I got mine on Thursday and I am totally lost on how to use the darn thing. I need to sit down, soberly, and read the directions.
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ZOOM B9.1ut
- Thread starter singlemalt
- Start date
Go back and read the first couple pages of this thread. Then read the manual.
I have yet to use the USB part, I have another interface that does midi and audio. I'm pretty sure you have to have midi for the librarian, the usb will do audio.
The midi interface handles the communication with the librarian software. Even if you don't have a way to hook up the midi, download the free software from zoom. Fire it up and you see how the modules are laid out. Each one has layers and layers.
For example: compression, there are at least four types, each one has adjustable controls. On the computer, if you got your mojo, I mean midi, working, you can adjust with your mouse. If your mojo ain't working it's over to the scoll wheels under the tiny led screen.
Try this: dial up the Marcus Miller setting.(P-A1: Miller's) Hit the red lit preamp button, it turns orange, screen says PRE_AMP SWR, first black knob on the far left, scrolls thru the various preamps, next knob going to the right, sets tone level, next one mix level, next one pre or post chain, last one does nothing. You can eq all you want with the silver knobs in the preamp box. Gain and level are the money knobs, they get the volume going. Hit exit to get back to where you started or store to save changes. First black knob dials up what ever user number (U-??) you want to call it. Like U-A1.
Easiest way is to start with a preset you like, and tweak it. If you are on the computer you can name it and give it a user patch number.
Don't worry, you can't lose the factory presets.
Good luck with the manual, it's a tough read, but it can be worth it. I'm more of a button pusher myself, but you have to understand the structure or you are just lost. I know the feeling.
I have yet to use the USB part, I have another interface that does midi and audio. I'm pretty sure you have to have midi for the librarian, the usb will do audio.
The midi interface handles the communication with the librarian software. Even if you don't have a way to hook up the midi, download the free software from zoom. Fire it up and you see how the modules are laid out. Each one has layers and layers.
For example: compression, there are at least four types, each one has adjustable controls. On the computer, if you got your mojo, I mean midi, working, you can adjust with your mouse. If your mojo ain't working it's over to the scoll wheels under the tiny led screen.
Try this: dial up the Marcus Miller setting.(P-A1: Miller's) Hit the red lit preamp button, it turns orange, screen says PRE_AMP SWR, first black knob on the far left, scrolls thru the various preamps, next knob going to the right, sets tone level, next one mix level, next one pre or post chain, last one does nothing. You can eq all you want with the silver knobs in the preamp box. Gain and level are the money knobs, they get the volume going. Hit exit to get back to where you started or store to save changes. First black knob dials up what ever user number (U-??) you want to call it. Like U-A1.
Easiest way is to start with a preset you like, and tweak it. If you are on the computer you can name it and give it a user patch number.
Don't worry, you can't lose the factory presets.
Good luck with the manual, it's a tough read, but it can be worth it. I'm more of a button pusher myself, but you have to understand the structure or you are just lost. I know the feeling.
I've been digging thru the manual, and it is a beast. It's a little hard to digest without the pedal in front of me yet to apply it to. I think I understand the whole usb/midi thing, but it would have been nice if the guys at zoom had partnered up with someone or recommended a midi interface. I guess for the price it's understandable that they don't want to make it obvious that you will have to pony up another 50 bucks to connect to your computer for the librarian interface. It's not going to be a deal breaker by any means. Just the fact that you can use you computer to edit parameters is a very big deal. There is nothing like the back ache of being hunched over a tiny little interface on the ground to figure out a multi-fx unit.
Once I'm up and running I was wondering, is there any way to share user presets here on the forum in an easy way? I really doubt I'm going to be able to fill all 80 presets myself.
Once I'm up and running I was wondering, is there any way to share user presets here on the forum in an easy way? I really doubt I'm going to be able to fill all 80 presets myself.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I started digging into this last night and today. I'm incredibly happy here. 
The possibilities with this pedal are endless. About a month ago I bought myself an M Audio Venom synth. Hooking the 2 of these up with midi opens up some huge doors. Door I feel like I barely cracked open.
I like all the effects so far also. Never really know how effects sound till I use them with a band, but I'm not too worried.
I think I've found my holy grail in multi effects. Yay.
The possibilities with this pedal are endless. About a month ago I bought myself an M Audio Venom synth. Hooking the 2 of these up with midi opens up some huge doors. Door I feel like I barely cracked open.
I like all the effects so far also. Never really know how effects sound till I use them with a band, but I'm not too worried.
I think I've found my holy grail in multi effects. Yay.
I DLed the library software and it does look like the best way to go. As far as cables to use to hook it up.... is this what you guys are talking about?
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One thing I think is kind of cool is the preset artist sounds. Like the Marcus Miller setting. I've always loved that sound, and when you pull it up on the Zoom, there it is! Especially if you are using headphones, the stereo is great. Now take a look at how the Zoom put that together by checking the modules. The style of compression, the preamp, the chorus, and the cab and reverb. Kind of a cool peek into how that tone comes about.
