Sounds good, thanks for the thorough response! I had a B1 four as my first pedal years ago and enjoyed it, the B2 seems to check all the boxes for what I'd need nowadays but I wanted to confirm.
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.
NEW: ZOOM B2 FOUR...
- Thread starter munnkyboy
- Start date
Sounds good, thanks for the thorough response! I had a B1 four as my first pedal years ago and enjoyed it, the B2 seems to check all the boxes for what I'd need nowadays but I wanted to confirm.
Yea, the B2 Four sounds way better than the B1 Four, but seems to have fewer (but better) modules.
One of the things that separates a pro-level multi-fx vs an entry-level one is the ability to have at least one parallel path. With the B2 Four, it's understandable that with only 5 modules, there won't be as much complexity, and perhaps most entry-level users won't have a clear sense of what to do with it, anyway.
The "way around it" (pun?) is that some modules have a wet/dry mix controls-- which act like little parallel paths around each module. The limitation is that the wet/dry will be summed at the next module's input. Sorry to sound like a broken record, but it is a bummer that some of the FX modules don't have wet/dry. That should have been a pre-condition for ALL of them.
The "way around it" (pun?) is that some modules have a wet/dry mix controls-- which act like little parallel paths around each module. The limitation is that the wet/dry will be summed at the next module's input. Sorry to sound like a broken record, but it is a bummer that some of the FX modules don't have wet/dry. That should have been a pre-condition for ALL of them.
On another thread we were commenting about Zoom's choice to dedicate a foot switch to changing DI types.
On one hand, the sonic change from DI types is so subtle, that one might want to change the types while playing in order to sus out the differences. OTOH, it's unlikely one would need realtime access to change the DI type mid song, so it seems like a poor choice when the footswitch could have been used for other purposes.
IF the DI was instead part of the preset itself, and IF it could be moved within the path, then one could choose the location of the DI's output (dry at front of path, wet at end of path, or just before the amp, etc. etc.) But those are serious design choices requiring changes to circuitry.
More worthless musing, I suppose.
After spending more time with the B2 Four, I'm enjoying that it has gobs of personality-- in a good way. Things I don't like about the sound can mostly be adjusted. Patience is key.
At first, I was frustrated because I wanted a specific slow-gear thing that I couldn't get at no matter what I tried. But when I mess with octave things, env filter things, or just big wide stereo things, the fun is in there.
On one hand, the sonic change from DI types is so subtle, that one might want to change the types while playing in order to sus out the differences. OTOH, it's unlikely one would need realtime access to change the DI type mid song, so it seems like a poor choice when the footswitch could have been used for other purposes.
IF the DI was instead part of the preset itself, and IF it could be moved within the path, then one could choose the location of the DI's output (dry at front of path, wet at end of path, or just before the amp, etc. etc.) But those are serious design choices requiring changes to circuitry.
More worthless musing, I suppose.
After spending more time with the B2 Four, I'm enjoying that it has gobs of personality-- in a good way. Things I don't like about the sound can mostly be adjusted. Patience is key.
At first, I was frustrated because I wanted a specific slow-gear thing that I couldn't get at no matter what I tried. But when I mess with octave things, env filter things, or just big wide stereo things, the fun is in there.
Also, that all bypass FS should be able to re-configure as a dedicated tune/mute switch imho 
.
(I do not have a B24, but I have a MS-60B I like so much I feel free to comment on other Zoom products also, ha!!)
.(I do not have a B24, but I have a MS-60B I like so much I feel free to comment on other Zoom products also, ha!!)
Hello fellow low end lovers. i received my zoom b2 four just today and my main question is one: is there any software for pc where i can manage and edit my presets such as zoom lab or tonelib? i downloaded the app but it stucks on the first screen and the unit goes dull.
They haven't released any mac/windows editor (yet?).
The first thing is to make sure you've downloaded the correct app. "Handy Guitar Lab for B2 Four" I think is what it says in the app store.
