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New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects
- Thread starter CharlieC
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- b3n multi-effects zoom
Boy, now that demo ought to sell a million units! (#sarcasm) Yeah, yeah, I know, I know...
Doesn't matter, though, b/c I'm getting the B3 anyway, and confident that it'll sound good.
Why in God's name would they have a guy like that doing the demo?? Really? LMAOAt least he's excited about the product!
I get more from a demo by just knowing the gear being used and what the settings are, and using my ears (with a fair helping of "grain-of-salt"). Including the full body shot of the person playing is more distracting than anything IMHO...but....if you're going to include someone's mug in the video, is there a reason why they don't consider having someone do it who is a little engaged, enthusiastic, and shows a little bit of expression? I mean, really, it does wind up being a sales tool in the end, right?
This looks interesting, I'd like to try it out. However, I'm confused on the whole XLR issue and need some schoolin'. I did some reading, but wonder what you, the experts, think is the best way to signal chain with effects for live applications.
Currently, my chain goes: bass--pedal board in--pedal board out--amp.
I always send my signal to the board from the DI on my bass head (pre-EQ). So, that way I'm sending the board the sound of my bass, with effects added, but pre-EQ section on my amp. And it sounds, eh, ok. My clean signal sounds great, but I'm never satisfied with my effects sounds live. It's like I can't hear them or something, or there isn't enough signal saturation from the effects in the room signal, so I find I use them sparingly.
Would using a DI box right after an effects processor like the B3n improve things? Like sending the board a signal right after the processor? For instance, if my signal was:
bass--B3n in--B3n out--DI box, then split the signal with the DI from the box straight to the board and the 1/4 inch into my amp?
Just trying to wrap my head around the best way to get my effected signal to the board.
What do y'all do?
Currently, my chain goes: bass--pedal board in--pedal board out--amp.
I always send my signal to the board from the DI on my bass head (pre-EQ). So, that way I'm sending the board the sound of my bass, with effects added, but pre-EQ section on my amp. And it sounds, eh, ok. My clean signal sounds great, but I'm never satisfied with my effects sounds live. It's like I can't hear them or something, or there isn't enough signal saturation from the effects in the room signal, so I find I use them sparingly.
Would using a DI box right after an effects processor like the B3n improve things? Like sending the board a signal right after the processor? For instance, if my signal was:
bass--B3n in--B3n out--DI box, then split the signal with the DI from the box straight to the board and the 1/4 inch into my amp?
Just trying to wrap my head around the best way to get my effected signal to the board.
What do y'all do?
I think that these companies would be better off demoing how a unit like this can be a solid tool for musicians first and then showing off the bells and whistles. Start with an unaffected sound and show how by adding some compression, EQ and an amp/cab model one can bring their sound up a notch up. Real meat and potatoes stuff, without which all the gravy in the world ain't gonna help. If the units can provide a solid base (get it?) then you can build on it, if it can't then it's all just a waste of $. I saw a Boogie demo on FB that featured Cody Wright and commented afterwards that they should start with a guy that sounds like crap and is miraculously transformed when plugged into the Boogie gear because Cody would sound great playing through a wet dishrag. I know that their are a lot of players out there that use a tons of effects and distortion but they still need to start at square one.
Huh... unit sounds good though?
Charlie I think you and Jimfist should send Zoom a proper demo when you get your B3n's? Just sayin'.
Brent
I was going to sell my B3 to help pay for the B3n but now I'm rethinking this as there are so many applications for the B3 that I have never explored. I have an old set of synth bass pedals that I want to try running through it.
As the FOH engineer will most likely-fine tune your DI feed anyway, I would suggest use of a DI box between the pedal board and the on-stage amp.
Although an amp's XLR out would also suffice, I still would recommend use of a traditional DI box as FOH would likely prefer that connection instead.
Well, like I've stated before I have found the B3's XLR out to be almost unusable anyway. I have to bring the overall total output down to about 20 to get even close - and that is using the pad on our mixer as well!
It seems far more geared to be an output to a power amp.
Good idea but if I'm gonna buy something I'll just get a decent direct box. For my purposes I just use the XLR out on my amp and it works great. I just bypass the amp's EQ.
Depending on how one used the B3, the built-in XLR output ranged in signal level from a whisper to a hot mess.
Thankfully (for me) those days are over with the B3n and my trusty DI box!
Depending on how one used the B3, the built-in XLR output ranged in signal level from a whisper to a hot mess.
Thankfully (for me) those days are over with the B3n and my trusty DI box!
I have my pedals running into the amp and using that DI now because it's really good, but I also have a DI that I put a cinemag transformer in that's always with me, good solid sound. I don't have a b3, but will look into the b3n. I have an ms60b I just got a few weeks ago and am slowly dialing in sounds that don't add noise to the signal. I'm finding the compressors especially good at bringing in hissing, but still working on it. Anyway, enough derailing from me but the lack of an xlr on the b3n wouldn't bother me.
When I first got the B3 the XLR looked so good - until I actually tried to use it. I don't know what settings those who claim to have successfully utilized it are using but I'd be curious to know. The signal coming from the 1/4" outputs is fine but the the XLR is red hot.
The burning question is: what are you using for a cabinet? I run my Zoom pedals at the front of my signal chain, including amp/cabinet emulation, going into my GK head powering my FULL RANGE speaker cabinets. I send FOH a PRE feed from the DI XLR on the head so that they get all my effects, amp/cab sims, but don't get any of the GK hea's EQ tweaks included in the DI feed.
If you're using a standard traditional bass cabinet that is not particularly a full range cabinet, there will be a large discrepancy in the sound from your amp/speaker and that being fed to the PA system. If you're using the cab sims in the ZOOM pedal, then the FOH feed might sound fine, but your stage tone will probably have some top end lopped off it, or sound a little dark. Anything with a cabinet simulation in it generally should be monitored through a speaker system that is as close to a full range cabinet as possible in order to appreciate the full benefit of the Cab Sim.
Huh... unit sounds good though?
Charlie I think you and Jimfist should send Zoom a proper demo when you get your B3n's? Just sayin'.
Brent
Yaaaahhhh! I'm happy to do audio demos b/c I can usually do them pretty quickly, but I've never really had the time to futz with making videos, although I really should find a way to get proficient at that. The last thing I want to see - or anyone else for that matter - is my own stupid mug on a video. It's all a matter of time, though, and family life usually takes priority (as it should).
hi guys, im new to bass and would like to get a amp simulator pedal and a audio interface. the b3 fits pretty well until i see that there is a new upcoming b3n. anyone know if i should wait for the b3n? the b3 look really simple and easy to use and seems to fit me pretty well
