Zoom B6

[ridney]

I think that’s a slightly different use case, since unlike your Bugera, the Katana’s preamp is also a multi effects and amp modeler.

OP, there’s no issue with putting the B6 in the effects loop, but you may have mixed results with effects order if you use the Katana’s effects, too. I.e. if you use the Katana for time based effects or modulation and then effects in the Zoom will be affected by that. Does the Katana let you set the spot in the chain that the effects loop sits? That would resolve that problem.

I would recommend the 4 cable method if you want to integrate them both: The 4 Cable Method (4CM) - What It Is and How To Use It Correctly
This puts the Katana in the B6’s effects loop and you can set the effects loop wherever you want in its chain.

Thanks. There SEND/RETURN is fixed in Katana but there is an option to change the location of signal chain for FX1, it can be after preamp (default) or right before FX2 (FX1 and FX2 after RETURN input).

Reason I am asking is I am confused if the amp/cab sims in the B6 would be affected by the preamp/power amp of Katana. I would prefer the tones from the amp/cab sims of B6 and would like to only add the option of FX from Katana.

I have made some diagram of my options, see attached. Let me know what you think? Thanks

 

[ridney]

It took me a bit to find it, but Boss’s schematic for the 210 puts the effects loop before “FX2”, so you have a lot of good options for how you can run this. It depends a lot on what effects you want to use from each unit.

Dangit, I wasn’t expecting to start GASsing for a Katana 210 when I woke up this morning, but here I am.

edit: thankfully just saw that it’s 300 w peak which should help calm that a bit

The Katana 210 is pretty loud. I replaced my Rumble 100 with this and it is way way louder.

 

[Sachelis]

I know (well, I think I know) that the Zoom BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter allows the B6 to be controlled by the "Handy Guitar Lab for B6" iOS app. I am wondering if the adapter can be used to connect a PC running "Guitar Lab for Windows" to a B6 (the PC supports Bluetooth). My PC is on the opposite side of the room from my B6. Yes, I can run a USB cord across the room when I'm working with my B6, but I'd prefer a wireless solution. Thanks!

 

[BatBasstard]

I know (well, I think I know) that the Zoom BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter allows the B6 to be controlled by the "Handy Guitar Lab for B6" iOS app. I am wondering if the adapter can be used to connect a PC running "Guitar Lab for Windows" to a B6 (the PC supports Bluetooth). My PC is on the opposite side of the room from my B6. Yes, I can run a USB cord across the room when I'm working with my B6, but I'd prefer a wireless solution. Thanks!

Nope. USB only

 

[Jett Litt]

I know (well, I think I know) that the Zoom BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter allows the B6 to be controlled by the "Handy Guitar Lab for B6" iOS app. I am wondering if the adapter can be used to connect a PC running "Guitar Lab for Windows" to a B6 (the PC supports Bluetooth). My PC is on the opposite side of the room from my B6. Yes, I can run a USB cord across the room when I'm working with my B6, but I'd prefer a wireless solution. Thanks!

Also realize that USB isn't designed to go more than 10 ft before it becomes ineffective at transferring data.

I mean it could work, but that's something to consider if you have trouble.

 

[jimfist]

Also realize that USB isn't designed to go more than 10 ft before it becomes ineffective at transferring data.

I mean it could work, but that's something to consider if you have trouble.

Though perhaps by the letter of the tech spec, but I've gone over 20ft with USB extender cables with zero issues. You can use a USB active extender booster cable which maintains data integrity for much longer runs than 10 ft.

 

[Sachelis]

Is there a forum or thread for Guitar Lab questions?

I realize this isn't the perfect thread for posting the above question, but I know that many people who follow this thread use Guitar Lab with the B6.

My specific questions (and you can direct me elsewhere) are:

1. Is there a way to clear a patch? Currently I go to the Editor, delete each of the effects, change the patch's name to "Empty" and delete the comment. It seems like there should be an easier way.
2. Is there a way to rename a bank? I know I can do this on the B6 by (non-intuitively) choosing "Change Bank Order" in the main menu and then clicking on the keyboard next to the bank's name. (FWIW, the word "bank" doesn't even appear in the Guitar Lab 7.0 user manual.)

