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Zoom B3 As Preamp Part 2

Thanks, I figure the bass guitar would work fine but what if I plugged my Les Paul or Telecaster into it?

I have guitar also and works fine with B3,but the amps,the EQ and some other stuff inside the B3 is for Bass frequencies and not very good sounding with guitar.For clean sound you can use the Bassman sim and for some dirt you can use some Boss,Electro harmonic peadal sims but the sound is very limited.You need a Zoom G3/G5 or Ms50g for that.

Edit:If you want DI for the Pa only the G3/G5 works for you.If you try the B3 with your guitar,roll all the mix knobs of the unit to 100%,so you just hear only the affected signal and not the clean.
 
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I have guitar also and works fine with B3,but the amps,the EQ and some other stuff inside the B3 is for Bass frequencies and not very good sounding with guitar.For clean sound you can use the Bassman sim and for some dirt you can use some Boss,Electro harmonic peadal sims but the sound is very limited.You need a Zoom G3/G5 or Ms50g for that.

Edit:If you want DI for the Pa only the G3/G5 works for you

Thanks, I used to have a G3x but then went to traditional pedals. I was hoping I'd be able to use one thing for both. I might go with a Sansamp Para Drive for now.

Thanks again.
 
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Thanks man. :thumbsup:

Well is better that i thought,not great but i manage to create some very useful sounds.The stomp boxes are very close to real ones(i test them almost all in the past),and some are better.If you are a guy that can play dirt sounds out of stomp boxes in to clean channel amp you are fine.Ofc there is not traditional sounds like Boogie,Marshall or Vox but you can have all the major dirt like Overdrive,Distortion and Fuzz with the B3.The trick is to not use the cab emulators of B3.I find that the best results is when you use 20-40% of the mix cab.The EQ of stomps and amps works great.Just keep all the Balance knobs to 100%.
Ofc all the other effects works like the G3/G5.Reverbs/delays/fazers,synths/compressors etc is same between the units.
So if you have to have only one unit you can get the B3 with very good sounds but not the best.
If i was you i buy the MS-100BT witch is for both instruments(there is some bass amps and effects in the Zoom market for free) and one passive cheap DI.The cost is about the same for both solution.
All the above is my opinion and i suggest you to try it for yourself.

Good luck:thumbsup:
 
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Well is better that i thought,not great but i manage to create some very useful sounds.The stomp boxes are very close to real ones(i test them almost all in the past),and some are better.If you are a guy that can play dirt sounds out of stomp boxes in to clean channel amp you are fine.Ofc there is not traditional sounds like Boogie,Marshall or Vox but you can have all the major dirt like Overdrive,Distortion and Fuzz with the B3.The trick is to not use the cab emulators of B3.I find that the best results is when you use 20-40% of the mix cab.The EQ of stomps and amps works great.Just keep all the Balance knobs to 100%.
Ofc all the other effects works like the G3/G5.Reverbs/delays/fazers,synths/compressors etc is same between the units.
So if you have to have only one unit you can get the B3 with very good sounds but not the best.
If i was you i buy the MS-100BT witch is for both instruments(there is some bass amps and effects in the Zoom market for free) and one passive cheap DI.The cost is about the same for both solution.
All the above is my opinion and i suggest you to try it for yourself.

Good luck:thumbsup:

Thanks man, that's good to know. I never tried it when I had my G3 but do you know how traditional pedals sound with it? Say if I set up an amp Sim as a clean tone and then sent a TS or another OD into the B3?

I also saw the MS-60B and was thinking of just using one of those as an amp/cab sim and then going into the passive DI I have. Then I could just take one of the fuzzes off of my board and put the MS-60B at the end of my chain. The MS-100BT looks cool too, I'll check that one out too.

Thanks again.
 
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Thanks man, that's good to know. I never tried it when I had my G3 but do you know how traditional pedals sound with it? Say if I set up an amp Sim as a clean tone and then sent a TS or another OD into the B3?

I also saw the MS-60B and was thinking of just using one of those as an amp/cab sim and then going into the passive DI I have. Then I could just take one of the fuzzes off of my board and put the MS-60B at the end of my chain. The MS-100BT looks cool too, I'll check that one out too.

Thanks again.

Other pedals sound fine. I use a MXR BFD for dirt into my B3 (which I usually keep clean) and it sounds great.
 
