Zoom B3 As Preamp Part 2

[MarcusPHagen]

Although not yet confirmed, for $75 one will gain access to the exact same effect models/algorithms and tones as the B3, plus the ability to chain an additional 2 more effects per patch

Talk about a bargain, even if just a piece of plastic!

Zoom has just Behringered themselves.

Marcus

 

[KPJ]

Zoom has just Behringered themselves.

Marcus

?What does that mean? ZOOM has made plastic body, entry level pedals for years in addition to the metal cased more pro pedals.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[MarcusPHagen]

Just what I said. I use some Behringer gear because it does the job, even if the cases may be plastic. Zoom has a great piece of gear in the B3. It looks as though, for some uses, the B1 may be enough, although it's in a plastic case. By doing this, Zoom has probably cut off the market for Behringer to do something similar.

Marcus

 

[SoVeryTired]

The new B1 is the sort of pedal I associate Zoom with historically, having had a 505 as my first guitar multi-effect. I'm glad they also do high quality pedals these days like the B3 and G3/5.

 

[ticol07]

Just to add some more confusion... there is an Aux In on this new multieffect...
So, for those who don't know which one to pick : the B3, the MS-60B, the B1On there's another choice parameter

It's damn cheap, but on the pictures, it's damn plastic. It really looks like a toy. I don't know why they chose this design. The old B1 has a more solid look (in my opinion )

 

[tubatodd]

I had no idea about the Zoom MS-60B. It does everything that I actually use the B3 for. (my usage is minimal). I'm considering swapping the B3 for a MS-60B and $100 back.

 

[KPJ]

I had no idea about the Zoom MS-60B. It does everything that I actually use the B3 for. (my usage is minimal). I'm considering swapping the B3 for a MS-60B and $100 back.

If you don't need the XLR and don't switch effects much, the MS-60B is ideal.

 

[ticol07]

Tubatodd > Just to know, because I see, in your signature, you're using a bg250 amp (I use the 115 one) : when using the amp sims you keep a certain amount of cab sim or set it at zero ?
I find the 2 options good sounding on this amp, and so still hesitating which one I prefer

 

[tubatodd]

I've read the "keep the cab sim off when running through real speakers" and I typically do that. The cab sims aren't bad. It does change the tone color though....but that's what it is supposed to do.

 

[dogmeat08]

have a question here if you own the b3 and the q3hd video/audio recorder ...... can u plug in the (line in) on the q3hd anywhere to the b3 to record direct to the q3 ?? thanks ...

 

[ticol07]

I've read the "keep the cab sim off when running through real speakers" and I typically do that. The cab sims aren't bad. It does change the tone color though....but that's what it is supposed to do.

Yes, it's the base principle, but as the bg250 isn't a very coloured amp, the cab sims are interesting on it.
Too many sound options

 

[CharlieC]

have a question here if you own the b3 and the q3hd video/audio recorder ...... can u plug in the (line in) on the q3hd anywhere to the b3 to record direct to the q3 ?? thanks ...

I do not own the Q3HD, but if it has a LINE IN jack then most likely you can feed the B3 signal, or most any other audio device, into it with the proper cable. Just be sure you are not clipping the input on the recorder else the captured audio will be distorted.

 

[dogmeat08]

I do not own the Q3HD, but if it has a LINE IN jack then most likely you can feed the B3 signal, or most any other audio device, into it with the proper cable. Just be sure you are not clipping the input on the recorder else the captured audio will be distorted.

cool , just wondering where I would come out of the b3 to the line in of the q3

 

[CharlieC]

cool , just wondering where I would come out of the b3 to the line in of the q3

Per the Q3HD's spec sheet, the LINE IN is a 1/8" stereo phone jack:

To connect the B3, you can either use/purchase:

1/4" stereo (TRS) phone plug (from the B3's L/MONO PHONES jack) to a 1/8" stereo phone plug cable

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

-- OR --

Dual (TS) 1/4" phone plugs (from both the B3's L/MONO and R) to a 1/8" stereo phone plug cable

