• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Zoom B3 As Preamp

Status
Not open for further replies.
#921
What is your favorite tone setting on the U5 DI model?

I was just browsing the Avalon U5 manual to see how they describe the differences into e tone settings. I am going to test out the B3's versions to see how they compare. What are your favorites?
I haven't found one that sounds bad, but they are certainly all different and have their places.
 
#922
Here's something that worked for me, but I might have been the last to try this.

I started by setting up a patch for each amp model with the stock B3 eq settings for each. Some of them I liked and others were just okay.

I then set up patches for each with the eq flat and found that the Bassman model really brings my bass to life! From there I added a little eq here and there to fine tune it. I'm going to take this approach with the rest of the models to come up with a few that work well for me.
 
#923
bassgrooves2 said:
What is your favorite tone setting on the U5 DI model?

I was just browsing the Avalon U5 manual to see how they describe the differences into e tone settings. I am going to test out the B3's versions to see how they compare. What are your favorites?
I haven't found one that sounds bad, but they are certainly all different and have their places.
Click to expand...

I like Tone #3 and the fact that the U5 DI model is included for free with every B3 and MS-60B purchase :D
 
#926
andreas_flf said:
Sounds very good and I guess this is indeed a good practice setup if you start playing these days. Concerning me I play instruments since a very long time (I am no longer the youngest ;-) ) and have therefore invested a lot into Amazing Slow Downer. I have probably about a thousand loops from songs I have studied and/or played along at some point in time. This represents a considerable investment, but unfortunately without a possibility to use that easily with other software. Thus switching to another system starting all over again, is not something that would be easy to do for me.

BTW, I have also looked at AnyTune and found it quite well done. Especially the soundwave pictures I find useful when looking for loops. However, the quality of the slow downed music I found noticeably inferior to Amazing Slowdowner. I didn't bother to go Pro or whatever that extra costs level is called. It just made me suspicious. I paid for the program, yet the sound quality is meagre. With Amazing Slowdowner I paid once the license fee, many, many years ago and I still get upgrades and the sound quality is the best from the very beginning.

But as I said, this has much to do with the investment I have been making. I wish I could export all those settings for reuse. Might have to write to Roni Music on this. On the other hand I find myself still returning to the Mac, despite my iPad and iPhone, since it is still the most versatile machine there is to maintain notes, tabs, pdf's, song texts, MIDI tracks, audio recordings, and Amazing Slowdowner settings, which all can be organized, watched and edited almost all at the same time, limited only by my screen estate. ;-)

Cheers,
Andreas flf
Click to expand...


I find the sound quality is actually outstanding, although that is with the paid HD version of the app. I absolutely understand why you would want to stick with what you have already been using. I personally only use speed variations until I learn a song inside and out, if that's my goal, then I don't mess with changing the speed anymore, and as such no longer need the app for it. I also pretty much learn about 95% by ear (when learning cover tunes) and will work on lyrics while learning, but not much else in written format.
 
#927
bassgrooves2 said:
The Bassman model is one of my favs. I don't often use the amp models as I commonly run my B3 into my head, but the Bassman gives a great rock vibe. I prefer it to the SVT, which I know loads of people use.
Click to expand...

I'm using a Carvin BX500 head into a Carvin 210 and it's a very flat setup. My favorite amp/cab setup is a Mesa Boogie Carbine through a MB 410 combo. Every one of my basses I've played through that setup sounds so textured and clean, but there's no way I can afford it. The Bassman model through my Carvin sounds very close - I'm happy!
 
#928
fourstringbliss said:
I'm using a Carvin BX500 head into a Carvin 210 and it's a very flat setup. My favorite amp/cab setup is a Mesa Boogie Carbine through a MB 410 combo. Every one of my basses I've played through that setup sounds so textured and clean, but there's no way I can afford it. The Bassman model through my Carvin sounds very close - I'm happy!
Click to expand...

Nice. I also have a Carvin BX500 that I often run with Genz Benz cabs; another very flat setup, and a great one. I run my Shuttle 9.2 a lot, but the BX500 is a superb amp in my opinion and has served me well for years.
 
