Zoom b1 four patch ideas

[SkyMonkey]

Oh, and welcome to the TalkBass Forum @Fantoams01

 

[droo46]

I recently did a gig with the Zoom B14 and it actually went pretty well. It's definitely not as elegant as having separate pedals for effects, but for a simple setup it works great. Kinda fun that it fits in my gig bag which makes load in super easy. Also really impressed by the sound quality. People disparage the overdrive sounds in digital effects, but I think I was able to dial in something really quite good. Probably my only major complaint is the plastic enclosure. I really don't think this thing would hold up to constant use, but only time will tell!

 

[4 Fat Strings]

I recently did a gig with the Zoom B14 and it actually went pretty well. It's definitely not as elegant as having separate pedals for effects, but for a simple setup it works great. Kinda fun that it fits in my gig bag which makes load in super easy. Also really impressed by the sound quality. People disparage the overdrive sounds in digital effects, but I think I was able to dial in something really quite good. Probably my only major complaint is the plastic enclosure. I really don't think this thing would hold up to constant use, but only time will tell!

This is great! I got the Zoom a couple of weeks ago, and learning all its cool features. Your vid is very helpful!

 

[Prozinc]

Hola, te escribo directamente a Crystalman85 ... gracias por tu gran contribución, realmente he disfrutado tu configuración ... pero ... no has intervenido en el hilo durante mucho tiempo ... espero que estés bien. .. un cordial saludo desde Santiago de Chile.

 

[G30]

Great shares, cheers Crystalman85.
I was looking for a patch similar to this, can you help please?

 

[MCF]

Great shares, cheers Crystalman85.
I was looking for a patch similar to this, can you help please?

Wow. Total blast from the past. They were so great. I’m going down a Sound rabbit hole. It has been too long.

 

[SkyMonkey]

Is there any way to exchange B1 Four patch data with others using the 'text' data that the Multistomp pedals can use?

E.g. This is an Ambient patch for the MS70-CDR that someone posted in a forum:

f0520061280011000012005401001f0052040000000000000000410100006c04280014404000060000000000000400190000120c0840000f505340060000000000000051002d00103c480015200040260300000000000000010000000000000000000000000000000000000001000000000000000000000000000000000800000000100f560061706f7220202000202000f7

You copy and paste this text into an editor program and assign it to a patch and away you go.
The same editor will generate the 'text' data from a patch for you to pass on.

The editor I use for my 70-CDR is the g200kg MS Utility.

 

[Aerotaub]

ToneLib is soooo much better than the Zoom Guitar Lab. You can do so much more than Guitar Lab as far as Renaming patches, Dialing in settings in real time, Saving settings and backing up with a much easier & user friendly interface. The screen is larger and I am able to get another effect in my chain without maxing out on memory. Give it a try, its free and you don't have to deal with ads. As far as firmware updates, I use the zoom Guitar Lab for that.
I only wish that the B1X4 had more memory and update with new effects for the DSP. That is my biggest gripe, other than that, it solves a lot of issues with needing to buy more basic effects pedals. I am seriously considering buying a Zoom B3n. You are able to have more effects in a patch and the pedals are setup much better, so you can turn off a certain effect(s) and switching to different patches on the fly.

I'm curious to know what everyone's favorite effect(s) are.

For me, I always seem to use the 160 COMP (DBX 160A), regardless if I am using other effects on the B1X4 or not. Some may say its Weird that I use 2 compressors through my whole effects chain. I use a Seymour Duncan studio compressor at the start of my chain and the 160 COMP (on the B1X4) on the 2nd to the last of my chain, with the ISP Decimator II ending the chain. Interestingly, I do not get the over compressed sound since I use very minor compression & attack. It just seems to refine while adding texture to the sound of my bass.

Yup:
Zoom B1/B1X Four

Download Tonelib Zoom to edit / share / upload etc patches: (free)

Download – ToneLib

 

[Monkey]

For me, I always seem to use the 160 COMP (DBX 160A), regardless if I am using other effects on the B1X4 or not. Some may say its Weird that I use 2 compressors through my whole effects chain.

