New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects

[BassikLee]

Yet another stellar demo of this thing. I can't wait to dig deeper into it.

 

[zcliu]

It seems that B3n doesn't come with an audio interface. I don't know why ZOOM made it.

 

[CharlieC]

OK, so I shifted gears here. After downloading the Acoustic 370 amp/cab, I figured to do a demo that showed how much of an impact the cabinet sim (digital cabinet Impulse Response from the 18" speaker) can have on shaping the tone.

This is a cool tone for those looking for the old school vibe of a big, fat, round bass. You can John Paul Jones your arse off all night long with this amp/cab combination. I was really surprised at how much fun this amp+cab tone is to play with.

The three clips are:

1) Dry bass
2) Amp model - no cab simulation (the tone gets slightly overdriven and brittle on the top end)
3) Amp model + cab sim (the drastic high end filtering of the cab IR puts all of that nasty stuff from clip #2 back in its proper place, and adds a boatload of low end).

All three have a little bit of post compression (LMT-76) to take some of the jagged edges off of things (my poor technique on a cheap bass). Also note that I used the default settings for the amp model and cab simulation. Nothing at all was tweaked for tone, so pretty much WYHIWYG.

For those of you into more traditional P-Bass tones (finger style), this one's for you.

Well done, @jimfist !

Please remind the class (and correct me if I am wrong) that all of these tracks are simply the B3n being recorded directly with no external pedals, no physical amps, cabs nor microphones. Even the rhythms are the B3n. Correct?

 

[jimfist]

Well done, @jimfist !

Please remind the class (and correct me if I am wrong) that all of these tracks are simply the B3n being recorded directly with no external pedals, no physical amps, cabs nor microphones. Even the rhythms are the B3n. Correct?

Correct.

No physical amps, cabs, mics, or extra stuff. The only thing done to these tracks in the DAW (Audicity) was for level matching and balance. This is all the B3n, with the B3 bypassed acting only as the audio interface. My desktop is equipped to handle a line level input for recording, so I could've skipped the B3 totally if desired.

The previous SVT demo clips I did compared the B3n and the B3, and it used the rhythm track from the B3. The Darkglass B3n demos had the same B3 rhythm track (recorded to a mono track on my DAW), but only the B3n providing the overdrive pedal and amp models with cabinet simulation.

 

[CharlieC]

Well done, @jimfist !

Please remind the class (and correct me if I am wrong) that all of these tracks are simply the B3n being recorded directly with no external pedals, no physical amps, cabs nor microphones. Even the rhythms are the B3n. Correct?

Correct.

No physical amps, cabs, mics, or extra stuff. The only thing done to these tracks in the DAW (Audicity) was for level matching and balance. This is all the B3n, with the B3 bypassed acting only as the audio interface. My desktop is equipped to handle a line level input for recording, so I could've skipped the B3 totally if desired.

The previous SVT demo clips I did compared the B3n and the B3, and it used the rhythm track from the B3. The Darkglass B3n demos had the same B3 rhythm track (recorded to a mono track on my DAW), but only the B3n providing the overdrive pedal and amp models with cabinet simulation.

 

[FuzzFacetious]

Having had another play with it I have noticed:

1. Yes, you're right, there are EXPR pedal effects, but they need to be switched on in the menu. Great that you can hide them if you're not using an expr pedal though.

2. I really suck at dialling in a tone that I'm happy with (but I know that it can be done as there are nice presets, so I'll probably practice by editing those). Too used to guitar?

3. It suffers from G5n* syndrome; it feels like when you cycle through all the effects, you only cycle through like 12 effects before you've been through the lot. IF this was the definitive list of effects, that would suck, though we know more are coming, I even just installed some. To be fair though, even with a reduced effects list, this thing SMOKES any other bass unit out there.


* V1.0 version's effects list on release was meagre and the cause of most complaints (besides the lack of XLR).


EDIT:
@CharlieC As you saw, I have the B3 in the loop. You mentioned before that this could be problematic. What kind of problems am I likely to come across? Is it only an issue when turning the amp up loud? So far I've only played quietly but I've never had an issue, it sounds nice to have certain effects in the loop and they then affect the amp's dirt too.

 

[CharlieC]

Having had another play with it I have noticed:

1. Yes, you're right, there are EXPR pedal effects, but they need to be switched on in the menu. Great that you can hide them if you're not using an expr pedal though.

2. I really suck at dialling in a tone that I'm happy with (but I know that it can be done as there are nice presets, so I'll probably practice by editing those). Too used to guitar?

3. It suffers from G5n* syndrome; it feels like when you cycle through all the effects, you only cycle through like 12 effects before you've been through the lot. IF this was the definitive list of effects, that would suck, though we know more are coming, I even just installed some. To be fair though, even with a reduced effects list, this thing SMOKES any other bass unit out there.


* V1.0 version's effects list on release was meagre and the cause of most complaints (besides the lack of XLR).


