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

[BassSquatch]

Sorry if already discussed: can I run this through a PA speaker and get a solid bass tone? The Mackie Thump 215X looks nice, and affordable.
I currently only have a rumble V3 40, and I'm looking for something louder.

 

[stubbsonic]

As far as the B2-Four is concerned, that's pretty much what it is for. Especially if you like good sims of tube-type bass amps. The solid-state amp sim is lame. The modeled cabs are hardwired to the amps- so you can't pick & choose, but there are enough EQ options to shape the tone.

As for the Mackie Thump 215XT, I can't really say. The main thing to watch out for is whether the horn tweeter is piercing or if the overall tone feels natural and un-hyped when you play regular music through it. I expect the low-end to be fine. If you know your usually going into the mains (and not relying on your speaker for house sound) then I'd guess it's loud enough to hear yourself from it (that's a guess). It's always hard to know if the speaker will be loud enough and sound right without going through the mains--- just from the speaker. That depends on the bands/contexts that you play in.

I think the B2-Four is fine. But you might want to hop over to a different subforum here to ask about the speaker.

 

[bassbrad]

Sorry if already discussed: can I run this through a PA speaker and get a solid bass tone? The Mackie Thump 215X looks nice, and affordable.
I currently only have a rumble V3 40, and I'm looking for something louder.

You can indeed I have been using Alto powered speakers and the sound is exactly what I hear through headphones or studio monitors just much louder. My Alto TSL215 is louder than my GK MB500 into a 1x15 Walter box loaded with a Peavey BW speaker which was plenty loud for my rock band.
Only caveat is not to expect massive low end, if you want/need that consider adding a powered subwoofer. If you are considering a powered subwoofer you may not need a speaker with a 15 but my be better off with a smaller speaker like a 12 or 10 2 way.

 

[BassSquatch]

You can indeed I have been using Alto powered speakers and the sound is exactly what I hear through headphones or studio monitors just much louder. My Alto TSL215 is louder than my GK MB500 into a 1x15 Walter box loaded with a Peavey BW speaker which was plenty loud for my rock band.
Only caveat is not to expect massive low end, if you want/need that consider adding a powered subwoofer. If you are considering a powered subwoofer you may not need a speaker with a 15 but my be better off with a smaller speaker like a 12 or 10 2 way.

Thank you, that is really helpful! I was thinking about a Rumble 800, but if I can get decent sound and volume for half the price, it would be awesome.

 

[stubbsonic]

I've used an FRFR (full range, flat response) powered speaker for smaller, quieter gigs. It works well and sounds great. My feed is going to the house and they can put as much or as little of me as they need.

My Hartke KB15 is a great amp for louder gigs. However, it has a cooling fan that is almost always on. So it isn't ideal for quiet gigs (like theater gigs, etc.)

I think powered speaker with a 15" can be pretty large to shlep around, but with enough power would be a good approach to an FRFR for bass.

I ended up getting a two-way with a 12" which is fine for my needs. It has an app for EQ, which helps.

 

[Liquid Noise 23]

Is there any 3rd party software available that will allow editing on a PC? I confirmed with ZOOM support that the ZOOM MS-60B+ is only compatible with iOS.

 

[bassbrad]

Is there any 3rd party software available that will allow editing on a PC? I confirmed with ZOOM support that the ZOOM MS-60B+ is only compatible with iOS.

I have not seen any, I keep wishing that ToneLib would do one because I love using it with my other Zoom MS pedals. I did purchase an iPad Air 2 to use with my MS+ pedals and also as for cheat sheets.

 

[mikeynets]

Got this pedal on Friday. Been messing with it the last few days and color me impressed. There are a lot of very useful, musical sounds to be had.

My first goal with this was to recreate my main patches from my HX Stomp. Just at home, I'm getting pretty close. Next will be testing it out with the band. Granted, I don't need the wildest sounds for my originals band or covers jams I do around town, but I do have a handful of vibes I rely on and the Zoom looks like it will work for a super compact "board" — either just by itself or with a Source Audio Zio Bass. Once sounds are dialed, I'll have to see how feasible it is to use in a live setting. But I don't do a whole lot of tap dancing. Three sounds max per song and even then I could really get away with two. Line Selector is essential. Wish it didn't burn a slot on it's own, but it is what it is.

