Thanks but that's not my question. Can the rhythm tracks and loops be output (audio) independently of the bass sounds like through the XLR to a full range system for better drum sounds rather than putting them through a bass amp?
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Zoom B6
- Thread starter andruca
- Start date
I think this is the case, yes. Maybe someone who is more into looping than I am can weigh in.
I'm surprised that this hasn't been discussed more. Why would you want drums coming through your amp? Even the cheaper Boss looper pedals allow for setting outputs from rhythm and loops separately as a software setting.
For best sound quality use good headphones. I don't think separate outputs are needed for the B6.
The very simpel looper is just for fun or practice. Imho it cannot be used for live performance. It lacks the controls and flexibility needed for that.
Even the sync between drum loop and recorded playing is iffy at best. It stays locked as long as both are running. Pause either and its near impossible to get them in sync again.
I mostly use it to hear changes in effect settings or patch levels. Somtimes for fun layering different sounds, and playing over them. But as I said, never would do that live.
They sync up pretty good as I have done it before, you just have to count and be ready to punch one in on beat Also I've put them out of sync for an effect as well.
So...
i guess we're all at different stages of our journey - our relationship with zoom.
can you bassheads clue me in as to why you're so patient in waiting on a single, count 'em - not even a one! - b6 firmware update, considering the multitude of minor, and major, required fixes and enhancements that you've all identified?
my experience of novation products (Circuit) meant that we were lousy with updates! If a review highlighted some requirement, the next update provided it! Same goes for user comments.
OTOH, Zoom took a generic bluetooth adaptor, and turned it into some proprietary, after-sales feature - kerching!
i was reading about midi, in the early 80s - zoom were not, or thought better of it!
Even the b6 power switch flicks the wrong way, FFS!
Do zoom normally grab your cash, and slope off? that's not a relationship!
Or, is there some prospect of some love flowing back to you patient, and put upon, users?
FWIW - i'm learning bass, et al, and can't help feeling that individual pedals might be as cool. Only thing stopping me? when i read about a cool pedal to try, turns out the b6 has modelled it - which is nice.
But - That 'Edit All' 'feature that we only know of by WoM? It suggests that zoom don't know users, or interfaces, or experience. There's no way on this green earth, that a muso specified ANY of the interface - neither its options, nor its operation.
That patch-levelling saga, patch-sharing woes, volume-balancing arse-pain and the wishful thinking of a separate output for drum patterns - all of these things suggest that zoom don't know musicians, or what they do with these products.
if i hadn't acquired mine for less than the price of a decent steak dinner, i'd be pretty P O'd.
i guess we're all at different stages of our journey - our relationship with zoom.
can you bassheads clue me in as to why you're so patient in waiting on a single, count 'em - not even a one! - b6 firmware update, considering the multitude of minor, and major, required fixes and enhancements that you've all identified?
my experience of novation products (Circuit) meant that we were lousy with updates! If a review highlighted some requirement, the next update provided it! Same goes for user comments.
OTOH, Zoom took a generic bluetooth adaptor, and turned it into some proprietary, after-sales feature - kerching!
i was reading about midi, in the early 80s - zoom were not, or thought better of it!
Even the b6 power switch flicks the wrong way, FFS!
Do zoom normally grab your cash, and slope off? that's not a relationship!
Or, is there some prospect of some love flowing back to you patient, and put upon, users?
FWIW - i'm learning bass, et al, and can't help feeling that individual pedals might be as cool. Only thing stopping me? when i read about a cool pedal to try, turns out the b6 has modelled it - which is nice.
But - That 'Edit All' 'feature that we only know of by WoM? It suggests that zoom don't know users, or interfaces, or experience. There's no way on this green earth, that a muso specified ANY of the interface - neither its options, nor its operation.
That patch-levelling saga, patch-sharing woes, volume-balancing arse-pain and the wishful thinking of a separate output for drum patterns - all of these things suggest that zoom don't know musicians, or what they do with these products.
if i hadn't acquired mine for less than the price of a decent steak dinner, i'd be pretty P O'd.
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That's one reason I'm still rockin’ these…
Was waiting on them to update their new stuff they had already. That was touted as a selling point, updatable and upgradable. It seems rather than that, they just move on to the next thing. Or maybe I misunderstood.
