Is There Life After the Zoom B3?

[Stranger Danger]

My first foray into the world of bass effects was the Zoom B3. At the time, it was a GREAT investment and I don't at all regret getting it.

Four years later, now that I've grown as a bass player and know more about what I want and don't want in a pedal setup, I'm beginning to feel somewhat constrained by the B3.

It all started with the tuner component. I am finding it more and more annoying, having to press and wait for a couple of seconds before it mutes. Would much rather have a separate tuner that engages and mutes immediately upon being stomped. Not a massive deal, but when on stage, a couple of seconds can seem like an eternity...

The tuner was the proverbial hole in the dyke. Now, I'm beginning to rethink how happy I am with the effects that I use on the B3, namely:

MComp / 160 Comp
Octave / Mono Pitch
Bass Muff
Arena Reverb
Bass BB / Bottom B (not really necessary)
Flanger (not really necessary)
Vibrato (not really necessary)

I know the cost difference between the B3 and individual pedals tells me to shut up and be happy with the B3, but now that the B3n is out, along with things like the GT-1B, I am gassing a bit for an upgrade / change.

So, the question to myself is, should I go for a setup like Tuner, Compressor, Octaver, Distortion, Reverb or go for an upgrade to the B3, or just be content with my current lot in life?

Yes, the answer is "It depends" on what my specific circumstances are.

My question to you fine folks is, what has your experience been?
Anyone out there evolve away from the B3 and have any comments to share?
Did you regret opening up this Pandora's box, or in your experience is the improvement in sound, customizability, immediate access to controls worth the added expense?

Get yourself some real pedals. You'll be much happier with the performance and the results.

 

[Shinbone]

I'm in the same boat. I started off with a Zoom MS-60b (I still use it.) From that, I figured out what effects I actually like to use and have started my migration to single pedals. I now have an octaver pedal that I like. Next, I'm searching for the right chorus pedal. Maybe a distortion after that.
I'll still hang on to the Zoom in case I need something unusual.

 

[DanGroove]

Get yourself some real pedals. You'll be much happier with the performance and the results.

I’m personally happier with my multiFx than I ever was with my board full of real pedals. The patch cables never go bad, the knobs dont get moved due to the load shifting around in the case in transport, never have issues with ground loops, or clicking popping while engaging an effect, never accidentally tweak a knob with my toe while hitting a switch, can use snapshots to engage disengage multiple fx and even change the parameters of those fx with a single click.

The upper end units sound just as good as the analog ones. They are even fooling the tone snobs with their tube amp models in blind shootouts now.

The only point anyone has made on here that would at all give me pause is that if your multi-goes all your fx are gone and it’s much more expensive to replace. That one you can’t get around, and it’s why I am saving to purchase a helix floor as a backup in case my helix rack ever fails on a gig.

 

[lat]

I'm in the same boat. I started off with a Zoom MS-60b (I still use it.) From that, I figured out what effects I actually like to use and have started my migration to single pedals. I now have an octaver pedal that I like. Next, I'm searching for the right chorus pedal. Maybe a distortion after that.
I'll still hang on to the Zoom in case I need something unusual.

Which Octaver did you end up with?

 

[Bfieldy]

Get yourself some real pedals. You'll be much happier with the performance and the results.

Meh. I've gigged the B3n for a year now with very good results. I currently have a bigger board with individual pedals and a HX Stomp (which is excellent) but the Zoom will stay on my mini board for less hassle gigs. Outstanding unit for the money.

 

[dannybuoy]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I think I will add an external tuner to complement the B3. Waiting for the mute to kick in is a PITA when onstage, IMO, which none of the multi-effects pedals address.

Another issue that is bugging me with the B3 is the Octave / Mono Pitch effects not tracking well. None of the moderately priced multi-effects pedals seem to have this issue fully addressed, with the possible exception of the HX line, which is not exactly moderately priced, in my books...

I'm thinking that the HX quality will trickle down to more affordable options in the not-too-distant future, and I can port over to that when it happens...

The octaver in the B3n is much better than the B3 in terms of tracking and latency. I’d say it’s as good as the one in the Helix (which is actually a legacy effect from the M5/M9/M13, there is no modern Helix analog style octaver, just pitch shift which isn’t the same thing).

