Zoom MS60B - Is it still any good?

[Heavy Blue]

I don’t have any effects yet. Just a TC Ditto.

With the inevitable advances in modelling tech that have happened since the introduction of this unit many years ago is this pedal still any good?

 

[Joe Nerve]

I don’t have any effects yet. Just a TC Ditto.

With the inevitable advances in modelling tech that have happened since the introduction of this unit many years ago is this pedal still any good?

Do you mean ZOOM? I just Googled it to see if it was the Boss I owned, and a whole bunch of ZOOM pedals came up. No Boss.

Aside from that, I've purchased and sold MANY Multi effects units and the only one I ever held onto is this one. And I love it. Its super light (easy to drop in a gigbag), the sounds are better than many of the more expensive muti FX I've owned, and I especially like it for the tuner. It cost less than my stand alone tuner, and does a far more accurate job.

Oh yeah, and dirt cheap, also.

Did I mention that I love this little box ?

 

[Heavy Blue]

Do you mean ZOOM? I just Googled it to see if it was the Boss I owned, and a whole bunch of ZOOM pedals came up. No Boss.

Aside from that, I've purchased and sold MANY Multi effects units and the only one I ever held onto is this one. And I love it. Its super light (easy to drop in a gigbag), the sounds are better than many of the more expensive muti FX I've owned, and I especially like it for the tuner. It cost less than my stand alone tuner, and does a far more accurate job.

Oh yeah, and dirt cheap, also.

Did I mention that I love this little box ?

View attachment 4183452

OMG! I did bugger that up. Yeah the ZOOM MS60B lol.

Thread title fixed. Thx Joe!

Yes. I was looking at the B1four/x too. Thx for the info.

 

[RickenCliff]

Ms60B is plenty usable. I keep mine on my board to fill in the gaps of pedals I don't have in single form. Great for delays, reverbs, modulation. The distortions and fuzzes are okay, but I tend to stick to my other pedals for those duties but they could certainly get you by if that's all you had to work with. Clean blend on all of the drive models is a pretty cool feature to have.

 

[furym]

Ditto on the “on the board” recommendation. It fits on a board better than some of the other zoom units. That said, I use my Boss GT-1B as a board replacement most of the time.
On the MS60b I use the noise gate, some amp models, and general eq for shaping as I have other pedals for the rest. I have used it as a stand alone for a minimalist Sunday morning. It all depends on what you are looking to do. I think it works great as a supplement (only need this particular effect for 1 song once in a while type) but other multi effects are more user friendly if you are looking for a “total board” type of arrangement.

 

[Heavy Blue]

Ms60B is plenty usable. I keep mine on my board to fill in the gaps of pedals I don't have in single form. Great for delays, reverbs, modulation. The distortions and fuzzes are okay, but I tend to stick to my other pedals for those duties but they could certainly get you by if that's all you had to work with. Clean blend on all of the drive models is a pretty cool feature to have.

Nice that the drives have clean blends. I don’t usually use a lot of drive. Just a bit of push for some fattening sometimes but then again with more options available with the clean blend maybe I’ll start using more drive in my playing and discover new tones.

Ditto on the “on the board” recommendation. It fits on a board better than some of the other zoom units. That said, I use my Boss GT-1B as a board replacement most of the time.
On the MS60b I use the noise gate, some amp models, and general eq for shaping as I have other pedals for the rest. I have used it as a stand alone for a minimalist Sunday morning. It all depends on what you are looking to do. I think it works great as a supplement (only need this particular effect for 1 song once in a while type) but other multi effects are more user friendly if you are looking for a “total board” type of arrangement.

At this stage it would be the pedalboard. I’m looking at using it mostly for the compressor, octave, envelope filter, and autowah type stuff. Maybe some drive now that I’ll have some useable options. I found one new for C$99.

Looking at getting funkier lol.

I found that newer Boss compressor on sale for half price too. Going in to check that out as soon as I get some time off.

 

[NoiseNinja]

Depends on what you are using it for.