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/hosa-stereo-y-cable-mini-male--2-1-4-mono-males​

 

[dogmeat08]

Per the Q3HD's spec sheet, the LINE IN is a 1/8" stereo phone jack:

To connect the B3, you can either use/purchase:

1/4" stereo (TRS) phone plug (from the B3's L/MONO PHONES jack) to a 1/8" stereo phone plug cable

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

-- OR --

Dual (TS) 1/4" phone plugs (from both the B3's L/MONO and R) to a 1/8" stereo phone plug cable

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/hosa-stereo-y-cable-mini-male--2-1-4-mono-males​

cool !!! yep have all those connections , just didn't know for sure where to connect it to the b3 , thanks !!

 

[troy mcclure]

Has anyone tried the Genz benz Powered Extension speakers with the B3? The only down fall I see is it does not a have it's own vol control.
My new BL in a typical 4 piece wants me to fill out the bottom (first guitarist I ever played with that wanted me to play louder).
I made a few very thick patches but none really worked well with my amp, even if I went through the effects loop. They patches were farting out my cabs. I really didn't like the 5 sec mute tuner technique on the B3 so I put a stomp tuner 1st and then split my signal 1 to my amp and 1 to the B3 which only goes FOH. This is a temporary solution until I spend enough time taming my patches to behave with my amp or get a different backline solution. I would go in-ear if I could get the band to agree.

 

[CharlieC]

... I really didn't like the 5 sec mute tuner technique on the B3 so I put a stomp tuner 1st and then split my signal ...

This bothers me also, especially since Zoom addressed this shortcoming in the MS-60B (by offering pre-configured BYPASS or MUTE mode.)

I am confident this will be similarly addressed in a future B3 firmware update.

... I made a few very thick patches but none really worked well with my amp, even if I went through the effects loop. They patches were farting out my cabs... until I spend enough time taming my patches to behave with my amp or get a different backline solution. I would go in-ear if I could get the band to agree.

IMHO, the absolute best B3/MS-60B modeling tones are waiting in a full-range, powered monitor or similar solution. Highly recommended.

Cheers!

 

[SoVeryTired]

I emailed the UK distributor yesterday to ask about firmware updates - they've got no idea.

 

[CharlieC]

I emailed the UK distributor yesterday to ask about firmware updates - they've got no idea.

From what I have gathered, all products, updates and intel come directly from Zoom Japan.

Although they are very effective and polite when contacted, they are extremely tight-lipped and it is not a surprise that distributors have no idea (just as is the case with we consumers.)

I am certain that B3 relief is in the works, with no ETA, either in form of firmware update, Mark II repackaging, or other new (replacement) product worthy of consideration.

Hang in there!

 

[tubatodd]

I think the B3 has corrupted my musical ear. With all of the settings, effects, sims, levels, etc, it's getting hard for me to determine what exactly I'm looking for. About the best I can do is turn OFF the B3, listen to the amp without the sims and then compare the sound before and after.

Perhaps y'all can help me out by answering some questions. Please keep in mind I'm only interested in clean sounds.

1. I have yet to figure out how to take an arrangement of 3 "pedals" and save them as a patch with a name of my choosing. Can I only save over existing patches? Do I have to use the software?

2. How do I reset an individual sim or effect back to the factory settings? Am I better of just noon/flat lining everything then adjusting from there? I noticed that when I turn my pedal off and on, patches other than the last one I used are back to factory settings.

3. At moderate volumes, the D-comp seems to do a great job of keeping everything even. When I raise the volume of the amp a little it starts to lose clarity and gets mushy. If I kick off the compressor the mush is gone and clarity and character is back.

4. What is the best way to EQ the B3? Should I set an amp sim at noon (flat) then us an EQ "pedal"? When using the B3 I always leave the amp itself with everything at noon/flat.

5. How large of a room do you test out your presets? How far away from your amp do you evaluate your sound?


With my BG250-210, the verdict is not yet out on the amp sim volumes. When using the SVT sim it seems to tame the sound for me considerably. In my case, I find that to be a good thing.