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Thanks man, that's good to know. I never tried it when I had my G3 but do you know how traditional pedals sound with it? Say if I set up an amp Sim as a clean tone and then sent a TS or another OD into the B3?

I also saw the MS-60B and was thinking of just using one of those as an amp/cab sim and then going into the passive DI I have. Then I could just take one of the fuzzes off of my board and put the MS-60B at the end of my chain. The MS-100BT looks cool too, I'll check that one out too.

Thanks again.

Yes,i know.Is like you are with real rig.Here some pedals when i make some tests on my desk with my B
DSC_0074_zps2d8963e0.jpg


The results is so good that after that test i was bye mine G5.;)


Forget the MS-60B or the Ms-50G,is for bass the first and guitar the second.The Ms-100BT is for both instruments.There is amp models and effects for guitar and bass,and the price is very low.

Cheers

Edit:The MS-100Bt as it comes have only guitar effects inside.For the bass effects and amps you must download theme from the Stomshare shop for free.Is in the "Bass" category.
Also the Ms-100bt is stereo input/output device,unlike the 60 and 50 that are monophonic.

https://itunes.apple.com/app/id567649359
 
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anyone else using the b3 into a power amp and frustrated with the low output? I have to run my mackie m800 in bridge mode (550 watts at 8 ohms!) to get an acceptable rehearsal level out of it. I understand power amps have different sensitivity levels, the m800 is listed as 1.23 volts but I don't really know what that means.
I have a 15" no name cab and an acme low b2, I've tried them individually and together. If I use both cabs, the level is pretty nice and strong, but not what I would call loud.

My master volume is turned all the way up, patch levels are at 100. I have a passive bass with aguilar jazz pickups.



Watching the output meter on the power amp, only the first two lights tend to light up -- there's just not much signal going in to it.
interestingly, if I turn on the drum machine in the b3, it's WAY louder than the actual bass guitar!


I have tried patching my allen and heath mixer in between the B3 and the mackie, and then the level is awesome -- more than my cabs can safely handle -- but I really don't want to have to set up my mixer for a bass rig!

I used to have a markbass lm2 and I may just go back to a micro amp for portability and convenience -- but I like having the hi pass filter on my power amp available to protect my low b2 cab, which go notoriously low in frequency but are prone to blowing drivers.

option 1) get a rack mount preamp
option 2) get a micro amp
option 3) use b3 --> allen and heath mixer --> mackie power amp
 
anyone else using the b3 into a power amp and frustrated with the low output? I have to run my mackie m800 in bridge mode (550 watts at 8 ohms!) to get an acceptable rehearsal level out of it. I understand power amps have different sensitivity levels, the m800 is listed as 1.23 volts but I don't really know what that means.
I have a 15" no name cab and an acme low b2, I've tried them individually and together. If I use both cabs, the level is pretty nice and strong, but not what I would call loud.

My master volume is turned all the way up, patch levels are at 100. I have a passive bass with aguilar jazz pickups.



Watching the output meter on the power amp, only the first two lights tend to light up -- there's just not much signal going in to it.
interestingly, if I turn on the drum machine in the b3, it's WAY louder than the actual bass guitar!


I have tried patching my allen and heath mixer in between the B3 and the mackie, and then the level is awesome -- more than my cabs can safely handle -- but I really don't want to have to set up my mixer for a bass rig!

I used to have a markbass lm2 and I may just go back to a micro amp for portability and convenience -- but I like having the hi pass filter on my power amp available to protect my low b2 cab, which go notoriously low in frequency but are prone to blowing drivers.

option 1) get a rack mount preamp
option 2) get a micro amp
option 3) use b3 --> allen and heath mixer --> mackie power amp


What is your total and global volumes?
Anything below 100 and you substrack volume of your bass.

If the drum machine is loud,then your patches are low,i am 100% sure for this.

Try this: Make the total and global at list 100.Go to tuner mode.Try volumes.Going back at patch mode,compare!

In my case,when my patch is very loud,i can't hear the drum machine well.

Global volume = Global button,left screen,first left knob
Total patch volume = Total button,first left knob.

Edit:If the above method fails,save your patches with the Zoom edit&share program to pc,and make a reset to unit.Try the factory patches.
 