I would never use any of the Zoom effects for dirt or amp modeling, but the EQ models for instance as far as I am concerned would be as good as any digital equalizers on the market, the reverb and delay models are still quite good, though there are better on the market, but you could definitely do much much worse, the filter effects are generally not the greatest, and the modulation effects are a bit hit and miss, some are really genuinely great, for instance the Vintage CE model that comes with the Zoom MS-70CDR multi stomp, an emulation of the legendary Boss CE-1 chorus, is amazing, where others are a bit meh sounding.

Some of the effects in the Zoom multi stomp boxes (which the MS-60B belongs to), that still uses the same modeling technology from the Zoom's previous generation of effects, I honestly prefer to the ones in the newer Zoom B3n and B1 Four pedals, simply because they give you much more parameters to tailor the tone of the effects specifically to your personal preferences, but the amp modeling, reverb, delay and dirt effects in the newer models are arguably generally of a noticeable higher sound quality, but as far as I am concerned as far as the modulation effect goes it's much more down to personal taste, rather than a question of any obvious improvements to the sound of them, and as said in general the newer models give you fewer parameters for fine adjustments, plus you get more models to chose from.

So I would say if your primarily is going to use the pedal for modulation effects get one of the Zoom multi stomp boxes, like for instance the MS-60B, though in this particular case you would get much more out of the MS-70CDR multi stomp, rather than the newer B1(X) Four and any of the other Zoom multi stomp boxes.

If you are going to use it primarily for EQ'ing, reverb and delay effects I'd say weather you should get one of the multi stomp boxes or the newer B1(X) Four kind of depends on your needs, since there would be advantages and disadvantages with both, the milti stomps would give you more models to chose from and more customization options, whereas the newer B1(X) Four would give you generally higher sound quality, though your best option if you are going for one of the multi stomps in this case would also be the MS-70CDR, rather than the MS-60B.

If you plan to primarily use it for amp modeling, dirt and pith shifting effects, then honestly get something higher end, unless you can't afford that, in which case you will still be better off with the newer B1(X) Four, rather than the MS-60B.


*Note that when I write B1(X) Four I really mean the B1 Four or B1X Four, the difference being that the B1X Four comes with a build in expression pedal.

 

[liveburning274]

It’s a heck of utility player if you just want something simple.

I’ve used mine for years as noise canceller, tuner, delay and HPF. It’s a bit noisy without an dedicated, isolated power supply in some stage setups but for a do-all, 1 pedal solution, it’s really tough to beat. I’m just now moving to dedicated pedals to the jobs I want done better than this unit. But I’ve played with the same one for 4-5 years now.

 

[King Louie]

MS60B is last gen, B1 four is current gen. I only have two other last gen Zoom units (B3 and B1Xon) and the current gen B1 four to compare, but I say the two last-gen units sound identical, while the B1 four is a big step ahead especially for drive and cab modelling. I would not bother with the old model and go to the B1 four right away (cheap too...). IMO, everybodys first pedal should be the B1 four, as it covers anything decently. If you keep using one effect model, then it may be time to get the real deal. Or not.

 

[NoiseNinja]

If you are going to use it primarily for EQ'ing, reverb and delay effects I'd say weather you should get one of the multi stomp boxes or the newer B1(X) Four kind of depends on your needs, since there would be advantages and disadvantages with both, the milti stomps would give you more models to chose from and more customization options, whereas the newer B1(X) Four would give you generally higher sound quality, though your best option if you are going for one of the multi stomps in this case would also be the MS-70CDR, rather than the MS-60B.

I should specify here that I meant that as far as EQ'ing go you will get about the same sound quality weather you use the EQ models included in the multi stomp boxes or those that comes with the B1(X) Four, but actually in this case you get finer adjustments on the on the B1(X) Four, down to cut/boost +/-0.5 dB, versus +/-1dB on the multi stomp EQ's, and as far as goes the parametric equalizer model's Q values down to a value of 0.1 on n the B1(X) Four, versus being fixed at either 0.5 ; 1 ; 2 ; 4 ; 8 or 16 with the multi stomps, but on the other hand with the multi stomp boxes you get 2 bands for each of the parametric equalizer effects used, versus only 1 band per parametric equalizer effect used on the B1(X) Four, meaning that you will have less maximum number of bands at you disposal on the B1(X) Four, that allows for a max of 5 effects per patch, compared to the MS-70CDR, that allows for up to 6 effects per patch, but as said on the other hand the B1(X) Four equalizer models allowing for finer adjustments.

