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New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects

#541
jimfist said:
The actual Acoustic 370 has very peculiar frequencies selected for the 5 band EQ, otherwise, I'd just suggest placing one of the ZOOM graphic EQs between the amp model and the cabinet. It would be nice of ZOOM could include a simple 5 band EQ that emulates the Graphic EQ bands of the actual head, and for that matter, some of the other great heads Acoustic produced over the years:

vintage-acoustic-370-bass-amplifier-head-sold-as-is-e9b93cb02e9aa78fb0e585d4fa03eeb8.jpg
Click to expand...
Wow! I never realized how low the frequencies were.
Brent
 
#542
jimfist said:
We can only guess as to the reason. My guess was that it was necessary in order to implement their new push toward better modeling. If the dedicated looper/rhythm module as a global feature ate up a significant amount of resources across the board, then that's probably the answer.

Think about it: if the Looper is a global function, that means it is eating up resources whether you are using it or not, and possibly at the expense of much higher resolution modeling. If that's the case, then I'm perfectly fine with this decision. That may be the ONLY explanation that would make sense to me.

Of course, I don't use the looper but rarely, so I don't feel the pain. I would say that if I were to be into looping, I'd likely use some other outboard looper if it were a huge part of my performances or an important songwriting tool.

This is why I sort of feel like the B3n isn't a great choice for those looking for a wildly flexible all-in-one pedal. However, a B3n combined with another multi-fx is a pretty potent combination IMO, and budget friendly, too.
Click to expand...
No, I hear ya. I think I've only used the looper on my B3 once or twice but these are "improvements" that don't make sense to me, I guess? I'm sure its been discussed ad nauseum in other threads but I just wanted a few updates to the B3 you know? That's it. It kind of reminds me of the Boss Gt6b and 10B thing. I thought the GT6B was a great unit. Rugged and had some great sounds. All it really needed was an upgrade on some of the effects and amp modeling. But the 10B came out and it just seemed to lose some of the charm of the 6B? I'm not sure if it was the new interface or that you could go out of this world with editing? Again this is just my opinion and I don't want to start a debate. the 3n looks pretty cool I guess? but smaller screens? Really? ;)
Take care,
Brent
 
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#543
BrentSimons said:
No, I hear ya. I think I've only used the looper on my B3 once or twice but these are "improvements" that don't make sense to me, I guess? I'm sure its been discussed ad nauseum in other threads but I just wanted a few updates to the B3 you know? That's it. It kind of reminds me of the Boss Gt6b and 10B thing. I thought the GT6B was a great unit. Rugged and had some great sounds. All it really needed was an upgrade on some of the effects and amp modeling. But the 10B came out and it just seemed to lose some of the charm of the 6B? I'm not sure if it was the new interface or that you could go out of this world with editing? Again this is just my opinion and I don't want to start a debate. the 3n looks pretty cool I guess? but smaller screens? Really? ;)
Take care,
Brent
Click to expand...

Perspective is everything, I guess, and ZOOM isn't the only company that has had their user base and fans scratching their heads over some of the decisions. From my understanding of modeling, capturing the realism of amps and cabinets in the digital domain for real-time consumption is really dependent on the processors and the coding. The fact is that the reason why pedals like the Helix and AX8 and AxeFx are so expensive starts with the cost of the processors, which allow the programmers to create very detailed, best-in-class algorithms. Without those processors, they're dead in the water out of the gate.

Thus it's no surprise to me that in order to get to another level of better detail in modeling, ZOOM had to figure out a way to get it done without stepping up to the more expensive next-level processors that would price them in a much more difficult market - the no-man's land, seemingly, around $500-$800 (or thereabouts), which has never really been ZOOM's sweet sport of the market. Only Atomic Amplifire (a very small boutique company) has managed to successfully navigate that price point to my knowledge, and provide high quality modeling and versatile IR-based cab sims.

