New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects

[BrentSimons]

I rather liked them with my previous representative. In the beginning I did not like the calls but over time I learned that my representative was truly interested in my needs and interests. He always had answers to my questions and had no problems talking shop when I called. Totally cool guy. Not sure why Sweetwater fired him but from my perspective that was a huge mistake.

The new guy never calls and could not possibly care less about me, my needs, interests, or anything else. I feel like he does not even have any interest in selling me anything. I always have to be proactive and nine times out of ten I do the research on a product because he either does not know the answer or does not care.

Time to request a new representative.

Go with Sweetwater - you won't regret it. Free shipping. No hassle returns. Free two year warranty. Great tech support. Best move (with the exception of the new rep) I have ever made in terms of buying gear.

Hi there,
Does Sweetwater do anything with their prices? I've wanted to order stuff from them for awhile now but they seem hesitant to price match. One email or call to MF and I usually get 10-15% off most items.
Thank you,
Brent

 

[Backsnack]

Yes, Sweetwater seems to be willing to do small discounts of 10-15%. Especially if there are similar store coupons going on with competitors.

 

[Backsnack]

FWIW I asked my SW rep nicely and got $10 off the price of my B3n.

 

[Blue_Whistle88]

I've read a lot of comment about the more obvious differences between this and the older B3, but one thing I'm failing to see a consensus on are the pitch-shifting effects (which were definitely the B3's weak point as far as sound quality goes). Is there anyone is this forum who has actually USED the pitch-shifting effects in both the B3 and the B3n who tell me whether or not they've been improved in the new B3n?

The reason I ask is that I really like the B3n's new footswitch interface, and the fact that you can run 7 simultaneous effects. Those two things make it more useful for live/recording applications, though it does also seem like you can only use a TOTAL of 7 pedals in Stompbox mode (whereas the old B3 stored groups of 3 pedals into switchable patches). I also suspect that the newer unit will have slightly more developed software/hardware technology, which will hopefully translate into slightly more processing power (which is crucial for pitch-shifting effects).

I'm not very happy about the missing XLR output, as I have used that before and is very useful as a backup DI when playing live. But any sound engineer worth his/her salt will usually have a few spare DIs, so it's not likely to be a problem in practice. Most mixing boards also have 1/4" inputs alongside their XLR inputs. The reduction in number of controls is ostensibly a bad thing, but I actually like that they removed the page-scrolling system and just added an extra knob to the front panel. It's simpler, and very few effects need more control than that anyway.

But again, this is all just speculation on my part - I've never actually USED the unit (which I suspect is the case for most of the people chiming in here). What I want to know is how the new unit compares directly to the old one, ESPECIALLY in the pitch-shifting category

 

[Spblat]

I've been reasonably content with the pitch shifter in the B3, use it regularly in one of our tunes so I don't have to tune down to Eb. If it's better in the B3n that's just icing over all the other advantages you listed. Cancelled my Amazon order when I saw B&H had it. They're saying I'll have it tomorrow, fingers crossed

 

[lemueldave]

I've read a lot of comment about the more obvious differences between this and the older B3, but one thing I'm failing to see a consensus on are the pitch-shifting effects (which were definitely the B3's weak point as far as sound quality goes). Is there anyone is this forum who has actually USED the pitch-shifting effects in both the B3 and the B3n who tell me whether or not they've been improved in the new B3n?

The reason I ask is that I really like the B3n's new footswitch interface, and the fact that you can run 7 simultaneous effects. Those two things make it more useful for live/recording applications, though it does also seem like you can only use a TOTAL of 7 pedals in Stompbox mode (whereas the old B3 stored groups of 3 pedals into switchable patches). I also suspect that the newer unit will have slightly more developed software/hardware technology, which will hopefully translate into slightly more processing power (which is crucial for pitch-shifting effects).

I'm not very happy about the missing XLR output, as I have used that before and is very useful as a backup DI when playing live. But any sound engineer worth his/her salt will usually have a few spare DIs, so it's not likely to be a problem in practice. Most mixing boards also have 1/4" inputs alongside their XLR inputs. The reduction in number of controls is ostensibly a bad thing, but I actually like that they removed the page-scrolling system and just added an extra knob to the front panel. It's simpler, and very few effects need more control than that anyway.

