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New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects
- Thread starter CharlieC
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- b3n multi-effects zoom
The comments for this video when viewed on YouTube indicate that the first-half is the Darkglass and the second-half is the B3n
It's not mentioned in the manual (and I doubt it has the capability), but I wonder if this device has basic midi note on/off capability via USB? Add a Keith McMillan 12 step and you have a mini pedal synth.
It's a long shot I know, but IIRC the previous generation could be hacked for midi patch change control, but whether the B3n can act like a sound module or not it quite different.
I used to have the old zoom B9.1ut which you could set up as a pedal synth, or trigger via midi. Incredible device really, I just wish the drives sounded a bit better and routeing was more flexible. I would have kept it otherwise.
Hi guys. I've been following this thread for at least a month now, eagerly awaiting my B3n on preorder. Figured I'd finally make an account and post in here. 
The B3n is the last piece of my big new dual signal path board for Chapman Stick and guitar. I'll post some pics up once it's all put together.
The B3n is the last piece of my big new dual signal path board for Chapman Stick and guitar. I'll post some pics up once it's all put together.
Honestly they sound pretty darn close from that clip. A more proper comparison with a well-recorded mic'ed amp might be better, but "really close" is essentially what I'd expect from these new Zoom units.The comments for this video when viewed on YouTube indicate that the first-half is the Darkglass and the second-half is the B3n
I've been using the G3xn for guitar lately and it sounds spectacular. The amp sims on the new n series are amazingly close to the "real thing," and noticeably better than the previous generation to my ears. I'm guessing the new B3n is likely going to have the same level of quality of amp sims.
You don't necessarily have to show your face on a gear review imo. Just play the the thing (and tell us what settings you're using.)
Further back in this thread I noticed some people complaining about the lack of an XLR unit. I have a G3xn (which also lacks an xlr) plugged into a Mackie mixer, which goes into my PA combo amp. Channels 1 and 2 are set to line level (they have a selectable Low Z input for plugging a guitar directly) and I don't have any issues with output levels so far. So consider that for what it's worth, I suppose.
I got an MS60B when they first came out. Some time later bought a B3. Moved to a B1on. Sold them all and moved back to individual pedals. Since then I've purchased two more 60b's and sold them. I just bought my fourth one to use as an auxiliary pedal on my Nano board.
I found myself in a situation this week, where I have sold some pedals and am waiting for some pedals and I needed to use the Zoom as my main tone generator as I have a gig this weekend. So I did some wood shed patch making for the weekend show and Sunday church service, and came up with some pretty awesome tones! I'd forgotten how powerful this little pedal is. I'm now thinking maybe I'll sell all my other pedals and get a B3n. And back down the rabbit hole I go!
Johno!
I found myself in a situation this week, where I have sold some pedals and am waiting for some pedals and I needed to use the Zoom as my main tone generator as I have a gig this weekend. So I did some wood shed patch making for the weekend show and Sunday church service, and came up with some pretty awesome tones! I'd forgotten how powerful this little pedal is. I'm now thinking maybe I'll sell all my other pedals and get a B3n. And back down the rabbit hole I go!
Johno!
The number one goal for the new "n" series of pedals was to improve effect model quality and realism (at the existing price points) and I believe they succeeded!
Yup. I can knock off an audio-only SoundCloud demo pretty quick, so that's what I'll most likely do. I hope to clear time to get over the hurdle and create videos instead. Anyone out there that has recommendations for easy-to-use software? I'd much appreciate it. Video would probably be via my Galaxy Android or my GoPro cube. Main thing is that I don't like using "room mic" audio, so import and synch of audio-to-video is a question.
Has anyone run a guitar through any iterations of these pedals? I'm looking for a solution for a small board to play AEB/G through and am hoping to use the B3n for some chorusing, flanging, reverb, compression, EQ, boost and octave up and or down effects.
You mean 6 string guitar, right? Based on the GuitarLab software, it appears that many of the modulation, delay, reverb, etc., and even some of the drives are shared across all of platforms (G5n/G3n/B3n). I don't have my B3n yet, but based on the G5n, guitar sounds real good...no surprises.
You can look at the B3n Effects List here (Invalid Link Removed) and see how each is described. You'll see that the effects are either somewhat generic (not guitar or bass specific), or modeled after a specific bass or guitar effect.
I think there's enough for guitar to get you by in a pinch with the B3n.
Well, well, well, spend a couple of months not checking the Zoom site and THIS happens! Looks promising for my purposes even if the firmware load right out of the box is a little on the spare side. IF Zoom would actually address that over time with downloadable firmware updates as they do on their guitar pedals that complaint will evaporate in the months ahead. Everything else looks and more importantly, sounds, great!
