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New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects

#2,601
I’m going to be the dissenting voice here.

If you want to be able to dial in a wide of synth tones, the B3n isn’t going to cut it. But if you just want a few generic synths for dance tunes, etc., it’s more than adequate.

I wasn’t able to get anything usable out of the synth effects on the Bass Fly Rig, but with all the EQ and OD/booster options available on the Zoom, it’s not hard to get fat, aggressive synth sounds.
 
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#2,602
steve_rolfeca said:
I’m going to be the dissenting voice here.

If you want to be able to dial a wide of synth tones, the B3n isn’t going to cut it. Both if you just want a few generic synths for dance tunes, etc., it’s more than adequate.

I wasn’t able to get anything usable out of the synth effects on the Bass Fly Rig, but with all the EQ and OD/booster options available on the Zoom, it’s not hard to get fat, aggressive synth sounds.
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Yes. I agree. The fact that you can pre/post treat the sounds in a number of ways with respect to dynamics and tone also makes it worth the effort with the B3n.
Adding an envelope filter, compression, distortion, flange/phaser/chorus to the synth can really add flavor and versatility to those sounds. This is a benefit that you are usually only afforded when using a multi-fx. So, keep in mind that the final sounds created with a pitch shifter or synth don't begin and end with JUST THOSE individual effects types. There are so many ways to improve on those individual fx modules with pre/post treatments.
 
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#2,606
CoachEvan said:
Anyone got some good patch settings for an early Commerford/RATM tone? I’ve seen some for the B3, yet the B3n doesn’t seem to have all the same effects. Thanks!
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what effect blocks are used in the B3 for these RATM sounds? I'd be surprised if the B3n couldn't get very, very close - if not improve upon - those tones and effects.
 
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#2,610
Pippo79 said:
Hi, has anybody tried to install b3n patches on the g3xn (guitar version of b3n)?. Because a friend of mine who is guitarrist is selling his g3xn and i'm a basssplayer. Thanks.
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I haven't tried it, however, most of the built-in effects and amp sims are different so I doubt you could load most patches. There are many people on these forums using the G3xn and the G5xn with a bass guitar. Personally, I would just pick up a new B3n rather than use the guitar version.
 
#2,612
steve_rolfeca said:
I’m going to be the dissenting voice here.

If you want to be able to dial in a wide of synth tones, the B3n isn’t going to cut it. Both if you just want a few generic synths for dance tunes, etc., it’s more than adequate.

I wasn’t able to get anything usable out of the synth effects on the Bass Fly Rig, but with all the EQ and OD/booster options available on the Zoom, it’s not hard to get fat, aggressive synth sounds.
Click to expand...

To me that is the point of the B3 or B3 n. It’s a convenience tool for gigging... not so much a creative powerhouse studio kinda sorta tool... that said it does a lot of things well. The MonoSyn patch is worth the price by itself to me... the big muff and rat disto’s are decent. The detune is an excellent chorus... The ADA Flanger clone is, well not much like an original ADA but it’s good enough for live... has to be used in conjunction with a low end boost to my ear though. That was never a problem for me with the real thing. Still, those are reason enough for me to have a B3 on my board.

The only other effect is an EHX Pitchfork which does the octave thing way better than the B3 IMO.
 
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#2,613
ppiluk said:
I haven't tried it, however, most of the built-in effects and amp sims are different so I doubt you could load most patches. There are many people on these forums using the G3xn and the G5xn with a bass guitar. Personally, I would just pick up a new B3n rather than use the guitar version.
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There are some GREAT bass sounds on the guitar versions, especially the G5n, which has more DSP headroom.

Some patches on the guitar pedals can be copied on the B3n, because they share quite a few common FX. Especially the recent ones, offered as updates over the last year or so.

However, a lot of patches won't work cross-platform. Too many amps, cabs, and FX are missing from each side.

Also, if you have a patch you made on a G3n, and will work on the B3n because it uses FX that are common to both, you will have to build it manually on the B3n.

While the Guitar Lab librarian tracks both your guitar and bass patches and effects, it doesn't support mix and match. A patch saved to Guitar Lab from your B3n can't be dragged and dropped onto a guitar pedal, or vice-versa.
 
