The B1X FOUR has most of the features you're after (new sounds, rhythm section, battery operation, pedal)
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Zoom B3 As Preamp Part 2
- Thread starter David Wilson
- Start date
The B1X FOUR has most of the features you're after (new sounds, rhythm section, battery operation, pedal)
Interesting, thanks for the headsup about this unit.
No DI out. [Link to documentation]
However, if my B3 ever dies, I might consider the B1X Four, in competition with the B3n (which also has no DI).
Did knew this one, thanks. But no DI OUT requires additional units on stage. The perfect B3 successor for me would have an additional AUX IN which will only be routed to the head phone / amp out but not to the DI OUT. This would allow me to use the B3 also as a personal IEM monitor. Just one single box on stage mounted on a mic stand - no amp, no mains, no hum, no wedges - that would be perfect !
Agree with the above. I can’t find a replacement for the B3 at this price. I did try the b3n and despite having more effect slots and supposedly better sounds, I went back to the B3. You cannot beat the simplicity. DI and battery power are a huge plus for me. I also use the audio interface feature for practice and recording ideas with bass and guitar.
Back on Topic - B3 as a preamp ... for an acoustic guitar!
I’ve been playing acoustic guitar in a trio for a while. My acoustic sounds ok plugged in but it is a bit quacky. Decided to try my Zoom B3 as an acoustic preamp. My patch is; Acoustic 360 amp sim, EQ and Hall reverb. It makes my guitar sound great. Plus I’ve got a tuner built in.
Anyone else tried the B3 on acoustic guitar?
Back on Topic - B3 as a preamp ... for an acoustic guitar!
I’ve been playing acoustic guitar in a trio for a while. My acoustic sounds ok plugged in but it is a bit quacky. Decided to try my Zoom B3 as an acoustic preamp. My patch is; Acoustic 360 amp sim, EQ and Hall reverb. It makes my guitar sound great. Plus I’ve got a tuner built in.
Anyone else tried the B3 on acoustic guitar?
Interesting. I'm playing acoustic more than I'm playing bass these days. May have to give this a try.
The B3 works surprisingly well with all sorts of instruments including acoustic guitar, clean guitar parts, piccolo bass, keyboards and as an insert effect for re-amping mine has been living on my studio desk for a while now. The MS60B is also handy too.
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I expect the U5 clone, some eq, and maybe some very mild tape echo would be fantastic on acoustic
The way I see the B3 is not as a bass effect but an extremely versatile global filter.
WHY CANT I GET IT TO WORK WITH MY CROWN XLS1500?! I've been fiddling with it for 45 minutes and can't seem to get any more than a *very* quiet output.
Signal Chain:
Bass > B3 input > B3 Mono Output to Crown Ch. 1 input (via 1/4" to XLR, in would like to run in "stereo" so just Ch.1) > Crown Ch. 1 Output to 2x15 cab.
Zoom B3 level is max in the "Global" menu Individual amp sim in patch is maxed, maxed Level and Balance in " Total" menu.
Am I missing something here?
Signal Chain:
Bass > B3 input > B3 Mono Output to Crown Ch. 1 input (via 1/4" to XLR, in would like to run in "stereo" so just Ch.1) > Crown Ch. 1 Output to 2x15 cab.
Zoom B3 level is max in the "Global" menu Individual amp sim in patch is maxed, maxed Level and Balance in " Total" menu.
Am I missing something here?
Wow, the zombie thread lives!
My guess is it has something to do with your 1/4" to XLR adapter. Aren't you essentially feeding an instrument-level signal into a mic-level input? Does that amp not have any 1/4" inputs available? Alternatively, what happens if you use the balanced XLR output from the B3 instead of the 1/4"?
My guess is it has something to do with your 1/4" to XLR adapter. Aren't you essentially feeding an instrument-level signal into a mic-level input? Does that amp not have any 1/4" inputs available? Alternatively, what happens if you use the balanced XLR output from the B3 instead of the 1/4"?
The xlr out on the B3 is line level and is exactly what you need to drive that Crown amp efficiently, the xlr in on the Crown is not sensitive enough for a mic level input.
Rad, thanks for the info! Ill go pick up the right cord tomorrow
I'm brand new to the whole separate Pre and Power amp game so it wouldn't surprise me if I just need a different cable . And no, there are no 1/4" inputs on the power amp just a 1/4" outs and XLR ins for stereo mode
Bought XLR to connect with, still having the same problem. Signal light on the Crown lights up 1 green light but it isn't steady and the volume is barely audible (drowned out by the noise of the dehumidifier)
Bass > Zoom B3 > B3 Direct to Crown Ch1 via XLR > Crown Ch1 Output to 2x15 via 1/4"
I bought mine used on here probably 9-10 years ago and it's been the only constant piece of gear I've owned. Too versatile and useful to get rid of
Finally got it all sorted out! Was running the power amp from the "line out" instead of the actual "out" portion of the head! All I had to do was harass CharlieC in his DMs to sort it out! Sounds poooowerful. Love this set up already. Also just realized I've had this B3 for almost a decade and it's still going strong! Props to Zoom for these little pedals
Giving this thread a little bump. Curious to see what the opinions are on the B3 vs say the newer Chinese valeton/ flamma/ etc brands. A couple of those pedals are looking eerily similar to the new stuff from line 6. I know the Chinese stuff is hit or miss but has drastically improved over the years but would they hold up well against an older b3 or b3n unit?
