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Zoom G11 at Winter NAMM 2020

#41
I don't hear it that way. I may be misunderstanding you. I mean that to my ears the hiss doesn't disappear when the strings are muted, so I hear it all the same regardless of whether a bass is even plugged in, let alone playing.

I almost bought a B1 Four, but I'm just too big a fan of the stompbox functionality on the B3n

I also own tons of analog/digital stompboxes. I would say that I split my gigs/rehearsals 50/50 between them and the B3n with no obvious tonal sacrifice. I'll record a clip through my board for comparison.
 
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#42
Yeah the B3N has got very decent functionality and tbf the drum machine is a home practice tool for me and nothing I'd ever use live.

The B1(X)-4 is a nice compromise between the compact form of MS-60B and usability of the B3N.

But the lack of parallel clean blend is defo something I miss with my Zoom multis, so I've ended up sticking my B1X-4 in a loop of a Boss LS2 and I can clean blend to my heart's content!
PB - 2004mini I.jpg

Are you mainly doing covers work?
 
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#43
That's a nice setup! I generally don't like blending in clean signals, but I've had good luck with the drive models on the B3n that have them (particularly the Squeak). I either run the B3n straight up if I don't feel like lugging stuff around, or on a board with a Boss BC-1x Compressor, Emma Stinkbug, TC Sentry Noise Gate, and an MXR Carbon Copy, using the B3n for modulation, more extreme drive settings and general tone shaping.

I mostly do original material. Genres range from rock-R&B/Funk-Metal.
 
#44
Ok, here are some clips for your consideration.

To me, that hiss that I'm hearing in the B3n clip is present in all of these, constantly (as I've said, it's a particular issue in this room). It obviously gets worse when you throw drive and compression onto it, which is also what seems to be happening on the Zoom.

To be fair, the Boss is a digital compressor, and may suffer from the same issue you hear, but I hear it running into the analog Stinkbug, as well as the Bass running straight into the amp.

Obviously this isn't scientific in any way. I didn't go through any great lengths to match the amount of compression the Zoom patch is using. I don't have an EQ pedal, so I just boosted bass and treble and scooped mids on the amp. And I didn't level match all of the files, so some are quieter than the others, and the hiss will appear quieter as well.

Whatever is listed in the file is what it is in the signal chain. I didn't run through my full board hoping that it would minimize interference.

If it ever gets dead silent (like at around 40 seconds in on all of the clips) that's because the audio length was shorter than the project length, so it continued to render an MP3 despite there being no audio on the track.
 

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#45
I'll chime in with my own highly unscientific findings. Let me preface by saying that I'm well aware that my high end hearing has suffered over the last 10 years, and though not diagnosed, I have some form of tinnitus. This doesn't put me in a good spot for analyzing these types of subtleties, and so typically rely on recording tools to help identify these sorts of sonic problems....which can be pretty time consuming and the end result has to be worth it for me to embark.

So first, I just plugged in my headphones (not the greatest JBL cans) directly and gave it a whirl. With my basses being roundwound strung, and action a little on the clanky side, it was difficult for me to easily discern any overtly digital artifacts, though there were times where I was convinced I heard it, only to NOT be able to hear it with any consistency. With all the compression, loose harmonics or extraneous fret noise would be the most prevalent negative artifact I could easily identify. I'd hit a high note on my G string, fairly lightly, and let it ring. Other than the residual noise present from my bass pickups, I really couldn't say I heard anything alarming, or consistent/obvious as described by "ped" on the other forum.

Now, keep in mind what I said in the first paragraph. Also, for me the B3n and G5n (and B3 when I had it) were not really being considered as serious recording tools if push comes to shove. But I also feel pretty certain that I've laid down bass tracks on serious projects that were no better or worse sounding *to my ears*, currently flawed as they may be, and the only place where such noise would even be an issue would be during an extremely dynamic bass solo - with nothing else in the mix - and with very gentle playing.

I'll see what else I can conjure up, but for the moment I'm not concerned - only speaking for myself. If anyone else hears digital artifact noise and it's really bothersome, then so be it, and I envy your taste for such delicate sounds and the condition of your ears. ;)
 
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#46
I mean...are people just searching for imperfections in every piece of gear now? Can I hear some very slight hiss in those recordings? Yeah. Can I imagine a single scenario, live or otherwise, where it would be problematic? Nope. At a certain point this kind of stuff is truly absurd but hey...just spend more on the boutique gear! ‍♂️
 
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#48
Zymba said:
I mean...are people just searching for imperfections in every piece of gear now? Can I hear some very slight hiss in those recordings? Yeah. Can I imagine a single scenario, live or otherwise, where it would be problematic? Nope. This kind of stuff is truly absurd but hey...just spend more on the boutique gear! ‍♂️
Click to expand...

I agree, and for me the main point is that my hiss seems to be a result of bad wiring and interference in my house, not the Zoom unit.
 
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#49
With deference to those who hear the digital artifact noise, I'll be happy to hear them out with the understanding that, even if it in fact does exist in the B3n, it matters for little as to whether or not I enjoy using the gear. Everyone can draw their own conclusion as far as I'm concerned, and do what they like.

In the meantime, I'm interested in hearing more about those using the G11. I'm especially interested to see more information on how they've implemented the Send/Return blocks, and whether there are any additional parameters that may allow for a hack to run parallel signal paths.
 
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#50
@primussucks9126 ...was wondering if you saw a new development with the G11. They've added the SVT and Aguilar bass amp models (and I'd assume companion IRs for them, but not sure), as well as SansAmp BDDI and Darkglass B7k drive models (each of which have a wet/dry BLEND parameter). So there you have it. Some reasonably legit starting options for bassists native to the G11. It would be nice to think that Zoom didn't stop there, and included the Glam Comp and a couple other Bass-specific effect blocks to the G11. I guess we'll find out.

