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New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects

#2,661
I have the B3n and the GT-1B. I'm gonna try using both of them to cover pretty much everything I might need. The lack of expression pedal on the Zoom and the need for an external control pedal on the Boss are a major PITA. I wish that Boss would come up with something like a long press of the Control foot switch would toggle between bank up/down and effect on/off function for the two left foot switches. I really could care less about adding foot switches or pedals except for the real estate they take up. With today's technology we should have a compact pedal that does it all. A B5n for bass would cover most anything but.....
 
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#2,662
jimfist said:
Yes, and this is why some of us were hoping that Zoom would have gone with the same design (and pedal layout) as the G5n, with 9 slots, which is a much more viable all-in-one pedal IMHO. We're also hoping that Zoom will eventually allow loading of bass amps onto the G5n, thus making it, effectively, a "B5n", but there's no indication that this will ever happen.

I think if you're going to do any sort of meaningful B3n tone shaping, you'll be stuck with having to use a 2-unit model or EQ of some sort, unless you could get some of the single unit tone shapers like the Bass Pre, Bass BB, EP Stomp, or Exciter to work for you.
Click to expand...

Because for that purpose, Zoom wants us to buy 2 B3N
 
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#2,665
Stu_Bass said:
I have the B3n and the GT-1B. I'm gonna try using both of them to cover pretty much everything I might need. The lack of expression pedal on the Zoom and the need for an external control pedal on the Boss are a major PITA. I wish that Boss would come up with something like a long press of the Control foot switch would toggle between bank up/down and effect on/off function for the two left foot switches. I really could care less about adding foot switches or pedals except for the real estate they take up. With today's technology we should have a compact pedal that does it all. A B5n for bass would cover most anything but.....
Click to expand...
I currently have a B3 and am really, really up in the air about getting either the B3n or the GT-1B for Christmas. I am leaning toward the Boss because from the clips I've heard (and I know YouTube clips don't really mean that much) the GT-1B sounds meatier and the drives sound better and that is what I'm really interested in. I was playing around with my B3 yesterday and was reminded of just how bad the fuzzes and distortions are on it. I know everyone is saying the B3n is way better but it still worries me. Also the octaver and pitch shift functions are next to useless on the B3.
 
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#2,666
jwilson67 said:
I currently have a B3 and am really, really up in the air about getting either the B3n or the GT-1B for Christmas. I am leaning toward the Boss because from the clips I've heard (and I know YouTube clips don't really mean that much) the GT-1B sounds meatier and the drives sound better and that is what I'm really interested in. I was playing around with my B3 yesterday and was reminded of just how bad the fuzzes and distortions are on it. I know everyone is saying the B3n is way better but it still worries me. Also the octaver and pitch shift functions are next to useless on the B3.
Click to expand...
I had a GT-10B, and to my ears all of those functions are of equal quality on the B3n. The B3n has much better synth effects, to my ears, but does not have a slicer.
 
#2,667
Stu_Bass said:
No. You need a separate interface. The G5n will interface but is guitar oriented
Click to expand...

Which interface do you use, @Stu_Bass?

I have a Mackie Onyx Blackjack Onyx Blackjack USB Audio Interface - Mackie but for the life of me I don't know how to get a good recording from either the B3n nor G3n. When I set gain at unity on the interface and record (using Garage Band or Reaper on a Mac) the signal looks like a straight line with tiny zig zags (there is still sound, the signal just looks like a line compared to the backing track). Turning the gain up makes the signal looks to be more dynamic, but it's too much gain.
 
#2,668
jwilson67 said:
I currently have a B3 and am really, really up in the air about getting either the B3n or the GT-1B for Christmas. I am leaning toward the Boss because from the clips I've heard (and I know YouTube clips don't really mean that much) the GT-1B sounds meatier and the drives sound better and that is what I'm really interested in. I was playing around with my B3 yesterday and was reminded of just how bad the fuzzes and distortions are on it. I know everyone is saying the B3n is way better but it still worries me. Also the octaver and pitch shift functions are next to useless on the B3.
Click to expand...
I just ordered a B3n and currently have a B3. I'll let you know what I think @jwilson67.
I may have been one of the small minority that was getting a decent OD/drive with the B3 though. ;)
Best wishes,
Brent
 
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#2,670
Cider said:
Which interface do you use, @Stu_Bass?

