New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects

[jimfist]

LAST question I promise. Just trying to mine as much data as I can for my Paul D'Amour file...

When you were using the SVT Classic and 810 live, was there a specific dirt box and comp you liked for this tone? I'm assuming overdrive -> comp -> amp. Did you keep the gain low on the SVT as you did in the modeling clips?

My SVT rig was as follows:
individual rack components (tuner, TC Electronic G-Force, Empirical Labs EL-8 Distressor) and feeding a Sans Amp BDDI to the FOH PA system (for cabinet simulation). Control of patches and effect changes was done with the Behringer FCB-1010. No floor stomps. Yes, the SVT was set for a nominal tone, much like the recordings. Any additional dirt came from the multi-fx (G-Force). The Distressor was 'always on'. The Distressor may be the only piece of gear I miss to any large degree. Worth every bit of the $$$.

Eventually amp modeling started getting real, so I downsized the rig and replaced everything on the front end with a Fractal Audio AxeFX (Ultra, then AxeFxII), and the SVT rig with a power amp and modular full range bass cabinets. It was a lot easier to move, far more flexible, and sounded as good as - if not better than - the SVT rig at a more reasonable volume. It was, however, a TON of programming and trial-and-error at rehearsals.

 

[ETJ]

Is the stock synth pad patch on the B3n any good? Can someone post how it looks in guitar lab (effects and parameters) I’d like to make a version for the B1x Four and it isn’t one of the stock patches.

 

[Eli_Kyiv]

Is the stock synth pad patch on the B3n any good? Can someone post how it looks in guitar lab (effects and parameters) I’d like to make a version for the B1x Four and it isn’t one of the stock patches.

I'm not sure which patch you mean, so here are two stock synth patches I know of: SynBass and Funky SynB.
Factory [050]: SynBass
Factory [051]: Funky SynB

 

[SteveCS]

Is the stock synth pad patch on the B3n any good? Can someone post how it looks in guitar lab (effects and parameters) I’d like to make a version for the B1x Four and it isn’t one of the stock patches.

IME, anything 'pad' is not so good because the poly-synths are pretty poor, the octaves are glitchy and generally poor and harmoniser is just about OK provided you blend it in nice and low. The main problem with the B3n (in fact all of the Zoom devices) is that there is no master clean blend, so blending in low isn't really an option once you line up two or more models in a patch. So for synthy stuff I use a parallel looper with dedicated pedals, including a dedicated octave and a Zoom MS-50G. The compressors, filters, slo-attack and bit-crusher in the 50G are more than capable of combining to make some really cool synth tones.

Anyway, back on topic, this is what the B3n synth patches look like out of the box, so you can make your own mind up.

#50 - SynBass:

#51 - Funky SynB:

#72 - Arp:

#74 - TaurusBass:

 

[ETJ]

IME, anything 'pad' is not so good because the poly-synths are pretty poor, the octaves are glitchy and generally poor and harmoniser is just about OK provided you blend it in nice and low. The main problem with the B3n (in fact all of the Zoom devices) is that there is no master clean blend, so blending in low isn't really an option once you line up two or more models in a patch. So for synthy stuff I use a parallel looper with dedicated pedals, including a dedicated octave and a Zoom MS-50G. The compressors, filters, slo-attack and bit-crusher in the 50G are more than capable of combining to make some really cool synth tones.

Anyway, back on topic, this is what the B3n synth patches look like out of the box, so you can make your own mind up.

#50 - SynBass:
View attachment 4746132

#51 - Funky SynB:
View attachment 4746133

#72 - Arp:
View attachment 4746134
#74 - TaurusBass:
View attachment 4746135

Thank you. Could I also get a look at Dream Pad? I assumed it was a synth too but maybe not.

I play in a worship band and often have opportunities to play ambient stuff when there otherwise isn’t a bass groove, so I’m looking at options/approaches. I have one patch I made using SlowAttack, some delay and modulation that works pretty well - it sounds a bit like a bowed upright - but wanted to see what else I could come up, particularly when we don’t have a keyboard player available. If anyone else has patches to fill this role I’d love to see.

I love my B1X four but seriously thinking of the B3n for a little more processor slots and a slightly more friendly UI.

I literally read even post in this thread. One takeaway for me is I need to dig into cab simulations more - I’ve strictly been using the B1x4 for dynamic (compressor, znr), EQ (hpf, others) and occasionally modulation (chorus) effects.

 

[SteveCS]

Thank you. Could I also get a look at Dream Pad? I assumed it was a synth too but maybe not.