In recent memory, I've never known Zoom to be inclusive of bassists with their flagship multi-fx modeling pedals...always a B-version and a G-version.
 
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#52
jimfist said:
@primussucks9126 ...was wondering if you saw a new development with the G11. They've added the SVT and Aguilar bass amp models (and I'd assume companion IRs for them, but not sure), as well as SansAmp BDDI and Darkglass B7k drive models (each of which have a wet/dry BLEND parameter). So there you have it. Some reasonably legit starting options for bassists native to the G11. It would be nice to think that Zoom didn't stop there, and included the Glam Comp and a couple other Bass-specific effect blocks to the G11. I guess we'll find out.

In recent memory, I've never known Zoom to be inclusive of bassists with their flagship multi-fx modeling pedals...always a B-version and a G-version.
Click to expand...

Holy smokes, that's awesome! I hadn't seen that. Shortly after making the post about how I don't use the amps in my B3n, I made a patch with the SVT model that I've fallen in love with (despite never really enjoying any actual SVT I've played).

I think they're just following market trends. From what I've seen, even their flagship units have been budget friendly/beginner focused. I think they're trying to appeal more to the pro market with this, and instrument specific units don't fly as much in that price range
 
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#53
Zoom lines of instrument specific fx units is pure marketing strategy. Underneath they're the same. Do you know that we can inject fx from their guitar unit into bass unit and vice versa? It's a hack but it's possible. I've injected some bass amp models from MS60B into MS70CDR, the same can be done between G1on & B1on etc.
 
#54
i2k said:
Zoom lines of instrument specific fx units is pure marketing strategy. Underneath they're the same. Do you know that we can inject fx from their guitar unit into bass unit and vice versa? It's a hack but it's possible. I've injected some bass amp models from MS60B into MS70CDR, the same can be done between G1on & B1on etc.
Click to expand...

Yes, marketing, no doubt. I've done the same with a couple of Zoom pedals. Does the "Four" series allow for the same cross-pollenation? IIRC, their table-top interface, the GCE-3 Guitar Lab Circuit Emulator, advertises this feature. Not a live performance pedal, though.
 
#55
jimfist said:
Yes, marketing, no doubt. I've done the same with a couple of Zoom pedals. Does the "Four" series allow for the same cross-pollenation? IIRC, their table-top interface, the GCE-3 Guitar Lab Circuit Emulator, advertises this feature. Not a live performance pedal, though.
Click to expand...

IIRC the "four" series share the same architecture (hardware, firmware) with the "n" series.
 
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#56
primussucks9126 said:
Holy smokes, that's awesome! I hadn't seen that. Shortly after making the post about how I don't use the amps in my B3n, I made a patch with the SVT model that I've fallen in love with (despite never really enjoying any actual SVT I've played).

I think they're just following market trends. From what I've seen, even their flagship units have been budget friendly/beginner focused. I think they're trying to appeal more to the pro market with this, and instrument specific units don't fly as much in that price range
Click to expand...
Love to see your SVT settings? :)
 
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#57
BrentSimons said:
Love to see your SVT settings? :)
Click to expand...

The settings are pretty extreme, but they don't sound outrageous. Its a nice meaty crunch. My Serek is pretty dark, so I find that it benefits from the treble boost. I'll post a with/without clip in a bit.
20200603_220643_HDR.jpg
20200603_220710_HDR.jpg


Edit: I tweaked the settings a bit so I uploaded new pictures to reflect that. Here are the sound clips. Generic finger, pick, and slap riffs. One just my bass with the B3n off, one with just the SVT on, one with the SVT, EP Stomp, and comp on. I didn't add any processing in my DAW. I try to each effect for as close to unity gain as my ears can manage.
 

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#58
primussucks9126 said:
The settings are pretty extreme, but they don't sound outrageous. Its a nice meaty crunch. My Serek is pretty dark, so I find that it benefits from the treble boost. I'll post a with/without clip in a bit.
View attachment 3854260 View attachment 3854259

Edit: I tweaked the settings a bit so I uploaded new pictures to reflect that. Here are the sound clips. Generic finger, pick, and slap riffs. One just my bass with the B3n off, one with just the SVT on, one with the SVT, EP Stomp, and comp on. I didn't add any processing in my DAW. I try to each effect for as close to unity gain as my ears can manage.
Click to expand...
Sounds great! Thanks for sharing!
Stay healthy!
Brent
 
#59
I found this demo for guitar comparing the G11 to the G3n:



Not the best sounding example for either unit, but it seems like they sound more or less the same. The G11 has a touch more in the highs going on. A bit more clarity overall, to my ears.

This is fine by me, as I really like the sound of my B3n/G3xn, but it may be a deal breaker for anyone hoping for a total revamp of the models (though I swear I read that Zoom did all new models for this).

I also read in the manual (online, don't have mine yet) that you can run up to 10 effects at a time with this. Amps still take 2 physical slots, but it seems like in terms of processing they take up 1, since Zoom also says you can use an amp + 9 effects.

I'm super stoked for this. Ultimately, I think my brother will end up using it more for guitar. What I would really like to see is something with this processing power and the loop options in the form factor of the B3n so it can live on a pedalboard instead of replace it.
 
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#60
Don't know if you saw, but it seems the G11 has added the SVT and a couple other bass items. Perhaps there are or will be more...



SVT & Aguilar bass amps at 1min30sec
Bass Drive (SansAmp) & Dark Pre (Darkglass B7k) at 3min23 sec
 

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