I have a Mackie Onyx Blackjack Onyx Blackjack USB Audio Interface - Mackie but for the life of me I don't know how to get a good recording from either the B3n nor G3n. When I set gain at unity on the interface and record (using Garage Band or Reaper on a Mac) the signal looks like a straight line with tiny zig zags (there is still sound, the signal just looks like a line compared to the backing track). Turning the gain up makes the signal looks to be more dynamic, but it's too much gain.
Click to expand...
I don't use it through an interface much. I own a Line 6 and a Focusrite that work fine but mostly use my Tascam Dp-32 when recording
 
#2,671
@BrentSimons - Actually I've made up my mind and getting neither the Boss or Zoom. I'm keeping my B3 and getting an MS-50G and a Boss LS-2. I need a dedicated guitar pedal anyway and will use the 50G for distortions and fuzzez. I've always wanted an LS-2 anyway to have the freedom to add other pedals at will.
 
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#2,672
jwilson67 said:
@BrentSimons - Actually I've made up my mind and getting neither the Boss or Zoom. I'm keeping my B3 and getting an MS-50G and a Boss LS-2. I need a dedicated guitar pedal anyway and will use the 50G for distortions and fuzzez. I've always wanted an LS-2 anyway to have the freedom to add other pedals at will.
Click to expand...
Perfect!
I really don't need the B3n. In fact my B3 and GK Plex are on the coffee table collecting dust. I thought the B3n might get the juices flowing again. If the B3 had an aux in and a few of the new models i would just keep the B3.
Good luck in your tone quest and Happy Holidays!
Brent
 
#2,673
Just today I've tried to record something with the GK Plex (amp, light drive, comp) into the G5N (cabinet, noise gate, reverb and NOT always on Exicter, and slapback delay). The result is great, and I'm very satisfied about it (not much about playing^^)!
 
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#2,674
Heisenbass said:
I am using a similar setup: B3n into an active EV ZLX15P. Soundwise I couldn't be happier. Also, for bedroom practice it is great, since it delivers a consistent sound also at low volumes. Just be wary that the wattage of a PA speaker does not compare to the wattage of a dedicated bass rig. Mine is rated at 250W RMS an I have not too much headroom left when playing with two reasonably loud guitars and a reasonably loud drummer. Runs into clip protection fairly quick. Still great for smaller gigs, but don't expect to rock the Estádio da Luz with it. Also, I wouldn't trust the wattage on budget speakers. Maybe @Wilmar Boer can chime in. He has a similar setup.
Click to expand...

I tried both the Alto TS 15inch and the EV ZLX15. I bought the EV. It seems to handle the bass better. I'm very happy with this setup. THe EV is also very easy to transport because of it's low weight and handles. I bought a Music Store own brand sleeve with it. I'm happy I did that because the moulded plastic and front grid easyly get scratched.

The sound engineer of out church just uses the XLR output of the EV for a line to the church PA and is als happy.

I have to say that in store I also tested a Ampeg SCR DI in stead of the B3n to feed the EV ZLX. THe sound became more punchier. So in the future I want to add a bass preamp/DI and put the B3n in it's loop. Currently I'm looking at the Eden Nova Module for that task.
 
#2,676
Wilmar Boer said:
Does anyone of you use the B3n in combination with a preamp/DI pedal like the EDEN WTDI, Ampeg SCR, Eden Terra Nova Module, EBS Micro Bass etc ... ?

And if so, do you put the B3n in front, after or in the loop of the Preamp/DI pedal?
Click to expand...
Play around with the amp & can sims some more. You can get the tones you are looking for from the B3n. I use a similar set up, and love the tone!
 
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#2,677
Wilmar Boer said:
Does anyone of you use the B3n in combination with a preamp/DI pedal like the EDEN WTDI, Ampeg SCR, Eden Terra Nova Module, EBS Micro Bass etc ... ?

And if so, do you put the B3n in front, after or in the loop of the Preamp/DI pedal?
Click to expand...


Almost all previous boards of mine consisted of a digital multifx along with a dedicated preamp. I always had the preamp last in the chain. For me, it helps marry up all the sounds going in and give a more consistent sound overall.

But, the preamps on the b3n are strong enough without relying on a dedicated preamp pedal in my opinion.
 
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#2,678
Wilmar Boer said:
Does anyone of you use the B3n in combination with a preamp/DI pedal like the EDEN WTDI, Ampeg SCR, Eden Terra Nova Module, EBS Micro Bass etc ... ?

And if so, do you put the B3n in front, after or in the loop of the Preamp/DI pedal?
Click to expand...
I use my B3n with a Tech 21 Sans Amp. I pretty much just use the Sans Amp as a dedicated DI and turn off the pre amp. It works great and provides a handy backup in case the B3n gives me problems. I use the SVT amp sim in the B3n and compared it the SVT setting on the Sans Amp and to my ears the B3n sounded better.
 
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