I am dead, I did come back as a grandpa who only plays though his B-15n at coffee bars now
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New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects
- Thread starter CharlieC
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- b3n multi-effects zoom
Thank you! This makes a lot of sense (the passive pedal explanation). Maybe that artifact you describe at the end can be prevented by carefully programming both patches.
I'm set on Zoom (vs e.g. Boss), now I have to decide between the B3 and the B3n:
The B3 has a lot of parameters that can be controlled by the external pedal and have extra effects for more creative use.
The B3n has fewer effects but apparently they sound better...
This is not easy
Thanks everybody for your help
@escaraBAJO - here's what i've found, individually using a Vol Pedal, Bass Wah, and Pitch Shift with an exp pedal. Here is your original question:
- when going to a patch with the Volume Pedal engaged, it will always default to full volume regardless of pedal position, and then jump to the location of the pedal once you begin to rock the pedal.
- when going to a patch with the Bass Wah engaged, it will always default the sound to a wah position that appears to be about at 50% of the throw of the wah, or in a "cocked wah" position. Again, this is regardless of the existing position of the pedal, and once you start moving the exp pedal, the wah will start to track from that position.
- when going to a patch with the Pitch Pedal engaged (I had it set for 0 to +12, heel down no shift, toe down 1 octave up), it will default to the "dry" zero shift sound regardless of pre-existing pedal position, and will engage upon movement of the pedal, tracking at the position of the pedal location.
It seems you'd have to go through all of the Pedal effects to see exactly where the B3n defaults the behavior of the pedal effect when switching from one patch to another patch (which has a pedal engaged).
This is far from a comprehensive conclusion, as I've not yet tried to see whether the parameters of the pedal will impact the "default" behavior when switching to a patch with a pedal effect.
FWIW, the G5n gives you two options for engaging a Pedal effect. The built-in exp pedal has a traditional "toe switch" like a real wah pedal would have. Or, you can engage the Pedal effect from the switch that corresponds to the slot where the Pedal effect is located. This is another reason why I prefer the G5n format, with the built-in pedal, over the B3n format.
- when going to a patch with the Volume Pedal engaged, it will always default to full volume regardless of pedal position, and then jump to the location of the pedal once you begin to rock the pedal.
- when going to a patch with the Bass Wah engaged, it will always default the sound to a wah position that appears to be about at 50% of the throw of the wah, or in a "cocked wah" position. Again, this is regardless of the existing position of the pedal, and once you start moving the exp pedal, the wah will start to track from that position.
- when going to a patch with the Pitch Pedal engaged (I had it set for 0 to +12, heel down no shift, toe down 1 octave up), it will default to the "dry" zero shift sound regardless of pre-existing pedal position, and will engage upon movement of the pedal, tracking at the position of the pedal location.
It seems you'd have to go through all of the Pedal effects to see exactly where the B3n defaults the behavior of the pedal effect when switching from one patch to another patch (which has a pedal engaged).
This is far from a comprehensive conclusion, as I've not yet tried to see whether the parameters of the pedal will impact the "default" behavior when switching to a patch with a pedal effect.
FWIW, the G5n gives you two options for engaging a Pedal effect. The built-in exp pedal has a traditional "toe switch" like a real wah pedal would have. Or, you can engage the Pedal effect from the switch that corresponds to the slot where the Pedal effect is located. This is another reason why I prefer the G5n format, with the built-in pedal, over the B3n format.
Get both.Thank you! This makes a lot of sense (the passive pedal explanation). Maybe that artifact you describe at the end can be prevented by carefully programming both patches.
I'm set on Zoom (vs e.g. Boss), now I have to decide between the B3 and the B3n:
The B3 has a lot of parameters that can be controlled by the external pedal and have extra effects for more creative use.
The B3n has fewer effects but apparently they sound better...
This is not easy
Thanks everybody for your help
Thanks a lot for that. Super clear. That is the behaviour i was expecting although I wish there was a built-in pedal with a switch. Maybe an expression pedal with switch such as the mission engeneering ones can work like that.
