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New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects

#1,521
Hi to all!

I'm searching for a good multifx unit. I' ve read about a lot of units and I'm intrigued by line 6 500hdx/bass pod xt live and Zoom B3n.
Obviously there is the new Helix LT, but I just need something to avoid carrying loads of effects around and something for recording, so don't think I would use Helix 100%.
Maybe (for half the price) a B3n + GK plex pre could give me all I need, plus the ability to use both or just one unit depending on the band I'm playing.

But how does the zoom sounds compared the HD500x/bass pod xt live?

PS: In my old B2.1U there was a mono synth for which I can choose the wave form. Is still possible in the B3n?
Thanks to all and sorry for my english^^
 
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#1,522
The Rage said:
Hi to all!

I'm searching for a good multifx unit. I' ve read about a lot of units and I'm intrigued by line 6 500hdx/bass pod xt live and Zoom B3n.
Obviously there is the new Helix LT, but I just need something to avoid carrying loads of effects around and something for recording, so don't think I would use Helix 100%.
Maybe (for half the price) a B3n + GK plex pre could give me all I need, plus the ability to use both or just one unit depending on the band I'm playing.

But how does the zoom sounds compared the HD500x/bass pod xt live?

PS: In my old B2.1U there was a mono synth for which I can choose the wave form. Is still possible in the B3n?
Thanks to all and sorry for my english^^
Click to expand...

Welcome, Rage!

Although I cannot advise on the comparison to the other devices you mentioned, I can tell you without question, the B3n is the finest multi-effect for bass that I have encountered to date. Take a chance and you will agree!

The Z-Syn model in the B3n will allow you to select your waveform.

Cheers!
 
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#1,523
ReedyBass said:
I must have a B1on "Gold Edition" then as I've just tried it through both a Rumble 40 practice amp and a very clean & transparent PA with a sub and tops and both sound great, bypassed or not.

State of bliss for me then :)

Maybe it's the power supply. When I used to run it on batteries I wasn't that impressed (some strange artefacts on some effects), but I'm currently using a USB power supply and it sounds great.

If the B3n is better than this then i'm expecting very great things indeed!:hyper:
Click to expand...
B1on User here!
Yeah, I guess I got a good one too! I use a One Spot as power. No problems here, I guess :/ (I don't hear anything).
I got it though. Yes my bass sounds a little different going in direct than going through the pedal on bypass, I get that.
But when I use it, only I can perceive the difference. Everybody else just grooves to da beat :)
The band thinks it sounds dope, butts are moving. It's a WIN!

Is it something I am going to push on Marcus Miller or, anybody else, no.
But I will tell folks to try it.
Best way to learn about pedalboards and chaining fx's together and, a turner and, a looper
and, drum beats all for $50 bucks. That's like one pack of real good strings :/ Why Not!!!
 
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#1,524
Well done, Zoom! :thumbsup:

b3n_1176.jpg


b3n_382.jpg
 
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#1,525
CharlieC said:
Welcome, Rage!

Although I cannot advise on the comparison to the other devices you mentioned, I can tell you without question, the B3n is the finest multi-effect for bass that I have encountered to date. Take a chance and you will agree!

The Z-Syn model in the B3n will allow you to select your waveform.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Quick thought. If you can't advise on the other devices, how can you say that without question the B3n is the finest?.. I ask because I'm in a similar position looking for a good multifx unit as well. So, just wondering how the B3n is the finest. Is because its bass specific? Right now its between the B3n and Helix LT, but as the poster above stated the Helix might not be used 100%. I still have an old Zoom B9.1ut I liked, before I went with boutique pedals, which is why I'm checking out Zoom again. I use the Darkglass 900 so I'm not in dire need of amp/cab sims, but I am an effects man. I've gone through the thread but can't find out how the b3n holds up against other multifx units, mainly in a pro studio or live setting. Any info would be appreciated!
 
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#1,526
TodaysTomSawyer said:
Quick thought. If you can't advise on the other devices, how can you say that without question the B3n is the finest?.. I ask because I'm in a similar position looking for a good multifx unit as well. So, just wondering how the B3n is the finest. Is because its bass specific? Right now its between the B3n and Helix LT, but as the poster above stated the Helix might not be used 100%. I still have an old Zoom B9.1ut I liked, before I went with boutique pedals, which is why I'm checking out Zoom again. I use the Darkglass 900 so I'm not in dire need of amp/cab sims, but I am an effects man. I've gone through the thread but can't find out how the b3n holds up against other multifx units, mainly in a pro studio or live setting. Any info would be appreciated!
Click to expand...

My complete statement was that the B3n is the finest multi-effect for bass that I have encountered to date. This is both an accurate and honest opinion after having owned and used many others.

After having gone through this thread to no avail, you would be best served by an in-person audition with all products you are interested in and then forming your own opinion.

Cheers!
 
