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

[OggyOi]

How are people finding these, now that they've had a little more time with them?

Particularly interested in whether the octave down and envelope filters are any good? I know someone above described them as passable.

Cheers

 

[Appogee]

Just checking... Is it possible to change and save a new text name for each of the Factory Patches? If so I'm guessing you have to do this in the iPad app?

(I'm not familiar with some of the "popular songs" they currently reference. My bad.)

 

[GotGroove]

Just checking... Is it possible to change and save a new text name for each of the Factory Patches? If so I'm guessing you have to do this in the iPad app?

(I'm not familiar with some of the "popular songs" they currently reference. My bad.)

It is. select patch>press Menu>1 turn clockwise on Menu>Patch name>press Menu. Factory patches aren't locked, so you can do whatever you want with them.
It's easier with the ipad app, especially if you want to do this in bulk, but you can do it within the device itself if you wish. It's just slower.

 

[kiewicz]

Hi, I recently became the owner of a Zoom MS-60B+ and I'm very satisfied with it. Unfortunately, I can't use the Handy Guitar Lab app because I don't own any Apple devices. I know this app allows for easy management of saved presets, but does it also allow for adding additional effects? I'm interested in some effects available in the Zoom MS-70CDR+ and I'm wondering if I could load them onto my MS-60B+ this way.

 

[GotGroove]

but does it also allow for adding additional effects? I'm interested in some effects available in the Zoom MS-70CDR+ and I'm wondering if I could load them onto my MS-60B+ this way.

Not at the moment. We're not at the point yet where the firmware's been cracked and open for additional effects like the old models are. If it's going to happen, I'm sure it'll be posted somewhere. But for now, no.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Not at the moment. We're not at the point yet where the firmware's been cracked and open for additional effects like the old models are. If it's going to happen, I'm sure it'll be posted somewhere. But for now, no.

Isn't still possible to load in effects that are present on Handy Guitar Lab like the Windows version does?

Case in point, I have an R20 recorder that use effects from the Guitar Lab. The engine in it is like the Zoom GCE-3. You can download any effects that are used on any of the G-series pedal.

It won't do that?

 

[GotGroove]

Isn't still possible to load in effects that are present on Handy Guitar Lab like the Windows version does?

Case in point, I have an R20 recorder that use effects from the Guitar Lab. The engine in it is like the Zoom GCE-3. You can download any effects that are used on any of the G-series pedal.

It won't do that?

Not likely. As far as I've played with it, you can't access anything outside your own device. At least, I couldn't see any effects that weren't in my official FX list. It would probably require a hacked/modded version of the HGL app to gain access to any other effects than the one present on your device. I also doubt Apple would allow such an app without jailbraking your phone/tablet and I'm not willing to test such an app anyway. Besides, It's a feat far easier done on a windows OS, or even on Android where there are very few restrictions in what firmware you play with inside the program. It might very well be the reason Zoom went with an IOS app in the first place: to prevent people from messing with the firmware this time.

I think we'll have to be patient and see if the person who created the Zoom Effect Manager (which is not official Zoom software, but great just the same) will update their software. Or perhaps someone else will make something similar. It'll be a lot more work this time around.

The only way it might work without breaking any rules is if you have both devices, add a patch in the patch pool from 1 and then try to load it onto another. But as I only have the 60B+ in the + series, I can't test it.
If someone has multiple MS XX+ devices and is willing to test it, I'm interested in their results. But in all honesty, I'm not holding my breath on it working.

 

[Al Krow]

Not long before they release something similar for the B2-4 and MS-60B+? Could be a game changer for those of us not on Apple/IOS devices thinking about the B2-4 or MS-60B+ (or in my case potentially reconsidering!)

 

[GotGroove]

Not long before they release something similar for the B2-4 and MS-60B+? Could be a game changer for those of us not on Apple/IOS devices thinking about the B2-4 or MS-60B+ (or in my case potentially reconsidering!)

I hope so. I don't really need it personally, although bringing an old 'droid phone to a gig sure beats bringing a €500-600 Ipad. But my real reason for hoping they add a droid app, is that hacking the device and allowing other effects not on your device (like we can on the old series) would be one step closer. I wouldn't say no to some of the CDR+ effects on my 60B+

And yes, I'll have to eat my own words if they do, but I'll do so with a smile on my face.

It might very well be the reason Zoom went with an IOS app in the first place: to prevent people from messing with the firmware this time.

 

[Appogee]

I have a bad feeling Zoom have no plans to create Android or Windows versions of the app. It's been a long time since the B2 Four was released, and it's known that coding for Android requires accommodating more variations than for Apple's less flexible and tightly controlled operating system.

Having said that, lack of Windows and Android support is the single biggest issue stopping me from buying either of the new pedals. I am trying to extract myself of the Apple ecosystem, and much as I like Zoom pedals, they're not going to 'force' me to persist with it.

