Didn't heard pod hd but i tried it against Kemper and sound quality is same.
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New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects
- Thread starter CharlieC
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- b3n multi-effects zoom
Wow.. It is because Zoom developers are so good or Kemper doesn't put maximum efforts in developing the bass parts? Considering that Kemper's hardware should be far more superior than Zoom's.
Yes it's subjective, kemper and b3n are in start oranges and apples. I'm sure that you can find profiles for Kemper that are better than sims in b3n beacuse Kemper is open for 3d party profilers and it is device in another price bracket. In comparison b3n is relatively cheap closed system with new sims dictated by willingness of Zoom but in start b3n comes with impressive number of sims and pedals dedicated to bass. Sound-wise it's really close to kemper if not same. For purists there are always pedals and amps...
Hello!
This is my first post on the forum (although I've checking this page for 4 years and counting). So, after reading all of these reviews, I finally decided to go with the Zoom B3n. The main reason is the amp-simulation: I really need to have a big variety of tones coming out of my bass, something that my Hartke Bass Attack wasn't able of (although it really sounded amazing and kinda regret selling); another topic is the weight of my pedalboard: it's really heavy and I don't need all the pedals on all the shows every weekend. Finally, I decided to buy it because I don't have any modulation effects on my pedalboard and I want to experiment a bit with them, just for fun.
I'm from Perú, so the Zoom B3n is not on the streets, a friend of mine brought it to me from the USA. I have a lot of expectations from this pedal, as it is my first digital pedal in 5 years. Anyway, I will make a little review once I have time to try the pedal, I'm full of homework right now.
And, thanks for all the knowledge you guys put on the forum, your suggestions and comments had really defined my style on playing bass, and now it's time to pay those favours
Cheers!
This is my first post on the forum (although I've checking this page for 4 years and counting). So, after reading all of these reviews, I finally decided to go with the Zoom B3n. The main reason is the amp-simulation: I really need to have a big variety of tones coming out of my bass, something that my Hartke Bass Attack wasn't able of (although it really sounded amazing and kinda regret selling); another topic is the weight of my pedalboard: it's really heavy and I don't need all the pedals on all the shows every weekend. Finally, I decided to buy it because I don't have any modulation effects on my pedalboard and I want to experiment a bit with them, just for fun.
I'm from Perú, so the Zoom B3n is not on the streets, a friend of mine brought it to me from the USA. I have a lot of expectations from this pedal, as it is my first digital pedal in 5 years. Anyway, I will make a little review once I have time to try the pedal, I'm full of homework right now.
And, thanks for all the knowledge you guys put on the forum, your suggestions and comments had really defined my style on playing bass, and now it's time to pay those favours
Cheers!
FWIW, I've felt no let-down in the quality of tones, comparing the B3n to the AxeFxII, strictly talking about a simple signal path: bass - B3n (amp model - cab model) - direct out to full range cabinets. In fact, because the B3n is geared specifically for bassists and is so simple to use/edit/tweak, I have a lot more fun with it and play a lot more - tweak a lot less.
Now, the AxeFxII is a far more sophisticated piece of gear and I highly recommend it, especially for guitarists (KILLER modeling IMO). Not a fair comparison beyond the core bass amp modeling and cab sims. IMO, the B3n holds up quite well. I never felt that way about the B3, though. I thought the B3 was a great value, but to me the modeling and cab sims always sounded and felt a bit "choked", if you know what I mean.
Years ago, when I was gigging a B3, it always seemed to be a little too compressed sounding, I'm looking forward to getting my b3n and having the 'blanket' taken off.
@CharlieC how do you find the clarity of running through your b3n, compared to, say, your Le bass?
The B3n is so very close to my Le Bass and Torpedo CAB that it (the B3n) takes the floor at my most of my gigs these days.
The tones, ease of navigation, and small footprint are hard to beat and sound absolutely fantastic though my FRFR rigs.
Cheers!
As I am more of an overdrive guy, the Bass BB is my model of choice for some dirt in front, but the Darkglass models are very serviceable indeed!
My only complaint about the B7K model is that it's not the ultra. It sounds great, imo.
I have same experience with AxeFxII! FX chain possibilities in Axe are drool, especially if you are into synths.
As great as the B3n is... I find the Boss GT-1B is better when played directly into an amp!
With all respect brother Fuzzy, play what you love!
For my gigging money, it is the B3n for the win (even with Zoom totally deficient on new effect models via GuitarLab.)
Cheers!
Well... The other week I practiced with a band and carried out for the first time my G5N. Believe it or not, after the we finished, the guitarist (a guy with a spaceship-like pedalboard, filled with great effects and pretty well organized too!) approached me and compliment a lot about my tone 
And I was happy too^^
About effect quality of b3n vs pd hd etc... I haven't tried a side by side comparison (hope to do it soon with a pod hd), but you can find some youtube video of the g3/5n vs pod hd, zoom and others (not sure vs. kemper or axe... )
I know a youtube video is not the same as try something in person, but still better than nothing. To me zoom wins quite easily most of the time, altough some single models here and there may be better on other units. All IMHO obviously.
If I understand well the really big differences seems to be the connection and editing options. Think are very basic on zoom, and it isn't fair to even compare to axe, kemper etc...
Question to g5n user: What head and cab do you like the most? For now seems I'm settled with Hiwatt and BGN4x12 and JCM800...
