Here's a tutorial to get you started on the Zoom B1x-FOUR Bass multi effects pedal. It starts off with PC connection but that's not essential, you can do as much editing as you want on the pedal by itself :)
"Be open minded about it..." Spot on! Just last night I was jamming and fell on 'Larry Jet'. I laughed and said, "Here's another useless one". Five seconds I said, "Now hold on a second", we formed a damn melody around that setting. I've had this thing for 2 years and only now discovering what a treasure box it is.
I brought the model without the expression pedal about 12 year's ago and it was phenomenal then. I recently bought this model about a month ago and run it through fender rumble with a stock sx percussion and it's fantastic.takes jamming to a whole new level. Can't say enough good things about it. It's light portable very easy to use.
Me too, I had an older model (B2..1u) and it was A. more expensive and B. perhaps more suited to gigging in that it was more solid (a beast!) and had a full XLR output (ground lift, etc.). Other than that, the effects and rhythms sound very similar. Though I’m primarily using this for practice, it’s nice to hear that it CAN be used for live performance (per other YT comments and videos). All in all, I wonder if the Boss sounds less (corny? kitchy? JAPANESE?!) toy-like (?!), but for the money you just can’t beat this product! Zoom continues to impress...
I just got this and the G1XFour. I really like it a lot so far. I connected the output in stereo effects loop to my amps and enjoyed the stereo effects. It’s a great processor for the money. Zoom rocks!
This video was a huge help. I love this thing so far. My favorite part has been the drum beats they provide. I don't have a chance to jam with other musicians so it has been invaluable for me to jam against a beat.
Same, but I also use a software drum machine (Spark), which is MUCH more elaborate and sophisticated, providing a HUGE selection of drum kits and fully programmable rhythm function down to 16th and even 32nd notes! There is also the possibility of recording an entire song in differing segments ie intro, verse, chorus and bridge). If they included other instruments, they would blow Band in a Box off the face of the planet!!! Just sharing my experience with a fantastic practice tool...
I remember when Zoom was known for the strap mounted effects unit. I just ordered my first bass, Ibanez SR250, along with a B1XFour. I should receive the lot tomorrow. Thanks for the lesson. I'm excited to learn.
Nice review. I've had mine for a while now and it's been great for learning about effects without having a huge pedal board. Quick tip: those small clear buttons can also be used to flip through patches and stuff with your hands instead of using the chonky foot pedals.
Heyyo! Great review by the way. I've been thinking about buying this recently, and I was just curious if I could play one of the fuzz/distortion effects on the pedal, then use the expression pedal for wah, so I could make a fuzz wah effect?
Great review. How would you say the sound compares to the old Zoom B3? My impression is the sound of the new Zoom MFX is the sounds haves changed a bit but not necessarily improved - kind of different flavours of the same idea.
Thanks for the super helpful video! How does this compare against the Boss GT-1B? One thing you pointed out in the video is that if you wanted to add a new effect to a patch you have to click through every single available effect. Seems tedious and makes me wonder if the Boss is more user friendly.
I think the Boss sounds slightly more 'polished'. The user-friendliness is about the same ((I've done a tutorial on the Boss as well) but the Zoom definitely has more features like the beats and looper.
Hi, quick question. Is there a way to just run the Zoom B1 Four to a separate amp for just rhythm tracks? I'm not real pleased with the overall tone used with my basses and also that the tuner won't mute the bass. I'm now using a different pedal entirely and it's great but I'd like to use the drum tracks from the Zoom as a metronome. If I plug a cable out of the output of the Zoom it will not power on the unit. Seems as though a cable must go into the input to power on the device. Is there a way around this?
If I only want to hear the beats, I just plug a single RCA plug with a 1/4 plug on its other end - an adapter not connected to anything. This will power the device up but let no sound in. Here's a picture: encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR5S0ywK6X6WYcwtBGDOVONvUueAgcgbMNNoGfJDEjTpye1hazaZ_ioAXhU1ppjAcfJsSck7sg&usqp=CAc
I bought it today and it's a good processor actually but if you don't have a decent bass and amp you can't get wonderful results. i used an audio interface and audio programs on pc while practicing before buying this and I can say there isn't a big difference between the sound qualities I get but this device is so easy to use and it has lots of equalizers and settings to have a better sound also I don't need a computer to run and I can use it on stage so it worth the money
I think B1 Four is a great practice tool. For live use at least it need 3-4 footswitches... Having said that, I've gig with B1xon few times and it's pretty good...
I just bought the B1 four, but wonder how to record more than like 10 seconds? how can i record longer? or is it only short recordings? it seems like there is no option for recording on the bass lab.