Still working through getting my desired tones w/as few blocks as possible.

Like others have said, 1073 pre and Glam compressor are really solid. I also like the Dark pre. Couple of the amps I've messed with are also nice — Bman, AC370 come to mind. For my simple needs, I think the reverbs and modulations are pretty good too, within reason, regardless of price. When you factor in this is only $100, it's a killer pedal.

I ran it on battery power for a good stretch today and unplugged it when not in use. But I got a low battery warning a lot sooner than expected. I used brand new batteries. Anyone else experience pretty short battery life?

Oh and a few questions:

1. Is there a way to save the default settings of the individual effects? So when you get them dialed, you don't have to do that again each time you use it in a new patch?
2. Can you copy/paste just an effect instead of a whole patch?
3. Is there a way to control the output volume of patches? Would be way easier than tweaking every effect to get the gain staging correct.

All in all, I'm really stoked this can be a one pedal solution for me in most of my current playing situations.

 

[GotGroove]

I ran it on battery power for a good stretch today and unplugged it when not in use. But I got a low battery warning a lot sooner than expected. I used brand new batteries. Anyone else experience pretty short battery life?

Define sooner than expected. I've only used it with batteries one afternoon (It usually get powered by a powerbank) and it lasted almost 6 hours. Of course it depends on the type of batteries you use and what effects you have active as well. Also, have you set it for the right battery type? I'm not sure how this impacts performance, but at least the battery warnings should be accurate.

Is there a way to save the default settings of the individual effects? So when you get them dialed, you don't have to do that again each time you use it in a new patch?

and

Can you copy/paste just an effect instead of a whole patch?

Not exactly, but there is a workaround for it. I have several patches I use as default to build on. I've saved those in the patch pool of the app and recall them when I need to. They charge you 99 cents for the app (it should come with the purchase imo but it could be worse), but just for making backups alone it's worth having it I think.

Is there a way to control the output volume of patches? Would be way easier than tweaking every effect to get the gain staging correct.

If there is one, I haven't found it. I set the master output to 90 and use a DAW to do the actual gain staging.

 

[mikeynets]

Define sooner than expected. I've only used it with batteries one afternoon (It usually get powered by a powerbank) and it lasted almost 6 hours. Of course it depends on the type of batteries you use and what effects you have active as well. Also, have you set it for the right battery type? I'm not sure how this impacts performance, but at least the battery warnings should be accurate.

I'd say about 3 hours on time over the course of around 8 hours, unplugged in between. Could've been longer — I definitely lose track of time when I'm figuring out a new pedal!

I was using basic Duracell copper tops and the setting on the pedal was alkaline. I did have the brightness turned up. Eco mode on.

Thanks for the tip on the patch pool feature. Gonna check that out next go round with the pedal.

 

[GotGroove]

I was using basic Duracell copper tops and the setting on the pedal was alkaline. I did have the brightness turned up. Eco mode on.

I have the same settings, but I used 2800 mA rechargeable NiMH batteries.

The problem with alkaline batteries is that the output degrades the more you drain them. Duracell (and probably other companies as well) managed to slow that process down, but you can't get that process to fully stop. It's inherent to the technique used in creating such batteries. That's why they are best used in low power devices and why you got that message. You just lacked the required battery output. It may not have been completely empty, but it wasn't supplying enough output anymore.

NiMH doesn't have that problem, which is why I prefer them. Try some NiMH batteries next time you get the chance. Or use a powerbank if you need even more power.

 

[mikeynets]

I have the same settings, but I used 2800 mA rechargeable NiMH batteries.

The problem with alkaline batteries is that the output degrades the more you drain them. Duracell (and probably other companies as well) managed to slow that process down, but you can't get that process to fully stop. It's inherent to the technique used in creating such batteries. That's why they are best used in low power devices and why you got that message. You just lacked the required battery output. It may not have been completely empty, but it wasn't supplying enough output anymore.

