over the map. As with anything, YMMV. JMHO.

 

[FuzzFacetious]

Try either a B3n (not b3) or a Boss GT-1B,imo they both have really decent drives. Previous gen... Not so much although the MS60b was greatly improved after the huge unexpected update

 

[Inconnu]

Try either a B3n (not b3) or a Boss GT-1B,imo they both have really decent drives. Previous gen... Not so much although the MS60b was greatly improved after the huge unexpected update

Just a question that pops in my mind.

Reading info and manuals about those doesn’t give me a clear answer to the following question:

Is there an adjustment of the input level I would send to the multi and an output level control with those (all or any) multi?

The ideas are not to overload and make the effects peak with a signal that would be too strong and to be able to reach unity level when the pedal is bypassed.

 

[Ricky Caboverde]

I'm in minority in that I really dig the 60b dirt, specifically the TS808 sim. FWIW, I only play through headphones and don't own an amp and cab, so...

 

[waveman]

I find the od and distortions on the MS 60-B to be pretty darn good. The Bass BB was virtually indistinguishable from the real thing, plus the bonus is that all (I think) od and distortion have a clean blend. The I can get B Squeak model to sound very close to my MXR M85. I also like the MS 60-B better than the Aftershock.

I think the is a youtube demo comparing the real BB and the Zoom. It was a good enough demo, that I didn't do one myself.

I don't have any issues switching my MS 60-B, and I have 5 different settings. You can just use it a s single pedal on/off or patch mode A/B where one patch is the dirt and the other no effect.

 

[Inconnu]

I find the od and distortions on the MS 60-B to be pretty darn good. The Bass BB was virtually indistinguishable from the real thing, plus the bonus is that all (I think) od and distortion have a clean blend. The I can get B Squeak model to sound very close to my MXR M85. I also like the MS 60-B better than the Aftershock.

I think the is a youtube demo comparing the real BB and the Zoom. It was a good enough demo, that I didn't do one myself.

I don't have any issues switching my MS 60-B, and I have 5 different settings. You can just use it a s single pedal on/off or patch mode A/B where one patch is the dirt and the other no effect.

Is there a general output level control?
I mean, something to avoid volume drops when it’s turned off?

And is it only 2 or more patches I can work with in patch a/b mode?