Zoom MS-60B Firmware Update 2.0 (June 2017)

[Deanodley]

OK so the MS60b was delivered today and it had a sticker on the box to say it already was v2.0 with 142 effects. The boot screen confirmed this. I tried the Z-organ but it sounds just like that, an organ - and it's not the sound I was looking for. I read online that this is a common complaint of digital pitch shifters and the holy grail appears to be an effect that is more guitar-like. However, I must say the "Bass Pitch" effect is excellent and lets me get close to the sound of an eight-stringer which is something I was looking for anyway. I will continue to experiment over the next few days. There is a lot to go through

 

[Johno Dunn]

OK so the MS60b was delivered today and it had a sticker on the box to say it already was v2.0 with 142 effects. The boot screen confirmed this. I tried the Z-organ but it sounds just like that, an organ - and it's not the sound I was looking for. I read online that this is a common complaint of digital pitch shifters and the holy grail appears to be an effect that is more guitar-like. However, I must say the "Bass Pitch" effect is excellent and lets me get close to the sound of an eight-stringer which is something I was looking for anyway. I will continue to experiment over the next few days. There is a lot to go through

Enjoy the ride!

 

[Musti-koira]

Hi, 1st post! Been lurking around the board for ages though, this place rocks!

Anyway, I'm curious about how you see the usability of the EQ effects with this pedal in following scenario: Practising in 2-3 different places and there's the occasional gigs too. Pedal setup with the patches and effects. Then I'd only need to adjust eq according to the room, would I need to go through every patch and make the needed adjustment. Or is there a way to apply eq that stays on all the time? Looking at the manual, I guess not. That kind of feature would not be difficult to implement though, just a tiny change the logic how effects are stored and applied to patch.

 

[stingray69]

Hi, 1st post! Been lurking around the board for ages though, this place rocks!

Anyway, I'm curious about how you see the usability of the EQ effects with this pedal in following scenario: Practising in 2-3 different places and there's the occasional gigs too. Pedal setup with the patches and effects. Then I'd only need to adjust eq according to the room, would I need to go through every patch and make the needed adjustment. Or is there a way to apply eq that stays on all the time? Looking at the manual, I guess not. That kind of feature would not be difficult to implement though, just a tiny change the logic how effects are stored and applied to patch.

Unfortunately, there is no global EQ that can be applied. An EQ would have to be added as an effect in every patch in order to make on-the-fly adjustments from inside each patch. If you plan on using multiple patches throughout the course of a gig, that's a lot of stopping, bending over to adjust, etc.

It would be quicker & easier to make global EQ adjustments outside of the MS60B (i.e., at the instrument or amp level, or dedicated EQ pedal).

Oh, and Welcome to TalkBass!

 

[steve_rolfeca]

...I'm curious about how you see the usability of the EQ effects with this pedal in following scenario: Practising in 2-3 different places and there's the occasional gigs too. Pedal setup with the patches and effects. Then I'd only need to adjust eq according to the room, would I need to go through every patch and make the needed adjustment.

I trade a lot of gear, but I’m pretty careful and rarely if ever have any regrets.

One that does bug me, was letting go of my Empress Para EQ. Having a really high quality EQ that you can place after everything else in your signal chain without any tone suck, can be incredibly useful.

The good news, is that you can still occasionally find them used for around $200.

So why have I never replaced it? Because there are so many ways to grab some post EQ these days.

The form factor stinks in comparison to the MS-60B, but the master tone and boost knobs on my Zoom G5n are pretty useful, and you can pick up a used one for well under $200.

Plus you get a ton of other interesting stuff like parametric and graphic EQ’s, amps, cabs, overdrives, reverbs, delays, an expression pedal, etc., as well.

Another great $200 option for a gigging bassist, is a G-K MB200 head. Sized about the same as a large pedal, you get a terrific 4-band, bass-oriented EQ that comes with it’s own built-in AC power supply. They also throw in a few useful gimmicks like a decent DI, extra audio inputs and outputs, and a punchy 200 watt power amplifier. How can you go wrong?

