Zoom MS-60B+ (a compact B2-Four?)

[Al Krow]

Has anyone figured out how to change the patch display so that the patch name stays displayed and it doesn't default to one of the fx in the chain? That could be very helpful for live use to remind me which exactly which patch I'm on! I've not spotted anything in the manual that obviously allows me to do that.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Has anyone figured out how to change the patch display so that the patch name stays displayed and it doesn't default to one of the fx in the chain? That could be very helpful for live use to remind me which exactly which patch I'm on! I've not spotted anything in the manual that obviously allows me to do that.

I would think there is a way to name the patch before saving it. That's how it is on the old pedals. You might have to page through to find it. I don't know as I have an old B1on. Waiting to get one of these.

 

[DJ Bebop]

 

[GotGroove]

Has anyone figured out how to change the patch display so that the patch name stays displayed and it doesn't default to one of the fx in the chain? That could be very helpful for live use to remind me which exactly which patch I'm on! I've not spotted anything in the manual that obviously allows me to do that.

If it can do that, I haven't seen any setting on the device that will allow me to do so. I just checked with the Handy Guitar lab, but I haven't seen anything there either.

I would think there is a way to name the patch before saving it. That's how it is on the old pedals. You might have to page through to find it. I don't know as I have an old B1on. Waiting to get one of these.

There is. Naming a patch isn't the problem. It's just not showing after the first 2 seconds of activating it. The screen returns to the effects your patch contains after that.

 

[Al Krow]

There is. Naming a patch isn't the problem. It's just not showing after the first 2 seconds of activating it. The screen returns to the effects your patch contains after that.

Yeah exactly this ^^

 

[DJ Bebop]

Yeah exactly this ^^

You guys are making me look at my old pedal to see what it did…

 

[Al Krow]

You guys are making me look at my old pedal to see what it did…

Yeah with the B1-4 the patch name and no. shows on the display (which is what I much prefer and is pretty standard on most multifx), and you need to press an edit button to access the underlying individual effects making up a patch.

I'm pretty sure that was also the case on my old MS-60B, but maybe one of you who still have one could confirm?

 

[DJ Bebop]

Yeah with the B1-4 the patch name and no. shows on the display (which is what I much prefer and is pretty standard on most multifx), and you need to press an edit button to access the underlying individual effects making up a patch.

I'm pretty sure that was also the case on my old MS-60B, but maybe one of you who still have one could confirm?

My old B1on and xon, the name of the patch stays up no matter what. I was thinking they all do that…

Thanks for this. I haven't had them out in a while. Will play with them this weekend a bit!

 

[Johno Dunn]

If it can do that, I haven't seen any setting on the device that will allow me to do so. I just checked with the Handy Guitar lab, but I haven't seen anything there either.


There is. Naming a patch isn't the problem. It's just not showing after the first 2 seconds of activating it. The screen returns to the effects your patch contains after that.

If it can do that, I haven't seen any setting on the device that will allow me to do so. I just checked with the Handy Guitar lab, but I haven't seen anything there either.


There is. Naming a patch isn't the problem. It's just not showing after the first 2 seconds of activating it. The screen returns to the effects your patch contains after that.

I don’t believe any of the MS series have this option. The OG’s did not. I searched for years, and nothing!

 

[ClaytonCroft]

I may have missed it, but has anyone done a comparison between the b2four and the MS-60b+? If the sounds are essentially equal (44khz), its really just a matter of form (plasticky vs metal, stageworthy vs desktop, etc.) Looking at the manuals, the new Zoom stuff all seems to be going the same direction.

I generally practice with a b1four (aux from the iPad and headphones out) but I suppose getting a little Fender amp could serve just as well as a headphone/aux amp, if I upgraded to the MS-60b+. I'm looking to move up in quality from my Boss ME-50b and B3n.

I'd love to hear experiences with this as a gigging "all in one" pedal, and if it's worth it, or just GAS.

 

[Appogee]

Given I already own a Zoom B1 Four, is there any advantage to me buying a MS-60B+?

As far as I can tell, the only differences are:
(a) form factor (it's smaller, but smaller buttons would make it a bit less versatile during a performance)
(b) one more FX slot in a patch (but would I just run out of processor capacity anyway?)
(c) twice as many patches (but I only need 25, tops)
(d) Apple PC software only (at a time when I'm trying to avoid Apple devices)

In my situation, would you buy a MS-60B+? Am I missing any compelling reason to "upgrade"?

Thanks for your advice.

 

[stubbsonic]

Comparing the B1 Four to the B2 Four:
1) compressors are WAY better
2) general signal quality is better.
3) probably preamps are better, but you do lose custom amp-cab combos.

I'm assuming the B2 Four and MS-60B+ are pretty similar sonically- the other differences have been listed in this thread.

