New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects

[jimfist]

Anybody have a chance to run a guitar through the B3n? How do the effects sound?

what sort of tone? For traditional rock and roll, I'd think a TS808 into the Fender bass amp would be a decent place to start. For moder high gain metal, that's a tougher nut to crack, and I'm not sure the B3n is terribly well suited with amps or drives that do high gain all that well.

 

[JohnHartford]

That's about what I was thinking... Maybe some Chorus and delay. Minimalist for guitar.

Of course the G3n is cheap enough...

 

[Stu_Bass]

Is there a way to go back to dry signal (without effects) and without scrolling to a bank that's set to a clear dry signal?

Tuner in unmuted mode gives (almost) instant bypass anytime

 

[warrplayer]

Are there any current B3N owners who are familar with an actual 1176 (or a Cali 76) that can comment on the unit's 1176 compressor model? I felt the MS-60B and B3 compressors were serviceable at best, and certainly a weak spot.

 

[JeffreyW]

Cab sims and mic's:
I have never liked cab sims when fronting a Amp/ Cab or Combo. This has not changed with the B3n. I had the opertunity to set up a PA last night and get it to performance volumes. Cab Sims work well and sound like a cab is being mic'd however, keep in mind that if a front of house guy mic's your cab live he also usually takes a direct signal through a DI and Blends you out front. If you are looking for a great live sound direct, it may be a good idea to do this. Send a DI uneffected to board along with the Zoom. This also allows you or sound man too send back a signal to you that is uneffected. I find this useful when using Sub DUb patches ect..... so you can hear yourself well with out having to crank up your stage volume.

UPDATE:
I was reminded that Zoom has latency as opposed to the direct signal. This has a good potential for taking things out of phase. BEWARE!!!!!

 

[jimfist]

UPDATE:
I was reminded that Zoom has latency as opposed to the direct signal. This has a good potential for taking things out of phase. BEWARE!!!!!

Thanks for the warning. ;-)

you seem to think this is a big deal, and I'm honestly interested as to why. Please describe the usage situation of the B3n - or any other modeler/multifx - that would make sense of having BOTH a pre AND post effects DI feed to FOH.

If I'm using a multifx for things such as envelope filters, volume swells with distortion and trailer echoes, flanges, whammy pitch shifts, etc., the last thing I'd want is a prominent mix of a pure dry tone pre-fx, as it would undermine the intent of any effect that is intentionally designed not to resemble a "dry" sound. No?

 

[Johno Dunn]

Thanks John!

I am sorry brother Johno, but I have positively tested the B3n and MS-60B to both whine when chained in this way.

I believe you are being spared from this due to the limited frequency response of 210AV cabs not reaching above 4.5 kHz where the whine exists and/or you have a ZNR in place in the chain masking the issue.

I would say, if you cannot hear it then you are a lucky man and I envy you

Cheers!

So, I found the whine today, but I had to crank the treble way up and crank the volume to 11! #CharlieC you are probably right about the frequency response of my cabs having a lot to do with me not hearing it. But unless I run into a problem with a FOH issue, I'm good to go with my PowerAll daisy chain.

 

[FuzzFacetious]

I think mine may arrive today

 

[BassikLee]

I have not had time to integrate it into my rig yet. My rig, in this instance, will be a wireless receiver into the B3n, into a direct box, and out. My main gig is ampless, and I'm on ears or nothing at all. Often times, I get enough of what I need without my own mix. Most of the bass I need is coming off the back of the PA, and my vocal is pretty hot in my guitar player's wedge, which is all of about four feet from where I'm standing. Less is often more.

 

[Johno Dunn]

So, I found the whine today, but I had to crank the treble way up and crank the volume to 11! #CharlieC you are probably right about the frequency response of my cabs having a lot to do with me not hearing it. But unless I run into a problem with a FOH issue, I'm good to go with my PowerAll daisy chain.

And as soon as Zoom releases the AcBsPre for the N, I'll eliminate the 60b and only have one plug anyway.

 

[Danielz]

I've been playing with the B3n for a few days. Here's my initial reaction. This pedal is capable of replacing my current board. The sound improvements are clear and compelling for me. I compared the Zoom effects to some of my current analogue pedals/ B3 and here are the initial ideas.

Compressor - I have an MXR Bass Compressor. Unfortunately it stopped working when I went to compare (strange). However, I've ended up putting a compressor at the start of each of my B3n patches. 160Comp and BlackOpt are my go tos, with BlackOpt being slightly more transparent.