At a lower price point, you can say the same for a used B3n, which just might convince you to drop the MS-60B altogether. Drop a little further in price, and you can grab a second MS-60. Ditto for a B1on.

 

[Musti-koira]

'Global EQ', now that's the word pair I was going for.. It's a pity, I realize that there's limit to these little boxes' processing power and it still would not function as 'one pedal to replace them all' for many. For me it would, so the option would ne nice. Always have to complain I guess. I intend to buy (at least) one anyway.
Thanks!

 

[Musti-koira]

Another great $200 option for a gigging bassist, is a G-K MB200 head. Sized about the same as a large pedal, you get a terrific 4-band, bass-oriented EQ

Thanks for the suggestions. As it is, I happen to lug around a GK MB500 already. Just been running my VT bass to FX return of the amp. You are probably correct, G-K's eq should be able to tame out any excessive frequencies in the room. I've been reluctant to use the pre section of the amp with the VT pedal, cos im sometimes overly pedantic. Then (to stay on topic), MS60B could replace the effects, tuner, maybe even compressor.

 

[dave_bass5]

Thanks for the suggestions. As it is, I happen to lug around a GK MB500 already. Just been running my VT bass to FX return of the amp. You are probably correct, G-K's eq should be able to tame out any excessive frequencies in the room. I've been reluctant to use the pre section of the amp with the VT pedal, cos im sometimes overly pedantic. Then (to stay on topic), MS60B could replace the effects, tuner, maybe even compressor.

You have EQ in the amp but don’t want to use it, so why are you saying you want EQ?

 

[Musti-koira]

I haven't been using the eq in the amp, because I was not using the preamp section in it at all when using VT Bass as preamp - that's where I called myself 'pedant'. Also, while it's a good EQ, it's not graphic, let alone parametric, which would work better for the purpose.

 

[dave_bass5]

I haven't been using the eq in the amp, because I was not using the preamp section in it at all when using VT Bass as preamp - that's where I called myself 'pedant'. Also, while it's a good EQ, it's not graphic, let alone parametric, which would work better for the purpose.

I understand that but if you find what you have been using lacking wouldn’t using the EQ be a quick fix?
I used a VTBass DI and MB800 for around 3 years. Hardly ever needed the amp EQ (still don’t) but its there to be used for exactly what you are asking about. How long have you gone without any EQ?
IMO something like the Q/Strip would be perfect for what you are looking for, and as its all knobs its very quick to make adjustments. Quality is way better than the Zoom boxes.
If you do get a 60B you can program in a EQ patch to all the patches you already use, but its a pain if you use a lot and have to balance them all up.

 

[Musti-koira]

I used a VTBass DI and MB800 for around 3 years. Hardly ever needed the amp EQ (still don’t) but its there to be used for exactly what you are asking about. How long have you gone without any EQ?

I got the VTBass only like one month ago. Tried it on both, fx return and preamp on my MB500 - I preferred simpler, let's call it 'puristic' approach.

So.. I thought I need better EQ options, ignoring the preamp. Much because I'm still learning this stuff.

May I ask, how you make your VT and your MB work together? How you connect them? Say, MB dialled as flat as possible (I don't know if you think that's even important), do you find combination of the two preamps to sound better, difference irrelevant - or how would you describe the setup if you compare it to running VT straight to power amp section? When I've been using MB as power amp only, I liked to keep VT blend knob at somewhere around noon - 1 o'clock. Full blend or adding MB preamp to that, I thought I missed some 'organic' sound coming from the J bass. It may be because a) I cant do it correctly b) Difference is quite irrelevant IRL, it's in my head c) it's a matter of preference d) Little bit of everything..

