New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects

[CharlieC]

Heads-Up: Power Issue

In tests today I found that the B3n will not share 9V DC power with any other pedal on the same 9V DC power line. A high-pitched "whine" will occur in the B3n's output signal when the pedals are connected.

In other words, one cannot use a single wall wart adapter, split it with a "Y" or other daisy chain, and then share/send power to the B3n.

Trust me, I tried everything: different wall warts, use of an aux power out tap on a Tuner pedal, it will whine. It will even whine if the only other pedal is an MS-60B.

The only cure I found is to use an isolated power supply with dedicated taps (like my favorite Truetone CS7), or simply run the B3n with its own wall wart, and then no whine.

 

[CharlieC]

^^^

@Johno Dunn , my tests were performed with the other pedals above "in front of" the B3n, not behind the B3n. I know you are using the MS-60B behind and perhaps there is no issue, but you should investigate if you are sharing power on your 2 pedals. Be sure to remove ZNR noise gate if you have it on else you will not easily hear it.

 

[Backsnack]

Is there a way to reverse this?

Heads-Up: Power Issue

In tests today I found that the B3n will not share 9V DC power with any other pedal on the same 9V DC power line. A high-pitched "whine" will occur in the B3n's output signal when the pedals are connected.

In other words, one cannot use a single wall wart adapter, split it with a "Y" or other daisy chain, and then share/send power to the B3n.

Trust me, I tried everything: different wall warts, use of an aux power out tap on a Tuner pedal, it will whine. It will even whine if the only other pedal is an MS-60B.

The only cure I found is to use an isolated power supply with dedicated taps (like my favorite Truetone CS7), or simply run the B3n with its own wall wart, and then no whine.

I seem to be having good results with a Strymon Zuma FWIW. Right now I have a G3xn hooked up with about 5 other pedals. I don't expect to have any problems when I get the B3n hooked up.

The Zuma's outputs are all individually isolated and regulated. Probably one of the best purchases I made for my pedalboard and I don't even see it or interact with it.

 

[CharlieC]

I seem to be having good results with a Strymon Zuma FWIW. Right now I have a G3xn hooked up with about 5 other pedals. I don't expect to have any problems when I get the B3n hooked up.

The Zuma's outputs are all individually isolated and regulated. Probably one of the best purchases I made for my pedalboard and I don't even see it or interact with it.

Because all taps on the Zuma are isolated you should not have any issue now with the G3Xn and also later with the B3n, but trust me, I believe the G3Xn would also whine if you attempted to split/share same power with it and another pedal.

 

[Stu_Bass]

Comparing octavers:
Pitch SHFT - This should be a flawless polyphonic octaver/pitch shifter. Mine can't track a single note. With it set for one octave down EVERY note is out of tune. Is it just mine? Puzzling!
Tip: Set the Pitch SHFT Shift to zero and use the fine tune for some nice chorus and flange effects

Can someone please confirm that this is the way this works and not a fault with mine. It seems unfathomable that it will not track any notes single or otherwise in any range.

 

[Backsnack]

Because all taps on the Zuma are isolated you should not have any issue now with the G3Xn and also later with the B3n, but trust me, I believe the G3Xn would also whine if you attempted to split/share same power with it and another pedal.

Yeah splitting power from either of those Zooms is a nono!

 

[CharlieC]

Can someone please confirm that this is the way this works and not a fault with mine. It seems unfathomable that it will not track any notes single or otherwise in any range.

Mine does the same. These are times I wish we had a real Zoom presence on here to answer these types of questions.

Edit: mine tracks but pitch is way off further down the line.

 

[Spblat]

Can someone please confirm that this is the way this works and not a fault with mine. It seems unfathomable that it will not track any notes single or otherwise in any range.

Mine does the same. These are times I wish we had a real Zoom presence on here to answer these types of questions.

Edit: mine tracks but pitch is way off further down the line.

Yeah doesn't quite seem right. Here's me playing with it. Most of this is on the G string. It's tracking reasonably well but I don't think the shifted note is in tune, and I'm hearing unwanted tremolo.

EDIT: Fine = 0, Tone = 7. Playing with Bal and Shift.

 

[CharlieC]

Yeah doesn't quite seem right. Here's me playing with it. Most of this is on the G string. It's tracking reasonably well but I don't think the shifted note is in tune, and I'm hearing unwanted tremolo.

Should Zoom identify and correct the issue, they can re-issue the revised effect model via Guitar Lab

Those interested should send them an e-mail and open a trouble ticket.