#930
bassgrooves2 said:
Nice. I also have a Carvin BX500 that I often run with Genz Benz cabs; another very flat setup, and a great one. I run my Shuttle 9.2 a lot, but the BX500 is a superb amp in my opinion and has served me well for years.
Click to expand...

I have an old Carvin RC210T (a BR600 head in a 2x10 tilt back cab). Very flexible amp (2 channels, bi-ampable, bridgeable). Love the sound and it's never let me down.

When I lived in the States, I had a Carvin BR615 (BR600 head into a 2x6 + 15 cab)... I was stoked when a similar rig came on the market used (have had it for 3 1/2 years now)

My favourite B3 setups into this are the U5 model the BassPre model, a bit of the 160 Comp, and I'm a happy camper
 
#931
bassgrooves2 said:
I find the sound quality is actually outstanding, although that is with the paid HD version of the app. I absolutely understand why you would want to stick with what you have already been using. I personally only use speed variations until I learn a song inside and out, if that's my goal, then I don't mess with changing the speed anymore, and as such no longer need the app for it. I also pretty much learn about 95% by ear (when learning cover tunes) and will work on lyrics while learning, but not much else in written format.
Click to expand...

Yes, all true. Just one point my experience perhaps slightly differs: Playing again a song I have not played for quite a while, perhaps even not for years, may mean I play too fast first. I strictly avoid that and prefer to slow down until I can play it precisely and in the pocket of the grove. Moreover, I often make the experience that slowing down somehow reveals the actual grove and then practicing slowly improves on getting the grove better into my belly. And then gradually speed up as a regular exercise, including playing too fast, all helps me too to internalize a grove.
 
#932
I typically don't do this, but 'tis the season of giving :-)

Tweak EQ to taste/room

Cheers!

rock_mon.gif
 
#934
Right To Left, Absolutely!

For whatever reason, Zoom preset the B3's default signal flow direction to "left to right."

The good news is that this madness can easily be reversed under the B3's GLOBAL menu, left-most LCD screen, under the 1-2-3 tab.

Cheers!
 
#935
Nice! For some reason, while my pedal boards have always gone right to left, I'm very comfortable with the other way round on my G5 and the B3 I borrow.

I'm happy today - I've realised I'll have enough Christmas money to be able to buy my own B3.

Any suggestions on a good funk slap setup? I use the SVT model for fingerstyle and pick but rarely play slap - and I'll have a matter of minutes to dial something in on the B3!
 
#938
andreas_flf said:
Yes, all true. Just one point my experience perhaps slightly differs: Playing again a song I have not played for quite a while, perhaps even not for years, may mean I play too fast first. I strictly avoid that and prefer to slow down until I can play it precisely and in the pocket of the grove. Moreover, I often make the experience that slowing down somehow reveals the actual grove and then practicing slowly improves on getting the grove better into my belly. And then gradually speed up as a regular exercise, including playing too fast, all helps me too to internalize a grove.
Click to expand...


Fantastic advice for anyone, I'd say. I love to practice with a slow metronome and gradually ramp up the speed. Of course, the same can be done with these "Slow Down" apps, I often use mine in this way. I agree nothing helps reveal the real groove to my ears better than slowing things down. I find often there are a lot of nuisances that would otherwise go unnoticed, at least by me. :hyper:
 
#939
SoVeryTired said:
Any suggestions on a good funk slap setup? I use the SVT model for fingerstyle and pick but rarely play slap - and I'll have a matter of minutes to dial something in on the B3!
Click to expand...

I use the MultiComp with the U5 model frequently for slap, sometimes with a bit of EQ (parametric or graphic) and sometimes with a mild "M Filter" i would mess around with the blend on the m filter if you go that route for slap, mine is often set at about 40-50%.

Personally I don't like any of the amp sims for slap tone, and rarely use them for finger style either. Pick style is where they really come in handy for me. :bassist:
 
#940
While I was really impressed running my B3 direct, lately I have been really disappointed !
Last night I realized somehow I had the pre/post button selected to pre this out puts the signal before the FX.
Duh!!!!

sometimes I do stupid things, and sometimes I realize that it was stupid!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back