That's a real bummer. I always thought the updates for new effects, cabs, amps were woefully slow but at least we were getting something from time to time.
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New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects
- Thread starter CharlieC
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- b3n multi-effects zoom
That's a real bummer. I always thought the updates for new effects, cabs, amps were woefully slow but at least we were getting something from time to time.
Obviously, I don't have a crystal ball, but when is see that they made this firmware update without any thing new, and that they have new products, it smells familiar. The old stupid policy of kiling a product in hope to sell the new one.
This has only one effect on me: kill the brand image. In this case Zoom loose any credibility.
They issue a fix for something that doesn't work properly. Hardly unusual, and i cant see how its killed the product.
We’re talking about a cheap, entry level sub-$500 all-in-one modeller.
There are no subscription fees or one-time charges for firmware updates.
The MS-series pedals went without an update for a couple of years, and then got a final blast, that doubled the number of effects. I thought of it as a thank-you gesture to their fans, as they retired that series and moved on to new things with the n-series pedals.
We may still see something of that nature for the Gn and Bn pedals at some point, but I’m not holding my breath.
Zoom is not unusual in this. Line 6 isn’t releasing new stuff for their older floor modellers, and they inhabit a much higher price point. The same goes for the old Yamaha Modelers, and various others that have fallen by the wayside.
If you thought they were going to give you lifetime free updates in terms of brand new samples, then I’m afraid you may have been a little naive.
How does a company monetize their creative output, if they’re always giving it away?
I'm not asking for free life time updates. Just a basic respect for their consumer. And a logical thought, as when you buy something, you may think it will evolve into something better. If it does not, next time you will think twice before buying anything.
The fact that other brands does the same does not mean it's justified. It only mean that the market is full of brands that don't give a poopie about their clients.
If we, as consumers, accept this, or worst , justify it, then you can be sure we will not get better products soon.
The fact that other brands does the same does not mean it's justified. It only mean that the market is full of brands that don't give a poopie about their clients.
If we, as consumers, accept this, or worst , justify it, then you can be sure we will not get better products soon.
Wow, you're serious?
Still, you have a point. Im going to boycott Fender from now on. That 4 string P bass i brought 4 years ago still only has one pup and 4 strings ;-)
out of interest what are you typing this on?
I’m guessing you update your phone or laptop every 5-10 years or so? Digital technology progresses and old things become mothballed and unsupported. Zoom either spend their money developing new stuff for the B3n you bought with no promise of updates, or they move onto developing a device with more powerful processors that will be even better- and Will compete with whatever Line6 and everyone else are developing now.... it might be nice if they can keep developing stuff for me and you on existing hardware and while that might be a good customer attitude it would be really bad business for a company who make and sell hardware
planned obsolescence: the policy of deliberately limiting the life of a product in order to encourage the purchaser to replace it. Also called:built-in obsolescence.
But yes, you go on buying new phones, computer and digital effects every year... That's perfect for these companies, and that's also good for the planet, and the children who work extracting coltan.
I'm not going with this conversation, it's obviously not the place for this.
Simply I wish that companies would be more responsible with their customers.
But yes, you go on buying new phones, computer and digital effects every year... That's perfect for these companies, and that's also good for the planet, and the children who work extracting coltan.
I'm not going with this conversation, it's obviously not the place for this.
Simply I wish that companies would be more responsible with their customers.
I would be fine if they offered additional effects or amps sims for a small fee.
The phone/computer analogy doesn’t really work because Apple and android and Microsoft are continually adding additional functionality at no charge up until the time your processing can’t keep up.
What I would like though is fixes like a pitch shifter that doesn’t increase volume to the point you have to add a preamp of some sort to reduce the gain. This ends up adding unwanted flavor and uses an unnecessary slot.
The phone/computer analogy doesn’t really work because Apple and android and Microsoft are continually adding additional functionality at no charge up until the time your processing can’t keep up.
What I would like though is fixes like a pitch shifter that doesn’t increase volume to the point you have to add a preamp of some sort to reduce the gain. This ends up adding unwanted flavor and uses an unnecessary slot.