It sounds great blended with the dry signal. But if you want the 100% wet OC-2 synth effect, I’d advise you to go for a 3Leaf Octabvre Mini instead.

 

[jmone]

When I got more "into" effects, I grabbed myself an Eventide H9. I learned what effects I actually liked on bass and suited my playing style. From there I sold the H9 and started buying the individual effects because usually a dedicated box will sound better (particularly for analog stuff). I enjoy having a small board of all the stuff I will actually use and I like having everything with it's own dedicated knobs/footswitches.

That being said the dedicated route is a much more expensive one, especially if you start looking at some more boutique offerings. And added to that is the constant GAS of thinking "this dirt pedal is better...actually this one is better...actually maybe it's this one...okay last one..."

 

[Stranger Danger]

I’m personally happier with my multiFx than I ever was with my board full of real pedals. The patch cables never go bad, the knobs dont get moved due to the load shifting around in the case in transport, never have issues with ground loops, or clicking popping while engaging an effect, never accidentally tweak a knob with my toe while hitting a switch, can use snapshots to engage disengage multiple fx and even change the parameters of those fx with a single click.

The upper end units sound just as good as the analog ones. They are even fooling the tone snobs with their tube amp models in blind shootouts now.

The only point anyone has made on here that would at all give me pause is that if your multi-goes all your fx are gone and it’s much more expensive to replace. That one you can’t get around, and it’s why I am saving to purchase a helix floor as a backup in case my helix rack ever fails on a gig.

To me it’s night and day from what you get in a bargain box like the Zoom vs the Helix vs real pedals. The Helix is great but has way too much stuff that I’m not interested in at all. The Zoom sounds are really bad. Comparing the Zoom box to real pedals is like comparing a tofu burger to a real cheeseburger. You could live on the former but the latter makes life taste a lot better.

 

[Stranger Danger]

When I got more "into" effects, I grabbed myself an Eventide H9. I learned what effects I actually liked on bass and suited my playing style. From there I sold the H9 and started buying the individual effects because usually a dedicated box will sound better (particularly for analog stuff). I enjoy having a small board of all the stuff I will actually use and I like having everything with it's own dedicated knobs/footswitches.

That being said the dedicated route is a much more expensive one, especially if you start looking at some more boutique offerings. And added to that is the constant GAS of thinking "this dirt pedal is better...actually this one is better...actually maybe it's this one...okay last one..."

But that’s the fun part!

 

[gregmon79]

Why do people think you need a pedalboard just for a couple of pedals. I see plenty of people use 3 or 4 pedals without a board, including pros. Just lay them on the floor.



Why on Earth would he use a pedalboard for one pedal???

Just a suggestion dude. Settle down. I’ve seen plenty of guys use small boards for a multi and a tuner or exp or whatever. It’s easier to set up and take down when you’re on stage too. I’d prefer a board with a couple pedals over not one any day for those reasons. Different strokes, different folks. It’s ok man.

 

[gregmon79]

I was on the fence when I went shopping for a multi. I had always avoided Line6 like the plague based on the old POD sounds. Now for home practice they were every bit as good as the Zoom, but I always buy with potential for live use in mind. I was looking really hard at the Boss unit at the $1000US price point (can't remember the model #). The guy showed me the UI for the boss and the UI for the Helix, plus all the signal routing on the Helix. It was such a night and day difference in ease of use. I was still very skeptical so I went home and spent a week watching Youtube videos on the Helix, comparison videos, blind shootouts etc. Finally I hesitantly pulled the trigger on it, with the return policy well in mind. I was blown away. I sold every single pedal I owned except a Peterson Stomp classic that I kept for bench use and a Future Impact which is its own amazing animal. The HX FX is quite a bit more than the other multis referenced in this thread, but if you feel you are looking for a step up from the Zoom you have, I firmly believe it is the best choice put forth so far. There are a couple of others out there at the same price point as the HX FX that might well be comparable in sound quality. Perhaps some folks who own them might chime in.

If you already have the zoom though and it just isn't cutting it anymore, I would be hesistant to go with anything under the $500US price point. I think you'd be better to just keep with what you have and save your cash.

I was the same exact way with line 6 stuff. So skittish about the HX and the price tag. Until I got it and played it. All skittishness quickly abated after that. Blown away. Still am.

 

[gregmon79]

Which Octaver did you end up with?