NiMH doesn't have that problem, which is why I prefer them. Try some NiMH batteries next time you get the chance. Or use a powerbank if you need even more power.

Thanks for the tip. Yeah, I typically use a power bank but wanted to see out of curiosity. all my rechargeables are 18650s doh! Any suggestions on reliable/safe/long lasting brands to look at?

 

[GotGroove]

Any suggestions on reliable/safe/long lasting brands to look at?

I'm far from being a specialist on the subject, but the Panasonic Eneloop Pro batteries are highly praised for their capacity and runtimes. I can get them only at 2500 mA down here, but they should still be more than enough for a show or rehearsal. I'd never take half-empty batteries to a show, not even as spares so everything gets charged before I leave anyway. My 2800s are IKEA ones (if you can believe it), which are surprisingly good and stable as well. I don't know if they even have stores in the US, let alone where they are located.

But there may be many more and/or better options available on your side of the ocean. Might be worth making a separate thread about it if you're interested in what batteries other people use.

 

[mikeynets]

I still haven't had a chance to use this with the band yet — almost brought it to a gig on St. Paddy's Day but that would've been the first time using with the band so played it safe and I'm still waiting to try it at a rehearsal first. Nevertheless, more messing with it at home and I really like it.

As I mentioned previously, I was wondering if it could replace an HX Stomp and I think it might. The 60B+ is not as polished, it sounds different (not necessarily worse) it is more limited sonically, and the added functionality of the Stomp is miles ahead. But. . .for what I need right now, and the way I'm using it, it's like 95% there. That's pretty much a win in my books. That plus the price and small size — nice.

I don't need to sell the stomp so I'll wait and see for a bit, but if I had to, I could and I wouldn't look back.

Here's my at home rig. Just added the SA Ultrawave back in to see how the distortions play with the 60B+ so far, so good.

 

[glassmoon]

You can flash an MS-60B to be a six slot MS-50G, while having all the MS-60B effects. That's what I did with mine.

very late to the party, but how did you do that @BassikLee ?

 

[GotGroove]

very late to the party, but how did you do that @BassikLee ?

Use this. It works on a lot of older Zoom models. Easy to do and the process can be undone if you want to. Sadly there's still no way to do something similar with the new models yet.

 

[glassmoon]

Use this. It works on a lot of older Zoom models. Easy to do and the process can be undone if you want to. Sadly there's still no way to do something similar with the new models yet.

Massive thanks.. I will take a gander ASAP. Not sure I'll ever use more than 4 effects in a patch, but it would be really nice to have that option, should I need it. I've been toying with getting the 60b+, but I'm not sure it's worth it... this might stop me from continuing that search hahahaha

 

[stubbsonic]

Use this. It works on a lot of older Zoom models. ... Sadly there's still no way to do something similar with the new models yet.

I can understand that this complicates things for Zoom, in terms of having to field some support when some fx are incompatible with hardware, or people brick their pedals, etc.-- but it is a serious added value when people can customize the selection of modules and possibly avoid having to use two pedals where one pedal would do.

I would even go further to say that Zoom could (and SHOULD) partner with that ZEM developer on the MS+ series and other recents (etc) where possible. They could work out which "pools" of effects can cross-migrate to which devices. I could see myself buying another MS+ pedal.

 

[GotGroove]

I've been toying with getting the 60b+, but I'm not sure it's worth it

For what it's worth:
I've had the old 60B for a short while to mod it for a friend and I use the + myself. If you don't have either, I'd say the + is a significant step up for the €30 price difference. The effects feel wider or brighter if you know what I mean. It's like the old 60 has a LPF with it's settings way too low on top of it compared to the newer + model. But that's just my opinion.

Is it worth it to you if you already have the old 60B? I can't tell you that. It depends on how you use it and effects you need/want. But if you get the chance to try it (from a store with a nice return policy), I'd definitely give it a go.

 

[glassmoon]

Ta @GotGroove ... yeah... I think I shall have to bite the bullet...

Oh - anyone know if it's possible to import the patches from the 60b to the 60b+?