But again, this is all just speculation on my part - I've never actually USED the unit (which I suspect is the case for most of the people chiming in here). What I want to know is how the new unit compares directly to the old one, ESPECIALLY in the pitch-shifting category

Hi! I have both the B3 and B3n simultaneously at once before I sold the former for a preamp. I already commented here before that the B3n's pitch-shifting is a vast improvement over the B3. No latency even when I'm at low B. For pitch-up, it's an improvement too, both sound and latency. I have also tried playing chords and the B3n can accomodate it. But I tell you, I'm not good at technical-speak and I greatly encourage you to try it yourself.

 

[FuzzFacetious]

View attachment 1092249

Hi! I have both the B3 and B3n simultaneously at once before I sold the former for a preamp. I already commented here before that the B3n's pitch-shifting is a vast improvement over the B3. No latency even when I'm at low B. For pitch-up, it's an improvement too, both sound and latency. I have also tried playing chords and the B3n can accomodate it. But I tell you, I'm not good at technical-speak and I greatly encourage you to try it yourself.

Could you tell me if it could replace a digitech DT/ Digitech bass whammy ? Even if it's not going to be AS GOOD, can it achieve the effects (downtuning three semitones, divebombing etc) well enough that there's no need to invest in the Digi pedals too?

 

[Cider]

Hi! I have both the B3 and B3n simultaneously at once before I sold the former for a preamp. I already commented here before that the B3n's pitch-shifting is a vast improvement over the B3. No latency even when I'm at low B. For pitch-up, it's an improvement too, both sound and latency. I have also tried playing chords and the B3n can accomodate it. But I tell you, I'm not good at technical-speak and I greatly encourage you to try it yourself.

Thanks so much for always posting your experience about the B3n ^^ Have you tried recording it through an audio interface yet? Thinking of selling my Firehawk FX and getting a cheap desktop audio interface instead

 

[jimfist]

though it does also seem like you can only use a TOTAL of 7 pedals in Stompbox mode (whereas the old B3 stored groups of 3 pedals into switchable patches).

The B3n has both a preset "Patch" mode of operation, and a "Stompbox" mode of operation. No different than the B3, except the tapdance you need to do to get from one mode to the other is probably different on the B3n. Primarily, the B3 has the 3 stomp/3 switch limit when in Stomp mode, while the B3n has the added feature of Scrolling, allowing you to access all of your stomps (up to 7). Does this make sense?

 

[Blue_Whistle88]

The B3n has both a preset "Patch" mode of operation, and a "Stompbox" mode of operation. No different than the B3, except the tapdance you need to do to get from one mode to the other is probably different on the B3n. Primarily, the B3 has the 3 stomp/3 switch limit when in Stomp mode, while the B3n has the added feature of Scrolling, allowing you to access all of your stomps (up to 7). Does this make sense?

Yep, I understand. But am I right in saying that you need to switch to Patch Mode to switch patches? Is that what the bottom-right footswitch does? The B3 let you switch patches immediately using the manual buttons (something the B3n lacks), though using the footswitches alone was more complicated as you had to hold one of the footswitches down for awhile, rather than the immediate switching used by the B3n.

I'm a little annoyed that the preamps and EQs take up two pedal slots, but I guess that's a limitation caused by having no 'Page' switch (for each module's controls). But even if you have one of each (2 x 2 slots), that still leaves 3 empty slots which is the same as the B3. So you could leave them on permanently, then just use the 3 footswitches for distortion, delay, etc, which definitely makes it more flexible.

 

[Spblat]

Yep, I understand. But am I right in saying that you need to switch to Patch to switch patches? Is that what the bottom-right footswitch does?

Yep. The bottom right foot switch toggles the behavior of the other two scroll switches. In one mode it pages through *patches* three at a time, letting you choose between patches. In the other mode you can imagine the three physical screens as a 3-wide window through which you're looking at a bank of up to 7 effects, using your feet to scroll across the effects in the active patch. While in this mode you can gently stomp on the dial at the top right to view or edit the parameters in individual effects.

This excellent video has been posted before and gives a nice demo of how this works.

OMG UPS SAYS MY B3N ARRIVES FROM B&H TOMORROW

 

[Johno Dunn]

So my understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong, is that in patch (memory) mode, I have access to three different, patches I can switch between at any given time. Then by switching to stomp mode, whatever patch is active comes up with three effects slots that I can then switch on/off using the foot switches. If this is correct, then this thing will be gold to me. I'll find out Thursday!
Johno!

 

[Johno Dunn]

Is it Thursday yet?

