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New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects

#461
The sound quality seems a little better than the B3 to my ears and its nice to have the 7 effects. I don't think its a replacement for the B3. The B3 has more effects, is far easier to use, has a much better software editor and is usb powered.

The 3n is made to be put in front of an amp. Its made for the stage were the B3 seemed more a home in front of the computer IMO.
 
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#462
GazzBass said:
The sound quality seems a little better than the B3 to my ears and its nice to have the 7 effects. I don't think its a replacement for the B3. The B3 has more effects, is far easier to use, has a much better software editor and is usb powered.

The 3n is made to be put in front of an amp. Its made for the stage were the B3 seemed more a home in front of the computer IMO.
Click to expand...
Often over on guitar forums a lot of people are adamant that units with amp modelling engaged should be used direct or through frfr and not through an amp (exept of course with the proviso "if it sounds good, do it"), is this also the consensus opinion with bass players - or us it common place for bass amp models to be played through a bass amp?

I do it with the Zoom multistomp and get tones that I personally like (and run B3 in the loop, by running it in front of my practice amp.
 
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#463
I just treat the the amp models as pre amps and use to taste. Its nice to be able to turn off the speaker emulation in the 3n.

I really don't like how they have implemented the looper and drums on the 3n. They are locked in the patch. If you change patch they switch off. You can't set a loop going and change to a new sound. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong about this.
 
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#464
GazzBass said:
I just treat the the amp models as pre amps and use to taste. Its nice to be able to turn off the speaker emulation in the 3n.

I really don't like how they have implemented the looper and drums on the 3n. They are locked in the patch. If you change patch they switch off. You can't set a loop going and change to a new sound. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong about this.
Click to expand...

Most of us participating in this thread will not be able to purchase nor access a B3n until March 2017.

Are you located in Japan and if so can you ship one to me? :)
 
#465
GazzBass said:
The sound quality seems a little better than the B3 to my ears and its nice to have the 7 effects. I don't think its a replacement for the B3. The B3 has more effects, is far easier to use, has a much better software editor and is usb powered.

The 3n is made to be put in front of an amp. Its made for the stage were the B3 seemed more a home in front of the computer IMO.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this little review :)
Just a little better? Can you explain?
 
#466
I'm using my G5n for effects only in one of my rigs, and it feeds the B3 for final amp modeling, cab sim and post-compression (when desired). Though the B3 sounds fine, my honest assessment is that it is easily the weakest link in the chain from a sonic/tone perspective.

If the G5n had access to an SVT model & cab sim, I wouldn't even be using the B3. So, when I do get my hands on the B3n, I'll be doing some B3 vs. B3n comparisons, true apples-to-apples, to see which one I prefer SPECIFICALLY in the amp/cab/compressor department.

On paper, just the fact that the B3n has Demeter and 1176 compressor simulations makes it worth a serious look, not to mention the Darkglass B7k/B3k. We'll see how that goes...we'll all talk in March sometime. LOL.
 
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#468
arthur38 said:
Thanks for this little review :)
Just a little better? Can you explain?
Click to expand...

When I A/B it with my B3 it sounded a like it had a bit more clarity and punch. The compressors and amps sounded much better. The looper also sounds much better. Sorry, I'm not being very scientific lol. I just got the thing a couple of days ago and just thought I'd post some first impressions. Overall I really like it and for the price you can't really complain too much. Its still a lot of bang for the buck. I really wish they had made the looper and drums easier to get to. I'm not bothered about the XLR. I have one on my amp and carry a spare D.I in my gig bag. The sound guy usually wants to use his own anyway lol Just buy it but don't throw away your B3.
 
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#469
IMG_2016.JPG


So I finally got the Zoom B3n today. It was worth the wait! Where do I start? Initially decreasing the number of effects while focusing on quality was a good choice. I love the drives and limiters. Preamps and amps eat up a lot of DSP though. I can't seem to stack B7k, SVT amp and cab with an HD reverb OR a hold delay and even the stereo looper. I love the responses in the cab emulations when the mic parameters are adjusted. Cab emulations are not DSP-hungry. Also the default presets are usable. I enjoyed the TaurusBass patch and the AmpegSVT. As for the hardware, the thing looks sturdier than the previous B3. But as a lot of people here said, the B3n should not be thought of as a complete replacement of the B3.
 
