I was thinking of going for a Korg ToneWorks AX3000B effect pedal until I read some reviews on here about it not being that great. I heard it was the pedal Les Claypool uses but I know he has a plethora of other things to compliment it when tone is lacking with it. I read people recommending the Zoom B2.1U Bass Multi-Effects pedal. It looks good. The fact that it has a drum machine isn't bad either. What does anyone think? Should I get it? I want to buy something decent that will last, keep the tone of my bass, and has good sounding effects. I am not trying to go over the $200 price range either. I was also thinking about the Line 6 Bass Pod XT but it seems to much. I was going to save up more; but it seems that some people have gripes with that as well. Any help would be nice...
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Question about the Zoom B2.1U Bass Multi-Effects???
- Thread starter suitlandkid2005
- Start date
I have had good luck with the B2.1u. I wish you could edit the patches via usb or midi like some of the more expensive units. I use built in usb port to record both the guitar and bass. Some of the sounds/effects are hard to make useful but every unit is like that in some way. Also if you search TB you can find lists of user settings.
Check ebay I have seen new ones going pretty cheap lately.
Check ebay I have seen new ones going pretty cheap lately.
The B2.1u is the best multi-effect I've owned yet. (haven't tried the Line-6 M13 though yet.)
I highly recommend it.
I highly recommend it.
I use an Ashdown Superfly amphead more like a power amp and EQ.
But I use my Zoom B2 like it's my preamp. I use the modeling and my own custom preset effects into the line in on my amp. I DI out of my amp (Pre EQ), so what goes to the PA is only my bass through the Zoom B2. What I set on my Ashdown is for onstage only.
It's a nice setup this way. I use the Mute function on the Zoom to kill my signal to my amp and the PA at the same time, for breaks between sets and to tune up silently onstage.
It takes quite a while to create your own presets, but it is well worth it. I've found the Zoom's own Tube Pre to be the best tube modeler on it (even though they also have, in addition to others, the Ampeg SVT and the Sansamp models). Lots of EQ and tonal possibilities with it and the effects are pretty good.
I currently only use the Chorus, Flanger and the (I forget it's name) one that gives me a nice 8 string bass (for Cheap Trick songs).
But I use my Zoom B2 like it's my preamp. I use the modeling and my own custom preset effects into the line in on my amp. I DI out of my amp (Pre EQ), so what goes to the PA is only my bass through the Zoom B2. What I set on my Ashdown is for onstage only.
It's a nice setup this way. I use the Mute function on the Zoom to kill my signal to my amp and the PA at the same time, for breaks between sets and to tune up silently onstage.
It takes quite a while to create your own presets, but it is well worth it. I've found the Zoom's own Tube Pre to be the best tube modeler on it (even though they also have, in addition to others, the Ampeg SVT and the Sansamp models). Lots of EQ and tonal possibilities with it and the effects are pretty good.
I currently only use the Chorus, Flanger and the (I forget it's name) one that gives me a nice 8 string bass (for Cheap Trick songs).
my favorite amp modeling on the Zoom B2.1U is the Zoom Tube Model as well.
+1 for a relatively inexpensive multi-effect that gives some really good sounds, with USB out for recording. I also like how the tuner tracks really fast.
+1 for a relatively inexpensive multi-effect that gives some really good sounds, with USB out for recording. I also like how the tuner tracks really fast.
Everything you guys said sounds great. Thanks a lot. It's like I haven't heard one bad thing. I am into effects but you all know how expensive they can be. I hear some people say you are better off buying single pedals because some things sound better own their own when you may end up with a pre-amp with crappy or so so effects. I was just looking for something reasonable priced that sounds decent. Now I just have to wait until I get the money...lol...thanks again....
It has a pretty huge learning curve and editing patches can be a nightmare.
The drum machine and using it as a recording interface makes up for it.
<3 A5
good for the price but I would have much rather spent another 100$ to get an me50b, compressor or pod.
The drum machine and using it as a recording interface makes up for it.
<3 A5
good for the price but I would have much rather spent another 100$ to get an me50b, compressor or pod.
I got you...does it bevome frustrating when you are trying to figure it out? Or is it like it takes some time; but once you figure it out then you are good? With the recording, you can record your own bass lines and store them in it right? One more thing, are the effects easy to access right out of the box?
the only bad thing for me about the zoom multi effect is that I get a very loud high pitched hum when I use the power adaptor.
I don't hear it at home because I don't turn the volume to so loud, but in a live setting, i crank the volume and the high pitched hum is noticeable. It is especially loud on certain effects like the chorus.
I've never used the AC adaptor since then, instead I use rechargeable AA batteries to power it for live settings when i need to turn up the volume. using batteries solved the hum problem.
I don't hear it at home because I don't turn the volume to so loud, but in a live setting, i crank the volume and the high pitched hum is noticeable. It is especially loud on certain effects like the chorus.
I've never used the AC adaptor since then, instead I use rechargeable AA batteries to power it for live settings when i need to turn up the volume. using batteries solved the hum problem.
The B2.1u will not store your recordings. You need to attach a computer via USB to record what you play.
