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Zoom B3 incredibly loud and distorted

Discussion in 'Recording Gear and Equipment [BG]' started by J03YW, Jul 8, 2013.

  1. Jul 8, 2013 #1
    J03YW

    J03YW

    Nov 23, 2012
    USA
    Hey, I just got a Zoom B3 and plugged it into my computer via USB and it's incredibly loud and distorted. I'm running it into Reaper and Audacity sometimes and really have no clue what I'm doing.
     
  2. Jul 8, 2013 #2
    4Mal

    4Mal Gold Supporting Member

    Jun 2, 2002
    Columbia River Gorge
    Global settings, look for output level I would guess...
     
  3. Jul 8, 2013 #3
    J03YW

    J03YW

    Nov 23, 2012
    USA
    I figured, but I thought it wouldn't be too simple. I wasn't gonna go screw with global settings before someone told me to, cause I have that "grandma on the computer" effect with this kind of thing- irreversibly screwing things up on accident.
     
  4. Jul 8, 2013 #4
    J03YW

    J03YW

    Nov 23, 2012
    USA
    Yeah, it stops being distorted when I bring it from 100 down to 3. I feel like that's not right. It's barely making noise out of my monitors, but still maxing out the tracks.
     
  5. Jul 9, 2013 #5
    Chromer

    Chromer

    Nov 28, 2012
    There will be separate controls for input level and output level. Given the description so far, it sounds like your input level is set way too high.
     
  6. Aug 17, 2013 #6
    stingray69

    stingray69 Talkbass Legit

    Aug 11, 2004
    St Louis Area
    Additionally, you may also want to have a look at the Level of each effect - should be on the 3rd page or so of each effect. Maybe one or more of those are set really high, because I would think reducing the Global output down to 3 would not be clipping your input at all. Could also be a Windows settings (if it's a Windows based PC that is), you could check out Control Panel>Sounds and see what your levels are like in there.
     
  7. Aug 18, 2013 #7
    EagleMoon

    EagleMoon

    Jul 13, 2007
    Phoenix, Arizona
    I'm curious about this as well since I've been using a G3 with the same problem.
     
  8. Aug 18, 2013 #8
    varunjh

    varunjh

    Aug 6, 2012
    Delhi, India
    i had similar issues when i started. there are a few ways that you can control your volume using the zoom b3
    1. Global
    2. Total [volume for the selected patch]
    3. Individual volume for each selected effect/amp
    4. Recording Gain[only affects the signal going into your DAW]

    generally i keep the volumes on my selected effects/comp/amp at around 50...depending on the gain if any.

    the best way to get your volume levels right would be to set everything to around 50 this is your global, total and effect level. and then work to get a decent volume. Use the gain in the global menu to further reduce your signal. I generally only fiddle with my effect and total volume level and keep my global level constant.