EDIT:
@CharlieC As you saw, I have the B3 in the loop. You mentioned before that this could be problematic. What kind of problems am I likely to come across? Is it only an issue when turning the amp up loud? So far I've only played quietly but I've never had an issue, it sounds nice to have certain effects in the loop and they then affect the amp's dirt too.

Not many pedals do well in an amp's effect loop as those signals usually get much hotter than pedals like the B3 can handle and this usually results in unwanted distortion.

If this type of connection works for you (by playing low) then rock on, but let it be noted that I would not for the reasons above.

Cheers!

 

[pudgychef]

Would one of the B3N owners mind checking the power supply to see if it is rated for intl use? (110-220) like a computer chord to my one spot? Have a buddy back stateside this week and may get him to bring me one if it is...(much cheaper in States than having to go through Hong Kong and import)

 

[zcliu]

Would one of the B3N owners mind checking the power supply to see if it is rated for intl use? (110-220) like a computer chord to my one spot? Have a buddy back stateside this week and may get him to bring me one if it is...(much cheaper in States than having to go through Hong Kong and import)

随机附送的电源ZOOM AD-16支持110-240V电压(直接用汉语了)

 

[Spblat]

It seems that B3n doesn't come with an audio interface. I don't know why ZOOM made it.

I can only speak for myself but I have enough audio interfaces. At gigs and rehearsals I go XLR into our mixer which gives me back 18 distinct tracks over USB. At home, because I am an audio geek, I have a B3, a Focusrite Solo, some weird old guitar-to-iPhone gadget from Line6, and any number of computers with 1/8" audio inputs. It's a $5 adapter to get into that port.

I mean a good digital audio interface costs more than the B3n itself. I wouldn't complain if it had XLR or USB audio but I don't need it for that. I need it for its superior physical interface and improved modeling.

 

[Clintonhawaii]

Mine came ok but in hours the far right screen died.? Back to ams

 

[Dieguz]

Hello.

i'm Diego from Italy, one of the first B3N users in my country!
i have downloaded guitar lab and the Patches released in february 2017 (AC370 etc)

Guitarlab and the B3n shows an error (a Yellow ico) and the unit can't find one effect, so there's any sound).
anyone found this issue and the relative resolution?
thanks

Diego

 

[CharlieC]

Hello.

i'm Diego from Italy, one of the first B3N users in my country!
i have downloaded guitar lab and the Patches released in february 2017 (AC370 etc)

Guitarlab and the B3n shows an error (a Yellow ico) and the unit can't find one effect, so there's any sound).
anyone found this issue and the relative resolution?
thanks

Diego

An "exclamation point" icon appears next to patches that use effects that are not loaded on the device. Browse the entire collection of B3n effects and locate those titled in Yellow. Load those Yellow (i.e. Missing) effects onto the B3n.

 

[CharlieC]

 

[FuzzFacetious]

Those of you who play through the front of an amp; how do you set up patches?

Do you have the amp set flat before you start adding amp sims, cabs etc, or do you set the amp up how you like your clean tone first and then layer the amp sim over that?

Hopefully I get time today to build some patches

 

[zcliu]

I can only speak for myself but I have enough audio interfaces. At gigs and rehearsals I go XLR into our mixer which gives me back 18 distinct tracks over USB. At home, because I am an audio geek, I have a B3, a Focusrite Solo, some weird old guitar-to-iPhone gadget from Line6, and any number of computers with 1/8" audio inputs. It's a $5 adapter to get into that port.

I mean a good digital audio interface costs more than the B3n itself. I wouldn't complain if it had XLR or USB audio but I don't need it for that. I need it for its superior physical interface and improved modeling.

Yes, you are right. Its versatility and convenience is really good for beginners well as its price. If it comes with an audio interface, they won't need to purchase another when they want to do recording because tone quality may not be that important for them.

 

[FuzzFacetious]

The B3 hasn't been discontinued yet and so is still an option for those who value an interface over better tone.

 

[JohnHartford]

So, about 2 hours of play time last night...and have barely scratched the surface.

First impressions...

1. Smaller than I thought; perfect size.
2. Was worried that the bottom control buttons would somehow get in the way of the 'stomp' buttons...this is not the case. Really well designed in this way.
3. What's with the short cable length on the AC adapter?
4. Short learning curve on the controls. Becomes very intuitive.

With the kids in bed, I played through headphones and tested on some desktop monitors. Perfect for this practice situation. Will have to wait for a band night to plug into something big.

Still lots to experiment with...but so much fun.

 

[jimfist]

The B3 hasn't been discontinued yet and so is still an option for those who value an interface over better tone.

May still be available from some retailers, but it is discontinued. Snapshot taken from the ZOOM website.

 

[jimfist]

you a funny guy, Charlie. I agree, though. The XLR/USB audio features would be nice, but the new amp/cab/drive model algorithms are worth the sacrifice IMO.