Hey what kind of octave are you after? Analogue or digital??

 

[lat]

Hey what kind of octave are you after? Analogue or digital??

Oh man, I see a rabbit hole up ahead...

Cannonball!!!

I'm thinking digital, since from what I've seen on the interwebs leads me to believe they track better? I have a few songs that need to go below a drop-D, with a couple that need that bass-synth vibe... But, I have zero real world experience with a real Octaver pedal.

 

[gregmon79]

Oh man, I see a rabbit hole up ahead...

Cannonball!!!

I'm thinking digital, since from what I've seen on the interwebs leads me to believe they track better? I have a few songs that need to go below a drop-D, with a couple that need that bass-synth vibe... But, I have zero real world experience with a real Octaver pedal.

Well, to get the synthy sound, you’ll want to go analogue. Maybe the newer MXR vintage bass octave. I hear it’s a lot like the OC2 and tracks better. If you want a strong tracking octave, you want digital. But remember, both these sound quite different. For digital, the POG is great, the pitch fork is good for drop tunings I hear and the bass whammy is great for pitch shifting of course as well as a straight digital octave up or down or a lot of other ones. The pitch fork does a lot of other octaves too. The POG not as much. But then there’s the micro POG and the POG. Haha rabbit hole indeed!

So it really depends what you’re wanting and what you’re gonna use it for.

 

[lat]

Well, to get the synthy sound, you’ll want to go analogue. Maybe the newer MXR vintage bass octave. I hear it’s a lot like the OC2 and tracks better. If you want a strong tracking octave, you want digital. But remember, both these sound quite different. For digital, the POG is great, the pitch fork is good for drop tunings I hear and the bass whammy is great for pitch shifting of course as well as a straight digital octave up or down or a lot of other ones. The pitch fork does a lot of other octaves too. The POG not as much. But then there’s the micro POG and the POG. Haha rabbit hole indeed!

So it really depends what you’re wanting and what you’re gonna use it for.

haha! Thanks for confirming my suspicion! This is exactly why I went for the B3 in the first place... I think I will be keeping my eye on HX pricing and biding my time. But, regardless of that, I think I'll be wanting a separate tuner pedal that will give me an instant mute without F'ing around.

 

[DanGroove]

haha! Thanks for confirming my suspicion! This is exactly why I went for the B3 in the first place... I think I will be keeping my eye on HX pricing and biding my time. But, regardless of that, I think I'll be wanting a separate tuner pedal that will give me an instant mute without F'ing around.

If you want synthy you should really check out the Future Impact. It's not an Octave pedal, but it has octaver+filter+distortioin+chorus+EQ and those aren't even the main function. It's an amazing synth, best I've ever tried. It is one of the two pedals I mentioned earlier that I didn't sell after getting a Helix.

 

[matante]

Just a suggestion dude. Settle down. I’ve seen plenty of guys use small boards for a multi and a tuner or exp or whatever. It’s easier to set up and take down when you’re on stage too. I’d prefer a board with a couple pedals over not one any day for those reasons. Different strokes, different folks. It’s ok man.

OK ,but you didn't answer why someone would use a board for one pedal. How is that easier to setup and take down?

 

[lat]

OK ,but you didn't answer why someone would use a board for one pedal. How is that easier to setup and take down?

He didn't know if my setup included things like a DI, personal mixer, wireless transmitter, etc., so instead of assuming, he asked a quick question.

 

[lat]

If you want synthy you should really check out the Future Impact. It's not an Octave pedal, but it has octaver+filter+distortioin+chorus+EQ and those aren't even the main function. It's an amazing synth, best I've ever tried. It is one of the two pedals I mentioned earlier that I didn't sell after getting a Helix.

Wow, that is quite impressive. Pretty smooth effects, for the most part.

 

[DanGroove]

Wow, that is quite impressive. Pretty smooth effects, for the most part.

That’s just a handful of examples too. Keep checking out demos. I used it to get the Bruno mars 24K magic synth, the Whitney Houston I wanna Dance With Sombody, it’s got 4 oscillators and eCh one can do any mix of square, triangle, and sawtooth. I even used it just as a distortion for Prince Let’s Go crazy. It’s truly amazing. But FWIW the synth stage is monophonic, so you have to play single note lines and play real clean for any synth effects. The other Fx are not.