I play in a worship band and often have opportunities to play ambient stuff when there otherwise isn’t a bass groove, so I’m looking at options/approaches. I have one patch I made using SlowAttack, some delay and modulation that works pretty well - it sounds a bit like a bowed upright - but wanted to see what else I could come up, particularly when we don’t have a keyboard player available. If anyone else has patches to fill this role I’d love to see.

I love my B1X four but seriously thinking of the B3n for a little more processor slots and a slightly more friendly UI.

I literally read even post in this thread. One takeaway for me is I need to dig into cab simulations more - I’ve strictly been using the B1x4 for dynamic (compressor, znr), EQ (hpf, others) and occasionally modulation (chorus) effects.

Indeed - here it is:

 

[SteveCS]

Thank you. Could I also get a look at Dream Pad? I assumed it was a synth too but maybe not.
...

The attached *.mp3 is based on the classic Human League tune 'Being Boiled', first released in 1978 - I first heard it on the John Peel show and remember it like it was yesterday. It steps through patches 'SynBass' (00:00), 'Funky SynB' (00:39), 'Dream Pad' (01:14) and 'Taurus' (01:45). I didn't use the 70: Arp patch as the sequence filter rate did not match and I didn't have time to get an accurate sync. Bass is SBMM Ray34 with d'Addario ProSteels > B3n > Presonus Studio24c and no additional processing.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

The attached *.mp3 is based on the classic Human League tune 'Being Boiled', first released in 1978 - I first heard it on the John Peel show and remember it like it was yesterday. It steps through patches 'SynBass' (00:00), 'Funky SynB' (00:39), 'Dream Pad' (01:14) and 'Taurus' (01:45). I didn't use the 70: Arp patch as the sequence filter rate did not match and I didn't have time to get an accurate sync. Bass is SBMM Ray34 with d'Addario ProSteels > B3n > Presonus Studio24c and no additional processing.

I've had good success with The Sound of the Crowd emulations with the B3n.

 

[ETJ]

The attached *.mp3 is based on the classic Human League tune 'Being Boiled', first released in 1978 - I first heard it on the John Peel show and remember it like it was yesterday. It steps through patches 'SynBass' (00:00), 'Funky SynB' (00:39), 'Dream Pad' (01:14) and 'Taurus' (01:45). I didn't use the 70: Arp patch as the sequence filter rate did not match and I didn't have time to get an accurate sync. Bass is SBMM Ray34 with d'Addario ProSteels > B3n > Presonus Studio24c and no additional processing.

Thanks - thats a nice tour of the sounds. I'm this close to ordering a B3n (Amazon has a nice price right now)- I have the B1XFour so I dont expect an improvement in sound quality, but the UI seems a lot nicer and a few more processor slots might be handy. The tuner in the B3n sounds like a PITA compared to the one-stomp of the B1X Four but I think I can get used to it.

 

[ETJ]

I'm this close to ordering a B3n (Amazon has a nice price right now)

I jinxed it. The price just shot up almost $50. Oh well.

 

[WilbursaurusRex]

I jinxed it. The price just shot up almost $50. Oh well.

I was looking at that deal too. I wonder what gives? Someone put the sales price in wrong and they finally caught it?

 

[AllCowsEatGrass]

Well, I've read the thread and want to thank the contributors. There are rather few sources of info on the B3N, making this thread probably the internet's best and most inspiring guide to working with the pedal.

I bought the B3N secondhand earlier this year, love the versatility and enjoy customising my patches. Here's the board I built around it and the FP02M:



Use:

• Mostly with a passive Squier CV Mustang
• also setting up patches for Kala U-BASS
• Not gigging with the B3N right now - Mustang plugs straight into Rumble 500 for gigs/rehearsals

Routing / power:

• Board was fitted with pure tone input/output jacks, which have been wired up to leads plugged into the B3N's inputs/outputs
• I have routed the R channel to the output jack (out to amp) to keep the B3N's L output free for headphone use
• The CIOKS DC5 was powering the B3N using 300mA but I recently bought a 3rd party DC 9V transformer that supplies 500mA, so that is powering the B3N instead
• I've got room underneath for a DI but haven't needed this yet.

FP02M expression pedal:

• I'm disappointed more can't be done with this and will probably remove it
• @andreas_flf posted a workflow for using this for volume control, with MIN 75 (also unity gain) and MAX 100, but I can't figure how this works. My master level is 105 for unity gain, so I'm not sure I've got much headroom for volume swells...? Can someone please help me with how this works?

