I think the conclusion is, no there is not something else like the MS60b (I really like the MS60b, but it would be nice to have more choice in this format!)
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Zoom MS60B - Is it still any good?
- Thread starter Heavy Blue
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- boss ms-60b
I had the MS60b but replaced it with a B3n...sounds about the same to my ears. I found the MS60b was more difficult to work with in real-world / live gig applications. Having 3 navigation switches (left-right-select) and 3 on/off stomp switches for the individual effects is far more manageable IME.
Riis
I believe Hotone announced the “final” firmware release for the Xtomp so it would be in the end of life phase which seems super risky for a pedal that requires an app to function.
This is why I don't like music devices with app.
I'm surprised no one, in something like 12 years, tried to clone the MS60B and this pedal is still here. But, on the other side, it isn't good nowdays the fact it is exactly the same that it was 12 years ago (apart some firmware updates).
Dude, I had to look that up, kudos.
I totally agree, especially in the under $200 price point.
Pros and cons aside it shows what a well designed and unique product can be and do. The app that you decry is why so much is packed in such a tiny package ~ Zoom and Source Audio have the same idea and I love.
I decry the fact many new generation devices works only with tha app, so if the producer stops it: you have spent a lot of money for nothing and you will need a new device. Minimum required is to have a standalone pc program too as backup. Otherwise a bigger device is a better investment.
Also, the fact in some case you need to use the app to switch (such as the xstomp) makes these tiny app only devices more to be a kind of expensive toy because you cannot do it while playing (even for MS60B, from its very beginning, how much is easy to switch or not while playing or which workaround to use to do it for many persons is the main point to consider before buying)
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OTOH were I to have separate boxes for all the effects I use on the MS60b then 22 more boxes at least, some quite large. So I am more than happy to deal with the apps or programs and to carry a small inexpensive laptop to sessions and gigs, which I do and many musicians do as well. You may have the extra money, roadies and the truck and energy for the extra gear, I don't. The setup I use offers me far more functionality because of those apps or programs that without I would need 2 or 3 more boards to cover.
You misundertood. It's the opposit, I'm saying if I have no money for all of that also I have no money to spend for a device totally dependent on the app (because if the manufacturers, one day, decide not to make the app anymore the device has to be thrown away and this will require me more money to buy a new one).
Also, if the goal is serious live performances not always it's a good solution to have a full wirless device without any cable option to use in case of need as backup.
Also, as I wrote above, you will need to buy and manage even a second device (an external wirless pedalboard) if you need to switch while playing.
Cheap solutions (such as Mooer GE200 or the written above Valeton GP-100, or the Zoom B1 four etc. etc.) can offer you the same features of an app-only-device, with a very light weight too and just a little extra space,
plus a hardware that allows you to use the device without having to be 100% from others.
For this kind of things Zoom MS60B is still here today and I consider, at least for me, a better deal then newest app-only-devices.
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Not sure if we're still debating if it's still good or not, but I can say I haven't had a single pedalboard without one since they got out. I've used them in the past for compression, OD, amp sim, chorus, exciter, tuner, octave and now only use it for reverb, but it's the pedal I use to avoid buying other pedals that I would only need to click on for a very short while (in my case, a touch of reverb during Loverboy's Turn me loose intro). When adjusted properly (keep an eye on the gains !), this pedal makes total sense.
...nor do I - but what the heck .... 
I use several floor boards ( in a modular way ).
One of these boards is for overdrive, distortion and fuzz only.
It took me a fairly long time to put together a set of single pedals to achieve my musical project requirements.
I liked the MS-60B for its compressors, EQs and modulation effects, but not for all distorted sounds. The example preset settings were dreadful.
My long way of try and compare:
First step on path of enlightenment: put a lot of single distortion/overdrive/fuzz/whatsoever pedals on a big board.
Second step on path of enlightenment: remove half the pedals and replace them with an EQ and a HPF and a second signal chain.
Third step on path of enlightenment: remove again the half and replace them with an MS-60B. And remove some of the redundant pedals from the other floor boards too.
In my opinion, the point is to combine some of the effects in unusual ways.
This works well for effects where you have a dry/wet option.
Choosing an appropriate compressor, use decent mix settings for distortion, including an EQ in the chain, and perhaps amp simulation at the end of the chain can result in an sound which is nearly not do distinguish from a bunch of single pedals.