I have just been dealing with this issue myself. I've been using the 160 COMP on most of my settings when home recording during COVID and it sounds great. Now that live gigs are starting up again, I like using an fdeck HPF-3 and Keeley Bassist comp before the Zoom B1Four so that I can adjust them on the fly. I turned the 160 COMP off on the presets with this live rig, but I think having two lightly-set compressors may work better. I definitely don't want to over-compress, and I wish the 160 COMP had some visual indication on how much comp is being applied.

 

[Aerotaub]

I agree 100% with you on this. when I use 2 different compressors at 2 different locations in my chain, I hardly need much of it at all. With my SD Studio Compressor at the start of my chain, I just need a little bit to fatten the sound, while the 160 comp before my noise gate, I apply just minimum compression of the 160 comp and use hard knee. For me, it gives a very natural, warm, rounded and organic sound.
I tried a single compressor (several different brands) for quite sometime, I changed the location on my chain. It just doesn't seem to give me the sound I am looking for. But while using both, I am very happy with the sound that I get out of it. I am sold on the SD Studio compressor but I am really happy with the combination of using the The SD Comp and the B1X4 160 comp (DBX 160A).
I really don't have much in the way of pedals in a chain. The B1X4 has eliminate the need for Chorus, Flanger or distortion (for the Most part.) since it has a really nice Chorus and Flanger if I need it. It freed up my pedal board substantially.

My chain goes as follows: TC Electronics tuner, Seymour Duncan Studio Compressor, tech21 Sansamp Steve Harris Signature SH1, Zoom B1X4 (160 Comp) and ISP Decimator 2 Noise Gate.

As for visual indication on the Zoom, especially with the 160 Comp, Im in the same boat as you, it really would be super nice to have something like that on the Zoom but I can live without it.

I have just been dealing with this issue myself. I've been using the 160 COMP on most of my settings when home recording during COVID and it sounds great. Now that live gigs are starting up again, I like using an fdeck HPF-3 and Keeley Bassist comp before the Zoom B1Four so that I can adjust them on the fly. I turned the 160 COMP off on the presets with this live rig, but I think having two lightly-set compressors may work better. I definitely don't want to over-compress, and I wish the 160 COMP had some visual indication on how much comp is being applied.

 

[Monkey]

Thanks for the explanation, Aerotaub. I think I'll go back and add the 160 COMP back in with the Keeley for my next gig. I use the Zoom primarily for amp models and use very few effects, and the 160 COMP really rounds out the tone. Very light compression on the Keeley will sound great, I bet. When recording, I like to use more than one compressor set likely, but I was reluctant to use it on my live rig, for some reason...

 

[Aerotaub]

I would really love to hear what you think. For comps, I just use a little bit, a little goes a long way, especially when using 2 of them in your effects chain. I usually have my compression on the 160 comp at a ratio of 4.1 and if I want a bit more squeeze, Ill go with 6.1 For my purposes, it gives me just the right amount. At the start of my chain, Ill have my SD Studio Compressor between 8 & 9'oclock. 7'oclock is pretty much zero compression ratio. So Im probably getting 2.1 compression or so. I don't need much attack either at the start of my chain, The 160 Comp towards the end of my chain allows for Hard Knee, so it makes up for that and I can increase the attack if needed. I keep my signal between wet and dry, almost at 12' oclock. For me its a happy medium for my intents and purposes. Compression/compressors/limiters can be confusing. It took me a very, very long time to get the hang of it and figure out what my sweet spot is. I found this PDF file regarding Compressors and playing live. It is a cheat sheet that seems to explain everything in super easy terms. Since you play live and I dont, you might want to check this out. It helped me to understand the fundamentals of Compression/compressors/limiters ect. Hell, you know more than I do!!! I just go with what sounds good out of my Hartke. Enjoy, my brother!!!
https://creekhelp.com/wp-content/uploads/compression-cheat-sheet.pdf

 

[iSteen]

I really like the way the Jupiter Jive sounds on bass, just the saturation without the 3 overdrive functions engaged.
Any Zoom-owners that can suggest how to dial that sound in?