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#471
lemueldave said:
View attachment 1049543

So I finally got the Zoom B3n today. It was worth the wait! Where do I start? Initially decreasing the number of effects while focusing on quality was a good choice. I love the drives and limiters. Preamps and amps eat up a lot of DSP though. I can't seem to stack B7k, SVT amp and cab with an HD reverb OR a hold delay and even the stereo looper. I love the responses in the cab emulations when the mic parameters are adjusted. Cab emulations are not DSP-hungry. Also the default presets are usable. I enjoyed the TaurusBass patch and the AmpegSVT. As for the hardware, the thing looks sturdier than the previous B3. But as a lot of people here said, the B3n should not be thought of as a complete replacement of the B3.
Click to expand...

Congrats!

As appears to be the continuing case with this latest generation of Zoom DSP, one may max out the available resources with at or fewer than the supported number of effect slots. Zoom plainly acknowledges this in the user manual.

Cheers!
 
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#472
CharlieC said:
Congrats!

As appears to be the continuing case with this latest generation of Zoom DSP, one may max out the available resources with at or fewer than the supported number of effect slots. Zoom plainly acknowledges this in the user manual.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

This ^^ is what lead me to conclude of the B3n: use it for front end effects only - OR - use it for "always on" amp models, cab sims, and overall finishing EQ/Compression. The B3n will struggle if you try to load up on both. My G5n will stay and do the heavy lifting for front end effects (9 of them!) with the B3n providing the better quality amp simulation and back end compression...and perhaps the odd effect here and there that I can't get in the G5n.
 
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#477
lemueldave said:
View attachment 1049543

So I finally got the Zoom B3n today. It was worth the wait! Where do I start? Initially decreasing the number of effects while focusing on quality was a good choice. I love the drives and limiters. Preamps and amps eat up a lot of DSP though. I can't seem to stack B7k, SVT amp and cab with an HD reverb OR a hold delay and even the stereo looper. I love the responses in the cab emulations when the mic parameters are adjusted. Cab emulations are not DSP-hungry. Also the default presets are usable. I enjoyed the TaurusBass patch and the AmpegSVT. As for the hardware, the thing looks sturdier than the previous B3. But as a lot of people here said, the B3n should not be thought of as a complete replacement of the B3.
Click to expand...

Congratulations!!! How are you liking the 5 amp models on the B3n compared to the B3? Are they more "accurate" so to speak?
 
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#480
jimfist said:
A lot of stuff will work. Some full range speakers will start to rattle when turned up from the excess low end. All you can do is thin out your sound by filtering out low end incrementally until the buzz/rattle goes away. Other speakers will get really loud, and sound like dog poop in the process. My advice if you're really serious about using modeled bass tones, and you're concerned with volume, is to get at least a 12" based cabinet, preferably a 15", though. If your going to nickel-and-dime your way to a solution, then save up until you can purchase a speaker worth owning that gets you quality sound at the volume you require.

Personally, I've got over $1500 invested in my A-rig high quality full range speakers (2 Atomic CLR passives). I'm sure @CharlieC has a fair chunk of change invested in his speaker system. If you're playing at home, that's one thing. If you're a gigging bassist, unless you're in a band with IEM or quiet stage treatment, doing this on the cheap isn't a good idea.

JMHO.
Click to expand...

+1 I followed Jim's advice (we gig in the same area) to me a few years back and got a B3 feeding a quality power amp going into a pair of full-range cabs with 15" speakers (I use two fEARfuls purchased off TB classifieds - but the point is to go full-range if you want to use amp/cabinet modeling). The only difference now is that I just started recently running my B3 into a pre-amp first -- I didn't need to, but I had it in the rack anyway and it has tube and solid-state channels so I can run the B3 "clean" through the solid-state channel and switch over to the tube channel when I want a little more grit.

jwilson67 said:
My setup is just a Line 6 Relay G10 into the B3 then into my Ashdown ABM500. I used the direct out from the Ashdown and also have a separate footswitch to utilize the Ashdown's sub-harmonic function.

Works like a charm!
Click to expand...

I use a Line 6 wireless (G30) into my B3 as well - bought a small pedalboard to hold my G30 receiver, B3, and expression pedal.

Used to gig with an Ashdown ABM500. What a great amp, but it was a beast (80+ lbs) to haul to/from gigs!

John
 
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