Now think (a little) unusual:
replace the amp simulation - for example - with the tech21 bassdriver effect as an exciter. Works great (again: on decent settings).
Or use the combination EQ 1 --> distortion --> EQ 2 (or a preamp) --> very short delay. The result can be fat an juicy and well suited in an band situation.
Or use preamp 1 --> EQ --> preamp 2.
...and ... and ...
In my opinion the MS-60B is still one of the handiest swiss army knifes ever.
I got the -60B, -50G and -70CDR and I like them all.
An often heard complain is the lack of an true bypass.
Yes.
There's no.
Please say that's essential for usage in a band.
No, it's not.
But there _is_ one effect missing: a HPF with own routing, where you can send the HPF-Signal to the next effect in the chain and standard signal to the next+1 effect.
I don't know if this is possible with this type of chip.... but - if yes - perhaps there will be another update in the future...?
Dunno.
Just my 5 cents
I use several floor boards ( in a modular way ).
One of these boards is for overdrive, distortion and fuzz only.
It took me a fairly long time to put together a set of single pedals to achieve my musical project requirements.
I liked the MS-60B for its compressors, EQs and modulation effects, but not for all distorted sounds. The example preset settings were dreadful.
My long way of try and compare:
First step on path of enlightenment: put a lot of single distortion/overdrive/fuzz/whatsoever pedals on a big board.
Second step on path of enlightenment: remove half the pedals and replace them with an EQ and a HPF and a second signal chain.
Third step on path of enlightenment: remove again the half and replace them with an MS-60B. And remove some of the redundant pedals from the other floor boards too.
In my opinion, the point is to combine some of the effects in unusual ways.
This works well for effects where you have a dry/wet option.
Choosing an appropriate compressor, use decent mix settings for distortion, including an EQ in the chain, and perhaps amp simulation at the end of the chain can result in an sound which is nearly not do distinguish from a bunch of single pedals.
Now think (a little) unusual:
replace the amp simulation - for example - with the tech21 bassdriver effect as an exciter. Works great (again: on decent settings).
Or use the combination EQ 1 --> distortion --> EQ 2 (or a preamp) --> very short delay. The result can be fat an juicy and well suited in an band situation.
Or use preamp 1 --> EQ --> preamp 2.
...and ... and ...
In my opinion the MS-60B is still one of the handiest swiss army knifes ever.
I got the -60B, -50G and -70CDR and I like them all.
An often heard complain is the lack of an true bypass.
Yes.
There's no.
Please say that's essential for usage in a band.
No, it's not.
But there _is_ one effect missing: a HPF with own routing, where you can send the HPF-Signal to the next effect in the chain and standard signal to the next+1 effect.
I don't know if this is possible with this type of chip.... but - if yes - perhaps there will be another update in the future...?
Dunno.
Just my 5 cents
I was pondering the other day that I had tried the ZOOM MS60B a good while ago. I remembered it sounding really good. I was less drawn to the "complexities" overall and the red case. Cosmetic, I know, but was off-putting for some reason. I never became an owner way back when.
Fast-forward to this weekend...
I've been trimming out the board, again. Kinda like food, water and ammunition for any of those who could potentially relate from your varied life experiences...
I have a monster compressor in the Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Bass and the JohnK XOII (Preamp-XO-Distortion-Dual Effects Loops)
Fortin Zuul Mini (Saturnworks Splitter) & SFX Micro Thumpinator. This leaves just enough room for one stomp box effect processor.
I started looking around and found myself back on the ZOOM doorstep again. I found the MS60B to have a bunch of what I wanted, but a great deal of what I have no interest in for this application. I absolutely LOVE JohnK's Distortion on this XOII, so no need of others.
I found and ordered the ZOOM MS70CDR to put into the hi-pass loop (w/ phase switch) of the XOII and leave the Cali76 Compact Bass in the low-pass loop. Output to the Zuul Mini and then the Micro Thumpinator to the amp.
All creatively contained on a single PT Nano using a mono "Y" input splitter to a passive DBBLOX Direct Injection Box DI mounted on the front edge of the board and to the Saturnworks Splitter for the Zuul "key function" and signal input to the XOII.
The Eventide PowerMax isolated power supplies the 9/18v requirements. (As with any healthy digital pedal, the MS70CDR has a 9v 500 mA draw and the Cali76 can be run 18v for max headroom.)