Thank you for your time!!!!
there are no synths in the GXn series. The octaves and pitch shifts actually seem comparable. A bigger nut to crack is for those who like to use cabinet emulation with amps. If you can make do with older school tube amp emulations, then you'll be fine.
I really like the HiWatt Custom 100 amp and matching 4x12 for bass, and I know that this was actually an amplifier/cab combo that pulled double duty for guitarists and bassists back in the early 1970s (or thereabouts) with the likes of band such as The Who. You can obviously get a farty vintage bass tone out of the Fender Bassman model if that floats your boat. Otherwise, it's sort of a crap shoot. Nothing in the way of a guitar amp model/cab combo that is more "modern" sounding in the vein of Trace Elliot, GK, SWR, etc.
You can coax a decent fretless emulator out of the LPF envelope filter, too.
I still bounce back between my G5n and B3n all the time. The extra switches and screens do make the G5n a joy to use live, though, by comparison. I can't lie.
So my pedalboard functions to route all my instruments into an SWR Natural Blonde amp. Which is essentially a combo PA-style FRFR amplifier. Depending on how the mixer is utilized, it can be considered a dual mono signal path, or a stereo signal path with the turn of a Pan knob.
I'll start by explaining the custom pedals on the board, since the rest of the pedals can be Googled for all their relevant info:
The small A/B switch on the far right with the dark Saturn rings functions as reverse A/B switch. This serves to swap either my Stick melody or a guitar signal into the right (or 2nd signal) path. Each of those inputs are separately grounded so there's no crosstalk whatsoever if I leave both instruments connected.
The box with the meteor storm on it is a powered custom splitting/summing matrix. It passes the the bass and Stick melody or guitar signals to two individual outputs, and splits/sums them into a third output that goes to the tuner.
The 2 button small foot switch with the light Saturn rings at the bottom of the board is an accessory switch for the Beat Buddy.
So first, the bass signal:
It's the least complex of the two.
Stick bass goes directly into the SWR preamp section and comes out of the effects loop. The bass signal is passed through the meteor storm box, then goes into the Zoom B3n.
Second, guitar/Stick melody signal:
Stick melody and guitar signal first go into the A/B switch box, which then goes into the front preamp section of the SWR amp. That Right signal comes out of the effects loop, goes into the meteor storm box, then goes out into the Zoom G3xn.
Looping and the Rest
Both signals from each of the Zoom effects units are routed into the Ditto X4 looper, then to separate channels on the mixer.
The Beat Buddy goes into its own channel on the mixer.
The HOF mini reverb is on the Aux Send in mono, and that's mostly used to add a touch of reverb to the Beat Buddy signal to taste.
The Zoom MS-70CDR is connected into the effect inserts on Channels 1 and 2, which are the two instrument channels.
The mixer's main outs go back into the Returns of the two effects loops of the SWR amp. I leave the EQs on the amp mostly flat, just adding some aural exciter and just a bit of extra compression on top of the wet signal.
Since the Zooms incorporate mic'ed cab modeling that sounds amazing for the price, I think this setup is pretty ideal for doing an all-in-one FRFR setup. The mixer still has room to add in a mic on top of everything else. It's the best configuration I could come up with for a one-man-band scenario.
I believe if you're multi-instrumentalist or if you are considering adding some vocals to a practice space, a small mixer is an invaluable tool because it allows you to do so many different things and it will be flexible as your needs change. You also don't need to spend a ton of cash to get a good one either. The Mackie is more than capable for what I need.
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I would like to see a comparison between the b3n and the new boss gt1b .. Buy people, buy ...
BOSS - GT-1B | Bass Effects Processor
BOSS - GT-1B | Bass Effects Processor
Blending clean dry with wet is a function of the individual effects within the B3n, not a global function. You'd have to go to the effect/parameter list and see which ones have a wet/dry feature (many effects do). You'll find that many do.