 

[dave_bass5]

I run (or ran, i dont have it anymore) the VTBass in to the front end of the pre amp as normal. I tend to keep the EQ knobs at noon on the GK, unless i need to tweak the EQ more them. Ive never looked for ‘flat’, but felt running in to the return of the head sounded a bit lacking. I do tend to need to use the amps EQ depending on the room/acoustics, but never anything drastic. The EQ points seem to be set quite well on the GK, but obviously its not as versatile as an outboard EQ, but even though ive got a Q/strip i never really use it.
In the end i sold the VTBass as it wasnt quite what i wanted, and I felt it added a bit too much charecher to my tone. I much prefer the BDDI with just a little blended effect on it. The EQ is very powerful on the latest one, but i still dont tend to vary much from noon.
I guess its all down to preference, and what you want from it. For live use ive never got on with the 60B. Its a powerful pedal but not soemthing i want to use live.

 

[ga_edwards]

'Global EQ', now that's the word pair I was going for.. It's a pity, I realize that there's limit to these little boxes' processing power and it still would not function as 'one pedal to replace them all' for many. For me it would, so the option would ne nice. Always have to complain I guess. I intend to buy (at least) one anyway.
Thanks!

This is one of the reasons why I'm seriously considering replacing my zoom and other pedals with the new Line 6 Helix Stomp. One of it's key features is a global 3 band parametric eq with hpf and lpf. Should be able to cope with any room!

 

[bassbrad]

What do you expect from a $99 pedal anyway? I still thing the MS60B is pretty frakking amazing considering along with most of the other Zoom offerings old and well old at this point.

 

[Johno Dunn]

This is one of the reasons why I'm seriously considering replacing my zoom and other pedals with the new Line 6 Helix Stomp. One of it's key features is a global 3 band parametric eq with hpf and lpf. Should be able to cope with any room!

I replaced both my Zoom MS60b and my B3n with the Helix Stomp, and yes it does sound amazingly better, but for almost twice the cost, it should. Can’t go wrong with the Zoom stuff, but it was time for me to step up!

 

[Johno Dunn]

This is one of the reasons why I'm seriously considering replacing my zoom and other pedals with the new Line 6 Helix Stomp. One of it's key features is a global 3 band parametric eq with hpf and lpf. Should be able to cope with any room!

And the Global EQ is a game changer!

 

[alack]

What do you expect from a $99 pedal anyway? I still thing the MS60B is pretty frakking amazing considering along with most of the other Zoom offerings old and well old at this point.

Agreed! With the exception of analog octaves, the MS-60B has all but killed my pedal gas. I toy with purchasing another so as to have one on both my boards. It's a great way to fill in any gaps in your chain while giving access to effects you might use so rarely they just don't warrant the expense of a stand alone pedal. It saves a lot of space on the board as well.

 

[Texan]

My MS-60b was delivered today and so far, I'm very pleased. I've bee able to replicate my MXR M81 preamp, get very close to the Empress Compressor and a few other pedals that I've used in the past, but the two mentioned were the benchmarks for me.

I used an effects loop pedal to set the wet/dry levels with the internal line selector so that my signal isn't drastically different from the pure dry signal.

For the honeymoon period, I'm pleased.

 

[bassbrad]

My MS-60b was delivered today and so far, I'm very pleased. I've bee able to replicate my MXR M81 preamp, get very close to the Empress Compressor and a few other pedals that I've used in the past, but the two mentioned were the benchmarks for me.

I used an effects loop pedal to set the wet/dry levels with the internal line selector so that my signal isn't drastically different from the pure dry signal.

For the honeymoon period, I'm pleased.

It's a handy dandy little tool for sure. Keeping mine are n my go box for sessions for as needed effects.

 

[jacoby75]

SVT>Fuzz Face Model> Slicer delay model

A little late to the MS-60b game, here. Just used mine for the first time today. But this sounds fantastic! Love the fuzz sound you’ve dialed in. I’m loving the SVT amp sim with some occasional chorus for worship stuff, myself. Can’t wait to discover all this thing has to offer.