Thanks a lot in advance

 

[BrentSimons]

I recently did a gig with the Zoom B14 and it actually went pretty well. It's definitely not as elegant as having separate pedals for effects, but for a simple setup it works great. Kinda fun that it fits in my gig bag which makes load in super easy. Also really impressed by the sound quality. People disparage the overdrive sounds in digital effects, but I think I was able to dial in something really quite good. Probably my only major complaint is the plastic enclosure. I really don't think this thing would hold up to constant use, but only time will tell!

Great video! I have a B1 Four. Love it!

 

[Monkey]

I found this PDF file regarding Compressors and playing live. It is a cheat sheet that seems to explain everything in super easy terms.

Thanks for the link, Aerotaub. I currently have my Keeley Bassist set to 3:1 ratio and my 160 COMP set about the same. Since I’m using a low ratio on the Keeley, I’m thinking using my Diamond BCP-1 instead (about 2.6:1).

Honestly, I do just fine at gigs without any compression, but what would we all talk about on TB if we thought like that?!

 

[iSteen]

Honestly, I do just fine at gigs without any compression, but what would we all talk about on TB if we thought like that?!

I can’t figure out why I should use a comp. either! I don’t make records - I play live, and I guess 99% of people listening won’t notice what sound I have, what gear I use....or how much/little it cost

 

[Aerotaub]

So true, my brother! LoL!
Curious, what do you have your 160 comp threshold at? I updated tonelib and guitar lab and hooked my b1x4 to my laptop. I was a bit surprised to see my threshold at - 30.
Mind you that once I set it 2 years ago, I was and am extremely happy with the sound. I put my ratio from 4.1 to 3.1 and it made a huge difference. On the other hand my other compressor had to be readjusted with slight more attack and emphasis on the mids.
I guess you tinker with one thing and you have to fiddle with another.
How do you like your diamond bcp-1?

Thanks for the link, Aerotaub. I currently have my Keeley Bassist set to 3:1 ratio and my 160 COMP set about the same. Since I’m using a low ratio on the Keeley, I’m thinking using my Diamond BCP-1 instead (about 2.6:1).

Honestly, I do just fine at gigs without any compression, but what would we all talk about on TB if we thought like that?!

 

[bassically_eli]

So I just recently started using my interface and the open source Room EQ Wizard to measure the frequency response of various gear. Zoom, unfortunately, has not published the specs for the master EQ for the B1 / B1X Four, so I decided to measure it myself. The interesting thing that I found is that none of the controls are symmetric; they behave differently when boosted than when cut. To be more specific:

1) The Hi control at max boost (+50): bandpass filter centered at 3Khz--it's not a shelving EQ!
2) Hi control at min (-50): looks a lot like an LPF, but I think it's a shelving EQ with a very high shelf frequency (~10khz).
3) The mid control when cutting is centered at 1Khz.
4) The mid control when boosted is centered around 300hz.
5) The bass control when boosted is centered around 100hz, and the max boost is onle ~7.5 db.

The mid control struck me as the most unconventional (although I know some TC Electronic gear uses the same idea), but it confirms what my ears were hearing. Please take all these measurements with a grain--ahem, teaspoon--of salt. Again, I'm brand new at this software and measuring audio gear, so I may have made mistakes. I'll try to post some pretty graphs later in the week

 

[4 Fat Strings]

I’ve been enjoying playing around with my new Zoom.
But I have a challenge for any of you experts on the unit: is there a way to mimic an acoustic guitar sound?

 

[Vitorbass]

I recently did a gig with the Zoom B14 and it actually went pretty well. It's definitely not as elegant as having separate pedals for effects, but for a simple setup it works great. Kinda fun that it fits in my gig bag which makes load in super easy. Also really impressed by the sound quality. People disparage the overdrive sounds in digital effects, but I think I was able to dial in something really quite good. Probably my only major complaint is the plastic enclosure. I really don't think this thing would hold up to constant use, but only time will tell!

droo46,Thank you very much for the video. Helped me a lot. I downloaded your patch but I can't install it on my Zoom B14 using Guitar Lab. Could you share the pedal settings you're using so I can configure them manually? Thank you again.