Zoom B3 as an all in one toolbox?

[J03YW]

I have a Zoom B3 and since it does all of my effects/amp sims and is a USB interface, could I just use it as a swiss army knife for my bass tone into a PC? Is there anything important it can't do? I like all of the compressor/cabinet sounds (They wouldn't need any post compression or eq), but does anyone more professional disagree? Oh and also I've noticed that when I'm recording direct with USB the stereo chorus doesn't seem so stereo, do stereo effects remain stereo through the USB interface? Thanks

 

[4Mal]

Not sure about the stereo thing but... The Zoom is a really capable box with decent audio quality. If you are the effects meister Justin Medal Johnson - OK the Zoom, probaly doesn't pass muster but for recording stuff at home, doing the project studio thing, it's a great choice. If you get something amazing, you can always go re-record it at the mega-buck analog, 2-" tape studio with effects galore anyway...

Biased I am as I dumped most of my boo-teak pedals for a b3. It just works great for what I need it to do.

 

[schecter5string]

I Oh and also I've noticed that when I'm recording direct with USB the stereo chorus doesn't seem so stereo, do stereo effects remain stereo through the USB interface? Thanks

Are you recording a stereo track? Or mono? Im betting mono.

 

[silky smoove]

Are you recording a stereo track? Or mono? Im betting mono.

Agreed.

A mono track will make everything sound mono regardless of the source.

 

[nick98338]

(snip) I've noticed that when I'm recording direct with USB the stereo chorus doesn't seem so stereo, do stereo effects remain stereo through the USB interface? Thanks

Yes. They absolutely remain stereo. IF, as others have pointed out, you record into a stereo track. However, IMHO stereo effects on bass are totally lost in a mix with several other instruments. If you're recording bass, by itself, or with just a couple of other, not-so-loud instruments, then fine. But, you get in a mix with drums and screaming guitars, and such, and that stereo effect on the bass just makes the bass harder to hear in the mix. So, bass by itself... stereo OK. Bass in a mix... keep bass mono and skip the stereo effects. You won't hear those effects anyway.

 

[Martin89]

I think it's perfectly capable at a semi-pro/project level. It's a great recording interface, here's some stuff I did with my band with not even a whole lot effort put into it. One was done in my guitarist's living room and the other was done at the Conservatory of Recording Arts in Arizona. Both used just my bass and Zoom B3 for bass tone/effects/amp sims.

https://soundcloud.com/ajrodriguezmusic/wake-up-live-by-the-grace

https://soundcloud.com/ajrodriguezmusic/the-grace-notes-red-dress