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New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects
- Thread starter CharlieC
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- b3n multi-effects zoom
I haven't been able to find the info on other threads so i thought I'd ask here. For anyone that may have used both the B3 and the older B1on, is the B3 drastically better than the B1on (i know everyone says the B3n is so much better than the B3 but battery power is important for what i need) or just slightly so?
From what I can gather (and I may be wrong, but I don't think so), the B3 and the B1on share the same modeling algorithms (at least when comparing like effects, one vs. the other). The only diff has to do with form factor, and how many "slots" (for fx and amp models) you can string together maximimum in a preset patch.
Correct me if i'm wrong but i thought the B3n doesn't have the capability of working with batteries. That's pretty much a deal breaker for me.
Thanks for that.
You've saved me a few dollars. No point in going to a B3 really then.
Thanks for the replies folks.
I mainly use the B1on for headphone practice but also occasionally use it at a jam at a mates place so battery operation makes it a lot easier. I was looking at the B3 purely for the fact that I could have my three most used effects set for the three pedal positions. With the B1on I have those three effects set with a bypass patch between them and have to scroll through. Not so easy at times because in the jam situation i'm playing a Woodskin Cajon (it's a cajon with kick and snare pedals) while playing bass and it can get confusing at times trying to hit the right pedal while keeping the drum rhythm going.
I mainly use the B1on for headphone practice but also occasionally use it at a jam at a mates place so battery operation makes it a lot easier. I was looking at the B3 purely for the fact that I could have my three most used effects set for the three pedal positions. With the B1on I have those three effects set with a bypass patch between them and have to scroll through. Not so easy at times because in the jam situation i'm playing a Woodskin Cajon (it's a cajon with kick and snare pedals) while playing bass and it can get confusing at times trying to hit the right pedal while keeping the drum rhythm going.
Not sure now whether you are interested in the B3 or the B3n, but the B3 can be powered by standard AA batteries, whereas the B3n can't.
Sorry about any confusion. I was looking at the B3 due to its better form factor combined with battery power (which has ruled the B3n out for me) but due to reports that it sounds very similar to the B1on there appears to be no real point in upgrading.
Can you confirm that's emergency batt pack for smartphone? and direct from the batt into B3n usb port ?
I've used the same method to power B3, but I've also read somewhere that it's not going to work with B3n.
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I've received my B3n since few days: incredible. I ran through multieffects processors by years, guitar dedicated and bass dedicated ones. Then figured out some pedalboards. Always ended by sell all the stuff and plug directly in the amp.
For a project, effect ideas came back in order to create sound, playing with a jazz trio behind a reader guy. And i've started to look after a pedal, which would allow me to play in pedalboard mode, with quality effect and little price. And i've found this topic.
So thank you all for the GAS: it's a really good one !
This pedal is so easy to use, with such quality effects and possibilities such as switching of patch mode to pedalboard mode on the fly, and so on; i'm blown away.
Three days and i already setted up three beautifull sound for the project in a so ridiculous time ! When i remember hours i've spent with other machines..
I'm happy !
For a project, effect ideas came back in order to create sound, playing with a jazz trio behind a reader guy. And i've started to look after a pedal, which would allow me to play in pedalboard mode, with quality effect and little price. And i've found this topic.
So thank you all for the GAS: it's a really good one !
This pedal is so easy to use, with such quality effects and possibilities such as switching of patch mode to pedalboard mode on the fly, and so on; i'm blown away.
Three days and i already setted up three beautifull sound for the project in a so ridiculous time ! When i remember hours i've spent with other machines..
I'm happy !
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Regarding B3n and battery power, and regarding the difference between B1on and B3n. Sound difference is probably negligible. The real difference is how stage-friendly the B3n is. All those extra knobs and buttons make a huge difference.
Click the link in my signature for a detailed look at how I power my B3n board with a run-of-the-mill cellphone USB charger.
Click the link in my signature for a detailed look at how I power my B3n board with a run-of-the-mill cellphone USB charger.
I've purchased a B3N. It looks like one of the most efficient multiFX units for those of us with little or no vision. Unfortunately, Zoom's manuals are still done in a way that the OCR of any controls is removed or never done. So I have to get physical layout notes on buttons and footswitches before I can really use it. But it looks good quality, the few sounds I've tested sound good, and I can do what patch editing GuitarRig allows.
On that subject, does anyone know if Zoom are planning to expand GuitarRig to be a full effects editor?
On that subject, does anyone know if Zoom are planning to expand GuitarRig to be a full effects editor?
How are you b3n users finding the compressors?
Also, how would you rate the b3n in terms of its low gain/verge of breakup/tubey goodness?
Also, how would you rate the b3n in terms of its low gain/verge of breakup/tubey goodness?
I don't like the compressors very much. I seem to get more natural and fuller sounding results using a separate compressor pedal. It's like the Zoom compressors don't react naturally on my playing. I know that sounds vage, but I like to hear a compressor to do it's thing and to deliberately play with that. But I can't get that interaction with the Zoom compressors. They sound a bit flat and dull, with not much distinction between longer and shorter attack and decay times.
I agree that the Compressors are very, very tricky to work with. They're tricky enough even when you've got input/output and gain reduction meters (the B3n does not). The best luck I've had so far is to set a comp to the point where it is slightly over-compressing (to the point where I actually DON'T like it), and then back off the threshold/comp amount/ratio (depending on the comp) by ear so that it is less obtrusive. Without metering or DAW comparison of signals, trying "by ear" to accurately determine things like attack, release, and gain reduction is a very difficult task.
I think the comps are generally OK if used sparingly, unless you are shooting for a very prominent "effect" rather than general dynamic control. The fact that dedicated hardware compressors are so difficult to grasp for many musicians (just look at the number and amount of comp thread in the EFFECTS and LIVE SOUND forums) makes the task all-the-more evasive.
As for mild breakup/overdrive, the SVT and Acoustic amp models (although the Acoustic isn't a tube head, it has a nice overdrive to it when pushed) can provide this, no problem. You may want to experiment with front end drive stomp simulations, though. You can get a really nice simulated tube grind from a number of them, depending on what flavor you like. The MAD PROFESSOR Blueberry and the ROGER MAYER VOODOO-BASS models are pretty cool for that stuff. I use the G5n often for my bass, and my favorite drive for adding a little breakup is the GOLD DRIVE. I'm hoping ZOOM adds it to the B3n list of drive models.
