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Zoom B2.1u

A

Axel15810

Jan 29, 2008
35
0
#1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846


I'm planning on buying this unit this week. It'll be my first major recording purchase. I have some questions about it, I know a lot of people here own it.

1. For recording, do I need any other chords and attachments other than a USB cable?
2. Can this be used for electric guitar as well? I know it's designed for bass but I'm assuming it would work as an interface for electric guitar as well.
3. Can I record vocals through it? (I'm pretty sure the answer to this is no)

I was thinking about buying something else that had capabilities for vocals, but I really want all of the effects, the drum machine, and the USB capabilities this unit has. I'd be open to hearing any suggestions about other products though. Thanks!
 
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#2
Have you downloaded and studied the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] for the Zoom B2.1u and other Zoom pedals to compare their respective feature-sets?

As a point of interest, some of the Zoom units designed for bass, and for acoustic guitar have an XLR output. The models made for electric guitar (the ones I looked at anyway) do not.
 
#3
yes, I have studied them but I am a beginner when it comes to recording so I do not completely understand everything. As far as I know, the B series is the only series dedicated to bass, so I really haven't looked at the other series. I choose the B2.1U because it is computer compatable unlike the lower units and the B9IUT is too pricey.

And yeah the zoom b2.IU has an XLR output, although I have no idea what that is. I need to buy recording for dummies so I can get a better understanding. I figure if I decide to record vocals in the future I can buy a somewhat cheap unit for that although it is not a big concern at the moment since I don't meed to record vocals right now.

But according to everyone I've talked to, the B2.1u is a solid purchase with tons of effects, features, drum machine, ect. That's why I'm choosing it over a a cheaper interface without any features. I just want to make sure it's a solid purchase and that there's not anything better out there to satisfy what I want. I figure I can figure out how to use it once I get it. I'm already pretty well versed on how to use audacity, although to this point I've only been using it with stuff I've recorded straight through the mic built into my laptop.
 
#4
Keep in mind taht it's a Multi FX pedal first, and an audio interface second. Distant second at that.

I owned one for a little over a year, it has it's own ASIO driver so you can use just the USB cable to get audio into a computer. I found it to have too much lag to be useful so I ran an XLR out of it to an additional audio interface.

U can use if for guitar sure, how good it sounds will be your call.

I wouldn't recommend recording vocals thru it. No XLR in for one, and the sounds probably wouldn't sound very good if it did have one.

I'd also suggest you actually hear one before buying it, or make sure the store has a good return policy. I found it to be a hassle to tweak, and the 2 fx I purchased it the most for, the compressor and the chorus were both tone suckers IMO.

I sold it at a slight loss last year and bought a line6. Much easier to tweak settings with the gearbox or pod farm software. Much better as a recording interface, in the case of the X3 live that I have, I can connect 2 instruments or an instrument and a mic and run them through completely different amps and fx in the same unit. Or I can run my bass thru 2 totally different setups and mix them.

It cost about double what the B2.1u did, but it does 10x as much.
 
#5
Axel15810 said:
yes, I have studied them but I am a beginner when it comes to recording so I do not completely understand everything. As far as I know, the B series is the only series dedicated to bass, so I really haven't looked at the other series. I choose the B2.1U because it is computer compatable unlike the lower units and the B9IUT is too pricey.

And yeah the zoom b2.IU has an XLR output, although I have no idea what that is. I need to buy recording for dummies so I can get a better understanding. I figure if I decide to record vocals in the future I can buy a somewhat cheap unit for that although it is not a big concern at the moment since I don't meed to record vocals right now.

But according to everyone I've talked to, the B2.1u is a solid purchase with tons of effects, features, drum machine, ect. That's why I'm choosing it over a a cheaper interface without any features. I just want to make sure it's a solid purchase and that there's not anything better out there to satisfy what I want. I figure I can figure out how to use it once I get it. I'm already pretty well versed on how to use audacity, although to this point I've only been using it with stuff I've recorded straight through the mic built into my laptop.
Click to expand...

An XLR out will allow the Zoom B2.1u to be plugged into the microphone input of a mixing board and/or many different audio interfaces.

CAUTION: Many mixing boards, and a number of XLR-equipped audio interfaces support phantom power.

Plugging the Zoom's XLR output into an XLR mic input of a mixer or audio interface while phantom power is engaged may damage the Zoom.

Please consult the Zoom's manual before plugging a Zoom pedal (or any piece gear for that matter) into anything else. It's cheaper to learn the right way beforehand. :)

--------

BTW. By reputation the Digitech RP355 is worth testing against the Zoom B2.1u.

While the RP355 was designed for guitar, according to the posters in this thread...

Link Removed

...it works for bass as well.

Here's a more in-depth review of the Digitech RP355:
Link Removed

Some evolving developments:
[ubuntu_studio] Digitech RP355: audio via USB?
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1494277

EDIT: Digitech's bass pedals:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#10
MIJ-VI said:
An XLR out will allow the Zoom B2.1u to be plugged into the microphone input of a mixing board and/or many different audio interfaces.

CAUTION: Many mixing boards, and a number of XLR-equipped audio interfaces support phantom power.

Plugging the Zoom's XLR output into an XLR mic input of a mixer or audio interface while phantom power is engaged may damage the Zoom.

Please consult the Zoom's manual before plugging a Zoom pedal (or any piece gear for that matter) into anything else. It's cheaper to learn the right way beforehand. :)

--------

BTW. By reputation the Digitech RP355 is worth testing against the Zoom B2.1u.

While the RP355 was designed for guitar, according to the posters in this thread...

Link Removed

...it works for bass as well.

Here's a more in-depth review of the Digitech RP355:
Link Removed

Some evolving developments:
[ubuntu_studio] Digitech RP355: audio via USB?
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1494277

EDIT: Digitech's bass pedals:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...


Thanks, yeah the RP355 looks awesome as well. I'm going to definitely check it out too, thanks.
 
#11
Axel15810 said:
Dell Inspiron 1545
Model: PP41L

I have Windows 7.

It's a new computer, got it about 7 months ago. It should work fine with the B2.1U right? Thanks.
Click to expand...

32 bit or 64 bit Windows 7? (This may make a difference in driver performance for the B2.1u and any other software that you plan on using with the ZOOM).

You may wish to Google 'B2.1u, Windows' to find out if anyone using that combination has experienced latency issues (which in this case means an audible delay in hearing a note which has just been played) or other problems and their possible solutions.

Googling 'B2.1u, Dell Inspiron 1545, Model: PP41L' might be an idea too.

There may be some useful insight here (for example when the built-in drum machine is used the reverb is disabled due to a limit in available processing power):

B2.1u FAQ
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Bottom line: only a first hand audition with your own bass and a pair of headphones whose sound you know well will let you know which pedal is right for you.
 
#13
MIJ-VI said:
32 bit or 64 bit Windows 7? (This may make a difference in driver performance for the B2.1u and any other software that you plan on using with the ZOOM).

You may wish to Google 'B2.1u, Windows' to find out if anyone using that combination has experienced latency issues (which in this case means an audible delay in hearing a note which has just been played) or other problems and their possible solutions.

Googling 'B2.1u, Dell Inspiron 1545, Model: PP41L' might be an idea too.

There may be some useful insight here (for example when the built-in drum machine is used the reverb is disabled due to a limit in available processing power):

B2.1u FAQ
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Bottom line: only a first hand audition with your own bass and a pair of headphones whose sound you know well will let you know which pedal is right for you.
Click to expand...

64 bit. I noticed they had audio driver software avaliable for downlad to reduce latency. I will continue to research before I buy something. Thanks for all the help and advice.
 

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