Zoom B3

[Wan]

Hi People,

I want a few effects but don't want to start building pedal boards etc..

Does anybidy have a Zoom B3 and if so are they any good ? They look pretty cool to me.

Cheers..

[Geek99]

i've got a zoom b2.1u which is amazing. Cheap as chips on ebay

[yorks5stringer]

A visit to the FX Lounge will reveal chapter and verse!

PS I had one but sold it for a MS 60B

Edited December 29, 2015 by yorks5stringer

[Oopsdabassist]

Got both B3 and a B1.ut thingy, prefer the B3 for its smaller footprint, great bit of kit! I recommend it.

[Machines]

For a multi FX unit I don't think anything can match its value. I pretty much use mine as an overly complex tuner and EQ unit with occasional looping.

The only thing it lacks is an AUX in for playing along to things.

Edited December 29, 2015 by Machines

[NickD]

I love mine. I'm more of a home meddler than a hardcore effects guy, but I'm seriously looking at gigging with it. I find it really usable. I've added the optional expression pedal too, and that's really opened it up.

[cybertect]

[quote name='Machines' timestamp='1451404626' post='2940212']
For a multi FX unit I don't think anything can match its value. I pretty much use mine as an overly complex tuner and EQ unit with occasional looping.

The only thing it lacks is an AUX in for playing along to things.
[/quote]

Hook it up to the computer and use it as a USB audio output - plug headphones into the B3, play song on computer and play along on the bass. Works for me :-)

[bonzodog]

Zoom B1-ON is even cheaper and is a great piece of kit. Doesn't look as good as the B3 and does not have DI out but I think the effects and drum patterns are the same and it does have an auxiliary in to play along to Mp3s etc which the B3 doesn't

[Machines]

[quote name='cybertect' timestamp='1451408646' post='2940266']


Hook it up to the computer and use it as a USB audio output - plug headphones into the B3, play song on computer and play along on the bass. Works for me :-)
[/quote]

I haven't got a computer

[Woodinblack]

I have done many gigs with it, and rely on it completely.

[miles'tone]

Got one. It's really bloody good.

[Kevin Dean]

Fantastic pedal , I have both & might consider selling them only because I have a Roland GR55 ..

[gub]

I use my B3 at all gigs, tuner, delay and a nice bit of chorus.

[Lozz196]

I used to have one, great bit of kit, especially if the amp you use is one of those on the amp-modelling section. Even if not, there is so much on there and it`s not too heavy or bulky.

[chrismuzz]

Amazingly good quality for such a relatively low priced piece of equipment. I use mine for recording, and it stays on my live pedalboard as a tuner, and for any non gain based effect

[blue]

Depends on how you want to use it. For home use I'm sure it's fine. Gigging with it could be problematic. For gigging multi-effects units tend to seem weak and noisy.

Blue

[Woodinblack]

Gigging it is neither weak or noisy.

[The-Ox]

Its good mate I'd recommend it, also get cubase with it too

[blue]

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1451425374' post='2940435']
Gigging it is neither weak or noisy.
[/quote]

Depends on your amp,your bass and the room. I'm not alone on this one.

Blue

[Skybone]

Thinking of buying a second B3, the first one for the amp setup (amp/reverb/boost etc), the second for effects (modulation/synth/wah/etc).

[ahpook]

All being well I should be the owner of a B3 by tomorrow evening.

I'm particularly interested in using it to supply the 'every now and again pedals' like modulations and synths instead of lugging 5 pedals when I may only use once in a while.

[BottomE]

What are the synth sounds like in terms of quality at gig volume? We do some tunes that were originally recorded with a synth bass part and have no idea if this is a credible option.

[rushbo]

Zoom pedals are brilliant. I've used the B2, B9 and I'm currently using the B1. Never had any noise issues and I'm always amazed at the quality. Spend a bit of time taming the pre set patches and you've got a bit of kit which I'd put up against anything on the market. People can be really sniffy about Zoom multi fx, but I've tried loads, including some real high end items and for me, Zoom wins every time. Never used the B3 as they seem a bit fiddly to use live (are they...?) but the B1 is superb.

[ratman]

I never found the B3 a problem to use live. They're not fiddly at all, easy to tweak on the fly too.

[Cato]

[quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1451429985' post='2940492']
What are the synth sounds like in terms of quality at gig volume? We do some tunes that were originally recorded with a synth bass part and have no idea if this is a credible option.
[/quote]

The synth patches on the B1 are mostly excellent. There's one or two which to my ears don't work as well as the others, but those are ideal for tweaking or replacing with your own patch.

For me, if the B1on has a weakness it's the distortion & drive presets, but then I don't really go in for driven sounds on bass so I may not be the best judge.