If the mandate was to create a product with fundamentally better sounds and keep it inexpensive but still functional, then ZOOM has done this. I'd argue that the G5n format is more successful at this than the G3n or B3n, but still, you get plenty of bang-for- buck with all of these Zoom units. The problem has always been that someone's ox has to be gored, so to speak. The XLR, the Looper, the 4 parameter limitation per slot, the LCD screen, etc., etc. I just happen to be in the camp where - for me - the sacrifices don't really bother me so much. YMMV.
 
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#549
I am excited for this however, I am still digging my B1on. That thing I love. I've gotten so use to it, I can switch it up live.
I love it's little looper were I can switch patches up while looping. Myself I am not so much an amp sims guy. I use the amps more as a post amp or channel strip for my pedal chain to boost if needed. My thing on real amps in general is, I get they all have a baked in sound. I mean if you have two or more amps in a room. Set them all to noon. Each one will sound different, some more lows at noon, some more mids or whatever at noon and THAT is the sound most people like. "I like when I set brand X amp to noon, that's MY sound I don't have to change anything" :Ol You've head that, you may have said that yourselves. I on the other hand turn them nobs away from noon on any amp and make the amp sound the way I want. Sometimes making one amp sound like another amp. "This is my amp I can wash it, cut it, I can mess this amp up if I want too, it's my amp." :O) Anyway...
 
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#550
IMG_7257.JPG Well this is promising. I've been using XLR to get from B3 to amp but it seems reasonable to say that a short unbalanced run to the amp and using a DI box (or the amp's XLR output) to get to the mixer is reasonable, more so if y'all agree the B3 XLR output isn't that great anyway.

Other improvements over B3:
  • Each section has 4 pots, not 3
  • Activate tuner with separate button, don't need to hold 2+ seconds for muted tuner (I think/hope)
  • Chain up to 7 effects (not 3), CPU permitting (use "scroll" footswitches to scan through many effects in a patch)
  • Each effect has a known/documented impact on CPU
  • Fewer effects (for now...80 vs 111)
  • More granular tuner display
  • Silly stomp box graphics replaced with readable parameter values
  • Some "Large" effects occupy two slots and dedicate a stomp switch to a particular function. Amp modelers give you a "solo" button to boost volume for example.
  • Shortcut lets you scan through effect categories, not just individual effects (hold one type button and press the other type button)
  • Change patches without bending over or soldering as pictured above
  • Fewer little buttons along the top. "Total?" "Global?"
  • Rhythm and looper are now individual effects; looper occupies either one or two spaces
  • Twice the looper capacity (40 seconds mono with undo)
  • Pedal volume is handled as another "effect" not as a patch setting.
Looks like a preorder. B3n gives me GAS.
 
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#551
Spblat said:
View attachment 1071742 Well this is promising. I've been using XLR to get from B3 to amp but it seems reasonable to say that a short unbalanced run to the amp and using a DI box (or the amp's XLR output) to get to the mixer is reasonable, more so if y'all agree the B3 XLR output isn't that great anyway.

Other improvements over B3:
  • Each section has 4 pots, not 3
  • Activate tuner with separate button, don't need to hold 2+ seconds for muted tuner (I think/hope)
  • Chain up to 7 effects (not 3), CPU permitting (use "scroll" footswitches to scan through many effects in a patch)
  • Each effect has a known/documented impact on CPU
  • Fewer effects (for now...80 vs 111)
  • More granular tuner display
  • Silly stomp box graphics replaced with readable parameter values
  • Some "Large" effects occupy two slots and dedicate a stomp switch to a particular function. Amp modelers give you a "solo" button to boost volume for example.
  • Shortcut lets you scan through effect categories, not just individual effects (hold one type button and press the other type button)
  • Change patches without bending over or soldering as pictured above
  • Fewer little buttons along the top. "Total?" "Global?"
  • Rhythm and looper are now individual effects; looper occupies either one or two spaces
  • Twice the looper capacity (40 seconds mono with undo)
  • Pedal volume is handled as another "effect" not as a patch setting.
Looks like a preorder. B3n gives me GAS.
Click to expand...
Hey, hey, hey! I like the silly stomp box graphics on my B1on :Ol
 
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