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How do you get that behemoth - at least wrt weight - into the coffee bars, Gramps? I'm of an age where my grandaughter is way too young and my daughter would find the thing a beast. (I haven't considered my trophy wife, however - that's a possibity.)I am dead, I did come back as a grandpa who only plays though his B-15n at coffee bars now
Haroldo
P.S. At least tort doesn't weigh too much.
I would like to see a comparison between the b3n and the new boss gt1b .. Buy people, buy ...
BOSS - GT-1B | Bass Effects Processor
Spec sheets on both units exist now, and both the GT-1B and B3n are great values in bass multi-fx/modeling if you ask me. A lot depends on the specific needs of the end user.
The B3n appears better suited for live use for those who need to get around the pedal to change stomps/patches and tune, but has no built-in exp pedal (add-on). The GT-1B has an expression pedal and a different method of utilizing its 3 switches to navigate, and would seem to be fine for those who don't need a ton of navigation ability live. You'd need to add-on extra switches for more flexible live navigation.
I'd also say that the B3n is designed to represent a more traditional approach to "hands on the pedal" for quick, easy adjustment of parameters (lots of knobs and 3 LCD screens for 3 "always available" fx slots. GT-1B has a really impressive software editor, and allows for more programming of the few knobs and buttons it has, though some cumbersome menu diving (multiple switch/knob navigation) seems inevitable without the software editor.
The B3n is generally pretty stripped down to the essentials - however, no different than most of the real-world fx/amps that it models. Not really any rabbit holes to go down with the B3n. the GT-1B has quite a varied and deeper set of parameters (for some effects) for those who prefer this type of fine tuning. Better for tweakers who like to spend time tweaking.
Personally, I'm just happy that bass-specific effects (albeit low end of the market ones) are at least hitting the market now. Still, no manufacturer out there seems to want to touch the mid-to-high range of product price point ($300-$800, approaching Helix LT) for bass multi-fx/modeling. It would be nice to see a couple products out there that tick ALL of the boxes (or most all of them) for us bassists, as opposed to the lower cost devices that seem to be forced (by virtue of price point) to leave out key features (for example: XLR outputs, fx loop, 5 pin MIDI I/O, USB audio I/O, better/more switching, etc.).
Thanks for the answer, but I'm mainly interested in a comparison of the effects quality and the transparency of the bypass. I have a b3n for a few months, but I find the quality of modulation effects, and not only, lower than my line6 m5 as the bypass quality.
Boss GT-1B vs Zoom b3n - sound quality and bypass
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Hey, those of you, who were looking for the HPF, the new Low EQ if for you! Selectable HPF from 20 Hz to 640 Hz (anyone needs that? )!
)!
That's awesome!! I'll have to try a few different cables. My computer didn't recognize my B3n at all when I went to update it.
I figure most of you guys have had the old Zoom BX1on.
How is the tremolo, vibrato, chorus, and the volume pedal on those ? Talking use for gigging.
I would be placing it on my pedalboard after my ABY box. The only pedal between the guitar and ABY would be my Barber Tone Press used only as a clean boost.
My main concern is, if I bypass all the effects and use the volume pedal only, is/would there be any tone suck or coloration regarding my signal ?
I'm running two amps. I would only be using the Zoom effects when running wet/dry. Zoom out of output A.
My dirt pedal will be after the ABY out of output B. And the dirt pedal would be ran into an AB box to allow both amps ran clean.
tia
How is the tremolo, vibrato, chorus, and the volume pedal on those ? Talking use for gigging.
I would be placing it on my pedalboard after my ABY box. The only pedal between the guitar and ABY would be my Barber Tone Press used only as a clean boost.
My main concern is, if I bypass all the effects and use the volume pedal only, is/would there be any tone suck or coloration regarding my signal ?
I'm running two amps. I would only be using the Zoom effects when running wet/dry. Zoom out of output A.
My dirt pedal will be after the ABY out of output B. And the dirt pedal would be ran into an AB box to allow both amps ran clean.
tia
I would like to see a comparison between the b3n and the new boss gt1b .. Buy people, buy ...
BOSS - GT-1B | Bass Effects Processor
Lol. Thanks for pointing this out. I had no idea... GAS