 

[lemueldave]

Could you tell me if it could replace a digitech DT/ Digitech bass whammy ? Even if it's not going to be AS GOOD, can it achieve the effects (downtuning three semitones, divebombing etc) well enough that there's no need to invest in the Digi pedals too?

I don't know if it may be of better or slightly worse quality than those since I haven't those products yet, but I'm greatly satisfied with the B3n's pitch-shifting. I tried almost all semitones from octave up to octave down and I'm satisfied. It's even more fun stacking multiple pitch-shifting pedals!

 

[lemueldave]

Thanks so much for always posting your experience about the B3n ^^ Have you tried recording it through an audio interface yet? Thinking of selling my Firehawk FX and getting a cheap desktop audio interface instead

I haven't got time to record since I'm so busy at work these past few weeks, and the only product close to an audio interface I have is the GK Plex, so I can't comment on this yet. By the time I'll be free, a lot of people here will have the B3n in their hands, I guess they can help and be more technical about it.

 

[bpc]

Skyrocket? I doubt it. You can buy a good, small, inexpensive direct box and place it before or after the B3n to have identical function to the B3.

There are benefits/down sides to the B3 integrated XLR, and as well with a discrete external DI with the B3n.

Anyone who spends 3x street price for a discontinued B3 solely because of this feature should have their head examined...not that those people don't exist, but still, the cost vs. value doesn't make any sense at an inflated $600 price when the $200 B3n + a DI can be had for half that price or less (if in fact you're a bassist who doesn't already own one).

Or are you trying to convince the market that those of us who own the B3 have in our possession something worth $600 (which I highly doubt is the case)? If what you say is true, I'm selling. Any takers at the low, low price of $575? LMAO

What you say here isn't true. The B3 allows a clean guitar signal out the XLR while putting the signal with effects out the jack. You can't do this with any regular D.I. box. This is a big deal for me and the main reason I bought the B3. It is also why I'm unlikely to buy a B3n. I pn;y bought my B3 a few months ago when prices were low due to imminent obsolesence. If I'd missed it I'd have done without. It may be an obscure feature but it sold them at least one box.

 

[Blue_Whistle88]

What you say here isn't true. The B3 allows a clean guitar signal out the XLR while putting the signal with effects out the jack. You can't do this with any regular D.I. box. This is a big deal for me and the main reason I bought the B3. It is also why I'm unlikely to buy a B3n. I pn;y bought my B3 a few months ago when prices were low due to imminent obsolesence. If I'd missed it I'd have done without. It may be an obscure feature but it sold them at least one box.

You can achieve this exact result by simply putting the DI box before the B3n (which most sound engineers would probably prefer anyway).

 

[NoiseNinja]

It actually looks pretty good, and I might invest in it, given the improved processor and modeling technology.

Pleased to see they included a Trace Elliot amp in the amp emulation department, even if I will have no use for the amp and cabinet emulations other than for home recordings.

A bit disappointed about the actual amount of effects though, and a bit strange they didn't include a 15" bass cabinet emulation.

Hopefully they will add additional effects for download as promised though.

But hey, they still found room for the Bummer, I mean Bomber, effect, and that's what really convinced me on investing in this at some point, a true crowd pleaser, wonder if they improved the allegorithm of that too, also I wish they included different explosion sound emulations, personally I would love my bass to be able to sound something similar as the explosion of Fat Man over Nagasaki, that ought to be just in the ballpark of the Japanese engineers to recreate

Here's the list of effects that will be included from stock:

Invalid Link Removed

 

[bpc]

You can achieve this exact result by simply putting the DI box before the B3n (which most sound engineers would probably prefer anyway).

Yeah, I thought of that after I'd posted. In my case a passive D.I. is too quiet, I need the line level. I did it before with an A/B/Y box but it is inelegant. The B3 is a neat and tidy one box solution. I'd have lived with my B2 and never bothered with a B3n if the B3 had been unavailable. But you are right, with enough money and space any connection problem can be solved. Still better to have the neatest solution possible. I also like the USB recording ability. That should definitly be in the B3n. More cables and expense to replace that functionality. I'm sure it is a great box and I'd like the improved sound quality but the missing features are show stoppers for me. I won't replace my single box solution for a mess of wires and boxes at a much higher price, even if it does sound better.

 

[CharlieC]

Until I have the bandwidth to fully assess the B3n, below are my initial impressions after having received it.

Cheers!