As far as the reverb and delay models go the general sound quality, though kind of depending on the specific effect you go for, is better on the B1(X) Four compared to on the multi stomp boxes, but has less option for fine adjustments compared to the reverb and delay models in the multi stomp boxes, which in the end might still, depending on your specific application, make some of the reverb and delay models in the multi stomp boxes the better choice in some situations.

 

[p12bassnut]

It is a great unit with many great effects. I use it for a compressor and EQ mainly. Sometimes I also include Chorus in the patch.

 

[mexicanyella]

I may be the only person that this difference matters to, but according to published specs, output levels differ between the older MS pedals and the newer B1Four/B1xFour. The MS pedals’ specs show a +5 dBm output level, vs. +2 dBm output on the B1Four series.

If you wanted to use that output to drive a power amp, or bypass a bass amp’s preamp and drive its power stage directly via its line in jack, you’d have more level to work with from the MS series. I still use a couple-generations-old Zoom B2, with the same output level capability as the MS pedals, as my entire tone-shaping chain...straight into a power amp and cab. My needs are pretty simple but it works well and has been reliable. With the lower output spec of the B1Four series, I wouldn’t be able to fully drive the power amp with the Zoom alone.

 

[kmon]

I 've owned the MS60B, it's always been good enough to throw in some octave or chorus. Tuner's decent too.

Especially considering the price, it's a good enough approximation of modulation for me. I don't use it for dirt.

I'd get the new B1 if I was in the market again...$89, wow

 

[Gustopher]

It’s great and made tough too (if that matters to you) and has plenty of usable effects. The chorus, delays and reverbs are just fine and the EQs work as well as any EQ pedal you could use. And it’s cheap and has a usable tuner. I was a damned fool for selling mine. I haven’t been happier with anything else since and it worked more than well enough for all of my uses (I play in a rock cover band).

 

[warrplayer]

The ms-60b is great. Especially if you update to the latest o/s (just need a pc and a usb to mini usb cable). The discontinued ms-100bt does five effects at a time versus the ms-60b’s four, and if you update the operating system you get every effect they ever sold from their patch store and all the ms-60b effects too. I don’t like digital compression, so I rock a stand alone comp, but I find the Zoom amps to be totally usable. I have recorded on commercially released albums with them. You might need to tweek your tracks in the DAW to get them to sound as good as some modern pedals, but you aren’t going to embarrass yourself even if you can’t do that.

 

[NoiseNinja]

Oh, yeah, forgot to mention the MS-70CDR Multi Stomp, unlike the max 4 effects at a time/patch on the others, has a max 6 effects at a time/patch limit.

Only reason to get the MS-60B over the MS-70CDR is if you are planing to use any of the distortion and amp models, in which case you would be better off with the newer B1(X) Four anyway.

 

[Inara]

I like the MS60B especially for compression, delay, reverb, and HPF. I also use the octave, chorus, and auto wah. I actually have two of these on my board, dedicated to different purposes.

 

[andruca]

Long time Zoom user here (went from a Boss GT-6B to a 708II almost 20 years ago and haven't ever looked back). Even tho' I've forayed into their latest gen stuff, I pulled back and am still using previous gen devices (a B3, an MS-60B and a G1Xon). The reason is I A/Bed a Zoom B1X Four I bought with my B3/MS-60B (tried to make it work for months) and it simply sounded boxier, noisier and overall dead in comparison (got the same impression from the only B3n I tried). Too bad as I really wanted to have a B3K emulation (now I'm about to build a Guma Drive kit I bought for Xmas to have that). Don't get me wrong, I could make the B1X Four sound OK but the settings had to be sorta' extreme to aproach the MS-60B generation's crispness and fatness. Also, having to have ZNR always on in each patch (not necessary for me with the previous gen gadgets) added to the fact that they ruined the Bass PEQ (2-band before, 1-band now, so getting the tone back from the dead took more slots) kind of defeats the purpose of having more effect slots available. Still managed to have a couple nice sounding samples with the B1X Four...





