Zoom, anyone?
Thinking about picking up a Zoom B2.1u. Suggestions, reviews, comparable products, anyone? I don't care much for amp mods, but you can't buy multi-efx units today without em. Looking for the usual, chorus, flanger, envelope filter, wah...
Just looking for some feedback, I guess.
I don't have a multi fx unit
I don't have a multi fx unit but if I were going to get one I'd be looking at the Line 6 units and perhaps Boss as well. I've noticed that the Zoom fx units generally get lower ratings in reviews. Still, it's always best to try all the options, including Zoom, before buying.
Very true. I had always
Very true. I had always thought of Line 6 as just amp models, though. I don't see myself bothering with that much in a live setting, since I like my onstage sound and my DI only hits the subs. I just don't want to get a unit whose resources I will only scratch the surface of. Which roughly translates as "I want my money's worth."
I was originally looking for something with an expression pedal to make use of wah/whammy stuff. Believe it or not, I would use the whammy, since my band occasionally covers Tool songs that use it, like "The Pot." That, and whammys annoy guitards, and that is a pastime of mine in rehearsal... chortle.
I will definitely look into Line 6 though, as they are a comparable price to Zoom.
Thanks!
I haven't tried that
I haven't tried that particular model, but I still have my Zoom 506 (not to be confused with the 506 II, it's successor). It proved a very affordable, surprisingly sturdy, and useful part of my live setup for a long, long time. The Zoom stuff gets a bad rap, since it's low-end, plastic, and not low-noise enough for direct recording. But their stuff tends to be stronger than it looks and packs a lot of features and a wide variety of decent sounds at a very affordable price.
That said, I've become a total sucker for the Line 6 stuff of late. I use their TonePort UX2 for recording, and I love it. The next time I decide to do the band thing, I'm going to look into their BassPod XT Live. As for the amp mods, you might never use them live, but they're really nice for recording direct and/or practicing via headphones. If the XT Live too much, check out the Bass FloorPod line. Someone here (Pete?) has one and digs it. It looks like more of a direct competitor.
A lot of people here like the Boss ME-50. That's definitely one to consider and would save you a bit over just buying a bunch of individual Boss stomp boxes, which is another option.
Wheat
bassplaying.com
i still have....
my ZOOM 506 too....and it is a lot of fun...and i agree it holds up a damn site better than you would expect for a plastic stomp box..
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Greg
Http://www.myspace.com/kybassmaniac
*and it harm none,do what thou will*
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Greg
http://www.youtube.com/user/BroknDreamsBand
Http://www.facebook.com/brokendreamsband
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*and it harm none,do what thou will*
Right. I also have a Zoom
Right. I also have a Zoom 505 II (the guitar version, second generation). But I don't need it anymore, as I use GearBox now. And, for the few times when I play guitar live, I use just the distortion and reverb on my amp. So I'll probably sell that one on eBay. It hasn't seen much use. And it has some good sounds, but I just don't need it.
The 506 is beat to hell, but it still works. I don't have much use for it anymore, either. But it's too worn to sell. And, you know, I'm sort of sentimental about it. My wife bought it for me for Christmas, right after they first came out.
Wheat
bassplaying.com
small world......
[quote=wheat]My wife bought it for me for Christmas, right after they first came out.
Wheat [/quote]
mine was a xmas gift form my wife also.....
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Greg
Http://www.myspace.com/kybassmaniac
*and it harm none,do what thou will*
------------------------------------------
Greg
http://www.youtube.com/user/BroknDreamsBand
Http://www.facebook.com/brokendreamsband
http://www.reverbnation.com/brokendreamsband
*and it harm none,do what thou will*
OK. So, I've gotten a
OK. So, I've gotten a helluvalotta props for Zoom, and I think I've definitely put them into my "demo" list, the next time I've got the time to try one. Now, here's another one for you:
I have been looking at boxes the next price bracket down, and have taken a shine to the Digitech BP200. So, where is it best to go? Do I take the cheap fix, or up the wallet and pony the dough for the senior member of the multi-effects squad?
I don't want everyone to make up my mind for me, I am just looking for opinions and experiences from those who have had a bit more experience than me. Years ago, I had a Digitech Chorus and a Flanger. Also had a Morley bass wah (which in hindsight, I didn't like all that much) Sold them when I moved back from out west, and now that I have two kids and a proper list of responsibilities, I know I can't replace all my effects, (or add more) on short notice. I figure a multi gives me the chance to play and progress without so much investment. I figure from here I can zero in on the effects that will be worth building on, and maybe discover stuff I never thought I would use.
I don't know why I had to spill so much their...However...
As far as getting your feet
As far as getting your feet wet and trying things out, I think the ultra-cheap multi-effects are a good way to go. Like you, I used to own a bunch of individual Digitech stomp boxes (chorus, flanger, "american metal" distortion pedal, compressor). I tend to like their individual stop boxes (just cheaper knockoffs of the Boss pedals) but not like so much their multi-effects boxes, which always strike me as cheap, or really complicated, or both. Just a personal feeling, really. I've never owned a digitch multi, but I've tried a few and worked with guitarists who used them.
My 2.5 cents: If you're going for a cheap multi, go with the Zoom. If you'd rather save up a bit and step up, go for the Boss or Line 6 multis. If you're going for just a few singles, I don't think anything beats Boss.
After owning my Zoom 506 for many years, here are the features that I found essential: tuner, compressor, octave effect, volume boost. I also like distortion once in a while, but I never liked the 506's distortion patches.
For distortion, I have a Boss ODB-3 that I really like. I'm also a fan of the ProCo Rat (the original one) and the original Marshall Guv'nor. Those are both guitar pedals. But, with proper tweaking, they sound good on bass. These days, the TonePort takes care of my fx needs. But, if I were going to play live, I'd have to either buy more stomp boxes (at minimum, a tuner) or go with a multi (either the Boss ME-50B or a Line 6 Bass PODxt Live (warning: music).
Wheat
bassplaying.com
Just to add a box to the
Just to add a box to the list Wheat gave, you can always get the Boss ME-20B, a little less money then the 50 but still have the most common effects you may use. You can usually find a used one in decent shape for cheep.
Also, I have read bad things but heard good things about the Rocktron multi's. I am thinking of purchasing one of the newer ones just to test out but they still have the Utopia B100 which is not too expensive at about 180 or 190.
The one I am looking into and just need to find one in stock to check out is the Rocktron Utopia B300
Hazz
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Zoom B2.1u
I got a Zoom B2.1u a while back and it is amazing. If you are'nt in a band or if you don't have rehearsal the drum track is good. definetely a great multi fx pedal.
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