With everything that this ZOOM MS70CDR can do well for effects processing, in a Lt. Blue, single 3"x5" pedal, stereo I/O and has a tuner that works...there was no other choice on the market!
I got it new for $118 (unbelievable!)
Fast-forward to this weekend...
I've been trimming out the board, again. Kinda like food, water and ammunition for any of those who could potentially relate from your varied life experiences...
I have a monster compressor in the Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Bass and the JohnK XOII (Preamp-XO-Distortion-Dual Effects Loops)
Fortin Zuul Mini (Saturnworks Splitter) & SFX Micro Thumpinator. This leaves just enough room for one stomp box effect processor.
I started looking around and found myself back on the ZOOM doorstep again. I found the MS60B to have a bunch of what I wanted, but a great deal of what I have no interest in for this application. I absolutely LOVE JohnK's Distortion on this XOII, so no need of others.
I found and ordered the ZOOM MS70CDR to put into the hi-pass loop (w/ phase switch) of the XOII and leave the Cali76 Compact Bass in the low-pass loop. Output to the Zuul Mini and then the Micro Thumpinator to the amp.
All creatively contained on a single PT Nano using a mono "Y" input splitter to a passive DBBLOX Direct Injection Box DI mounted on the front edge of the board and to the Saturnworks Splitter for the Zuul "key function" and signal input to the XOII.
The Eventide PowerMax isolated power supplies the 9/18v requirements. (As with any healthy digital pedal, the MS70CDR has a 9v 500 mA draw and the Cali76 can be run 18v for max headroom.)
With everything that this ZOOM MS70CDR can do well for effects processing, in a Lt. Blue, single 3"x5" pedal, stereo I/O and has a tuner that works...there was no other choice on the market!
I got it new for $118 (unbelievable!)
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....very nice pedal...version 2.0 = 137 effects
Highly dependent on the effect: I don’t use Rack Comp and OptiComp (I think?) because they are really noisy. D Comp and M Comp, no noise.
It’s like that across the various effects types: thankfully, I don’t use a ton of effects and I am really unattached to a specific effect if there’s an alternative that doesn’t raise the noise floor.
But, yes, this is a “live performance” or “scratch recording” pedal only. I would never use it for anything where the fidelity is important.
Old thread - I have an old Zoom, B3, Ms60b and the newer MS60B+.
I found myself using the old MS60B at a gig and rehearsal this week. I essentially used it as a tuner, the 160 Comp compressor, the AC Bs Pre for tone shaping and HPF, and ZNR noise reduction (which was probably unnecessary).
I used some generic rechargeable lithium batteries, and it worked great. It's not the latest and greatest, man it's convenient.
I grabbed the older one because (1) I couldn't find the newer one - it turned out to be in a different gig bag and (2) I like the A,B,C... scrolling between patches feature, even though I rarely use it...
I found myself using the old MS60B at a gig and rehearsal this week. I essentially used it as a tuner, the 160 Comp compressor, the AC Bs Pre for tone shaping and HPF, and ZNR noise reduction (which was probably unnecessary).
I used some generic rechargeable lithium batteries, and it worked great. It's not the latest and greatest, man it's convenient.
I grabbed the older one because (1) I couldn't find the newer one - it turned out to be in a different gig bag and (2) I like the A,B,C... scrolling between patches feature, even though I rarely use it...
Still using the old MS60B becuase it sounds good and fits my needs on both my boards. Sure there are newer flashier options but being a frugal sort and not having money to burn it is doing the tricks needed. Simply put there is nothing this affordable, with so many options in this very usable size and format.
I do have a MS60B+ on a small clamp on board powered by a bank. I might use the 60+ more idf it was easier to change patches, the ABC... method on the original really works for footing. And if it were editable on PC.
I do have a MS60B+ on a small clamp on board powered by a bank. I might use the 60+ more idf it was easier to change patches, the ABC... method on the original really works for footing. And if it were editable on PC.
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I picked up the b3 and honestly it’s great. I won’t have an issue with app compatibility and software that will go dark when they want us on the new version. The metal is solid. It’s going to hold up well. It doesn’t sound dated it actually works great when you dial in all the effects. For bargain hunters this is the brand to look at. Zoom gets it right. I’m curious to hear the new version but it can’t be leaps and bounds over the stuff from the 2010’s. It’s like with cell phones and other devices. Nobody’s really doing anything that much better than they were years ago. Innovation is literally down to a crawl and it’s all apps now so to me it’s actually going backwards.
