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Zoom MS-60B announced... at last
- Thread starter ga_edwards
- Start date
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I've had 2 M5's, and they are great pedals! I am going with the Zoom, as they have a smaller footprint. I'll do a comparison as soon as I get the MS-60b.
J!
I'm at the point now of using the B3 for patches, and a BOSS RC 2 for looping; plus the Aguilar compressor and a Blowtorch. Maybe add a separate chorus pedal.
Whee!
Whee!
The MS-60B finally hit retail stores in Canada. I ordered one Wednesday, thinking I'd be waiting weeks, but it arrived Friday.
I got it early enough to drag it out to the gig. No problems with the high output of my EMG-equipped 5-string. The only time it makes noise, is when noise is baked into the model you're using. The DBX 160 effect worked very nicely. I would have been happy with one decent compressor model, but the other ones are pretty cool, too.
The factory presets don't sound as gross as most affordable multi's. The UI requires some thought, but it's not unduly complicated, and tweaking individual effects on the fly is just as easy as any normal 3-knob pedal. The envelope and pitch effects are stellar. Didn't have a chance to check out the delays, distortion, or amp models. Still, I'm already happy with my purchase.
HUGE bang for the buck.
I got it early enough to drag it out to the gig. No problems with the high output of my EMG-equipped 5-string. The only time it makes noise, is when noise is baked into the model you're using. The DBX 160 effect worked very nicely. I would have been happy with one decent compressor model, but the other ones are pretty cool, too.
The factory presets don't sound as gross as most affordable multi's. The UI requires some thought, but it's not unduly complicated, and tweaking individual effects on the fly is just as easy as any normal 3-knob pedal. The envelope and pitch effects are stellar. Didn't have a chance to check out the delays, distortion, or amp models. Still, I'm already happy with my purchase.
HUGE bang for the buck.
FYI, spent a little more time with it this afternoon.
Zoom took some liberties with the amp models (unexpected control layout on the Markbass, for example), but the general character of the amps are there. Better dynamic range and a more open sound than the amp models in JamUp on my iPad.
The new user interface is easier to get along with than the G3/B3. I particularly like being able to rotate through a series of patches just by tapping the foot switch. As many as 3 pages of tweaks on some models, so it should keep control freaks happy.
Good selection of hidden options in the setup menu. You can defeat autosave if you want, so that effects always return to default settings after a session, holding the foot switch down can activate the tuner or a tap tempo feature, etc.
4 simultaneous patches is plenty for me. Noise on some patches, but only when it would be appropriate for the real device. Overall sound quality is better than the bass pack models on my old Line 6 POD XT Live.
The fretless simulator improves with some tweaking. However, I didn't find it any better than the other simulators that I've disliked in the past.
Zoom took some liberties with the amp models (unexpected control layout on the Markbass, for example), but the general character of the amps are there. Better dynamic range and a more open sound than the amp models in JamUp on my iPad.
The new user interface is easier to get along with than the G3/B3. I particularly like being able to rotate through a series of patches just by tapping the foot switch. As many as 3 pages of tweaks on some models, so it should keep control freaks happy.
Good selection of hidden options in the setup menu. You can defeat autosave if you want, so that effects always return to default settings after a session, holding the foot switch down can activate the tuner or a tap tempo feature, etc.
4 simultaneous patches is plenty for me. Noise on some patches, but only when it would be appropriate for the real device. Overall sound quality is better than the bass pack models on my old Line 6 POD XT Live.
The fretless simulator improves with some tweaking. However, I didn't find it any better than the other simulators that I've disliked in the past.
The B-3 has at least 4 fretless patches, including some very nice Jaco sounds. I'm wondering if one can access the patches from the B3 and download some of them via USB into the MS 60B?
It appears that the USB port is only for powering the unit, or for firmware updates. No patch editor software, or ability to purchase extra effects.
Remember, this is just a $100 stomp box. It's better to think of it as an adjunct to your B3, rather than a full-featured floor processor.
Notes on my third tweak session with the pedal:
I like the fact that the MS-60B favours control over slavish accuracy to the pedals being modelled. A number of the effects give you more knobs than the original device being modelled.
