New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects

[Papuzzo]

So after 2 years on the fence, I finally got a B3N last week. What can I say that hasn't already been said in 208 pages? I usually play with a TC Electronic BH550 and I load the Spectracomp toneprint. That is my amplification, simple and easy. But I also have a Markbass head that doesn't have any on board fx and occasionally I need a compressor, and on a rare occasion I wouldn't mind a little tube warmth. So I got the B3N. Well, it turns out that the B3N compressors work better than the Spectracomp toneprint and a little overdrive does warm things up a bit.

Now for the good stuff: I am in the process of buying a GR Bass rig consisting of the One 350 head and a 212 cab. GR Bass is well known here in Italy for their extreme clarity and purity of tone, AKA "the sound of my bass, only louder." The head even has a switch to completely bypass the EQ section. I wonder if this rig isn't a perfect match for a multieffects pedal that includes amp modeling. I have my doubts about the necessity of amp modeling for the bass, so we will see if this rig can do something for the amp models in the B3N.

 

[ppiluk]

How is the sound quality of the B3n vs the b1Xon compare?

I had a B1on and a B3n. I found the B1on to sound thinner and more slightly more processed than the B3n. I think its last generation Zoom technology. I suspect the new B1 FOUR would sound similar to the B3n.

 

[factory presets]

Zoom always know how to infuriate their customers with a poor implementation, or a glaring omission .
Whenever you buy a Zoom product, you're always thinking - "this would be perfect, if it could just do this one thing".

Still not allowing an optional, separate cabinet simulations output for Stage Amp Vs P.A. flexibility, or an FX loop??

The B3 tonal character was/is very nice, but the fidelity in the Amp/Cab Sims was lacking in depth, space & detail.
I suspect this has something to do with the underwhelming 44.1 kHz sample-rate.

The Two Notes Torpedo makes the Zoom B3 simulations sound flat and lifeless!
Price difference aside - these are all just DIGITAL processors, so differences in fidelity shouldn't be so significant in this age.
Just listen to what higher sample rates can sound like -



I really hope Zoom significantly improved the depth, response and detail of their simulations (especially the Amp, Cab & Pedal drives/subtle distortions).

I much prefer the aesthetic of my B3 (minus the awkward scrolling implementation) - the much larger screens, the single-function menu buttons, and the understated chrome Zoom logo.....

So glad to hear Zoom FINALLY improved the terrible internal drum sounds!

 

[Crimstein_]

Has anyone ever tried to use multiple cabs? i.e use4x10's plus 8x10's..will that work in an effect?

 

[Loring]

It might but not sure why you would... usually trying to get a particular sound from a classic setup and you can modify the sound enough to get what you want.

 

[factory presets]

Hi. I'm working my way through the thread but it is taking a minute. I've just got my B3n with a view to developing an fx habit. But some of the things I pictured myself doing are not gonna be happening without an expression pedal. Zoom literature assures me that any compatible pedals will do the job. But I can't find any information about what makes apedal compatible. The shop I bought it from wont have any zoom pedals until November. But they think a Moog EP3 Will do the trick based on its TRS cable and it's polarity reverse switch.

Everyone knows that the wait for a replacement or your money back is much longer than the wait for the goods to arrive the first time. So I'm keen to hear if anyone can confirm that the Moog is the pedal I'm after. Or alternatively, any suggestions of pedals that people know will work with my little red box. And of course I don't want to spend more than I have to on something I might not keep using.

 

[Loring]

It will probably work - I used a cheap m audio one till I got the zoom one.

 

[BoydG]

I always thought there was Zero difference between the performance of various pedals. The difference comes from build quality, material quality, etc. In other words, if I bought a pedal, I'd use it until it breaks.

Or until I feel some random desire to get a new one for no articulable reason.

 

[factory presets]

I always thought there was Zero difference between the performance of various pedals. The difference comes from build quality, material quality, etc. In other words, if I bought a pedal, I'd use it until it breaks.

Or until I feel some random desire to get a new one for no articulable reason.

Reading in a couple of reviews, and I seem to recall, even in this thread, not all pedals work with the B3n.

 

[Loring]

It has to do with both polarity and resistance so no not all will work. The m audio one I was using has a polarity switch and a trim pot - plus it was cheap so I gave it a whirl and despite being all plastic construction not a bad piece of kit. Did get the zoom one when I found a good deal and it is way more robust...

 

[factory presets]

It has to do with both polarity and resistance so no not all will work. The m audio one I was using has a polarity switch and a trim pot - plus it was cheap so I gave it a whirl and despite being all plastic construction not a bad piece of kit. Did get the zoom one when I found a good deal and it is way more robust...

I like the bit where it's half the price of the Moog. But I feel dirty getting a plastic pedal. I guess for experimentation purposes in the home I could justify using it for a while to see if fx are really where I want to go.

It might even get a second life if I ever felt the need to graduate to a two-pedal multi.

 

[Loring]

That’s exactly what I did - though I’ve since upgraded to mini- exp pedals both the Dunlop and the DOD...

that’s on my main board - my b3n still gets the zoom pedal.

