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New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects

#3,981
It's scenarios like these which make me really wanting for a B5n, which is precisely why I use the G5n for a lot of gigs where I need faster access to more things. The G5n dedicated tuner switch and master level knob are key features (among others). Downside is that you don't get your favorite bass amp models and effects in the G5n. I've had no trouble getting it to work for me with some concerted effort and creative thinking (amp models), and the much better switching, knobs, and exp pedal make navigating around the G5n so, so, much better than the B3n.

Really, I have no idea why Zoom doesn't just port the bass amps and effects into the G5n format to create a B3n. It seems like short work for a major benefit to bassists.
 
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#3,982
Picked up a B3N used for a pretty great deal recently, and I'm impressed with the build quality and what you get for the money. Going through all the patches though, i'm sort of overwhelmed with how complex each patch is. Now perhaps you could say I got myself into this, buying a multi-effects processor that can run 7 effects at once. But you'd think that a user would build up to that level of complexity himself, rather than having it already there by default, you know? I was in memory mode going through the specific effects, and like a few of the reverbs okay, and generally prefer the individual effects unpacked from the patches. Of course I could delete most of the patches and just sub them for individual effects in stomp mode, but perhaps this is like owning a Ferrari and never taking it about 30 mph, if you know what i mean. Any other users feel the same?
 
#3,983
DuluthDank said:
Picked up a B3N used for a pretty great deal recently, and I'm impressed with the build quality and what you get for the money. Going through all the patches though, i'm sort of overwhelmed with how complex each patch is. Now perhaps you could say I got myself into this, buying a multi-effects processor that can run 7 effects at once. But you'd think that a user would build up to that level of complexity himself, rather than having it already there by default, you know? I was in memory mode going through the specific effects, and like a few of the reverbs okay, and generally prefer the individual effects unpacked from the patches. Of course I could delete most of the patches and just sub them for individual effects in stomp mode, but perhaps this is like owning a Ferrari and never taking it about 30 mph, if you know what i mean. Any other users feel the same?
Click to expand...

I equate it to purchasing a couple sets of wrenches that might include about 20 different kinds, even though there's a good chance I won't even use half of them. But one never knows when the need might arise for any one of them.
 
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#3,984
jimfist said:
It's scenarios like these which make me really wanting for a B5n, which is precisely why I use the G5n for a lot of gigs where I need faster access to more things. The G5n dedicated tuner switch and master level knob are key features (among others). Downside is that you don't get your favorite bass amp models and effects in the G5n. I've had no trouble getting it to work for me with some concerted effort and creative thinking (amp models), and the much better switching, knobs, and exp pedal make navigating around the G5n so, so, much better than the B3n.

Really, I have no idea why Zoom doesn't just port the bass amps and effects into the G5n format to create a B5n. It seems like short work for a major benefit to bassists.
Click to expand...
But it won't be red!!!!




Or inexplicably $20 more expensive...
 
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#3,985
DuluthDank said:
Picked up a B3N used for a pretty great deal recently, and I'm impressed with the build quality and what you get for the money. Going through all the patches though, i'm sort of overwhelmed with how complex each patch is. Now perhaps you could say I got myself into this, buying a multi-effects processor that can run 7 effects at once. But you'd think that a user would build up to that level of complexity himself, rather than having it already there by default, you know? I was in memory mode going through the specific effects, and like a few of the reverbs okay, and generally prefer the individual effects unpacked from the patches. Of course I could delete most of the patches and just sub them for individual effects in stomp mode, but perhaps this is like owning a Ferrari and never taking it about 30 mph, if you know what i mean. Any other users feel the same?
Click to expand...
I think the best way to think of it is like this... to sell the B3n in shops they have to have some pretty full on effects on there to demo. And also to show off some of them to people.
Once you buy the thing you find your blank patch and realise that you just need a couple of things - but that’s cool cos that’s what it’s all about!
 
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#3,986
Luke the Fluke said:
I think the best way to think of it is like this... to sell the B3n in shops they have to have some pretty full on effects on there to demo. And also to show off some of them to people.
Once you buy the thing you find your blank patch and realise that you just need a couple of things - but that’s cool cos that’s what it’s all about!
Click to expand...
I have always hated when people are critical of a multi effects pedal, amp or other patch using unit because patches are bad. It’s been my experience that patches are meant to show potential and are not some secret recipe to good tone. At best, some patches can be used as a starting point.

I have used dozens of multi effects pedals and amps and have never used a preloaded patch live.
 
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#3,990
samurai1993 said:
Do you find your Aux in to be kinda noisy? Mine is, at least when connected to my cellphone or my laptop
Click to expand...
Are you sitting by all of that stuff while you play?

I do notice when I am right on top of it, like when I have it sitting by my laptop on my desk and I am right in front of it with my bass. I pick up noise.

Another thing, if you run your device into the aux in then to your bass amp, remember the aux in is stereo, then to the output of the L mono jack, that jack is really a stereo/headphone output jack but, when you take just a mono cord out of it to go to your bass amp, it's sending a mono signal out, you miss one side of the stereo aux in jack from your phone/laptop. That might be introducing some noise if you are going into the bass amp instead of a stereo playback something, mixer, studio monitors etc.

Hope that helps and remember, I could be wrong.
 