DIs - I love the DIs on the original B3. The depth and character of tone feel that touch more enhanced.

Drives - IMHO these are a big improvement. My porkloin has a deep, rich tone with a hairy, but not agressive overdrive. The Zoom dark glass sim has been my go to so far and is capable of maintaining the rich low end. The overdrive top end "hair" is of a different quality. I haven't been able to replicate the responsive warmth exactly of the Porkloin, but I have gained low end clarity without sacrificing depth and I'm loving the overdrive vibe.

Bass Octave - This was a big one for me. I use an Aguilar octamizer. The Zoom bass octave brings the low end and has remarkable flexibility in tone. Aguilar's sound is more organic, but to my ears the distinction is one of taste and not degree of quality. The tracking on Zoom is great.

Filters - I used the envelop filters on the B3 and they were simply passable. For me there's no competition in this category. The B3n filters seem more
Natural in their response. No analogue comparison on this one.

Amp/can Sims - I play through a Tonehammer500 amp and am primarily interested in live application so I haven't played with the amp/cab sims yet.

I've dialed in the sounds I use most often and tinkered with some crazy new ones. I'm planning on gigging with the B3n instead of my board for the next three weeks to see how it goes.

I'm looking forward to seeing the patch exchange. That was one of the best parts of the B3. Always a new tone to dial in.

 

[Johno Dunn]

Darkglass Pre into SM400=gold.

 

[Spblat]

Why the external tuner??

For me, two reasons.

1. One instant tap to bypass and start tuning.
2. A good pedal tuner like Pitchblack Advance or (my favorite) Polytune 2 will track a note *way* longer than the B3 or B3n. In my tests, The original Pitchblack and the Polytune 2 give you ten or even 20 *more* seconds to tune a string on a single pluck than the B3 or B3n.

I just posted this. Side by side comparison of tuners in the B3, B3n and TC Polytune 2.

 

[jimfist]

Here are some audio clips. If you've ever heard some of the sound samples I've made in the past, I'm a fan of tones that have a bit of edge and grit/dirt, and are not necessarily pristine. This set of clips is no different. TOOL, RHCP, AIC, STP, and others of that ilk are among my favorite bands and bassists, so if you're looking for polite tones, you'll not like these at all, and apologies that maybe this demo series is of little value to you.

First, I've posted a clip of my Schecter Stiletto Studio 4 string bass, essentially dry with some B3n LMT-76, as a reference (tones set flat, both pickups). It's (for me) a perfectly workable tone as-is, and I've gone fully direct with this bass with nothing else and happily gigged. What I like is how much of an effect the amp/cab modeling have on the tone, and to me it is as good as a mic'd version of the real thing. Of course, you may disagree.

Next you'll hear versions of both the B3 and B3n going into the SVT model/cab sim and then the Limiter. I did spend some time to consciously make these sounds to be pretty close, and they both have a fair amount of amp gain for some hair/overdrive. You may not think that there's much of a difference in the tone, and I'd have to agree, in this context. The settings between both devices are totally different, though, and the B3n amp model has a more flexible and realistic range of sounds/settings IMO. Obviously the cab sim has a lot more flexibility now, and is a different animal than the SVT 8x10 sim in the B3.

Next, you'll hear the same signal chain SVT--8x10--LMT-76, but with the SVT's gain lowered and cleaned up. This is because I wanted the Darkglass PRE and OD to provide the distortion you're hearing, with is quite a different flavor than what you get from the SVT preamp. You may also notice that the Darkglass PRE and OD sound pretty similar the way I've set them, although the 2 slot PRE is ultimately far more flexible, while the OD gets you the flavor but not much control for the tone/EQ.

Feel free to skewer me or fire away with pointed questions. Also, I'm soon hoping to get going on some special effects comparisons and demos for the B3n.

 

[CharlieC]

Here are some audio clips. If you've ever heard some of the sound samples I've made in the past, I'm a fan of tones that have a bit of edge and grit/dirt, and are not necessarily pristine. This set of clips is no different. TOOL, RHCP, AIC, STP, and others of that ilk are among my favorite bands and bassists, so if you're looking for polite tones, you'll not like these at all, and apologies that maybe this demo series is of little value to you.