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anyone else using the b3 into a power amp and frustrated with the low output? I have to run my mackie m800 in bridge mode (550 watts at 8 ohms!) to get an acceptable rehearsal level out of it. I understand power amps have different sensitivity levels, the m800 is listed as 1.23 volts but I don't really know what that means.
I have a 15" no name cab and an acme low b2, I've tried them individually and together. If I use both cabs, the level is pretty nice and strong, but not what I would call loud.

My master volume is turned all the way up, patch levels are at 100. I have a passive bass with aguilar jazz pickups.



Watching the output meter on the power amp, only the first two lights tend to light up -- there's just not much signal going in to it.
interestingly, if I turn on the drum machine in the b3, it's WAY louder than the actual bass guitar!


I have tried patching my allen and heath mixer in between the B3 and the mackie, and then the level is awesome -- more than my cabs can safely handle -- but I really don't want to have to set up my mixer for a bass rig!

I used to have a markbass lm2 and I may just go back to a micro amp for portability and convenience -- but I like having the hi pass filter on my power amp available to protect my low b2 cab, which go notoriously low in frequency but are prone to blowing drivers.

option 1) get a rack mount preamp
option 2) get a micro amp
option 3) use b3 --> allen and heath mixer --> mackie power amp

A specially-wired Speakon cable (+1/+2) must be used with most power amps in addition to running the amp in its bridge mode.

I bet this is the issue as the B3 is more than capable of driving even the most stubborn amps to clipping.
 
My power amp uses banana plugs For bridge mode. I'm sure I'm running the amp correctly. I will double check global volumes, but I believe Its at max. Patch volumes are matched between patch on and bypass mode. I usually play with all fx off, just turning one on as needed.
 
My power amp uses banana plugs For bridge mode. I'm sure I'm running the amp correctly. I will double check global volumes, but I believe Its at max. Patch volumes are matched between patch on and bypass mode. I usually play with all fx off, just turning one on as needed.

If you have unity gain in your patch with raw signal of bass,then the drum machine is louder from the bass.The B3 works ok.
 
My power amp uses banana plugs For bridge mode. I'm sure I'm running the amp correctly. I will double check global volumes, but I believe Its at max. Patch volumes are matched between patch on and bypass mode. I usually play with all fx off, just turning one on as needed.

You will need at least one effect ON that has a GAIN and/or LEVEL parameter.

IMHO, it should be one of the amp models or a preamp model else you may not be putting-out enough signal to drive your power amp even if the TOTAL and GLOBAL levels are at maximum.
 
Anyone have any recording advice for Audacity with the B3 connected via USB? I seem to be having issues with my output level being extremely high. More specifically, I'm being forced to drop my Recording Level within Windows Sound (recording properties) to 3 out of 100, otherwise I deal with clipping.

The global settings on my Zoom are nothing out of the ordinary, and if I roll back the volume on my actual bass, I won't be able to hear it through the headphones.

Again, the volume levels sound great in my headphones, but the recording output is ridiculous.
 
Anyone have any recording advice for Audacity with the B3 connected via USB? I seem to be having issues with my output level being extremely high. More specifically, I'm being forced to drop my Recording Level within Windows Sound (recording properties) to 3 out of 100, otherwise I deal with clipping.

The global settings on my Zoom are nothing out of the ordinary, and if I roll back the volume on my actual bass, I won't be able to hear it through the headphones.

Again, the volume levels sound great in my headphones, but the recording output is ridiculous.
Yeah I have the same exact issue. I get it to record okay but I have the gain at Audacity set to almost nothing. I am guess it's a line level signal coming out of the Zoom?
 
Anyone have any recording advice for Audacity with the B3 connected via USB? I seem to be having issues with my output level being extremely high. More specifically, I'm being forced to drop my Recording Level within Windows Sound (recording properties) to 3 out of 100, otherwise I deal with clipping.

The global settings on my Zoom are nothing out of the ordinary, and if I roll back the volume on my actual bass, I won't be able to hear it through the headphones.

Again, the volume levels sound great in my headphones, but the recording output is ridiculous.

Yeah I have the same exact issue. I get it to record okay but I have the gain at Audacity set to almost nothing. I am guess it's a line level signal coming out of the Zoom?

To adjust the level of signal sent to the computer, simply raise/lower the REC GAIN parameter found underneath the GLOBAL menu, on the "USB AUDIO" tab.