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Zoom Owners' Club!

#261
Right now, I've about enough money saved to get me a Zoom B3 (assuming it costs as much as a Zoom G3, i.e.) or a Zoom B2.1u or a cheap Maudio interface. I'm mainly looking for an interface, but it'd not hurt at all if I got a unit which has an interface which is, say, about 70% as effective as a bona fide interface (considering I'm not going to be requiring real hifi recording capability) and contained effects (the effects, in this case, would be an upgrade from my current B1x). I do want to get a recording interface ASAP, I wouldn't want to wait too long for a Zoom B3 I'm not sure exists. Any ideas as to whether to:

a) buy a Zoom B2.1u right now, or

b) wait for a Zoom B3, which would be a good 3-4 months later than when it's launched in USA, (if it in existence is at all), or

c) buy a cheap MAudio unit.
 
#262
champbassist said:
Right now, I've about enough money saved to get me a Zoom B3 (assuming it costs as much as a Zoom G3, i.e.) or a Zoom B2.1u or a cheap Maudio interface. I'm mainly looking for an interface, but it'd not hurt at all if I got a unit which has an interface which is, say, about 70% as effective as a bona fide interface (considering I'm not going to be requiring real hifi recording capability) and contained effects (the effects, in this case, would be an upgrade from my current B1x) Any ideas as to whether to:

a) buy a Zoom B2.1u right now, or

b) wait for a Zoom B3, which would be a good 3-4 months later than when it's launched in USA, (if it in existence is at all), or

c) buy a cheap MAudio unit.

I want to get something to record via ASAP.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure how imminent (or real) the B3 is :)

If I were you I'd get a 2.1u second hand and sell it when / if the B3 comes out (and if it's any good, of course!) but I don't know how easy that is where you are...
 
#266
From what I have read there are certain trade offs between the B2.1u and the supposed B3 if it ever comes available(comparing the G2.1nu and G3).

G3 pros- some additional models and deeper editing
G3 cons- limited to 3 sometimes 4 efx at a time, need to add expression pedal for some functions

If say you are into more complex sound creations then the B3 may not be your bag unless you plan to add efx around the unit.

As far as recording goes if you only want to record bass and monitor thru headphones then go for the Zoom, but if you plan to record other instruments or vox then go M-Audio.
 
#267
topo morto said:
Looks like you are thinking along the same lines as I am in this thread... the flexibility of a multi-fx plus something analogue for a bit of extra oomph?
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Well, I have to say I was looking at the SansAmp, and VT, and then the other more expensive units that go from there: Tone Hammer, EBS Multi-Drive, Bass Witch... al very good of course and no doubt run rings around the Hartke unit. I didn't want to sink professional quid into a unit that did more than I needed -I mean really, some TB gear passions get outright ridiculous! :hiding: -shipped, for $88 dollars, the VXL is really something IMHO. On it's own, or after the B2. I finally have the sound, tone(s) and effects I've always wanted. From your Zoom patches, or between your bass and the head/amp it just adds 'height' and 'breadth/girth/width' to the shape of your sound. I dial up my fave B2 patch and then let it bloom through the VXL's added step of definition. I don't think you would be disappointed with it. Check out Gear Wire's review.

My B2 challenge now is to recreate Graham Mabe's bass tone from Joe Jackson's Right and Wrong. Have loved that sound since I heard it the first time, and it defined [one of] the 'perfect sounding bass', in my mind.

Yeah, Zoom = inspiration and a shite load of fun added to a solo practice.
 
#270
BackToTheGroove said:
Well, I have to say I was looking at the SansAmp, and VT, and then the other more expensive units that go from there: Tone Hammer, EBS Multi-Drive, Bass Witch... al very good of course and no doubt run rings around the Hartke unit. I didn't want to sink professional quid into a unit that did more than I needed -I mean really, some TB gear passions get outright ridiculous! :hiding: -
Click to expand...

Hmm, you may hide behind your wall! No seriously, I can well believe the VXL is a great unit - my amp is a Hartke kickback with the same EQ and it does the same kind of job as the bass driver's EQ curve with a minimum of fuss... (I had to write 'fuss' 3 times then, I kept writing 'fuzz'...) Maybe I'll add it to my 'to try' list.

BackToTheGroove said:
My B2 challenge now is to recreate Graham Mabe's bass tone from Joe Jackson's Right and Wrong. Have loved that sound since I heard it the first time, and it defined [one of] the 'perfect sounding bass', in my mind.
Click to expand...