Oddly enough, I still like their stuff just wish they'd get it together and support the stuff since the B1 Four and on. I might get something new. Maybe that MS-60B+…
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Simple. I'm too old to bother with potential (or the lack of) updates. You think my RP-1 ever got an update? Of course not and nobody expected one either. Updates were never a thing in the 80-90s. You got what you bought and that's all you'll ever get. Updates are and never will be a required feature. It's a nice to have.
If I buy a pedal, I buy it for what it can do for me now. Not for what it may do for me after an update. Expecting anything else is just foolish, unless you buy something from a company that's known for their updates and free extras. And even then you may never get what you want most. Even from companies like Line 6.
I knew the risks of not getting updates when I bought the B6. In fact, I never expected any. I'm old enough to know Zoom's reputation for selling as-is products with a few rare exceptions in between. Zoom has never been one to build a relationship with their buyers like Line 6, SA and other pedal makers do. Again, if you do your research, you can know this and factor it into your decision to buy one or not.
The B6 has a few quirks sure. I did my research before buying, so I knew what they were. But there's no such thing as a perfect pedal and all the issues I have with my B6 have a workaround that's not too complicated or annoying. And the PC software, while that too has a few IU quirks and a clearly incomplete manual regarding sharing presets for example, does exactly what it's supposed to do: create and backup presets. Everything else is a bonus.
And everything you say, while absolutely true, will not stop me from buying the MS-60B+ either as soon as Thomann has one available. It currently does what I want it to without requiring extra updates: to be a miniature version of my B6 for small gigs/impromptu stuff. It will also give my B6 some extra room to work with if it put it into the effects loop. Everything else I may get (either from Zoom or some community software/hack) is just a bonus.
This is true as well.
Now that they have a few pedals out, its a matter of picking the one that has the best feature set, for now.
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I don't mind this as much as I can use the bluetooth adapter with all the Zoom products that need one. I can use it with the B6, with my Zoom Q4N, and with any other items in the future.
I didn't need to buy one when I got the Zoom B6, because I already had one. I like the interoperability between their product set. It makes their products more stable.
I've had some issues with generic adapters and some other gear.
If I buy a pedal, I buy it for what it can do for me now - potential is a thing!
I knew the risks of not getting updates when I bought the B6. In fact, I never expected any - but the original manual talks of firmware updates - you have every right to anticipate one!
Oh, and the, even-newer, zoom G4, has ALREADY received an update, to my misunderstanding! Did they have the right to expect one?!
The B6 has a few quirks sure. I did my research before buying, so I knew what they were - Where? How, outside of reviews, which so many of us might rely on? By buying it, and, after a while, being stuck with it and, after a longer while, realising that zoom never knew you, and never cared!
And everything you say, while absolutely true, will not stop me.. but, it almost certainly will stop me. as some sort of multitool pedal, the b6 is interesting, but it has no future. as a techie guy, i can sort of see all of the wasted potential and, as a reader of your comments, i can see that none of this potential might ever be met.
if potential buyers can completely anticipate all the requirements that they NOW have, and be sure that they won't have any developing needs in the FUTURE, that they hope might be met in the b6, they might be alright to buy it.
Otherwise, zoom aren't the bedfellows you seek. They seem to treat users like Johns - there is no mutual love - you just pay, and leave.
even if they supported some user-community project, it might stand a chance - make guitar labs a portal for sharing patches, open-source patch dev, stuff like that.
As it is, the buyer has to realise that zoom aren't musicians, and any feature that zoom didn't consider, won't be coming down the pipeline.
It's a crying shame and, despite some of the staunch devotion shown here, that i'd like to show here, also, i might just cry-off from investing much more into the b6 project.
I knew the risks of not getting updates when I bought the B6. In fact, I never expected any - but the original manual talks of firmware updates - you have every right to anticipate one!
Oh, and the, even-newer, zoom G4, has ALREADY received an update, to my misunderstanding! Did they have the right to expect one?!
The B6 has a few quirks sure. I did my research before buying, so I knew what they were - Where? How, outside of reviews, which so many of us might rely on? By buying it, and, after a while, being stuck with it and, after a longer while, realising that zoom never knew you, and never cared!
And everything you say, while absolutely true, will not stop me.. but, it almost certainly will stop me. as some sort of multitool pedal, the b6 is interesting, but it has no future. as a techie guy, i can sort of see all of the wasted potential and, as a reader of your comments, i can see that none of this potential might ever be met.
if potential buyers can completely anticipate all the requirements that they NOW have, and be sure that they won't have any developing needs in the FUTURE, that they hope might be met in the b6, they might be alright to buy it.