Future:

• I just bought a second hand B1 Four to run always-on amp sims, ZNR and EQ before the B3N, which will run FX (thanks @Johno Dunn for the inspiration!)

Cheers everyone!

 

[AllCowsEatGrass]

I mentioned I'll be running the B1 Four into a B3N...

Zoom hates sharing non-isolated power supplies with any other pedal, but does that also apply to running 2 parallel Zoom pedals from the same USB phone charger power bank?

I should note that I already own 2x third party AC adaptors that will give each of the units the 500mA they want, a setup that doesn't introduce noise. However in the quest to simplify practice and stage setup the charger / power bank idea appeals. Buying a 2nd charger / power bank would raise the costs a fair bit...

Can this work?

 

[SteveCS]

I mentioned I'll be running the B1 Four into a B3N...

Zoom hates sharing non-isolated power supplies with any other pedal, but does that also apply to running 2 parallel Zoom pedals from the same USB phone charger power bank?

I should note that I already own 2x third party AC adaptors that will give each of the units the 500mA they want, a setup that doesn't introduce noise. However in the quest to simplify practice and stage setup the charger / power bank idea appeals. Buying a 2nd charger / power bank would raise the costs a fair bit...

Can this work?
View attachment 4821706

My understanding from the manuals is that the B1 Four can run on native USB power, i.e. 5V directly from a USB source, whereas the B3n cannot (at least mine won't). So on the face of it you will only need one step-up cable (for the B3n). I can't comment on the stability/quality of the 9V output of those step-up cables (at least not the $8.99 "Eastern Promise Specials" from Amazon), but only needing one must give you better chances than two. Good luck.

 

[AllCowsEatGrass]

My understanding from the manuals is that the B1 Four can run on native USB power, i.e. 5V directly from a USB source, whereas the B3n cannot (at least mine won't). So on the face of it you will only need one step-up cable (for the B3n). I can't comment on the stability/quality of the 9V output of those step-up cables (at least not the $8.99 "Eastern Promise Specials" from Amazon), but only needing one must give you better chances than two. Good luck.

Of course, you're right about the B1 Four! I'm going to grab a power bank plus one step up cable and try it out.

 

[ETJ]

I was looking at that deal too. I wonder what gives? Someone put the sales price in wrong and they finally caught it?

I finally caught one at a real nice price on eBay so I now have both a B1X Four and the B3n. First impressions are I like the UI better on the B3N - it will be a lot easier to use in a “pedalboard” mode. It also has many more patch slots, etc. But I will miss the easier-to-see-and-use tuner on the B1X Four. The latter has a lot more power options too. The audio quality seems the same. I wish there was a way to import patches back and forth but I haven’t figured out if that’s possible.

 

[G On Bass]

Hey everyone. I was a long time B3 user until the editing software fell out of date to my computer OS. I recently picked up a B3N and there are pluses and minuses, but it's good for what I need. I do have a question: Is there a way to set a 'global' or 'always on' effect? I'd love to have that HPF on all the time..

 

[Zooberwerx]

Hey everyone. I was a long time B3 user until the editing software fell out of date to my computer OS. I recently picked up a B3N and there are pluses and minuses, but it's good for what I need. I do have a question: Is there a way to set a 'global' or 'always on' effect? I'd love to have that HPF on all the time..

If so, it has eluded me. I just set the #1 as my first effect on each patch or...

Set up a basic patch with HPF and nothing else. Pull it up, add desired effects, re-position and re-name. This would be more appropriate for folks starting from scratch which is often the case as the pre-sets are terrible.

Riis

 

[G On Bass]

If so, it has eluded me. I just set the #1 as my first effect on each patch or...

Set up a basic patch with HPF and nothing else. Pull it up, add desired effects, re-position and re-name. This would be more appropriate for folks starting from scratch which is often the case as the pre-sets are terrible.

Riis

Thanks. That's what I'm doing on all fronts. Setting up from scratch with the HPF as a default last effect then basing new patches off that. I will say that I like the ability to toggle between patch and stomp mode. I do miss the more robust integration of the pedal in the B3, where you could assign different effect parameters to it and weren't just limited to pedal-specific effects that seem to also require a click before and after using.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I do miss the more robust integration of the pedal in the B3, where you could assign different effect parameters to it and weren't just limited to pedal-specific effects that seem to also require a click before and after using.

I'm a little fuzzy on this...would you embellish, plz?

Riis