Musician Gear & Tech Discussion

Hey guys. I'm thinking about getting a multi-effects pedal for recording. Not because of the effects; mostly for the amp/cab modeling to improve the bass tone when playing live. I HATE the bass POD, but love the concept. Have any bass players played the Zoom multi- pedals? Guitar players, since you probably have more experience with multi-effects, are Zoom pedals any good?

I've owned many Zoom products (including a 9000, my first multi-effects unit), and, overall, I've always liked them. Unfortunately, they're pretty much all about "budget" gear, so amp/cab modeling isn't really their strong point. I've never been impressed with the quality of the Zoom (bass) multi-effects units. They tend to sound cheap and even "canned" at times. Might I suggest the Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI ($200)? I've considered buying this device for years. It's a pre-amp with "tube amp emulation circuitry", an overdrive stompbox, and a direct box. I've always heard good things about this box. It's supposed to be useful for recording, as well as for live use.

The only thing I don't like about the Zoom bass pedal is the cheapo plasticity of the case. It isn't road worthy. It is very easy to program, though, & I have made some great sounds with it, although it is a lil weak in the modelling area compared to pricier pedals. You can't do better for the money, though, & if you aren't changing it on the fly, it'll work for you for years. I set mine on the amp & use it as a tuner more than anything else, but the programs are there when I need them.

I bought the zoom B2 a couple of years ago for a cheap introduction to pedals for my bass and its pretty impressive for the money. if your wanting just a general multieffects pedal that you can experiment with and gain experience with putting effects on top of one another then this is a good one to choose, it has 20-30 channels (can't remember exactly) that you can program so plenty of space to save effects you like and still create more, plus with another 20-30 pre programmed channels you will probably find something you like that you can tweak to your exact tastes

The only thing I don't like about the Zoom bass pedal is the cheapo plasticity of the case

this sounds like the Zoom B1 which looked pretty..well... nasty, there's no other word for it. the zoom b2 however is a lot lot sturdier and robust.

the only two bad things i could say about the B2 is that
1. there is no clean channel on it so if you want to play clean you actually have to create a channel specifically for it.
2. you need to know about effects and there termanology becuase there are no 'layman' terms for what the effects are (although the instruction are pretty clear)

but other than that its great value for money and with the zoom B2.1 being a little bit more you can have a wah pedal as well.