And as @AchimII said, I think you may need the correct adapter for iPad/iPhone-- (Camera Connection Kit)
As we've said in this thread, we hope Zoom does make a mac/win editor, I think an Android editor (at the very least). And, we hope Zoom continues to develop updates and improvements for this hardware.
Well Zoom Company doesnt stop to amaze us,everytime with something nonsense 
Whelp... my brief affair with the B2 Four may be coming to an end. It's a good multi fx pedal with A LOT of functionality and really high quality sounds. But there are a few design flaws I'm having a hard time getting over.
If you love your B2 Four, I'm not here to tell you you're wrong. There's a lot to like about it. But I do want to share some thoughts about its short-comings for anyone considering buying one. And to be clear up front, these are each rather minor quibbles. And I thought I'd get over them in time. But they've kept me from really falling in love with this pedal. So it's time for me to move on to something else.
My first and biggest gripe is the way the knobs work when you aren't editing an effect. In this mode, the knobs replicate the tone shaping and volume controls you'll find on the front of a bass amp. Super handy right? No. These controls only affect the 1/4" out. They don't affect the DI. Now, if you're using the 1/4" out, you're probably plugging into an amp. Which makes these controls redundant. But if you're not using the 1/4" and are only using the DI, you're probably not using a stage amp, which would make these controls essential. But that's not what Zoom has done. Ideally, they'd give us a setting in the pedal menus where we could choose whether these knobs affect the 1/4", DI, or both. Bonus points if in the event that you happen to have an amp sim in your patch, it gave you direct control over that amp sim. But no...
My second gripe is with the way the LCD displays the patches. You're able to name each of your patches so you can quickly and easily recognize them when performing. Only, for some reason you can only see these names when you've already selected the patch. If you just glance down at your pedal, all you see are the patch numbers. It's up to you to remember what the heck patch 312 is. This shouldn't be a huge problem. You only have quick access to three patches at a time. So you should be able to remember, but really you shouldn't have to. And the thing is, there have been a bunch of times I've looked down and discovered that somehow I'm not looking at my normal, primary three patches. I've somehow accidentally tabbed over. And it's not easy to figure out where I am at that point or which patch I need to select next. All this would be simpler if the LCD prioritized patch names instead of numbers.
Which brings me to the third design issue. Those directional arrow button things. Zoom uses these a lot. They're terrible. They are way too small to tap with your toe while performing. And they're way bigger than they need to be for using with your hands. This also wouldn't be a big issue except that the only time I seem to be able to tap them with my toe is when I don't intend to which leads to the problem mentioned above.
There's more. Again, all minor. The DI sounds great. And I wouldn't have bought this without an XLR DI output. But who really needs 6 DI options? This is a weird feature for a bass pedal at this price point. Maybe you'd use these options in the studio, but most studios are going to want to use their own DIs. And who needs them accessible via a footswitch? Does Zoom imagine we're going to change DI mode mid song? Why is so much pedal real estate devoted to this? Just put it in the pedal settings and get it out of the way. The same goes for the bypass switch. A lot of real estate is devoted to being able to quickly turn all the effects off. Why? The simplest solution here would be to go to patch mode and tap the patch that's currently turned on to toggle it off (which doesn't work btw). Again, not a huge deal, but they've missed an opportunity. If you removed the DI switch and the bypass switch you'd have room for a bigger LCD and could control a fourth effect. Lastly (but maybe not least) I'm really disappointed that there's no Android app to edit fx on this pedal. There's one for iOS users. And there's an Android version for the guitar version of the pedal. But Zoom has left Android users of the B2 out in the cold.
I still love Zoom. In fact, I now regret selling my B3 to update to the B2 Four. And in the new pedal board I'm working on, an MS-60B (maybe two of them) will have a central role. I was really excited about having a smaller, more affordable version of the B6. And I really wanted to like this pedal. And I do LIKE it. I just don't LOVE it. So I'm off to try something new.
Maybe the things that bother me won't bother you. In which case, buy this pedal. It sounds great after all.