Lovin' the different compressors, now that I've got them tweaked.
There's a group of interesting utility patches. My favourites include the Splitter. This is basically a 2-band EQ with an adjustable Center frequency from 80Hz to 2.5KHz. Use it to balance out a boomy low end, or ??? There are other expected and unexpected tone control options, including graphic, 2-band parametric, exciters, etc.
There's also a simulated loop switcher. The MS-60B has a mode where you can cycle through a list of always-on user patches by tapping the single footswitch. Dropping this effect into the list lets you add an active bypass, with adjustable volume for the effected and bypass sounds.
I don't like distorted bass, including pedals like the Tech 21 BDDI and MXR that are modelled here. Still, I didn't think much of the various overdrives and fuzzes, and thought they sounded too much alike. If any of them are as subtle or as faithful to your clean sound as my Barber LTD SR, I didn't notice. For my tastes, this is perhaps the weakest point of the pedal. YMMV.
In the preamp and DI section, an interesting option is the AC BS Pre. It outdoes your classic G-K 4-band tone control section, adding a fifth band between the low and high mids, with a variable centre frequency.
The modulation choices are pretty comprehensive. There are more chorus types than the more expensive TC Corona Chorus, including a model that simulates the Boss CE-5.
The reverbs sound good once you make some adjustments, and I particularly enjoy the modulated reverb, which adds movement without being as obvious as a chorus.
I like the fact that the MS-60B favours control over slavish accuracy to the pedals being modelled. A number of the effects give you more knobs than the original device being modelled.
Lovin' the different compressors, now that I've got them tweaked.
There's a group of interesting utility patches. My favourites include the Splitter. This is basically a 2-band EQ with an adjustable Center frequency from 80Hz to 2.5KHz. Use it to balance out a boomy low end, or ??? There are other expected and unexpected tone control options, including graphic, 2-band parametric, exciters, etc.
There's also a simulated loop switcher. The MS-60B has a mode where you can cycle through a list of always-on user patches by tapping the single footswitch. Dropping this effect into the list lets you add an active bypass, with adjustable volume for the effected and bypass sounds.
I don't like distorted bass, including pedals like the Tech 21 BDDI and MXR that are modelled here. Still, I didn't think much of the various overdrives and fuzzes, and thought they sounded too much alike. If any of them are as subtle or as faithful to your clean sound as my Barber LTD SR, I didn't notice. For my tastes, this is perhaps the weakest point of the pedal. YMMV.
In the preamp and DI section, an interesting option is the AC BS Pre. It outdoes your classic G-K 4-band tone control section, adding a fifth band between the low and high mids, with a variable centre frequency.
The modulation choices are pretty comprehensive. There are more chorus types than the more expensive TC Corona Chorus, including a model that simulates the Boss CE-5.
The reverbs sound good once you make some adjustments, and I particularly enjoy the modulated reverb, which adds movement without being as obvious as a chorus.
I was looking at the patch memories, and I see that there is a Jaco preset. Didn't have time to check it out yet.
Andy Brown
Commercial User
- Jul 23, 2004
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- Founder/Owner: Wing Instruments
I would love to hear what your settings are on the compressors. I'm trying to set up my B3.
Take Care,
Brent
There's no Dual Comp in the MS-60B, but it looks like the other compressors correspond. Same range of values for each knob. I PM'd you settings for the Opt Comp, M Comp and 160 Comp, let me know how well they translate.
You may have to adjust the Threshold/Drive settings to match the output of your bass. If Zoom programmed the models the same between the two units, and we attack our instruments in a similar way (I play fingerstyle with a moderately light touch), then the settings I sent you should be close to unity gain, and provide light compression.
Curious to see how this experiment turns out!
Excited to get one of these to check it out. I've got an M5 that I keep in my rack because it's footprint is just too big for my pedalboard (plus I send midi to it, so it's helpful to keep in the rack with my audio interface). But this thing might be a great complement, especially if it can track an octave well, as that's what I'm missing right now (plus being able to have everything else as an added bonus).
From all I've heard, the Octaver tracks as well as the M5, which I think is the best one out there!
J!
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