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New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects
- Thread starter CharlieC
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- b3n multi-effects zoom
I wasn't thinking clearly. I was thinking ground loop but the transformers in each PS isolate them. My bad. That is all.
No whine the way I'm running them. Two separate power supplies.
My B3n arrived today after being on backorder at Guitar center since early June.
Of course I'm out of town until next Tuesday. GAAAAHHHHHH!!
Of course I'm out of town until next Tuesday. GAAAAHHHHHH!!
They brought Bobby Vega in as a guest to critique.Can you summarize it for those without the magazine?
To quickly summarize:
They found getting around the menu structure a bit tricky
Thought that switching between stomp and memory was less than satisfying
The silly presets are silly
Some of the OD's are good (ODB-SA-Rock Drive)
Would like an option to feed dry and wet separately from the two outputs
Tried it with a Dunlop expression pedal- didn't work
Felt the delays and reverbs were nice
Deemed the looper easy to use
Rhythm patterns good for practicing
Good demo and practice device
Amp/cab sims needed heavy tweaking to be useful
Conclusions:
"The B3n has plenty of tools and toys for students, solo adventurers and gig masters. Although it offers easy access to it's gifts, the B3n richly rewards those who spend time dialing in the details."(i find this a little confusing)
Pros: Variety, flexibility,affordability
Cons: No XLR, expression pedal compatibility
Bottom line: A small box with lots to offer - and a price that is just right.
Hot and cold but decent overall review
Dude - Your on the cover naked jello wrestling with Tal! Don't you remember?
One of the things I like about the behringer bass v amp is the ability to apply different options to each output so you can have a different EQ to FOH and backline, for instance. Plus you can play bass synth sounds via MIDI. I wish that Zoom would learn from that.
Not specifically but the general feeling was that the presets were over compressed
I was finally able to give it a try. The following summary is a comparison with the B3 that I use daily :
- Construction is good, switches and knobs feel sturdy, good screens.
- The control arrangement is easy to figure out, edition is simple enough. Love the new footswitches, really prefer the way parameters were presented in the B3 but in the 3n it makes it natural to navigate along patches. Well though.
- The way the looper became optional and part of patches is good to save ressources but has a major issue. You can't change sounds on the fly. With the B3 you can record with any sound (or dry) and change at will to play over the loop. If there is still a way to do it I haven't found it.
- The rhythm unit sounds way better although it is still basic, good enough for training.
- Models as a whole sound really improved, cabs are way more realistic, they put a lot of efforts into Darkglass and Sansamp units.
- I can't hear a change one way or another for most effects. Strictly identical which means very good.
- The lack of DI has been discussed to death already. Despisable but we'll have to live with it. Same for sound interface, gone.
- Way less effects to choose from compared to the B3, which I don't understand since memory gets cheaper every month. Some of the mare really lacking. If Zoom keeps delivering upgrades eventually this won't be an issue.
Generally speaking I'd say it's an improvement over the B3 mainly because it allows more effects, the chaining feels more natural and modelization has improved.
Not enough to make me switch from the B3 but I'd be all over it if I didn't have a Zoom multi already. They are lightyears ahead from anything in this price range, you'd have to go triple the price to find an improvement.
- Construction is good, switches and knobs feel sturdy, good screens.
- The control arrangement is easy to figure out, edition is simple enough. Love the new footswitches, really prefer the way parameters were presented in the B3 but in the 3n it makes it natural to navigate along patches. Well though.
- The way the looper became optional and part of patches is good to save ressources but has a major issue. You can't change sounds on the fly. With the B3 you can record with any sound (or dry) and change at will to play over the loop. If there is still a way to do it I haven't found it.
- The rhythm unit sounds way better although it is still basic, good enough for training.
- Models as a whole sound really improved, cabs are way more realistic, they put a lot of efforts into Darkglass and Sansamp units.
- I can't hear a change one way or another for most effects. Strictly identical which means very good.
- The lack of DI has been discussed to death already. Despisable but we'll have to live with it. Same for sound interface, gone.
- Way less effects to choose from compared to the B3, which I don't understand since memory gets cheaper every month. Some of the mare really lacking. If Zoom keeps delivering upgrades eventually this won't be an issue.
Generally speaking I'd say it's an improvement over the B3 mainly because it allows more effects, the chaining feels more natural and modelization has improved.
Not enough to make me switch from the B3 but I'd be all over it if I didn't have a Zoom multi already. They are lightyears ahead from anything in this price range, you'd have to go triple the price to find an improvement.
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The A/O is its own animal. The Aftershock does have a good Darkglass preset to get started with. I found it more useful and organic than the Zoom DG model
Dude... With all that going on, how was I supposed to know they were there taking photos??
I have a B3N and I really like it.... I have the chance to also buy a B3 for a very fair price.... I never used a B3 before
My question is do you all think a B3 and a B3N is overkill?
How many of you run a B3 and a B3n in a chain?
My question is do you all think a B3 and a B3N is overkill?
How many of you run a B3 and a B3n in a chain?
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
There is no such thing as overkill when it comes to buying gear.
That depends on where you play, how many simultaneous effects you need, etc.
If you roll your own PA, or there's a shortage of DI boxes where you play, then the XLR out would be a plus for the B3. Ditto if you play solo bass or do a lot ambient stuff, and want to combine tons of effects. It would also be a good arrangement if you have external pedals that you would like to put in between some of the Zoom patches- kind of like having an effects loop in your B3n...
I have experimented with a B3, still own an MS-60B for now, and just acquired a G5n. For my particular circumstances, I much prefer the new features and control layout over the old.
If it made sense to me to pair two Zoom pedals for bass, it wouldn't be a B3 and a B3n. A B3n + MS-70CDR could be interesting, but two B3n's, or a B3n and a G5n would be more likely. These things are cheap and selling like hotcakes, so it's not hard to find even the latest models at a good price.