Otherwise, zoom aren't the bedfellows you seek. They seem to treat users like Johns - there is no mutual love - you just pay, and leave.
even if they supported some user-community project, it might stand a chance - make guitar labs a portal for sharing patches, open-source patch dev, stuff like that.
As it is, the buyer has to realise that zoom aren't musicians, and any feature that zoom didn't consider, won't be coming down the pipeline.
It's a crying shame and, despite some of the staunch devotion shown here, that i'd like to show here, also, i might just cry-off from investing much more into the b6 project.
I might have to look again at this unit. I did like the G3xn, a lot but, i didn't invest enough time in it. as ever!That's one reason I'm still rockin’ these…
View attachment 5478939 View attachment 5478938
Was waiting on them to update their new stuff they had already. That was touted as a selling point, updatable and upgradable. It seems rather than that, they just move on to the next thing. Or maybe I misunderstood.
Oddly enough, I still like their stuff just wish they'd get it together and support the stuff since the B1 Four and on. I might get something new. Maybe that MS-60B+…
A simpler pedal might do well, where the b6, jack-of-all-trades, might not, ultimately.
I had a long post replying to your entire post, but realized you're just not a fan of the B6, no matter what I or anyone else says. So I deleted it. Let's agree to disagree and leave it at that. I'm also not in the habit of arguing with immature people who only come here to rant. The direction of the power supply is wrong? really? That's a major issue to you?
Instead, I'll reply to this question because it may be instructive for other people having the same question.
First, you can try one in a shop before buying. I know I did after watching a heap of video's where people actually use one to create their sounds. Generally they will also point out any issues they may have and how to avoid them. Granted, you may not find these at the top of your search since they lack the amount of hits paid reviews get, but they are useful just the same. Still, trying it in a store isn't an option for everyone. I just happened to be lucky and find a store that had one. If I hadn't, I'd have moved on to my last point.
Second, you never ever rely purely on reviews. Doing so is asking for trouble and disappointment. More often than not, they are paid for, are used by people who know how to get a good sound from it and will not point out any issues it might have. Instead, you either look for people who really use one and explain things or use sites like this to get your questions answered. People here (including me) have no stake in how many devices Zoom sells and their replies are honest opinions and nothing more. You do not go there just to rant about a device unless you wish to be ignored. Negative opinions are very welcome, as long as they are constructive and don't go ranting about the pointless direction of a power supply switch.
Lastly, if you're still unsure about a device, you buy it from a company with a decent return policy. Europe has Thomann and a few smaller companies, and I'm sure stores like GC or Sweetwater offer similar policies elsewhere in the world.
Instead, I'll reply to this question because it may be instructive for other people having the same question.
There are several ways.
First, you can try one in a shop before buying. I know I did after watching a heap of video's where people actually use one to create their sounds. Generally they will also point out any issues they may have and how to avoid them. Granted, you may not find these at the top of your search since they lack the amount of hits paid reviews get, but they are useful just the same. Still, trying it in a store isn't an option for everyone. I just happened to be lucky and find a store that had one. If I hadn't, I'd have moved on to my last point.
Second, you never ever rely purely on reviews. Doing so is asking for trouble and disappointment. More often than not, they are paid for, are used by people who know how to get a good sound from it and will not point out any issues it might have. Instead, you either look for people who really use one and explain things or use sites like this to get your questions answered. People here (including me) have no stake in how many devices Zoom sells and their replies are honest opinions and nothing more. You do not go there just to rant about a device unless you wish to be ignored. Negative opinions are very welcome, as long as they are constructive and don't go ranting about the pointless direction of a power supply switch.
Lastly, if you're still unsure about a device, you buy it from a company with a decent return policy. Europe has Thomann and a few smaller companies, and I'm sure stores like GC or Sweetwater offer similar policies elsewhere in the world.
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I don't know if they sound as good as the new stuff but it had the feature set that have been spread across all the newer pedals. Yet not all features are available on all pedals. The number of effects have changed, the amp and cabinets can't be mixed with different amps like on the old B1on and B1xon and on some, the amp and cab take up 2 slots. The old have a balance mix between amp and can to use.
Just little things that makes me hang on to them.