Cheers and thanks for listening.
If you love your B2 Four, I'm not here to tell you you're wrong. There's a lot to like about it. But I do want to share some thoughts about its short-comings for anyone considering buying one. And to be clear up front, these are each rather minor quibbles. And I thought I'd get over them in time. But they've kept me from really falling in love with this pedal. So it's time for me to move on to something else.
My first and biggest gripe is the way the knobs work when you aren't editing an effect. In this mode, the knobs replicate the tone shaping and volume controls you'll find on the front of a bass amp. Super handy right? No. These controls only affect the 1/4" out. They don't affect the DI. Now, if you're using the 1/4" out, you're probably plugging into an amp. Which makes these controls redundant. But if you're not using the 1/4" and are only using the DI, you're probably not using a stage amp, which would make these controls essential. But that's not what Zoom has done. Ideally, they'd give us a setting in the pedal menus where we could choose whether these knobs affect the 1/4", DI, or both. Bonus points if in the event that you happen to have an amp sim in your patch, it gave you direct control over that amp sim. But no...
My second gripe is with the way the LCD displays the patches. You're able to name each of your patches so you can quickly and easily recognize them when performing. Only, for some reason you can only see these names when you've already selected the patch. If you just glance down at your pedal, all you see are the patch numbers. It's up to you to remember what the heck patch 312 is. This shouldn't be a huge problem. You only have quick access to three patches at a time. So you should be able to remember, but really you shouldn't have to. And the thing is, there have been a bunch of times I've looked down and discovered that somehow I'm not looking at my normal, primary three patches. I've somehow accidentally tabbed over. And it's not easy to figure out where I am at that point or which patch I need to select next. All this would be simpler if the LCD prioritized patch names instead of numbers.
Which brings me to the third design issue. Those directional arrow button things. Zoom uses these a lot. They're terrible. They are way too small to tap with your toe while performing. And they're way bigger than they need to be for using with your hands. This also wouldn't be a big issue except that the only time I seem to be able to tap them with my toe is when I don't intend to which leads to the problem mentioned above.
There's more. Again, all minor. The DI sounds great. And I wouldn't have bought this without an XLR DI output. But who really needs 6 DI options? This is a weird feature for a bass pedal at this price point. Maybe you'd use these options in the studio, but most studios are going to want to use their own DIs. And who needs them accessible via a footswitch? Does Zoom imagine we're going to change DI mode mid song? Why is so much pedal real estate devoted to this? Just put it in the pedal settings and get it out of the way. The same goes for the bypass switch. A lot of real estate is devoted to being able to quickly turn all the effects off. Why? The simplest solution here would be to go to patch mode and tap the patch that's currently turned on to toggle it off (which doesn't work btw). Again, not a huge deal, but they've missed an opportunity. If you removed the DI switch and the bypass switch you'd have room for a bigger LCD and could control a fourth effect. Lastly (but maybe not least) I'm really disappointed that there's no Android app to edit fx on this pedal. There's one for iOS users. And there's an Android version for the guitar version of the pedal. But Zoom has left Android users of the B2 out in the cold.
I still love Zoom. In fact, I now regret selling my B3 to update to the B2 Four. And in the new pedal board I'm working on, an MS-60B (maybe two of them) will have a central role. I was really excited about having a smaller, more affordable version of the B6. And I really wanted to like this pedal. And I do LIKE it. I just don't LOVE it. So I'm off to try something new.
Maybe the things that bother me won't bother you. In which case, buy this pedal. It sounds great after all.
Cheers and thanks for listening.
Last edited:
Maybe one thing to add…
I miss a way to play line-out without a cab sim and DI with a cab sim.
I can‘t see why they have combined amp and cab sim.
As said earlier, I only use it at home, DI into interface, so I can live with it, but I wouldn‘t use it on an amp that way.
I miss a way to play line-out without a cab sim and DI with a cab sim.
I can‘t see why they have combined amp and cab sim.