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#2,616
J_Bass said:
Hello.

I noticed some of you are using monitor speakers instead of an amp with this pedal unit.

Do you think this monitor is suitable for that task?

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Thanks.
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Yes.....maybe...or...No. Can you describe how you intend to use the monitor in its most demanding context? The short answer is that the Alto certainly could work fine for a lot of applications. The only things that would undermine satisfactory results would be your own expectations (your ears) and situations that require a LOT of volume, and thus, the speaker drivers and amp(s) in the Alto will put a hard ceiling on the output level.

When using full range powered PA cabinets, you have to keep in mind that they are generally designed (some more successfully than others, and price reflects this) with very specific sonic characteristics that are desired for PA applications: directivity, low resonance, flat response, etc. When these PA cabinets are compared to traditional bass guitar cabinets, they will sound different. Bass cabinets are designed to highlight certain aspects of the bass guitar tone, so the considerations with respect to resonance, directivity, flat response, et al, are completely different.

Good luck!
 
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#2,617
jimfist said:
Yes.....maybe...or...No. Can you describe how you intend to use the monitor in its most demanding context? The short answer is that the Alto certainly could work fine for a lot of applications. The only things that would undermine satisfactory results would be your own expectations (your ears) and situations that require a LOT of volume, and thus, the speaker drivers and amp(s) in the Alto will put a hard ceiling on the output level.

When using full range powered PA cabinets, you have to keep in mind that they are generally designed (some more successfully than others, and price reflects this) with very specific sonic characteristics that are desired for PA applications: directivity, low resonance, flat response, etc. When these PA cabinets are compared to traditional bass guitar cabinets, they will sound different. Bass cabinets are designed to highlight certain aspects of the bass guitar tone, so the considerations with respect to resonance, directivity, flat response, et al, are completely different.

Good luck!
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Thank you very much!

I only play at home, alone. Very rarely with a drummer (e drum) and a guitarist. Not gigging.
I have a zoom bfx 708 and an Ashdown mag evo III 300.

I want to try something else. Going to sell the bfx 708 and upgrade to the b3n.

I would also like to try something different than the Ashdown. It could be another amp, I would like something clean, jazz like, but versatile. Maybe something smaller also. That is why I was looking at monitors. But a new amp, a good small one, would also be great.
 
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#2,618
I have a fretless coming, and I would like to explore the new instrument with the new zoom, whiteout being concerned about the amp configurations.

The tone of the new bass would be the most important. Next, the b3n, exploring the effects, amp Sims and recordings (di) capabilites. And the last, the amp, flat or almost flat, not interfering with the tone.
 
#2,619
J_Bass said:
Thank you very much!

I only play at home, alone. Very rarely with a drummer (e drum) and a guitarist. Not gigging.
I have a zoom bfx 708 and an Ashdown mag evo III 300.

I want to try something else. Going to sell the bfx 708 and upgrade to the b3n.

I would also like to try something different than the Ashdown. It could be another amp, I would like something clean, jazz like, but versatile. Maybe something smaller also. That is why I was looking at monitors. But a new amp, a good small one, would also be great.
Click to expand...

The Alto will probably work fine for you in that application. The benefit of using a PA speaker as your bass speaker system is that you have the flexibility to also use the Alto for other, general sound reinforcement purposes. You can't do this with a traditional bass rig. If you're hanging onto the Ashdown combo, you can also experiment using the B3n as just an effects processing pedal, and compare how the traditional bass speaker sounds vs. the Alto PA speaker. You may find that you prefer one over the other.

I think you'll find the B3n to be a really big step up in improved tones and effects over the older vintage Zoom BFX 708.
 
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#2,620
jimfist said:
The Alto will probably work fine for you in that application. The benefit of using a PA speaker as your bass speaker system is that you have the flexibility to also use the Alto for other, general sound reinforcement purposes. You can't do this with a traditional bass rig. If you're hanging onto the Ashdown combo, you can also experiment using the B3n as just an effects processing pedal, and compare how the traditional bass speaker sounds vs. the Alto PA speaker. You may find that you prefer one over the other.

I think you'll find the B3n to be a really big step up in improved tones and effects over the older vintage Zoom BFX 708.
Click to expand...

Thank you!
 
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