The MS-60B is the multiFX I've used the most, consistently since 2015. No matter the device, I'm more of a "carry my sound in a little box" kinda' user ([Ac Bs Pre to adjust to different basses]+SansAmp+Compression). I'd go as far as to say that I prefer recording bass with my B3 (I can even use that as an audio interface -the newer B3n can't-) than with the SansAmp RBI I own and have used for any recording since 2004.

You can even customize the firmware inside the MS-60B (and many other both latest and previous generation Zoom multi-FX) to have different effects available. In my case I added some guitar amps and FX to my MS-60B and all the relevant bass stuff to the G1Xon too.

My MS-60B keeps being the best live tool I've owned. I can carry it in my gig bag and connect to any amp (use the amp's shaping to adapt to the room) and have my sound cranking out anywhere. IT CAN SOUND GREAT IF YOU TAKE THE TIME TO TWEAK. If you're not fluent at that you should stay away (not the gadget's fault, sorry). I do sound as good or better than people carrying stuff 10x the price.

This is a 90€ cheap parts Jazz + the MS-60B...


Same thing with a Harley Benton P kit...


Same bass, with added J pickup...


Doing some "Royal Blood Against the Machine" on the cheap with Zooms too...

 

[NoiseNinja]

Long time Zoom user here (went from a Boss GT-6B to a 708II almost 20 years ago and haven't ever looked back). Even tho' I've forayed into their latest gen stuff, I pulled back and am still using previous gen devices (a B3, an MS-60B and a G1Xon). The reason is I A/Bed a Zoom B1X Four I bought with my B3/MS-60B (tried to make it work for months) and it simply sounded boxier, noisier and overall dead in comparison (got the same impression from the only B3n I tried). Too bad as I really wanted to have a B3K emulation (now I'm about to build a Guma Drive kit I bought for Xmas to have that). Don't get me wrong, I could make the B1X Four sound OK but the settings had to be sorta' extreme to aproach the MS-60B generation's crispness and fatness. Also, having to have ZNR always on in each patch (not necessary for me with the previous gen gadgets) added to the fact that they ruined the Bass PEQ (2-band before, 1-band now, so getting the tone back from the dead took more slots) kind of defeats the purpose of having more effect slots available. Still managed to have a couple nice sounding samples with the B1X Four...





The MS-60B is the multiFX I've used the most, consistently since 2015. No matter the device, I'm more of a "carry my sound in a little box" kinda' user ([Ac Bs Pre to adjust to different basses]+SansAmp+Compression). I'd go as far as to say that I prefer recording bass with my B3 (I can even use that as an audio interface -the newer B3n can't-) than with the SansAmp RBI I own and have used for any recording since 2004.

You can even customize the firmware inside the MS-60B (and many other both latest and previous generation Zoom multi-FX) to have different effects available. In my case I added some guitar amps and FX to my MS-60B and all the relevant bass stuff to the G1Xon too.

My MS-60B keeps being the best live tool I've owned. I can carry it in my gig bag and connect to any amp (use the amp's shaping to adapt to the room) and have my sound cranking out anywhere. IT CAN SOUND GREAT IF YOU TAKE THE TIME TO TWEAK. If you're not fluent at that you should stay away (not the gadget's fault, sorry). I do sound as good or better than people carrying stuff 10x the price.

This is a 90€ cheap parts Jazz + the MS-60B...


Same thing with a Harley Benton P kit...


Same bass, with added J pickup...


Doing some "Royal Blood Against the Machine" on the cheap with Zooms too...

Though with the software based customization toll there is really absolute no reason why one would chose the max 4 effects per patch MS-60B over the max 6 effects per patch MS-70CDR, plus a dedicated stereo in (Left (mono)/Right).

 

[andruca]

Though with the software based customization toll there is really absolute no reason why one would chose the max 4 effects per patch MS-60B over the max 6 effects per patch MS-70CDR, plus a dedicated stereo in (Left (mono)/Right).

Oh yes, definitely, if I had to buy from scratch I'd get the CDR and take almost everything out (I'm the kind who doesn't need 10 different delays/reverbs/choruses) and put lots of amps, preamps and compressors. Back in 2015, when I got the MS-60B, firmware edition wasn't a thing, I only got aware of it last year.