There are cool things on the new ones too. Like on the B1 Four(?) were you can move the Looper around in the patch chain, the MS 60B+ has the stereo outs with the split to output two signals, one to FOH, one to the amp.
B1Xon Bass Effects Pedal with Expression Pedal
The other thing is, they are out of production
I know, it excited me that had been updated twice. Even thought it was dropped, I thought they would keep up the updating in their new pedals.
There are several ways.
First, you can try one in a shop before buying - not always!
Negative opinions are very welcome, as long as they are constructive and don't go ranting about the pointless direction of a power supply switch - not really! the power-switch proves a point.
Lastly, if you're still unsure about a device, you buy it from a company with a decent return policy - if they sell zoom gear, they gonna need one.
I suspect you might be an elderly zoom employee, but, still..
You profess to have bought your b6, knowing its exact features and limitations, and quirks, and shortcomings, and decided that they were all for you. Fine.
It's just not how people go about learning - needs/requirements are a thing of discovery, not prescription.
Ultimately, I'm arguing/rallying for a firmware update, to deal with the technical lack of understanding of user requirements. It's why i mention novation circuit - they made a start with the circuit, and built on that start, based on user-feedback. They didn't prescribe what will be, and wash their hands of the finished product.
For zoom, the b6 they sold is the end of the story. for owners, it's only the beginning.
Because the zoom b6 is a technical/commercial exercise, and, not an artistic endeavour.
If i was ranting it's because:
a) i don't find enough dissatisfaction over the lack of a firmware update, or any prospect of one. i say again, the more recent G4 has received firmware updates. I can only guess that it had more fundamental 'features' to address, than the b6;
b) i'm just waking up to how good novation were to me, to round-trip the user-experience, and continue to fix/enhance the product. It's quite amazing, apparently, to provide service, after-sales; and
c) the power switch - it flicks the wrong way, and implies that there was no user-focus in correcting it. equally, the vagueness of the touch-screen implies that all tests were strictly technical - users were not a part of the problem; hence
d) 'memory-mode' becomes a part of the solution. If you can appreciate that, 'memory-mode' is technical jargon, not artistic language, then you might appreciate why the b6 will fail to cut your mustard.
More generally, this feeling of being dumped by zoom, reminiscent of my 1990s experience of being stranded by logitech, is not a good feeling.
It's quite amazing that others fail to learn best practice or, in the least, turn stewardship of the product over to users.
First, you can try one in a shop before buying - not always!
Negative opinions are very welcome, as long as they are constructive and don't go ranting about the pointless direction of a power supply switch - not really! the power-switch proves a point.
Lastly, if you're still unsure about a device, you buy it from a company with a decent return policy - if they sell zoom gear, they gonna need one.
I suspect you might be an elderly zoom employee, but, still..
You profess to have bought your b6, knowing its exact features and limitations, and quirks, and shortcomings, and decided that they were all for you. Fine.
It's just not how people go about learning - needs/requirements are a thing of discovery, not prescription.
Ultimately, I'm arguing/rallying for a firmware update, to deal with the technical lack of understanding of user requirements. It's why i mention novation circuit - they made a start with the circuit, and built on that start, based on user-feedback. They didn't prescribe what will be, and wash their hands of the finished product.
For zoom, the b6 they sold is the end of the story. for owners, it's only the beginning.
Because the zoom b6 is a technical/commercial exercise, and, not an artistic endeavour.
If i was ranting it's because:
a) i don't find enough dissatisfaction over the lack of a firmware update, or any prospect of one. i say again, the more recent G4 has received firmware updates. I can only guess that it had more fundamental 'features' to address, than the b6;
b) i'm just waking up to how good novation were to me, to round-trip the user-experience, and continue to fix/enhance the product. It's quite amazing, apparently, to provide service, after-sales; and
c) the power switch - it flicks the wrong way, and implies that there was no user-focus in correcting it. equally, the vagueness of the touch-screen implies that all tests were strictly technical - users were not a part of the problem; hence
d) 'memory-mode' becomes a part of the solution. If you can appreciate that, 'memory-mode' is technical jargon, not artistic language, then you might appreciate why the b6 will fail to cut your mustard.
More generally, this feeling of being dumped by zoom, reminiscent of my 1990s experience of being stranded by logitech, is not a good feeling.
It's quite amazing that others fail to learn best practice or, in the least, turn stewardship of the product over to users.