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#3,991
DuluthDank said:
New B3N owner here. I'm sure my question is covered elsewhere, but it wasn't something I was finding quickly. Anyways, so how are most people going about bypassing effects in stompbox mode? I was surprised to find out that the unit required that one of the three effect buttons be turned on at all times. Is the easiest thing to have blank effect patches interspersed throughout your patch list? I'd imagine if 1 out of every 3 effects were blank, then a bypassed sound would always be readily available regardless of where you were on your patch list. Although then you are using up 33 percent of your patch list on bypassing. I guess the other thing that comes to mind is using the tuner without the mute function, but that would not be friendly to live use. Am I missing something that would work better?
Click to expand...

Are you sure about that? Or am I misunderstanding you?

Here's a picture of mine with all of the stomp things off.
20190209_214654_HDR.jpg
 
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#3,995
I've been on here complaining a bit about my new B3n as I've been working to find a clear use for it that I like, and I can say I finally found it. Although some of the other effects are solid (reverbs, delays envelope filters, etc.), I've been unhappy with the distortion and amp sims while running through a real bass amp both for practice or rehearsal. I really wanted to find at least a couple distortions/amp sims that I liked as much as my Tech 21 VT. I was actually planning on packing it up and driving it to the store to return it this afternoon, and figured before going I'd try playing it through headphones just for the heck of it. I actually quite like the sound I'm getting through headphones with some of the amp sims. Then I tried sending an aux in signal from my computer with recordings of my band rehearsals and playing along with that, and I am extremely satisfied with the results of that. I had bought it to use live, but am thinking it will more than pull it's weight as a home practice tool even if it never leaves the house. With that being said, if I didn't get such a great deal on a used one I'd probably be returning it for a B1 Four, seeing as the ease of live use was why I went for the B3n in the first place...but I'm not going to complain.
 
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#3,996
DuluthDank said:
I've been on here complaining a bit about my new B3n as I've been working to find a clear use for it that I like, and I can say I finally found it. Although some of the other effects are solid (reverbs, delays envelope filters, etc.), I've been unhappy with the distortion and amp sims while running through a real bass amp both for practice or rehearsal. I really wanted to find at least a couple distortions/amp sims that I liked as much as my Tech 21 VT. I was actually planning on packing it up and driving it to the store to return it this afternoon, and figured before going I'd try playing it through headphones just for the heck of it. I actually quite like the sound I'm getting through headphones with some of the amp sims. Then I tried sending an aux in signal from my computer with recordings of my band rehearsals and playing along with that, and I am extremely satisfied with the results of that. I had bought it to use live, but am thinking it will more than pull it's weight as a home practice tool even if it never leaves the house. With that being said, if I didn't get such a great deal on a used one I'd probably be returning it for a B1 Four, seeing as the ease of live use was why I went for the B3n in the first place...but I'm not going to complain.
Click to expand...
You can try to eq your amp to get a similar sound than with your headphones.
 
#3,997
primussucks9126 said:
Are you sure about that? Or am I misunderstanding you?

Here's a picture of mine with all of the stomp things off.View attachment 3316858
Click to expand...
How does your B:Assmaster play with your B3n? I have a Black Cat Bass Octave Fuzz (another Brassmaster circuit) and there is a loud whine unless I'm using batteries. I don't have an isolated power supply though.
Thank you in advance,
Brent
 
#3,998
BrentSimons said:
How does your B:Assmaster play with your B3n? I have a Black Cat Bass Octave Fuzz (another Brassmaster circuit) and there is a loud whine unless I'm using batteries. I don't have an isolated power supply though.
Thank you in advance,
Brent
Click to expand...

I have no noise issues. I use an MXR Iso-brick to power everything, including the b3n.
 
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#3,999
Help with the looper? Just starting to try and figure out the looper, I'm a total looper newbie.
Is there a way to get the drums to play back with the bass phrase I just recorded? I have the looper set on LP-Mono.
Time on manual, undo is off, stop is on stop.
I'm using the Warm-up patch preset, which has the looper and rhythm in the 2 last slots of the patch.

If I press the rhythm unit button, then quick press the the looper button, it counts off then the drums come in and I record my phrase and step on the looper button once more to start playing back. But the drums don't stop, the rhythm just keeps on playing and they're out of sync. So it seems like the rhythm pattern is not recorded as part of the loop? Is there a way to play my phrase plus the rhythm track back? I have the manual in front of me but I'm not getting how to do this.
 
#4,000
Jim Ingraham said:
Help with the looper? Just starting to try and figure out the looper, I'm a total looper newbie.
Is there a way to get the drums to play back with the bass phrase I just recorded? I have the looper set on LP-Mono.
Time on manual, undo is off, stop is on stop.
I'm using the Warm-up patch preset, which has the looper and rhythm in the 2 last slots of the patch.

If I press the rhythm unit button, then quick press the the looper button, it counts off then the drums come in and I record my phrase and step on the looper button once more to start playing back. But the drums don't stop, the rhythm just keeps on playing and they're out of sync. So it seems like the rhythm pattern is not recorded as part of the loop? Is there a way to play my phrase plus the rhythm track back? I have the manual in front of me but I'm not getting how to do this.
Click to expand...
Put the drums to the left of the looper in the chain
 
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