New: Zoom B3n Multi-Effects

[Heisenbass]

B3n Levels (...continued)

A few weeks ago I shared my unity gain strategy with regards to B3n effect levels and keeping them approximately the same when a given effect is either on or off.

Although this strategy generally works well, there is a major caveat worthy of discussion and which could be of value in patch creation.

The B3n is no doubt working under a large amount of headroom to support the wide and varied bass guitar outputs that will connect to it in the real world. From weak passive pickups to ultra-hot actives and preamps, the B3n input was widened to service them all and it is likely that good headroom is being left unused.

Surely an internal signal level ceiling must exist, but depending on what is plugged into the B3n, one may never effectively utilize it. There is performance to be gained by optimizing the level in the signal chain once and then maintaining it down the line via the unity gain strategy.

If you have ever tried to maintain unity gain using any of the B3n amp models, you may have noticed that the resulting VOL parameter is likely a very low number. This is now an opportunity to bring up the working signal level.

With baseline Patch and Master volumes both at 100 values, using an amp model, normalize the level using the amp model's VOL parameter. Using one's ears, further approach the ceiling, but leave ample cushion to avoid clipping. With this new and improved working signal level, simply maintain unity gain down the line. Benefits of this more optimized internal working signal level include improved dynamics, model performance, and signal-to-noise ratio.

In summary, depending on the output of one's bass, the amount of unused B3n headroom can vary greatly, but is likely ripe for the taking.

Cheers!

Thanks for your great work, Charlie. Really enlightening. What I keep thinking all of the time: Wouldn't it be a starting point feeding pink noise into the B3/n and adjust levels accordingly? It might not work for all effects but at least for things like compression and/or amp/cab sims. Any thoughts?

 

[CharlieC]

Thanks for your great work, Charlie. Really enlightening. What I keep thinking all of the time: Wouldn't it be a starting point feeding pink noise into the B3/n and adjust levels accordingly? It might not work for all effects but at least for things like compression and/or amp/cab sims. Any thoughts?

Thanks for the kind words, @Heisenbass !

Zoom has clearly gone to great lengths to "dumb down" their devices so we players need not worry about such details (e.g. providing a fixed, wide headroom for most to avoid clipping, eliminating the need for meter/indicator, etc.)

With this afforded for us, perhaps we should simply obsess less and play more?... Nah!

Cheers!

 

[Jantelagen]

Yes! Does anybody know if a flagship multiFX like Line 6 helix even does that?

Yep. But, you may not need it with the Helix nor any workarounds going into a PA. Through an amp, it probably would fine as well but the level parameter blocks are obviously there. Also, not sure about the B3n, but the Helix is analog thru

 

[andreas_flf]

Very nice pedalboard. Well done.

But, what is the device underneath (right corner in the photo)? Power supply? Receiver?

 

[Spblat]

Very nice pedalboard. Well done.

But, what is the device underneath (right corner in the photo)? Power supply? Receiver?

Not sure if mine is the one you meant but it's described in detail in my signature.

 

[VonSledgehammer]

I'm working on a patch sharing site for the B3n. I just got the basics done, and could use some testers - the site is Link Removed

 

[David Sutkin]

I'm working on a patch sharing site for the B3n. I just got the basics done, and could use some testers - the site is Link Removed

Thanks, that's a great idea.

Personally I'm psyched to hear the "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet" patch

 

[BassikLee]

Thanks, that's a great idea.

Personally I'm psyched to hear the "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet" patch

FOR THE WIN!!

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Thanks, that's a great idea.

Personally I'm psyched to hear the "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet" patch

That's in "Harry Potter and the Search for Great Tone" isn't it?

 

[VonSledgehammer]

Thanks, that's a great idea.

Personally I'm psyched to hear the "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet" patch

Me too! If you're gonna play the Coliseum, you gotta rock Lorem Ipsum.

 

[Johno Dunn]

Wait.....what?

 

[SirMjac28]

Just ordered mine my B3 gave up the ghost some time back I was holding out to see how the new B3n was performing I like what I've read so far.

 

[CharlieC]

Another fantastic offering in the B3n!

Season to taste and with unity gain in front of any amp model.

Cheers!

 

[SirMjac28]

Another fantastic offering in the B3n!

Season to taste and with unity gain in front of any amp model.

Cheers!

Nice can't wait to get mine.

 

[Spblat]

It's wired like this:

Battery -> USB Thingy (just one!) -> DC Polarity Flip -> Splitter
Splitter Output 1 -> Diago PS09 -> Polytune
Splitter Output 2 -> B3n

Update:

• Still powered by USB. Good for hours and hours off a cell phone power bank, or plug into any USB charger at gigs.
• Still fits in Mono Tick
• Added passive ABY toggle for easy switching between two basses at gigs.
• Neutrik NA2M-J-TX isolating line converter provides line level, ground-lifted balanced output without the mic-level attenuation you'd get from a DI.
• Latest patches described here

View attachment 1141767

 

[smeet]

I know they're two different things (digital vs analog) but how does the B3n compare to the Tech21 bass flyrig?

I play either with no effects, or a bunch of high end pedals (Origin Effects, Darkglass, etc.). The sound quality is important to me, I don't want the depth or impact or clarity to be compromised by cheap converters or buffers or bypasses, or whatever.

So it seems the B3n obviously wins on versatility. But how about sound quality? When bypassed, does the B3n change my sound at all? I want my bypass to sound exactly the same as not using any effects.

Does the full signal go through the a/d/a conversion?

Or are we not at the point where I can expect this stuff from effects at this price point?

 

[moles]

Yes! Does anybody know if a flagship multiFX like Line 6 helix even does that?

I know for certain that the AxeFxII has a Global Input level trim designed to maximize signal-to-noise going into the initial A/D converters. I'm guessing that their other, newer products offer the same (AX8, FX8). As well, all of the AxeFXII's amp models have a virtual Input Trim to further refine gain staging, or to make the virtual guitar amp's input more-or- less "hot", so that they may be tweaked to behave according to the guitar used and the preferences of the user.

Heck, my Boss GT-10B does it...

 

[Spblat]

Or are we not at the point where I can expect this stuff from effects at this price point?

Remember when CDs came out unleashing the concept of digital audio and a debate ensued about whether digital sound quality was indistinguishable from the best that records had to offer? Only the purists thought they could hear the difference, and only the purists cared. And they cared for reasons that seemed bigger than just sound quality; there was something heartfelt and perhaps slightly irrational behind it.

I think such is the current state of things in the DSP modeling vs. authentic "real" pedal discussion. I think the B3n's sound quality is good enough to satisfy all but the most ardent purists, who might not be able to prove they can actually hear a difference.

 

[smeet]

Then count me as a purist I guess.

The early CD players really didn't sound all that great.

With all the affordable digital effects I've tried, if you send a bass signal through with no processing (so you're just hearing the converters), I could hear that the signal was degraded. That's why I ask.

 

[Spblat]

The early CD players really didn't sound all that great.

B3n is not an early digital multiFX gadget.