Zoom B2 Four

[MarshallBTB]

https://www.zoom-europe.com/en/zoom-b2-four

Features look great! 

Bit of a wait but will definitely be getting one to try, I always liked the older B3 and this reminds me of that. 

Edited February 25, 2023 by MarshallBTB

[funkydoug]

Thanks for spotting it.

Been waiting for this to appear , looks interesting 

Edited February 25, 2023 by funkydoug

[Al Krow]

11 hours ago, funkydoug said:

Thanks for spotting it.

Been waiting for this to appear , looks interesting 

 

+1^^

 

Look forward to hearing your thoughts on it @MarshallBTB. Not currently seeing enough of a benefit on this to switch up to this from my existing (and regularly available for £50 used) Zoom B1-4 which I'm still loving and using as a standalone pedal board & tuner for gigs, instead of paying a bit more and getting something like a Helix PodGo.

Edited February 25, 2023 by Al Krow

[MarshallBTB]

That’s interesting, and fair enough, but this seems to have many more features, DI out etc. Also a tougher more gig worthy enclosure too. Been put off the plastic B1 stuff as it looks so flimsy. Another reason why I loved the older B3. 

[Woodinblack]

Just coming to post this, looks interesting, although as I am still not really using the b1 four and b3n probably best I don't get one at the moment!

 

but the XLR is back, seems to be concentration on the DI aspects

[JohnDaBass]

On 25/02/2023 at 06:56, funkydoug said:

Thanks for spotting it.

Been waiting for this to appear , looks interesting 

++1^^^^

This seems to be a neat halfway house between the B1Four and B6.

I own 2 x B1Fours and a B6 so I think I qualify as a Zoom Fanboi.

I use one B1Four as a standalone HPF,  compressor,  tuner and tailored presets for songs in my covers band.

The second B1Four sits in a micro pedal board with a BDI21 and HB wireless. ( same presets as the standalone)

The B6 is housed in a neat case with a HB wireless unit.

I'm pretty well sorted at the moment so I'll be in no rush to get a shiny new B2Four.

BUT YOU NEVER KNOW 🙄

Edited March 2, 2023 by JohnDaBass

[Osiris]

It's up on the Thomann website for order at a reasonable £241 although the date suggests that it won't be in stock for 3 or 4 months yet - https://www.thomann.de/gb/zoom_b2_four.htm

 

As has already been speculated, it looks like a slimmed down version of the B6, which from what I've read, people are saying is a step up in terms of sound quality over the cheap and cheerful B1 Four, no doubt down to it having the latest chipset. But with an XLR output and 6 DI models, and if I understand the display correctly, you can choose up to 6 fx blocks which is more than enough for my needs and probably the majority of us too for usable bass sounds and the off effect or two. 

[JohnDaBass]

1 hour ago, Osiris said:

But with an XLR output and 6 DI models, and if I understand the display correctly, you can choose up to 6 fx blocks which is more than enough for my needs and probably the majority of us too for usable bass sounds and the off effect or two. 

+1

While the fancy B6 sounds great ( definitely a sound & usability improvement on the B1Four) if this had been around earlier I would have probably opted for this over the B6.

[Al Krow]

I think the fx patches are going to be identical to those on the cheaper models, and many will have no need for 6 flavours of DI out as they can go directly into the HiZ input on their desks. 

 

I do love the Z synth on the Zoom multis though! Puts many other more expensive multis to shame. And there are a ton of usable features and fx on even the cheapest Zoom multis. But if I'm forking out a lot more than I paid for my B1-4, I'd probably want to be getting parallel path routing for fx, and I think the entry point for that is something like the Helix Stomp. 

 

@JohnDaBass are you hearing a noticeable step up in sound quality between your B1-4s and your B6? 

[JohnDaBass]

29 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

 

@JohnDaBass are you hearing a noticeable step up in sound quality between your B1-4s and your B6? 

IMHO with my 70 year old abused ears I think the patches sound richer fuller, more authentic and open, a real improvement in sound quality. I'm pleased with what I'm hearing through headphones and Fender Rumble thro BF SC. But each to their own  and with great returns policy from the big retailers everyone can make up their own mind and not rely on an old Duffer like me.

Here's samples @jimfist put up last year. There's quite a lengthy thread on TB.

 

https://soundcloud.com/jimfist/sets/zoom-b6-demo?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

 

Edited February 26, 2023 by JohnDaBass
Samples added

[jimfist]

@JohnDaBass sums up my feelings on the B6, highlighting things that *might* be deemed intangible or not necessarily discernible to another player or listener.

No real comment on the B2 Four, other than to say that it gives a sniff of some of the new B6 models while not quite really implementing the same B6 architecture, compared to for example the HX Stomp vs. Helix (LT).