I think if the B1-Four is suiting your needs, and if compression (particularly for slap) isn't super important, then you might as well stick with what you have.

If you want a dopamine hit, I think the MS-60B+ will probably give you a pretty good one.

 

[Wfrance3]

The screen returns to the effects your patch contains after that.

Agreed. It does have that issue. What I’ve discovered is that different effects have different colors. The pedal will leave up whatever effect you leave displayed on any given patch when you save it. That way when you come back to the patch it will be whatever color pedal model you left it on. Even tho the patch name is only there for a sec you’ll be able to know that your trem-reverb patch or whatever is a certain color. The writing for patch names is too small for me to read anyway, so using colors is the way I’m going atm…

 

[InkCow]

Yeah with the B1-4 the patch name and no. shows on the display (which is what I much prefer and is pretty standard on most multifx), and you need to press an edit button to access the underlying individual effects making up a patch.

I'm pretty sure that was also the case on my old MS-60B, but maybe one of you who still have one could confirm?

The OG does in memory mode. Does the plus have a similar feature?

 

[GotGroove]

The OG does in memory mode. Does the plus have a similar feature?

Not that I can find. It seems it's both in memory mode and edit mode at the same time due to the 2 extra buttons. The 2 on top changes patches, while the 2 on the bottom switch between effects within the patch.

 

[Al Krow]

The OG does in memory mode. Does the plus have a similar feature?

Apologies: OG = ??

 

[InkCow]

Apologies: OG = ??

Well, OG stands for “original gangsta”, meaning the old MS60B.

 

[Al Krow]

Given I already own a Zoom B1 Four, is there any advantage to me buying a MS-60B+?

As far as I can tell, the only differences are:
(a) form factor (it's smaller, but smaller buttons would make it a bit less versatile during a performance)
(b) one more FX slot in a patch (but would I just run out of processor capacity anyway?)
(c) twice as many patches (but I only need 25, tops)
(d) Apple PC software only (at a time when I'm trying to avoid Apple devices)

In my situation, would you buy a MS-60B+? Am I missing any compelling reason to "upgrade"?

Thanks for your advice.

Hi, where I'm landing is that I would probably go with the MS-60B+ on my gigging pedal board and have the B1-4 for home practice. To put a bit of color on this:

Live use
Where the MS-60B+ wins:
1) with the two identical patches I've found the MS-60B+ to sound more open and less 'muffled' than the B1-4. Tbf that's just at home where it will likely be more noticeable than in a band mix, but the fact that there is a discernibly "better" sound from the MS-60B+ with its upgraded chip set is actually a pretty big point;
2) the additional 6th fx slot could come in handy;
3) double the patches is potentially useful but, as you've pointed out, for live use who is going to need more than 50 anyway? Most of us will be content with something closer to 10 to 15 (unless we want to create a dedicated patch per song and be able to scroll through them, in which case being able to put them in order quickly and easily with PC software would be a must for those of without Apple devices).
4) the smaller more compact form factor is a nice to have.

Where the B1-4 wins:
5) being able to display the patch name and number instead of reverting to the underlying fx;
6) global EQ and volume control easily accessible and tweakable.

Home use
Where the B1-4 wins:
7) having PC editing software to create and modify patches;
8) drum machine, looper and headphone amp - all potentially very useful in different contexts for home practice!

 

[Al Krow]

Well, OG stands for “original gangsta”, meaning the old MS60B.

Well I've learned something new today!

 

[Wfrance3]

Hi, where I'm landing is that I would probably go with the MS-60B+ on my gigging pedal board and have the B1-4 for home practice. To put a bit of color on this:

Live use
Where the MS-60B+ wins:
1) with the two identical patches I've found the MS-60B+ to sound more open and less 'muffled' than the B1-4. Tbf that's just at home where it will likely be more noticeable than in a band mix, but the fact that there is a discernibly "better" sound from the MS-60B+ with its upgraded chip set is actually a pretty big point;
2) the additional 6th fx slot could come in handy;
3) double the patches is potentially useful but, as you've pointed out, for live use who is going to need more than 50 anyway? Most of us will be content with something closer to 10 to 15 (unless we want to create a dedicated patch per song and be able to scroll through them, in which case being able to put them in order quickly and easily with PC software would be a must for those of without Apple devices).
4) the smaller more compact form factor is a nice to have.

Where the B1-4 wins:
5) being able to display the patch name and number instead of reverting to the underlying fx;
6) global EQ and volume control easily accessible and tweakable.

Home use
Where the B1-4 wins:
7) having PC editing software to create and modify patches;
8) drum machine, looper and headphone amp - all potentially very useful in different contexts for home practice!

This is what I’m currently doing. I added an MS70CDR+ to the home board for now. It may leave the house once I get to know it better. Also when I can do things that the MS60+ can’t.