I really do not understand why Zoom has guitar and bass specific multi-effect pedals in the first place. It costs a ton of money to have two product lines simply from things like marketing and maintaining multiple part numbers in their production and distribution system. They even have to have two colors of paint! It would make more sense economically to just make a single pedal platform common to the two worlds and let users download the effects modules they need to make their personal hardware as bass or guitar specific as they need. As far as I can tell this would add nothing to the hardware cost or the firmware cost or the cost of production, it would only save them money on all the hidden costs that multiple product lines incur. "Cross pollination" is not an evil to be suppressed, it is the most efficient way to deliver these units to the market and it should be embraced with vigor!
I really do not understand why Zoom has guitar and bass specific multi-effect pedals in the first place. It costs a ton of money to have two product lines simply from things like marketing and maintaining multiple part numbers in their production and distribution system. They even have to have two colors of paint! It would make more sense economically to just make a single pedal platform common to the two worlds and let users download the effects modules they need to make their personal hardware as bass or guitar specific as they need. As far as I can tell this would add nothing to the hardware cost or the firmware cost or the cost of production, it would only save them money on all the hidden costs that multiple product lines incur. "Cross pollination" is not an evil to be suppressed, it is the most efficient way to deliver these units to the market and it should be embraced with vigor!
For whatever reason, most guitar modelers have been very reluctant to accommodate bassists to a significant level. The Fractal Audio products (AxeFxII, AX8) only give a cursory nod to bassists, while Line 6 Helix offers more, but not a ton more bass stuff. I agree that ZOOM has essentially got everything set up that they need to go all-in-one with the G5n. I'm sure they have their reasons for keeping bass amps out of the "n" series of guitar multifx, but I'm at a loss, and would sure like to know the reasoning.
As bassists, it's sort of a sorry state of affairs that we've been put on the back burner for these multi-effects. The b3n is a nice little piece and I'm anxious to hear it, but really, it is a far far cry from what many of us would like to see in terms of a full-featured bass modeler/multi-fx. Evidently, Zoom doesn't feel like the market is there for anything other than the low end...oh well.
As bassists, it's sort of a sorry state of affairs that we've been put on the back burner for these multi-effects. The b3n is a nice little piece and I'm anxious to hear it, but really, it is a far far cry from what many of us would like to see in terms of a full-featured bass modeler/multi-fx. Evidently, Zoom doesn't feel like the market is there for anything other than the low end...oh well.
That's correct. The amp models and cab for the B3n and G3/G5 are not shared. I also think that some of the bass-geared modulation effects like bass chorus and bass octaver aren't available on the G3/G5. If interested, I can load up Guitar Lab with my G3xn and give a list of what effects wont't be shared for sure.
For whatever reason, most guitar modelers have been very reluctant to accommodate bassists to a significant level. The Fractal Audio products (AxeFxII, AX8) only give a cursory nod to bassists, while Line 6 Helix offers more, but not a ton more bass stuff. I agree that ZOOM has essentially got everything set up that they need to go all-in-one with the G5n. I'm sure they have their reasons for keeping bass amps out of the "n" series of guitar multifx, but I'm at a loss, and would sure like to know the reasoning.
As bassists, it's sort of a sorry state of affairs that we've been put on the back burner for these multi-effects. The b3n is a nice little piece and I'm anxious to hear it, but really, it is a far far cry from what many of us would like to see in terms of a full-featured bass modeler/multi-fx. Evidently, Zoom doesn't feel like the market is there for anything other than the low end...oh well.
If you're looking for a more high end modeling pedal, have you looked at the Two Notes Torpedo CAB? Pair it with a Le Bass and you'll have a pretty high end setup.
Thanks. I've already got a G5n that I've been gigging with for almost a year (on bass). When the B3n showed up on GuitarLab, the first thing I did was compare it to the G5n to see what effects/processors are shared.
No doubt the 2 Notes stuff is very good, and I very nearly pulled the trigger on the C.A.B., but I can't remember why I didn't. In the meantime, my first real experience with amp/cab modeling multi-fx was the AxeFx Ultra, then the AxeFxII, and I also dabbled a bit with the Atomic Amplifire, which is really nice for guitar.
I'm not much on having a lot of components these days. The smaller the better, so as good as the 2 Notes stuff is, the thought of having a dedicated preamp/OD, dedicated cab sim, and then another dedicated multifx doesn't appeal to me right now. I like the ability to grab-n-go with just one pedal for most gigs. This, now, as opposed to 6 years ago when I gigged my AxeFx with a Behringer FCB1010 for all my gigs....waaaaay overkill for my gigs these days.
I like the bass support from Zoom. I like the price point. I like the simplified features of the new "n" series, even though I'm a total MIDI gear-a-holic. (I lived like a recluse for months after getting my AxeFx gear...no tan that summer. LOL.) I like the idea that I can have some pretty realistic flavors of bass amps and some basic effects with the B3n, even if it's not the perfect solution all-in-one for me.