Thanks for answers to these questions or for redirecting me to a more appropriate forum!

 

[stingray69]

Is there a forum or thread for Guitar Lab questions?

I realize this isn't the perfect thread for posting the above question, but I know that many people who follow this thread use Guitar Lab with the B6.

My specific questions (and you can direct me elsewhere) are:

1. Is there a way to clear a patch? Currently I go to the Editor, delete each of the effects, change the patch's name to "Empty" and delete the comment. It seems like there should be an easier way.
2. Is there a way to rename a bank? I know I can do this on the B6 by (non-intuitively) choosing "Change Bank Order" in the main menu and then clicking on the keyboard next to the bank's name. (FWIW, the word "bank" doesn't even appear in the Guitar Lab 7.0 user manual.)

Thanks for answers to these questions or for redirecting me to a more appropriate forum!

I don't use Guitar Lab, I do these things directly from the B6 onboard interface since it's relatively easy.

1. Swipe down to pull down the B6's Editor Menu. Swipe over to Page 2, choose DELETE PATCH. Select which patch(es) you want to delete and hit DELETE.

2. Same thing, Page 2 again, choose CHANGE BANK ORDER, highlight your bank of choice and touch the KEYBOARD symbol. (See page 84 on the online manual).

 

[Sachelis]

I don't use Guitar Lab, I do these things directly from the B6 onboard interface since it's relatively easy.

Thanks, but my questions were about Guitar Lab (and I mentioned how to rename banks using the Change Bank Order command in my question). I’ll keep looking.

 

[Appogee]

Is there a way to clear a patch? Currently I go to the Editor, delete each of the effects, change the patch's name to "Empty" and delete the comment. It seems like there should be an easier way.

I copied an empty patch into my patch pool. Now whenever I want to blank an existing patch, I just drag and drop the empty patch onto it.

 

[Sachelis]

I copied an empty patch into my patch pool. Now whenever I want to blank an existing patch, I just drag and drop the empty patch onto it.

I saw that approach in a wobbly YouTube video, but I’m not familiar with the Pool. I’ll give it a shot. Thanks!

 

[stingray69]

Thanks, but my questions were about Guitar Lab (and I mentioned how to rename banks using the Change Bank Order command in my question). I’ll keep looking.

Your welcome, best of luck.

 

[andrewd]

Here's a link to the cable on Sweetwater.

I play at my church, and that means about 90 minutes of rehearsal and then about 30 minutes of playing time before service and another 30 minutes after service. Using the Zoom B1 Four I'd end up unplugging my cable after we initially played and then plugging it back in when we come back out the finish off the service. The B6 takes 10 seconds to cycle up when it's turned on and it's a floor unit so I didn't want to turn it off and then back on again.

I tested it with my smaller 20k power bank last night. I left it plugged in and on for four hours and only lost one of four charge lights on the power bank, which tells me I can totally leave it on from service beginning to service ending.

Since this is a digital unit I can't imagine that playing would draw much more, if any more, power than just leaving it on. I'm sure most of the power drain is the LCD screen.

I finally bought this cable. Even if I don't use it to power the B6 from a battery, it will be handy to ditch the included power supply. It doesn't always feel like it's solidly plugged into an AC outlet. Might want to get a USB extension cable though.

So this shows up in a search for someone else in the future, this is the JBL EONONECOMPACT-5V9V USB Voltage Booster Cable. takes 5V from USB and outputs 9V, center negative barrel jack.

 

[Eltote]

After having a B6 for a month I had to send it back to the store due to not sounding 'real'. I wanted to love it and everything was fine until I realised that my PF-350 clean was better sounding, like more open, defined and 'real' The B6 lacked dynamic range, it felt like constrained and sounded digital in a way that once I perceived I could not hear anything else.

So , considering that I have no experience with pedals although having 30 years of playing experience (weird isn't it?) I'm thinking about going the HX stomp route (if users who tried B6 and HX stomp tell me that the stomp sounds better, more analog) or going with an analog preamp like VT Bass DI or Ampeg SGT-DI.

The things that matter: Ampeg and GK emulation, compressor, overdrive, chorus and tuner. The rest of effects and emus are cool to have but not really needed. Practicing with headphones and running into a PF-350 + PF-115HE.