I wonder if they fixed the pitch shift volume balance issue? Mine's in the closet pending that 
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I also have a strong bias against the disposable nature of current digital gear. I used to purchase audio equipment with the knowledge that if I bought the good stuff and looked after it, I could expect it to out-last my career.
That is clearly no longer the case, and I particularly dislike the impact this has on the environment. That said, I'm not being fair or honest when I start bitching about the "good old days".
Back in the day, that nearly indestructible equipment cost many, many times what we are paying now. Plus, it was extremely inflexible, so I had to have a lot more of it.
I could only dream of owning my own studio in the early '70's. A decent console cost more than most houses.
In the early '80's, I was in a marginally successful rock band. I order to compete with the drummer, my 250w SS Traynor head had to be hooked up to four E-V 15's. I needed a van just to carry my own gear.
I was also playing some guitar, and had a half-dozen expensive tube amps and cabs at various power ratings. I did a quick inventory at one point, and realized that I had well over $20,000 invested in my measly little collection. I shudder to think what that would be in today's dollars.
As much as the current market feels like some sort of bait-and-switch scheme, there's never been a better time to be a musician in terms of the range of sounds you can produce, and how little personal sacrifice it takes to get there.
I'm not sure that this comparison holds up, either.
Software is increasingly switching over to subscription fees that have you pretty much re-purchasing all your apps, every year to 18 months.
Most Android phones are only supported with OS upgrades for maybe 2 or 3 Android versions. Don't even get me started on the way Apple intentionally slows their hardware down, or the way that Mac's performance per dollar ratio has been slipping over the last 5 years!
hi，brother，could you do me a favour to speak the details about updating a G3 with a B3 firmware. i am trying to get a used G3 for the modifying cos i hate the red cover of B3 indeed. hahaha thanks anyway
Hiya, just gota B3n & pleased with the scope compared to my old B2.1u, which only just died-failed switch.
Can't get the patch software to progress past, Device found, loading . . . got the update pathes in the pool, but no access to my device, even with the device showing: PC mode.
Wondering, do I need to do the firmware update first? If so then how, if the patch/editor isnt recognised . .
Any suggestions? Cheers, p
Can't get the patch software to progress past, Device found, loading . . . got the update pathes in the pool, but no access to my device, even with the device showing: PC mode.
Wondering, do I need to do the firmware update first? If so then how, if the patch/editor isnt recognised . .
Any suggestions? Cheers, p
yes - download the firmware. In the package are instructions to get to firmware mode (press 2 left foot switches and hold while turning it on - then you will be in firmware mode). From there it should be easy peasy...
It depends also a lot how you use your B3n with an amp. Connecting the main output of the B3n with the main input of your amp, you have two preamps in series. In my experience this can easily make the overall sound muddy or otherwise not satisfying. I have therefore started using my B3 MS-60B and B3n only in the return of the effects loop of my bass amp. This means using the Zoom effects device only as a preamp (we had a nice thread devoted only to that topic while the B3 was top notch - Zoom B3 As Preamp and Zoom B3 As Preamp Part 2). I have used a simple Y-cable to split the main output from my bass going firstly into the main amp input and secondly into the input of the B3/MS-60B/B3n. My bass amp (Trace Elliot AH1000-12) comes with a footswitch (FC-6), which allows to control the effects loop (in serial mode). That stomps allows me then to either use my bass amp without the Zoom multi effects (effects loop off) or then with the Zoom multi effects device as a preamp (effects loop on). Simple and in terms of sounds very satisfying (at least for my taste). Find more details here Zoom B3 As Preamp
Have you considered that?
The nice website by Charlie may still offer some answers to what you are talking about: Zoom B3 In addition I remember we also had excellent analysis with all the frequency diagrams for cab simulations in one of the B3 threads (Zoom B3 As Preamp and Zoom B3 As Preamp Part 2) but I am afraid I can’t point you exactly to those rich sources of infos right now. Perhaps someone else remembers where we had all those frequency plots?