First, I've posted a clip of my Schecter Stiletto Studio 4 string bass, essentially dry with some B3n LMT-76, as a reference (tones set flat, both pickups). It's (for me) a perfectly workable tone as-is, and I've gone fully direct with this bass with nothing else and happily gigged. What I like is how much of an effect the amp/cab modeling have on the tone, and to me it is as good as a mic'd version of the real thing. Of course, you may disagree.

Next you'll hear versions of both the B3 and B3n going into the SVT model/cab sim and then the Limiter. I did spend some time to consciously make these sounds to be pretty close, and they both have a fair amount of amp gain for some hair/overdrive. You may not think that there's much of a difference in the tone, and I'd have to agree, in this context. The settings between both devices are totally different, though, and the B3n amp model has a more flexible and realistic range of sounds/settings IMO. Obviously the cab sim has a lot more flexibility now, and is a different animal than the SVT 8x10 sim in the B3.

Next, you'll hear the same signal chain SVT--8x10--LMT-76, but with the SVT's gain lowered and cleaned up. This is because I wanted the Darkglass PRE and OD to provide the distortion you're hearing, with is quite a different flavor than what you get from the SVT preamp. You may also notice that the Darkglass PRE and OD sound pretty similar the way I've set them, although the 2 slot PRE is ultimately far more flexible, while the OD gets you the flavor but not much control for the tone/EQ.

Feel free to skewer me or fire away with pointed questions. Also, I'm soon hoping to get going on some special effects comparisons and demos for the B3n.

Well done, @jimfist !

 

[CharlieC]

 

[Spblat]

Oh, Charlie.

Just now I was in the middle of composing a long post about solving the whine issue by finding a way to filter out noise, calling out the polytune's ability to power the B3n with up to 2A of current, thinking about USB converters and polarity reversers and daisy chains and ferrite beads and all kinds of nonsense and you had to post that thing of utter beauty. What the hell is it, and where the hell can I buy one?

 

[CharlieC]

Oh, Charlie.

Just now I was in the middle of composing a long post about solving the whine issue by finding a way to filter out noise, calling out the polytune's ability to power the B3n with up to 2A of current, thinking about USB converters and polarity reversers and daisy chains and ferrite beads and all kinds of nonsense and you had to post that thing of utter beauty. What the hell is it, and where the hell can I buy one?

NPB: Temple Audio Design Duo 17

^^^

 

[FuzzFacetious]

Mine didn't come today I won't be at home most of tomorrow or Monday ... hm

@jimfist feel free to send me patches to get tones by the bands you mentioned (especially Tool)

 

[BrentSimons]

Here are some audio clips. If you've ever heard some of the sound samples I've made in the past, I'm a fan of tones that have a bit of edge and grit/dirt, and are not necessarily pristine. This set of clips is no different. TOOL, RHCP, AIC, STP, and others of that ilk are among my favorite bands and bassists, so if you're looking for polite tones, you'll not like these at all, and apologies that maybe this demo series is of little value to you.

First, I've posted a clip of my Schecter Stiletto Studio 4 string bass, essentially dry with some B3n LMT-76, as a reference (tones set flat, both pickups). It's (for me) a perfectly workable tone as-is, and I've gone fully direct with this bass with nothing else and happily gigged. What I like is how much of an effect the amp/cab modeling have on the tone, and to me it is as good as a mic'd version of the real thing. Of course, you may disagree.

Next you'll hear versions of both the B3 and B3n going into the SVT model/cab sim and then the Limiter. I did spend some time to consciously make these sounds to be pretty close, and they both have a fair amount of amp gain for some hair/overdrive. You may not think that there's much of a difference in the tone, and I'd have to agree, in this context. The settings between both devices are totally different, though, and the B3n amp model has a more flexible and realistic range of sounds/settings IMO. Obviously the cab sim has a lot more flexibility now, and is a different animal than the SVT 8x10 sim in the B3.

Next, you'll hear the same signal chain SVT--8x10--LMT-76, but with the SVT's gain lowered and cleaned up. This is because I wanted the Darkglass PRE and OD to provide the distortion you're hearing, with is quite a different flavor than what you get from the SVT preamp. You may also notice that the Darkglass PRE and OD sound pretty similar the way I've set them, although the 2 slot PRE is ultimately far more flexible, while the OD gets you the flavor but not much control for the tone/EQ.

Feel free to skewer me or fire away with pointed questions. Also, I'm soon hoping to get going on some special effects comparisons and demos for the B3n.

Very cool jimfist no skewering here!
Brent