Any advice about which way to go will be apreciated

 

[andrewd]

Still no android control app.

Has anyone tried pairing the Zoom Bluetooth dongle to any of the Bluetooth foot switches that are available? E.g., like what is used for turning pages

Any idea what happens when plugging a two button footswitch into the CONTROL IN jack?

 

[Turtle71]

...I'm thinking about going the HX stomp route (if users who tried B6 and HX stomp tell me that the stomp sounds better, more analog)...The things that matter: Ampeg and GK emulation, compressor, overdrive, chorus and tuner...

Well, I use to have the B6, then switched to a borrowed HX Stomp, then bought a Helix LT, and now I have a new HX Stomp of my own, plus the Helix. (two different boards).

I switched from the B6 mostly for 3 main reasons (but there were others too).
1. IMHO the B6 just navigates clumsy live.
2. Lack of Midi.
3. Parallel routing (important to me, other people maybe not)

Do I think the Helix stuff has better examples of the Ampeg & GK Stuff? Absolutely, without a doubt, plus the drives, comps & modulation are plentiful and great (synths, not so much, the B6 is better there)....but that is also just my opinion, there WILL be those that disagree.

However, despite what I've mentioned, the HX Stomp has it's own limitations, which is why I bought the Helix LT, nothing is perfect, most have limitations, but the Helix family is exactly what I needed, for my situations, YMMV

 

[DJ Bebop]

Still no android control app.

Has anyone tried pairing the Zoom Bluetooth dongle to any of the Bluetooth foot switches that are available? E.g., like what is used for turning pages

Any idea what happens when plugging a two button footswitch into the CONTROL IN jack?

It seems like the dongle is only for the Apple control app. No other Bluetooth function is available. Maybe in a firmware update?

 

[Acoustic356]

After having a B6 for a month I had to send it back to the store due to not sounding 'real'. I wanted to love it and everything was fine until I realised that my PF-350 clean was better sounding, like more open, defined and 'real' The B6 lacked dynamic range, it felt like constrained and sounded digital in a way that once I perceived I could not hear anything else.

So , considering that I have no experience with pedals although having 30 years of playing experience (weird isn't it?) I'm thinking about going the HX stomp route (if users who tried B6 and HX stomp tell me that the stomp sounds better, more analog) or going with an analog preamp like VT Bass DI or Ampeg SGT-DI.

The things that matter: Ampeg and GK emulation, compressor, overdrive, chorus and tuner. The rest of effects and emus are cool to have but not really needed. Practicing with headphones and running into a PF-350 + PF-115HE.

Any advice about which way to go will be apreciated

When I compare the B6 to my Noble ic an get a recorded tone that is very similar.
You are right about the dynamic range. It's like playing a Fodera with active EMGs, you don't quite get the full dynamic range because there is a "minimum digital signal" that has to be produced.

With that said, the TwoNotes Revolt is supposed to be all analog, and it responds like the B6 to me

The Noble and my amps respond the thy dynamic range better.

With that said, when I gig, the B6 makes it into my rotation on a regular basis.

I like the B6 going into my amp where I can get that dynamic range, especially if I put it in the effects loop.

 

[jimfist]

After having a B6 for a month I had to send it back to the store due to not sounding 'real'. I wanted to love it and everything was fine until I realised that my PF-350 clean was better sounding, like more open, defined and 'real' The B6 lacked dynamic range, it felt like constrained and sounded digital in a way that once I perceived I could not hear anything else.

What did your typical preset consist of on the B6 when listening through headphones, and alternatively, through your ampeg rig? Did you home brew your own patch starting with only, for example, the B6 Ampeg B15 or SVT emulations without a cab sim, compression, or anything else in the virtual effects chain?
How did you plug the B6 into your Ampeg rig? Front input or power amp input (bypassing the preamp)?
Just curious.

 

[Eltote]

I used the default presets, SVT Drive , SVT clean, with and without the default IR.

I also tried setting a patch with the svt amp and overdrive (tried several) and just overdriving the amp, same result....kinda over compressed, lack of dynamic range, low output, digital not real sound...

I tried with headphones and into the effects return of my Ampeg, so the preamp was bypassed.