 

[birminghambass]

I have a bad feeling Zoom have no plans to create Android or Windows versions of the app. It's been a long time since the B2 Four was released, and it's known that coding for Android requires accommodating more variations than for Apple's less flexible and tightly controlled operating system.

Having said that, lack of Windows and Android support is the single biggest issue stopping me from buying either of the new pedals. I am trying to extract myself of the Apple ecosystem, and much as I like Zoom pedals, they're not going to 'force' me to persist with it.

I have Androids, and I either own or have owned all the new Zoom stuff. I don't feel that the app is necessary at all. These units are all fantastic and super easy to navigate/program.

 

[stubbsonic]

I have Androids, and I either own or have owned all the new Zoom stuff. I don't feel that the app is necessary at all. These units are all fantastic and super easy to navigate/program.

@Appogee, your FX workflow, uses, needs and preferences are obviously your own, so obviously, you're free to draw the lines where you want.

As @birminghambass says, you can get quite a bit of value without an editor. And Zoom FX do tend to offer plenty of value as standalone devices.

The editor does make it easier to choose from all the modules, name & organize patches, back-up your patches, and update firmware. For firmware updates, you can certainly just borrow a friend's apple device to make that happen. Zoom's updates are usually functional, so at some point when it is stable enough, there will be no more updates.

 

[Appogee]

For me, creating and naming patches on the Windows software is the difference between "doable" vs "easily doable / enjoyable".
I appreciate that others may be fine to do it all "on device" (and of course it's important to be able to do it "on device", especially when you're at a performance).

 

[Johno Dunn]

I really like the sounds I’m getting out of the 60B+, and the SL CabZoneX! Now if the MVave Chocolate + will just work with it, it will be a total win’

 

[ClaytonCroft]

Everyone's sold out of the 60B+ right now, but I just grabbed an Ashdown Tone Pocket as a headphone amp, and I think it'll be a nice, light, compact practice rig.

Now, if we could just fully commit to an ampless setup, my back will be a lot happier...

 

[Johno Dunn]

The way I’m running the 60B+ is probably not how most will choose to run it.
I just got the Humboldt today, and quite easily dialed in a tone I love!
I’m running bass>Humblodt>60B+.
In the Zoom I have the ZNR Noise Reduction>a parametric single band EQ to dial in the mids, and then the signal is split to left and right outs. Right will be straight through to the R out, and FX will be sent to the L out. These then go into a JHS Summing Amp then to the CabZoneX. This gives me parallel FX, and a lot more control of my effected signal.

 

[gregmon79]

I just got the 60b+ this morning. I’m very pleased with it so far. Surprised that the tones are even better than the 60b I used to have. If I remember correctly anyway. Gotta get used to the new menu navigation but it’s not bad once you start playing with it.

But so far, the filters sound damn good. And god I miss the bass octaves and synths in these units!!! They are so good imo. The 60b+ could even possibly kick off my H9. I’m not even really using my H9 on my main board so I’m thinking once/if I find what I want to use the 60b+ it probably will.

The only gripe I have so far with it, apologies if this has been brought up before, is the 9v plug in. Why did they recess it so far in?!?! What were they thinking? Seriously. I had to order new ciosks cables to make it work on my board. Just a head slapper on that one imo.

 

[Johno Dunn]

I just got the 60b+ this morning. I’m very pleased with it so far. Surprised that the tones are even better than the 60b I used to have. If I remember correctly anyway. Gotta get used to the new menu navigation but it’s not bad once you start playing with it.

But so far, the filters sound damn good. And god I miss the bass octaves and synths in these units!!! They are so good imo. The 60b+ could even possibly kick off my H9. I’m not even really using my H9 on my main board so I’m thinking once/if I find what I want to use the 60b+ it probably will.

The only gripe I have so far with it, apologies if this has been brought up before, is the 9v plug in. Why did they recess it so far in?!?! What were they thinking? Seriously. I had to order new ciosks cables to make it work on my board. Just a head slapper on that one imo.

Same on the plug! Pain in the arse!

 

[GotGroove]

The only gripe I have so far with it, apologies if this has been brought up before, is the 9v plug in. Why did they recess it so far in?!?! What were they thinking? Seriously. I had to order new ciosks cables to make it work on my board. Just a head slapper on that one imo.

Yea, seems to be something all new models suffer from. My B6 has the same issue and from what I saw in stores the 70+ has it as well. Luckily my powerbank has cables that fit properly, but I can see how that's annoying. I guess they wanted to made the connection secure or something? Idk. It's zoom. They always manage to do something 'special' somewhere.

 

[Parzival]

I would most certainly pick one of these up again if I could just get a good downtime effect. If anyone has any settings for 1/2 step and whole step down, let me know. Only for two songs so it doesn’t have to be perfect.
I’ve just gotten spoiled by my HX One Poly Capo and I don’t want to have to mess around with tunings on stage.