To me the sampling frequency of the B6 is noteworthy, though not published (yet) on the B2 Four.

IMHO the higher B6 sample frequency is what gives it the more "open" and realistic sound and feel. All JMHO.

A question: does the B2 Four stack up favorably to something like the NUX MG-30, feature by feature?

Things are getting awfully crowded now toward the low-cost end of the market, and Zoom recently hasn't been exactly delivering many knockout products in the multi-fx pedal line, much as I do enjoy them.

[funkydoug]

I’m slightly confused by the B6 and B2 Di features to be honest.

 

Do any of the zooms allow pre- and post- fx recording over USB? And can the Di be used to send a pre-fx signal while the regular out send post-fx? 
Thanks guys. 

[stewblack]

Long time user of Zoom pedals here. This is in my Thomann basket. No reason to assume it won't be as good all their pedals have been 

[jimfist]

On 26/02/2023 at 15:59, funkydoug said:

I’m slightly confused by the B6 and B2 Di features to be honest.

 

Do any of the zooms allow pre- and post- fx recording over USB? And can the Di be used to send a pre-fx signal while the regular out send post-fx? 
Thanks guys. 

Nope to both as far as I'm aware. The DI selections are POST everything, or bypassed. No option to change it.

[Chienmortbb]

ZoomB2 Four now in stock at Thomann. My trigger finder is itching....

[MarshallBTB]

Good spot ! I’m away at the moment, will probably order one next week. 

[stewblack]

7 hours ago, Chienmortbb said:

ZoomB2 Four now in stock at Thomann. My trigger finder is itching....

Ooh thank you 

[Machines]

Also in stock here: https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/bass-multi-effects-pedals/zoom-b2-four-bass-guitar-multi-effect-pedal?q=b2 four zoom

 

Just ordered one.

[King Tut]

Hoping for a B2fourX

[Chienmortbb]

5 hours ago, King Tut said:

Hoping for a B2fourX

It has an expression pedal input an Zoom do an Expression pedal so it  may not come.

[Chienmortbb]

Bu**er. Had another piece of equipment fail at rehearsal last night so had to do a Thomann order. Guess what accidently slipped into my basket? Zoom B2 Four on its way to Dorset. Hopefully in time for nexr week's gig.

[King Tut]

5 hours ago, Chienmortbb said:

It has an expression pedal input an Zoom do an Expression pedal so it  may not come.

Ive got one of the expression pedals. Zoom do a G2fourX so I dont see why we should be left out!!

[Machines]

On 01/04/2023 at 11:26, Machines said:

Also in stock here: https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/bass-multi-effects-pedals/zoom-b2-four-bass-guitar-multi-effect-pedal?q=b2 four zoom

 

Just ordered one.

 

Came today. Initially a bit confusing as very different interface to the B3n. However underneath that is it much the same and once you can navigate the UI quickly it's no issue (couple of hours). A few new sounds to the B3n and the Djent Preamp will be good for me. Overall not a necessary upgrade, but it was reasonably priced and has a lot better connectivity which will give me easier ways to record at home than the B3n.  Annoyingly there is an iOS app but not Android (maybe in time), so i'm only using the buttons for now.

 

I think it looks cool, it's sturdy and totally reminds me of an F-117A.

 

Check out this comparison !

 

Zoom B2 Four:

 

 

Lockheed F-117A:

Edited April 6, 2023 by Machines

[King Tut]

9 minutes ago, Machines said:

 

Came today. Initially a bit confusing as very different interface to the B3n. However underneath that is it much the same and once you can navigate the UI quickly it's no issue (couple of hours). A few new sounds to the B3n and the Djent Preamp will be good for me. Overall not a necessary upgrade, but it was reasonably priced and has a lot better connectivity which will give me easier ways to record at home than the B3n.  Annoyingly there is an iOS app but not Android (maybe in time), so i'm only using the buttons for now.

 

I think it looks cool, it's sturdy and totally reminds me of an F-117A.

 

Check out this comparison !

 

Zoom B2 Four:

 

 

Lockheed F-117A:

Stealthy! ThNks for the comments, given your experience I’ll probably not upgrade!

[Machines]

9 minutes ago, King Tut said:

Stealthy! ThNks for the comments, given your experience I’ll probably not upgrade!

 

Needs a few rehearsal/gigs to be fully reviewed, but. I will admit I am fully bored of looking at the claret red of the B3n (had it about 5 years) and this looked so much better. I actually grabbed a B6 when they came out to try, and yes it has a better/bigger colour LCD, but I feel there are no differing sounds/effects available to the B2 Four. I also prefer a smaller footprint that can fit in the front pocket of  a gigbag, which this does fine.

 

It's actually a bit smaller than the B3n  top to bottom and definitely lighter (1.2kg vs 0.9kg)

Edited April 6, 2023 by Machines