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#1,527
I almost feel, IMHO, and in the way I'm using the N, that it should be called a multitone unit instead of a multifx. The main patches I use don't have "FX" in them per say, as much as they have tone shaping tools. Even my overdrive patch is an SVT driven hard, as opposed to an OD "pedal". I mostly have compressors, eq's etc. in these patches.
I do have a patches set up for filter, Octaver, synthyness, fretless, etc. but I use the basic patches much more often.
 
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#1,531
CharlieC said:
Well done, Zoom! :thumbsup:

b3n_1176.jpg


b3n_382.jpg
Click to expand...

In the LMT-76 one function is missing, when you switch on all the Ratios, there is an "all buttions mode". Here is a description of it from Wiki:
" It was common to use the 1176 in 'all-button mode' or 'British mode'. This was when all four of the ratio buttons are pressed simultaneously.

"The way the 1176 sounds, and specifically, the way All-Button mode sounds, is partially due to its being a program dependent compressor. The attack and release are program dependent, as is the ratio.

The 1176 will faithfully compress or limit at the selected ratio for transients, but the ratio will always increase a bit after the transient. To what degree is once again material dependent. This is true for any of the 1176’s ratio settings, and is part of the 1176’s sound.

But in All-Button Mode, a few more things are happening; the ratio goes to somewhere between 12:1 and 20:1, and the bias points change all over the circuit. As a result, the attack and release times change. This change in attack and release times and the compression curve that results is the main contributor to the All-Button sound. This is what gives way to the trademark overdriven tone. The shape of the compression curve changes dramatically in All-Button. Where 4:1 is a gentle slope, All-Button is more like severe plateau! Furthermore, in All-Button mode there is a lag time on the attack of initial transients. This strange phenomenon might be described as a "reverse look-ahead". "

That would be really nice to have! Maybe we should demand it from Zoom! :)
 
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#1,532
I just got a B3N last week as I (unfortunately) waited too long to get a B3 .... Kind of got screwed a bit too as a company in California was showing a B3 for sale and so I grabbed it thinking I was getting lucky only to have a B3N arrive.

But I digress as a man with a grievance will often do .....

So far, so good, I've yet to really DIG IN DEEP but I have played with the factory settings. I feel that for $200 there are enough decent factory patches that if I were to buy analog pedals to get just those tones, it would have cost WAY more then $200.

So while I don't think the B3N is the greatest thing to come along in the world of multi effects units, for $200 it's still a pretty good deal. Plus, I'm sure after I really play with this thing and start "tweaking" it, I'll find I like it even more then I do now.

Still would've preferred the B3.
 
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#1,534
Giovanbassista said:
Hi guys, I'm a proud owner of the b3 but now I'm thinking about switching with the b3n. What can you tell about the sound quality of darkglass and sansamp simulation in this multifx? Thanks!
Click to expand...

IMHO, both Darkglass models in the B3n have "that Darkglass tone" and are impressive sims.

I do not use the Sansamp model, but have heard it has been improved, as should be expected with the B3n Drives in general having been significantly improved.

Cheers!
 
#1,535
David Sutkin said:
I just got a B3N last week as I (unfortunately) waited too long to get a B3 .... Kind of got screwed a bit too as a company in California was showing a B3 for sale and so I grabbed it thinking I was getting lucky only to have a B3N arrive.

But I digress as a man with a grievance will often do .....

So far, so good, I've yet to really DIG IN DEEP but I have played with the factory settings. I feel that for $200 there are enough decent factory patches that if I were to buy analog pedals to get just those tones, it would have cost WAY more then $200.

So while I don't think the B3N is the greatest thing to come along in the world of multi effects units, for $200 it's still a pretty good deal. Plus, I'm sure after I really play with this thing and start "tweaking" it, I'll find I like it even more then I do now.

Still would've preferred the B3.
Click to expand...
Next time I'm in Cali I wouldn't mind trading my B3 for your B3n... The idea of running two chained B3ns as a rig is making my head damn near explode! 14 slots??? Woah. I don't mind losing XLR out for that!
 
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#1,537
Giovanbassista said:
Hi guys, I'm a proud owner of the b3 but now I'm thinking about switching with the b3n. What can you tell about the sound quality of darkglass and sansamp simulation in this multifx? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I was able to spend a day and half with the B3n and got to answer similar questions. And to be objectively honest, The sims have only an approximate "aspect" of the tone of said models. You can tweak it for desired effect and achieve killer sounds but still you'll hear Zoom. I've used and still use many of the models including Darkglass and Sansamp, did A/B comparisons so its an informed opinion. I know negative comments (seemingly negative in this case) about the unit are frowned upon lol, but should be included for a fair review. That said, it sounds great as a Zoom. Maybe the best for Zoom so far. It also out performs some of the more expensive multi effects units. If you like Zoom then it'd the same as buying darkglass for darkglass tone and etc. Buy Zoom for Zoom tones because that's what they are and good enough at this point to stand on its own as such imo. Super fun unit to use btw. Like Charles said, in person audition always
 
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