Nice. To my ears, half the 'grit' comes from the playing technique, half is a bit of 'hair', and there's a lot of bass boost going on... good luck!
 
#271
topo morto said:
Nice. To my ears, half the 'grit' comes from the playing technique, half is a bit of 'hair', and there's a lot of bass boost going on... good luck!
Click to expand...

I have this to go by:
"People always ask what I used when I made the first Joe Jackson albums back in the dark ages: first off, a 1970s Ibanez Silver Series bass (a fairly inexpensive Jazz Bass knockoff with P /J pickups). I played it, strung with Rotosound flatwounds, often using a pick, through a Fender Bassman 135, and matching Bassman 4x12 cabinet - this is still one of the best bass rigs I ever used and wish I still had it. Back then I was not afraid to turn up the treble, and that accompanied by the producer and Joe’s artistic decision to push the bass upfront as the featured instrument (no guitar solos) led to that distinctive bass sound." :bassist:
 
#272
Joe Jackson in his book mentions a bassist who was way out of tune... on trying to tune his bass, it was found that the machine heads wouldn't budge:

"It was in tune when I bought it, so I had them welded."....

Hopefully not the same guy!


BackToTheGroove said:
this is still one of the best bass rigs I ever used and wish I still had it.
Click to expand...


True dat. Gotta be careful when upgrading... you never know...
 
#274
B2.1u=More controllable parameters, 6 band EQ or 2band parametric, DI, USB i/o, metal input and output jacks, metal switches and case.

B1x= limited parameter control, 3 band fixed EQ, plastic jacks and case. All in all not a bad box I have a G1x that gets a lot of use for gtr and bass (nice "vintage" type sounds) and i work with a keys player that uses it on his Wurlitzer electric piano very choice.
 
#276
champbassist said:
Anybody with any experience with both B1x and B2.1u? How much of a difference is there between the effects on offer? From what I see, the effects seem to be the same, just that there are more controllable parameters for each on the B2.1u compared to the B1x.
Click to expand...

I've have a zoom b2.1u and had a zoom b1x. the zoom b1x has limited controls but does have some decent effects, amp and cab models. the zoom b2.1u on the other hand is more superior in controls and sound quality. it's got more controls like a 6-band eq, better gain and tone control for the distortion channels, better rate, depth and resonance controls for the modulation effects, better controls for reverbs and delays, and of course a noise gate and a mix control(which mixes the dry signal with the effected signal). personally, I think the zoom b1x is more suitable for beginners. the zoom b2.1u is a much better choice for advanced bass players. if you're debating on the zoom b1x and the zoom b2.1u, I would say go with the zoom b2.1u.
 
#277
champbassist said:
Anybody with any experience with both B1x and B2.1u? How much of a difference is there between the effects on offer? From what I see, the effects seem to be the same, just that there are more controllable parameters for each on the B2.1u compared to the B1x.
Click to expand...

I had the B2.1U first, and now have the B2.
They are the same except for the foot peddle, XLR out, USB and the Cubase-lite software. I found I didn't need the peddle and wasn't the sort of technique I'd be using during playing. All I needed was: to set an effect/amp/tone and leave it or switch between two or on/off (I will buy the small floor peddle to switch banks though during gigs). So unless you're a wah bassist, a solo player who uses a volume pedal and adjustment and cut to things like delay, or doing home recording - you will probably be content with the B2 and save some bucks. An XLR out is handy though, but perhaps your amp head already has one anyway.

Just my non-professional 'practical bass player' 2¢ worth. I just like to keep things simple so I can concentrate on playing. :cool:

But get the B2 or B2.1U over the lesser plastic models, it will be well worth the metal construction alone.
 
#278
Crystalman85 said:
if you're debating on the zoom b1x and the zoom b2.1u, I would say go with the zoom b2.1u.
Click to expand...

Actually I was debating whether to get a B2.1u along with the B1x I already own. This was primarily because I wanted a recording interface and I figured that if the B2.1u had some extra effects compared to the B1X, it'd be worth buying a B2.1u. Turns out that there are almost no extra effects, but it has (as everyone else said) more controllable parameters on each effect. So I've finally decided to get a cheap Cakewalk interface and save the rest of the cash to buy another pedal in the near future.
 

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