I just used the USB cable that came with my phone, worked fine.
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New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects
- Thread starter CharlieC
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- b3n multi-effects zoom
I believe you have to have the software open before plugging in the unit
I just picked up one that I had laying around the house from various other devices I use. I must have just gotten lucky. Always a good idea, though, if it's not working, check with a different cable.
Hey folks, I just picked up one of Zoom's expression pedals to use with my B3n, but I can't get it to work, and I'm hoping for advice. Here is the extent of my troubleshooting thus far:
-- I've connected the pedal to the proper port, using a cable that tests good for continuity. (I've also tested the pedal with a second cable, which also tests good for continuity.)
-- I've configured the B3n to use an expression pedal using the settings menu. (EXT PEDAL = ON)
-- I've added a pedal effect to my working patch. (I've done this separately with volume and wah.)
-- I've turned the pedal effect on, via the stomp switch, and the LED indicates that it should be activated.
-- I've tweaked some of the pedal-specific settings, to see if they change anything.
After all the above, I haven't had any luck getting the expression pedal to work. I can hear a slight change in the tone when I activate the pedal effect in the patch (using the stomp switch on the B3n), but adjusting the angle of the pedal doesn't have an audible effect at all.
I figure the three possibilities are: (1) dead expression pedal; (2) user error, involving some obscure setting/detail that I don't know about; and (3) bad input jack (or other component) on the B3n.
As I said, the pedal is brand new, so it hasn't yet shown proof of life, but of the above three, I figure that user error is the most likely cause, followed by a dead expression pedal. If anyone has any tips to help me figure this out, I would greatly appreciate it.
-- I've connected the pedal to the proper port, using a cable that tests good for continuity. (I've also tested the pedal with a second cable, which also tests good for continuity.)
-- I've configured the B3n to use an expression pedal using the settings menu. (EXT PEDAL = ON)
-- I've added a pedal effect to my working patch. (I've done this separately with volume and wah.)
-- I've turned the pedal effect on, via the stomp switch, and the LED indicates that it should be activated.
-- I've tweaked some of the pedal-specific settings, to see if they change anything.
After all the above, I haven't had any luck getting the expression pedal to work. I can hear a slight change in the tone when I activate the pedal effect in the patch (using the stomp switch on the B3n), but adjusting the angle of the pedal doesn't have an audible effect at all.
I figure the three possibilities are: (1) dead expression pedal; (2) user error, involving some obscure setting/detail that I don't know about; and (3) bad input jack (or other component) on the B3n.
As I said, the pedal is brand new, so it hasn't yet shown proof of life, but of the above three, I figure that user error is the most likely cause, followed by a dead expression pedal. If anyone has any tips to help me figure this out, I would greatly appreciate it.
The Zoom FP02 requires a special 1/4" TRS cable and not a standard TS instrument cable to operate. One should have been included with the pedal, but I am willing to wager that you are not using the required TRS cable and this is the cause of your issue.
Cheers!
As mentioned you must use a TRS cable (3 silver parts instead of just 2). Also be sure you are using the wah from the pedal section and not an auto wah. If both of these are a go - then you have a faulty pedal...
I had the same exact problem. I posted about it here last week.
I contacted Zoom and this is what they said, "make sure you are using a USB data cable not a USB that charges only." I had no idea there was a USB that charges only vs a USB that transfers data. I ended up trying a USB that I know transfers data and sure enough that worked perfectly. There's really no way to tell the difference you just gotta try.
(Oops, I just read that you know you gotta use a data cable...)
Ah, this is probably it, as I'm using a standard TS pedal cable. I'll try to hunt down the original cable, or failing that, scare up a new one.
User error confirmed! Thanks again, folks.
You win some, you lose some. I got my B3n today and while the software has a learning curve, the unit sounds great. That said, somewhere along the way it was used for soccer and the rear corner got caved in. Luckily another local store has one so back out I go tomorrow.
Did you win the soccer game at least?
...anywho- am really enjoying using the fender and b7k models for my clean tone!
Looking for advice. I’m trying to run my b3n as preamp, using the amp models, into a Carvin MB12 combo. Unfortunately, the Carvin does not have an effects loop, so I’m forced to run it through the amps preamp section. My issue is the b3n seems to be overdriving the front end of the amp. The amp is set flat with the drive (input gain) rolled completely off. Thoughts?
Turn down the master level via the rotary encoder on the upper right corner
FWIW unless you have a lot of gain in your presets setting the master at 100 is unity gain (or very close to it) so if your bass doesn't overdrive the amps input with the B3n out of line there is something else going on here.
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As @Stu_Bass has mentioned, you have a level matching problem going through the B3n. This has been described a couple times on this thread, but here's the short version:
1) plug your bass directly into your bass amp (no B3n) , dial it in and take note of the volume. Don't touch those settings.
2) plug your bass into the B3n in TUNER-BYPASS mode, and use the master output of the B3n to match the volume in #1 above
3) presets and stomp slot items should be adjusted in relation to the level set in step #2 (tuner bypass mode) since some settings from drives and amp models can result in massive amounts of added gain. Reduce the output level at the offending individual fx slot first, if it is out of whack, and then second at the Preset output.
FWIW, I've found my MASTER VOLUME level setting to be at 37 in order for it to match the level produced by my bass alone. As you can easily see, if it were set at 100, this would most definitely drive the input stage of a bass amp pretty hard without implementing an input pad (-20db).
When tone meets heft, results are outstanding! 
I have only investigated the bypass level with one bass and find it curious that you arrived at 37 and me at 100. I'll have to look into it further since I assumed that it would translate to all basses . So yes, find your unity gain point then set the level for each individual effect in a patch to unity (if you don't want a boost) and you should be okay. Sorry for the misleading info.
No, I don't think it's misleading. Your results are your results, and if that is what worked for you...who am I to say? I have no idea what would account for this type of discrepancy, which is interesting to me.
