NPD - Zoom B2Four

[SamIAm]

I've mostly used multi-fx, with a brief forray into individual physical pedals, but to date had yet to find the 'perfect' setup for me.

The B2Four is not perfect, but it ticks most of my boxes.

 

The Great

Build quality - Feels solid, all switches feel solid and have a nice positive click to them, the display is clear (Tho perhaps a wee bit small) and can be seen when the pedal in on the floor. The up/down/left/right switches alos have a nice click and can be used with my foot.

Size - Small and light enough to carry in front pocket of my gig bag.

Power - Can be driven from a 500ma+ 9v supply (One comes with the unit) and also via the USB-C connection with a power brick or from a computer.

Control Interface - Without doubt the best user interface I've seen from Zoom (I've tried the MS-60B, B3, B1XFour) this blows them away (imho). The up/down/left/right switches are large enough to allow foot control and have a nice click to them (I would prefer them in a diamond pattern but these work well). It is easy to select up to three patches using the main foot switches, combined with the patch memory/effect foot switch it allows me to easily select one of three patches and to toggle the first three effects on/off, this works well for my gig needs.

Input - Single 1/4 inch for bass and an aux 3.5mm for stuff. There is also an expression pedal input to drive the 3 or 4 pedal control parameters.

Output - DI with gnd lift, mono/stereo amp and a 3.5mm headphone output (No need for an adapter). According to Zoom the The DI MODEL affects the output of the BALANCED OUTPUT, OUTPUT and PHONES jacks.

Tuner - Responsive and deals with my 5ers. I miss the LEDs of the B1XFour, but this does the job.

 

The Good

Sounds - I like the sounds.

You can hear some of these here

 

and Bass The World gives it a good review

The could be better

Preset Patches - Not uncommon, but they do not reflect the sounds I'm looking for, but easy enough to change.

Software - IOS only at present and paid for (tho only about a quid)  I do not understand this at all! Fortunately I've an iPad so can use this, but my phone is Android and my main computer is Apple. Hopefully Zoom will release other versions or ToneLib will add B2Four support. The device offers fairly good on device editing so this is not a major issue, rather a nice to have.

 

Overall this is a win for me.  A single pedal that can do what I need, small enough to easily lug about, it can be powered from a USB brick and allows iPad programming (tho the on device editing is fairly good) and with a DI output for the odd occasions if I need it. 

 

I will dig deeper for a while, but I suspect that my other f/x units will go up here on BC for sale.  Updates will follow as I learn more.

 

A great video about how to use the unit

 

 

Sam x

Edited May 2 by SamIAm