 

[factory presets]

Can't say that 2 pedals are calling my name. But I can see some value in having a clean or low-passed signal running parallel to the fx chain to mix back in at the end. Which feature tends to be on multis that accept 2 pedals. Of course, it's only been 2 days, so far. Who knows what features and work arounds I'll find on the Zoom?

Also, I wonder if you could tell a complete Sasquatch, what advantages are you finding with the mini pedals?

 

[Loring]

Space on the board

 

[factory presets]

Space on the board


View attachment 3952516

Fair call.

 

[factory presets]

Short version
Well its been a couple of weeks now. And by and large I'm very impressed. But I got one problem with it. The octaver is abysmal. Does anyone have any tips for getting usable sounds out of it? Or am I going to have to get something to go in front of the Zoom to get that multi-oscillator synth sound everyone loves?

Long version.
I'm not someone who's played every amp ever made so I can't speak for the accuracy of the various sims. But running them through my little Laney amp set to flat eq and minimal drive is giving me way more tonal variation than I have any right to expect. The old valve models I've played with all have their unique sounds. And I'm surprised the Laney can even do the bright, clean EBS thing. But there you go. Looking forward to the Trace Elliot, Markbass and all.

The fx are also very good. I like that the blend controls seem to mix straight input at nearly every instance. It makes ridiculous amounts of dirt usable. I can also use a wah pedal to bring in noise and modulation at will because I have enough bass at the back of the pedal. Haven't tried it with a band yet but I suspect a little tweakage could make it work.

Envelopes, chorus, flange and delays all work well for me. And there are enough eqs to do most jobs. The synths do what they do well. But there's not enough knobs in the format to make them versatile enough for my expectations. Feel I'd be better off stringing fx together to make my own.

Octaver issues notwithstanding, I'd have no worries using this for all my outboard needs for the foreseeable. Glad I didn't decide to go the nuclear option for fx right out the box.

 

[Altitude]

Short version
Well its been a couple of weeks now. And by and large I'm very impressed. But I got one problem with it. The octaver is abysmal. Does anyone have any tips for getting usable sounds out of it? Or am I going to have to get something to go in front of the Zoom to get that multi-oscillator synth sound everyone loves?

Long version.
I'm not someone who's played every amp ever made so I can't speak for the accuracy of the various sims. But running them through my little Laney amp set to flat eq and minimal drive is giving me way more tonal variation than I have any right to expect. The old valve models I've played with all have their unique sounds. And I'm surprised the Laney can even do the bright, clean EBS thing. But there you go. Looking forward to the Trace Elliot, Markbass and all.

The fx are also very good. I like that the blend controls seem to mix straight input at nearly every instance. It makes ridiculous amounts of dirt usable. I can also use a wah pedal to bring in noise and modulation at will because I have enough bass at the back of the pedal. Haven't tried it with a band yet but I suspect a little tweakage could make it work.

Envelopes, chorus, flange and delays all work well for me. And there are enough eqs to do most jobs. The synths do what they do well. But there's not enough knobs in the format to make them versatile enough for my expectations. Feel I'd be better off stringing fx together to make my own.

Octaver issues notwithstanding, I'd have no worries using this for all my outboard needs for the foreseeable. Glad I didn't decide to go the nuclear option for fx right out the box.

The octaver is indeed abysmal. The pitch shifter overall is - the octave up tone actually sounds out of tune to me, which is hard to figure in a digital pedal. This is the main flaw in an otherwise excellent unit.

I do believe it may be possible to run an external pedal into the unit such that you can assign where it goes in an effect chain. If so, it would clearly detract from the purity of having one device, but you could run whatever octaver you wanted.

 

[mikeyjm2]

Agreed on the pitch shifting aspect of this pedal. I like it overall, but if I had to use pitch shifting, I'd put my Digitech Drop in front of the B3n. That doesn't give you octave up though, and even the Drop dropped further than a whole step down isn't great.

 

[factory presets]

I do believe it may be possible to run an external pedal into the unit such that you can assign where it goes in an effect chain. If so, it would clearly detract from the purity of having one device, but you could run whatever octaver you wanted.

I guess I could run a slot on 100% bypass. Of course it would still be octaved signal going into all the fx before that point. But then your Minimoogs and Prophets et al all start with the oscillator section. So octaver at the start of the chain would seem a natural approach to synth impersonations. What little research I've done suggests it's very common. Plus the extra slot might be the difference between running an amp sim or not.

A bit more research never hurts tho. Cheers for the replies, guys. Any more thoughts or advice most welcome.

 

[factory presets]

I never noticed until last weekend but have you guys noticed the change in the tone of the drum machine depending on where you place it in the effects chain?

Old post, I know. But I just wanted to say...

First thing I noticed is that the Fear patch got no business calling itself that name. Big muff just ain't that scary. So I put the guide pattern through a slap back delay into the fuzz. Now I can hear my heart beating as I pedal pitch dischords thru reverse echo and such.

Least I sound frightened.