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New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects

#3,261
drdashdot said:
I see somewhere else that he plans to have a Tonelib update in a week or so.

I've only had a quick look at the Zoom update (on a G3n) and the really big news (I think) is that they've implemented full MIDI control of the pedal. This differs from the how Denis so far has done things (ie reloading the patch for any change.) It means that real-time midi control of these pedals should now be possible. Any one interested in a ZPI adaptation for the B3n/G3n? (No promises, mind you...)
Click to expand...
Yes! Could it change patches on an MS60B and the B3n at the same time?
 
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#3,263
Johno Dunn said:
Yes! Could it change patches on an MS60B and the B3n at the same time?
Click to expand...

Yes, it could do that and more: change not just patches but also parameters (including expression pedal control of any parameter), control other midi pedals, control of DAW, control Zoom pedals by DAW, master tempo control/tap tempo and probably some other stuff I've overlooked.
It looks like the n-series looper also is controllable by midi (unlike older Zoom pedals.)
Very interesting ... a day ago I was ignoring the n series pedals. Now, maybe not.
 
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#3,265
drdashdot said:
Yes, it could do that and more: change not just patches but also parameters (including expression pedal control of any parameter), control other midi pedals, control of DAW, control Zoom pedals by DAW, master tempo control/tap tempo and probably some other stuff I've overlooked.
It looks like the n-series looper also is controllable by midi (unlike older Zoom pedals.)
Very interesting ... a day ago I was ignoring the n series pedals. Now, maybe not.
Click to expand...

Would it work with the B1on? Not that can work out how I would interface it with a B9, and then put the B1on in the B9's loop.
 
#3,268
drdashdot said:
Yes, through the usb. Before the update, it seems that only patch and firmware loading was implemented. Now full control by sysex messages looks to be there - similar to the B3.
Click to expand...

Ok, but how? :) a nano, or whatever USB to Midi cable is needed, and you connect it to a pedal that sends MIDI to the B3n? I don't see any MIDI setting in the B3n-s menu... Or am I a non expert, an expert would know the answer? :)
 
#3,269
drdashdot said:
Yes, works now with the B1on. I'm not familiar with the B9
Click to expand...

The B9 is of the same era as the B2, but has very slightly different effects chains, and a ECC83 in it, but also XLR outs, a loop, expression pedals, and multiple switches. More than this, it also has MIDI in and out, which includes the expression pedal CC out, and patch changes. However, it is standard DIN-based MIDI, so getting it into a mini-USB format would be expensive, unless you ran it through a laptop or similar.
 
#3,270
Hi just bought my new Zoom B3 with Di.., not the B3n..,
Because i like that with Di.. and im thinking all the effects and rythm and looper Could pass to it..
saving me external Di to bring into gigs...
somehow i could not find that on the manual.. or maybe overlooked it...
so is there any way this can be done..
Maybe thru firmware update?
Thanks


Otto van Zanten said:
No, thank you for your extensive reply! I really appreciate it.

I only brought up the DI because I thought that was one of the features that really set it apart. Personally I don't need it that much either. A seperate DI would make more sense. However the Audio Interface feature was very interesting to me as it would easily save me 70 bucks and save some desk space.

For backyard (solo) jamming I would just use headphones instead of an amp, so the lack of battery power is still a small downside, but if it does indeed sound so much better it's a very understandable trade-off.
I heard somebody say that they all sound the same, or that they all at least use the same algorithms, and in that case it seemed so strange they would leave out so many effects, but I now it all makes a lot more sense.

I'm still going with the B1on because I want to experiment with a lot of the effects that aren't on the B3n and I see no use for amp simulations in hardware form, at gigs I use amps, in the studio I use vst's, but then my needs might just be a bit different from most people's.
Click to expand...
 
#3,271
Askia said:
Ok, but how? :) a nano, or whatever USB to Midi cable is needed, and you connect it to a pedal that sends MIDI to the B3n? I don't see any MIDI setting in the B3n-s menu... Or am I a non expert, an expert would know the answer? :)
Click to expand...

Exactly as you say. Zoom have never documented the midi sysex messages used, but they were used for the G5/G3/B3 pedals to interface to Edit&Share program. They were left in (inadvertently? but also incompletely) in the MS and series 1 pedals, which allowed usb control of those pedals. Check out the video intro on facebook.com/zoom.control to get an idea.
 
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#3,272
-Asdfgh- said:
The B9 is of the same era as the B2, but has very slightly different effects chains, and a ECC83 in it, but also XLR outs, a loop, expression pedals, and multiple switches. More than this, it also has MIDI in and out, which includes the expression pedal CC out, and patch changes. However, it is standard DIN-based MIDI, so getting it into a mini-USB format would be expensive, unless you ran it through a laptop or similar.
Click to expand...

Yes - you not only have to convert the physical/electrical format, but also convert the midi messages into the appropriate midi sysex.
 
#3,278
Raydi89 said:
Hi just bought my new Zoom B3 with Di.., not the B3n..,
Because i like that with Di.. and im thinking all the effects and rythm and looper Could pass to it..
saving me external Di to bring into gigs...
somehow i could not find that on the manual.. or maybe overlooked it...
so is there any way this can be done..
Maybe thru firmware update?
Thanks
Click to expand...
As far as I know, the effects, rhythms and looper will go through the DI, however, It might be that if the DI is set to "PRE" and this means the signal sent to the DI is before the amp sims and effects are applied. I don't think this setting should affect the rhythms and looper.
 
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#3,280
jimfist said:
Just a couple quick tips for updating firmware and GuitarLab...

As always, before embarking on any device firmware updates, do a full backup of your presets if you've got anything created that you wish to keep.

- First, download the firmware 2.0 update for the B3n, and unzip the file (B3n NOT connected to computer)
- Fire up the B3n while simultaneously holding down the FS1 and FS2 buttons (firmware update mode)
- connect B3n to computer via USB
- open the firmware .exe file and follow instructions to update the firmware
- keep your fingers crossed, and hopefully you'll see a successful update
- disconnect the B3n USB cable
...then...
- uninstall the existing GuitarLab software
- download the new GuitarLab 3.0, and unzip the file
- launch the software installer from that zip file, and follow instructions
- keep your fingers crossed, and hopefully you'll see a successful update
- Connect the B3n via USB and re-launch GuitarLab
- you may get an initial "device not detected" message from GuitarLab, and if so, just follow instructions to search for the device, or try closing and re-opening GuitarLab (this happened to me, but quickly rectified itself).

This is what worked for me. If you don't do the firmware update FIRST, the new GuitarLab and the B3n won't be able to communicate with each other, as it seems that the editor and hardware are now linked together.
Click to expand...

Thank you, Jimfist. I followed your instructions and things went swimmingly.
 
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