 

[Stu_Bass]

Yeah doesn't quite seem right. Here's me playing with it. Most of this is on the G string. It's tracking reasonably well but I don't think the shifted note is in tune, and I'm hearing unwanted tremolo.

Yep, the same. Sounds like that should be played along with Stonehenge!
Thanks!

 

[Jazz Ad]

Can someone please confirm that this is the way this works and not a fault with mine. It seems unfathomable that it will not track any notes single or otherwise in any range.

What makes you think that Pitch Shift is polyphonic? It isn't written or implied anywhere.

 

[Stu_Bass]

What makes you think that Pitch Shift is polyphonic? It isn't written or implied anywhere.

You are correct no one ever said it does, but I REALLY think it should. I guess I'm just assuming that it's 2017 and a host of other devices have existed for years now that will do that. I'm thinking that it should be de rigueur. I just bought a Digitech Mosaic and it outputs a 4 string bass, polyphonically, one octave up, absolutely flawlessly down to the low E (haven't tried it with a 5). It is a guitar pedal, not a bass pedal, mind you. It seems to me that one could model the behavior of an already existing unit and have this feature. Also the effect is completely unusable as it stands, the harmonized note is a few cents off which is a horrible sound to most of us, so why include it at all? And how did it make it through the r&d process?

 

[Johno Dunn]

^^^

@Johno Dunn , my tests were performed with the other pedals above "in front of" the B3n, not behind the B3n. I know you are using the MS-60B behind and perhaps there is no issue, but you should investigate if you are sharing power on your 2 pedals. Be sure to remove ZNR noise gate if you have it on else you will not easily hear it.

I played at church today with no whine what so ever. When I get my stuff set up at home, I'll try reversing the order and see if I can duplicate the problem, but so far everything seems fine.
I'm using a PowerAll daisy chain by the way.
J!

 

[Backsnack]

Because all taps on the Zuma are isolated you should not have any issue now with the G3Xn and also later with the B3n, but trust me, I believe the G3Xn would also whine if you attempted to split/share same power with it and another pedal.

Also, seeing that the new n's need 500mA of power, I'm guessing that probably has something to do with it as well.

 

[kasbrey]

Also, seeing that the new n's need 500mA of power, I'm guessing that probably has something to do with it as well.

The B3 says 500ma too on the 9v input. I have a Lehle/RMI Dual compressor that whines whatever you try to daisy-chain it with (even when I use it with one of the outputs on my Eneloop Pedal Juice and my RMI Basswitch EQ DI on the other output) and is rated at 110ma.

 

[Backsnack]

I played at church today with no whine what so ever. When I get my stuff set up at home, I'll try reversing the order and see if I can duplicate the problem, but so far everything seems fine.
I'm using a PowerAll daisy chain by the way.
J!

Maybe your PowerAll has high enough power output that it wasn't a problem?

 

[jimfist]

really trying to free up time to dig deeper into the B3n.

Got hit with a quadruple whammy this weekend: 1) elderly mother now living with me,my wife and stepkids...scrambling to re-arrange our spaces to accommodate; 2) Fri/Sat major snowstorm dumped 6-12 inches on us...happy April Fool's Day...not funny, Mother Nature; 3) wife sick with inflamed tonsils, and so she's got little left in the tank to mind the 8 and 9 year-old kids; 4) accountant said I had to have my Tax Preparation done and in the mail to them by Monday.

I need a day off from my weekend! When the dust settles, I'll have more to post, but it might be a week or two.

 

[BassikLee]

So, after running the B3n off a power bank and boost converter for an hour, it's used right at 700mAh. This power bank is a 10,000mAh bank. By my math, this should easily get me thru a typical four hour gig running this and a wireless receiver. I'll post my findings once I actually run it for a gig.

 

[BassikLee]

Currently have it running off the same power bank, fully charged overnight. Going to let her run six hours, and see what the meter says. That little USB through meter thing was a few bucks, and measures draw. At first I was surprised it was drawing 650mA. Then it occured to me that that is at 5V. Power isn't free. Looks like the B3n really draws somewhere around 300mA, if you do the math, and leave a little for losses in the boost converter.

 

[lemueldave]

My vote for best SVT amp and cab sims to-date go to the B3n!

I cannot wait to hear Zoom's new B-15 models (TBA)

Should I just swap my VT Bass DI for another preamp like a Mesa Boogie? Or is there a possibility Zoom will release a Mesa simulator? I'm thinking of a lot of ways to mix-and-match my Zoom B3n with preamps.