As said earlier, I only use it at home, DI into interface, so I can live with it, but I wouldn‘t use it on an amp that way.
The big "miss" from my perspective is that there's not a separate overall volume control for each patch.
Instead, to get equal volumes across all your patches, you have to mess around trying to balance the gains and volumes of the pedals within each patch.
Another feature I'd like to have seen added was parallel pathing, so that I can always balance the 'wet' and 'dry' signals.
Maybe the Zoom B3 Four (by my reckoning, two years away) will have these.
Instead, to get equal volumes across all your patches, you have to mess around trying to balance the gains and volumes of the pedals within each patch.
Another feature I'd like to have seen added was parallel pathing, so that I can always balance the 'wet' and 'dry' signals.
Maybe the Zoom B3 Four (by my reckoning, two years away) will have these.
Zoom's logic for the DI output is a little confused. It is what it is.
In defense of the master EQ & level knobs-- if you are on stage-- sending the DI to the house, and the 1/4" to your on-stage rig, you would want to adjust your stage volume & EQ independent from the house-- they can EQ separately at the board.
100% agree on the arrow buttons. Hard to use with feet, dumb to use with hands.
I've gotten pretty used to adjusting patch levels with modules. But yea, other Zoom units make it easier.
It would have been great to be able to pair different cabs with different amps. But they probably merged the amp/cab to reduce the CPU needs for the dynamic IR thing.
It's tricky because the B2 Four sort of sits in this weird limbo zone between an entry-level product and an intermediate rig. It has a mix of really good features, sounds, etc, but with some clunky perhaps rushed design decisions.
In defense of the master EQ & level knobs-- if you are on stage-- sending the DI to the house, and the 1/4" to your on-stage rig, you would want to adjust your stage volume & EQ independent from the house-- they can EQ separately at the board.
100% agree on the arrow buttons. Hard to use with feet, dumb to use with hands.
I've gotten pretty used to adjusting patch levels with modules. But yea, other Zoom units make it easier.
It would have been great to be able to pair different cabs with different amps. But they probably merged the amp/cab to reduce the CPU needs for the dynamic IR thing.
It's tricky because the B2 Four sort of sits in this weird limbo zone between an entry-level product and an intermediate rig. It has a mix of really good features, sounds, etc, but with some clunky perhaps rushed design decisions.
I don't have a B6, so I should probably withhold comment.
The price point and feature sets are pretty different-- but they probably share a number of modules.
I think comparisons were made earlier in this thread.
I don't own a B2 Four, but I do own a B6.
From my extensive reading on the subject, and the experience of owners: yes, the B6 is better. The only ways in which the B6 isn't "better" are that it's bigger (and hence, less portable) and it's more expensive.
I could list the ways in which the B2 Four is "worse" (or maybe just "different") but I don't want to offend any owners. There is a place and role for the B2 Four, it's just not as flexible or fully featured as the B6.
It's weird to quote myself, but it seems like this little comparision from earlier in this thread isn't super easy to spot.
I find the search tool to be a bit cumbersome here on tb so thank you for re-quoting yourself from an older post.
I think I had posted on here that I had a B6 but sold it in haste to fund a combo amp that fell into my lap. But I soon missed access to the plethora of pedals etc and so forth and found a good deal on a b2 Four a few months later.
Your comparisons seem to be on point but I still have a lingering misunderstanding on how most people use their zooms. I plug my in to my amp as I would a pedal and using it to shape my tone. So I don't necessarily find IRs or even amp emulations to be that helpful. Are many here using their zoom directly as an DI out to your computer/mixing board? Or are you plugging into your amp for tone coloring?
I have a Zoom B1 Four. I use it as an effect and to color my tone. I make bass videos for YouTube and it’s perfect for that. I can always find a preset that seems to work for the tone or effect that I need. And on the B1 Four they are easily organized. That’s why I haven’t gotten the B2 Four, because the presets are named after songs and there are way too many of them.