Same with the Victor tone and some of the others. I know it's kind of going at it backwards, but deconstructing these tones, I get a feel for what it is about them that I like and how they work. Then I can start putting new combos together.
Still, lots of hours of exploring, and too much head scratching with the manual. Why didn't they just add an index? Some youtube support would be nice too. There are still things I just don't get.
Same with the Victor tone and some of the others. I know it's kind of going at it backwards, but deconstructing these tones, I get a feel for what it is about them that I like and how they work. Then I can start putting new combos together.
Still, lots of hours of exploring, and too much head scratching with the manual. Why didn't they just add an index? Some youtube support would be nice too. There are still things I just don't get.
I don't know about that cable, but it would be really cool if it worked for you, that would be getting off cheap. If it can be easily returned, sure, give it a shot. Check out the picture on page 8 of the manual. I don't use the usb part at all, but only because I already had an interface ready to go. I got the presonus on a scratch and dent sale. so it wasn't so bad cost wise. Came with Cubase 4LE, but I use garage band for most things.
I'm running the midi into a presonus firepod interface, then to the computer (mac) by firewire. That handles the midi part, and I used a couple channels on the firepod for right and left outputs on the Zoom.
I'm running the midi into a presonus firepod interface, then to the computer (mac) by firewire. That handles the midi part, and I used a couple channels on the firepod for right and left outputs on the Zoom.
Cool, thanks. GC has one like the one you described for twice the money. I'll try the one the have in stock.
Hey how the synth sounds track on this? I have been looking at this for a bit. I have a B1 but realyy hate the synth on it. Any input or just get a seperate synth pedal?
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
IMO it's pretty dang good. I had a digitech synth pedal, and the boss multieffects and anything they put out was unusable. With this the sound is consistent and actually resembles a synth.
Damn this thread. Made me go and order this thing because I had some cash burning a hole in my pocket (my mother said she'd buy the tuxedo I'd chosen for my wedding, so that freed up a tidy four figure sum).
The pedal arrived yesterday before rehearsal with the folkie group and so I brought it along. Stuck to basic pre-sets for the most part, and I'm already in love with this thing. Can't wait to dig deeper starting tonight!
The pedal arrived yesterday before rehearsal with the folkie group and so I brought it along. Stuck to basic pre-sets for the most part, and I'm already in love with this thing. Can't wait to dig deeper starting tonight!
Nah, they've already got that, when I open my mouth to sing.
The stranger stuff will be useful in my other, noisier, group, and as the folkies transition to electric (the reason they wanted a bass player).
The stranger stuff will be useful in my other, noisier, group, and as the folkies transition to electric (the reason they wanted a bass player).
I started out liking the zoom, but now the sounds seemed to have moved to muddy and disorted, no matter which sound i pick or amp I use.
i have set my amp's eq's all flat but to no avail!
Thinking of going to the GC and trading it off on anything and going back to a volume pedal and a rack tuner, ad let my G&L do the talking.
Any help out here before I send it on it's way?
i have set my amp's eq's all flat but to no avail!
Thinking of going to the GC and trading it off on anything and going back to a volume pedal and a rack tuner, ad let my G&L do the talking.
Any help out here before I send it on it's way?
There are many ways to adjust the gain structure with this pedal. First, make sure the output knob is hot enough to get a clear sound, but not too much to clip. This thing can get a nasty clip sound if you turn that knob too much. There are two gain input knobs, the tube and solid state. These should only equal about 80% combined for unity gain! Each effect has it's own output/level adjustment, each patch has it's output adjustment. This pedal is very complex, and it may take a long time to read the manual, but it is nearly endlessly configurable. It has so many functions, outputs, and connections it can be overwhelming. To me, this just means I got a lot for what I paid for it. Some may prefer the simplicity of the Boss, or others that just plug and play. I believe that this pedal has the most bang for the buck, and I have only begun to scratch the surface of it's possibilities.
Have you tried this?
Try turning off/bypassing all the effects. At that point, the only 'coloring' of the sound should be the Tube and SS Gain buttons on the front. Those are apparently always active, even if no patches are activated. If you have the Zoom in your effects loop, balance the SS and tube gain controls until there is little (or whatever desired 'default' amount of) difference between the effects loop being on or off. Then set your effects accordingly.
I have 2 'default' patches that hold various individual effects like a chorus or a reverb or whatever. When I take that patch, all of them are off. I just kick in what is needed when needed and it's pretty seamless.
I tried that, but still find I can't get the same sound I get when its in bypass.
I did however find the Rec Bass very close to my bypass sound with all 3 of my basses.
So I used that patch as my master and then added Verb, to 1 delay to 2 chorus to 3 and for is the Acoustic bass patch. I dialed in the effects to te amount I like and we'll go from there.
If you know how to make it sound the same in bypass as in a blank patch let me know.
thanks
I did however find the Rec Bass very close to my bypass sound with all 3 of my basses.
So I used that patch as my master and then added Verb, to 1 delay to 2 chorus to 3 and for is the Acoustic bass patch. I dialed in the effects to te amount I like and we'll go from there.
If you know how to make it sound the same in bypass as in a blank patch let me know.
thanks