And I was happy too^^About effect quality of b3n vs pd hd etc... I haven't tried a side by side comparison (hope to do it soon with a pod hd), but you can find some youtube video of the g3/5n vs pod hd, zoom and others (not sure vs. kemper or axe... )
I know a youtube video is not the same as try something in person, but still better than nothing. To me zoom wins quite easily most of the time, altough some single models here and there may be better on other units. All IMHO obviously.
If I understand well the really big differences seems to be the connection and editing options. Think are very basic on zoom, and it isn't fair to even compare to axe, kemper etc...
Question to g5n user: What head and cab do you like the most? For now seems I'm settled with Hiwatt and BGN4x12 and JCM800...
B3n is killer, but I’m taking about going directly into an amp!With all respect brother Fuzzy, play what you love!
For my gigging money, it is the B3n for the win (even with Zoom totally deficient on new effect models via GuitarLab.)
Cheers!
The B3n will be relegated to being my unit of choice for FRFR when I finally get an FRFR speaker
I actually just wrote a comparison/semi review over on TPG if anyone is interested in what’s similar/what's different?
Invalid Link Removed
Hello again!
After loads of texts to read and works to do, I finally got my hands on the pedal some days ago and gigged with it yesterday. First, I tried all the default patches installed on the pedal and liked most of them, at least a third of ythem are usable out of the box and I will definitely keep them on the pedal.
I was really impressed by the emulation of the Big Muff, as a long time Muff fan, it captured its spirit and dynamics. The same with the Boss ODB3 and TS808 emulation, so accurate and precise with the tone range, I even tried the presets I used with those pedals (as I have had them before) and I found little differences, unnoticable in a live situation. Modulations are awesome too, the Corona chorus was impressive, and I enjoyed the fact that it has a blender to avoid mudding your lows. I wasn't that impressed with the Octave, as I was expecting a better tracking. Finally, the compressors were also terrific, the APHEX Punch Factory sounded great!
After the first analysis, I started creating some patches for the gigs; for one band, I needed a straight P-Bass-thru-Ampeg tone, so I used the SVT head emulator (without the cab) through an Eden Traveler 550 that was in the bar that night. Although the Eden preamp colored a bit the sound, you could really hear the distinctive bite of the Ampeg SVT running through; I liked a lot the way I could shape the tone and how the Zoom pedal recreated the essence of the tone, it's obvious that I'll never sound like the real thing, but most of it was there.
The second band was a Chris Cornell tribute band, so I needed a dark Ampeg tone for Soundgarden tracks, and, on the other hand, a mid-boosted and heavily compressed tone for Audioslave. As I was going to use my analog pedalboard for that band, I used the Zoom B3n as a preamp; putting just the SVT with different EQ for one part of the set, and the other was a SansAmp BDDI emulator with the "OptaComp" effect, which imitates the Aphex Punch Factory. I was mindblown when I engaged my analog pedals, they sounded very well mixed with the DSPs of the Zoom, it was a really accurate emulation. Obviously, dynamics are not as natural as on a real SVT 4 Pro, but the tone I got was great, it cutted through the mix really well. Most of people congratulated me for the tone, including my bandmates.
Now the challenge is using it alone, combining amp simulation and compression with the other effects, but I have no doubt the pedal will respond well. I'm now a very happy and proud owner of the Zoom B3n, for a constant gigging musician that needs multiple tones like me, it's a Swiss Knife, great investment!
After loads of texts to read and works to do, I finally got my hands on the pedal some days ago and gigged with it yesterday. First, I tried all the default patches installed on the pedal and liked most of them, at least a third of ythem are usable out of the box and I will definitely keep them on the pedal.
I was really impressed by the emulation of the Big Muff, as a long time Muff fan, it captured its spirit and dynamics. The same with the Boss ODB3 and TS808 emulation, so accurate and precise with the tone range, I even tried the presets I used with those pedals (as I have had them before) and I found little differences, unnoticable in a live situation. Modulations are awesome too, the Corona chorus was impressive, and I enjoyed the fact that it has a blender to avoid mudding your lows. I wasn't that impressed with the Octave, as I was expecting a better tracking. Finally, the compressors were also terrific, the APHEX Punch Factory sounded great!
After the first analysis, I started creating some patches for the gigs; for one band, I needed a straight P-Bass-thru-Ampeg tone, so I used the SVT head emulator (without the cab) through an Eden Traveler 550 that was in the bar that night. Although the Eden preamp colored a bit the sound, you could really hear the distinctive bite of the Ampeg SVT running through; I liked a lot the way I could shape the tone and how the Zoom pedal recreated the essence of the tone, it's obvious that I'll never sound like the real thing, but most of it was there.
The second band was a Chris Cornell tribute band, so I needed a dark Ampeg tone for Soundgarden tracks, and, on the other hand, a mid-boosted and heavily compressed tone for Audioslave. As I was going to use my analog pedalboard for that band, I used the Zoom B3n as a preamp; putting just the SVT with different EQ for one part of the set, and the other was a SansAmp BDDI emulator with the "OptaComp" effect, which imitates the Aphex Punch Factory. I was mindblown when I engaged my analog pedals, they sounded very well mixed with the DSPs of the Zoom, it was a really accurate emulation. Obviously, dynamics are not as natural as on a real SVT 4 Pro, but the tone I got was great, it cutted through the mix really well. Most of people congratulated me for the tone, including my bandmates.
Now the challenge is using it alone, combining amp simulation and compression with the other effects, but I have no doubt the pedal will respond well. I'm now a very happy and proud owner of the Zoom B3n, for a constant gigging musician that needs multiple tones like me, it's a Swiss Knife, great investment!
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