You can use the pitch shifter effect to detune one semitone. If you need quick access to detune, just copy your sound to the next patch number and make detune the only change (the patch will be identical in every other way)
Can I use this for vocals? I have been looking at the Boss GT-10b which I've seen several people use for vocals. I just want to be able to quickly switch between fx with the press of a button or stomp of a pedal.
@@gearfacts so can this save individual presets? Like say I want to do distortion vocals and then switch to reverb/echo and then switch to a megaphone. I watched the video but was still a bit confused about custom presets.
No need to update. It'll be ready to go, right out of the box. You can check the zoom website to see if your version is out-of-date, but it won't affect you using it :)
@@gearfacts Hi good day mate! A little update... I’ve got mine few days ago and it’s already updated to Version 2 firmware out of the box. I’ve also experimented connecting the zoom into my Roland FP30 digital piano and oh boy! Love the effects! Who says the zoom B1xFour only meant for bass.. hahah!
Is it possible to turn off and on the effect with the footswitch? Let's say I have a distorted part in a song, then switch to clean with just my foot? When I play in bars etc. I dont want to kneel down and press buttons :D
Yes, you can do that. The easiest way is to create two identical patches side by side - one with the distortion and one without. Then simply use the up/down foot switches to flip between the two. You can also do it by leaving the pedal in edit mode as you play, then you can use a foot pedal to activate and de-activate distortion. The advantage of doing it this way is that if you are using delay or heavy reverb, they won't be interrupted as you add or remove that distortion. Or you could just add a distortion pedal with a short connector cable, it can sound good but it's fraught with other problems.
I really screwed up the order of my parcges so now most of them are just sans cleans and i dont know how to chamge it. Whenever i try I just end up getting more sans
Just got one these .... my understanding is that your computer should detect the device automatically and download the necessary driver, is that right? well, mine doesn't and I am unable to fifure out why? Any idea?
Yes that’s what’s meant to happen. The only thing I can think of is to try a different cable. You need one that can transmit data as well as power, some can only handle data. It’s a long shot, but that’s the only idea I have, sorry
Hi, I have a steinberg audio interface and I use that to connect my bass to garageband or cubase to edit my sound but it's hard to work with it and I don't like the outcoming sound. Also my guitar is Ibanez gsr180 and its own sound is so dull and boring. If I buy this processor will I really get a better sound than my own setup? I'm new to this digital world so if someone can explain I'll appreciate it.
Yeah I think it'll bring some life into it. Lots of EQ is a good start if your bass is sounding dull. Also (and this is not a joke) take the strings off and boil them in a pot for 15 minutes, they'll sound way more lively after that. I made a video about doing this :) #gearfacts
Hi, congratulations for the video. I recently bought this pedalboard, and I would like to know the USB input of the pedalboard, can you use it as an audio card, for example in the REAPER program? See you. I'm from Brazil
Personally I liked the sound of the Stomplab considerably better, but the Zoom has more effects. So it's Quality versus quantity from my point of view :)
I have both. Zoom b1on and b1four. I think the b1on sounds better. There is less hiss and the effects sound rounder and smoother! But the b1four clearly has better operation 😊
Hi, I hope you're still active. Guitar Lab app says No device found. What to do? I tried disconnecting it and connecting it again but still doesn't work.
It often does that! So annoying. All I can suggest is restarting the computer, and maybe try connecting the pedal when guitar lab is NOT running to see if the computer recognizes it. Just try things like that. Also sometimes it takes a really long time to connect, like 10 minutes. Crazy. Sorry can’t be more help
Great tutorial and tips. I bought my b1x four in the Philippines, I downloaded the guitar lab, I connected the unit to my computer, nothing happens. The computer can't detect the device. appreciate your and anybody's help. thank you
There are many possible reasons. 1. Restart everything and make connection your first action when you start the computer. 2. Try it on someone else's copmuter to see if there's a difference. 3. Change USB cable ...I knos these are a bit obvious but it's a start :) GF
@@gearfacts thanks. For #1, the connection is fine, though a bit slow. For #2, I did try with other computers, same result. For #3, well, the cable I'm using goes well with my other device. Anyway, thanks for this, maybe, somehow, I'll be able to figure it out.
Generally it's intended to be used alone, but if you have a drive pedal that you really like I'd put it first, and if it's ambience pedals you want to add, I'd put them post-BIXFOUR. Hope that helps :)
Hey mate,can you change the names of the patches that come with it? because I really don't like a lot of those names,like "Larry Jet" for example,also can you delete them? because that "explosion" patch is just stupid & I am never going to want it so would be great to be able to delete it and make room for something decent.🤔
The main difference between the Zoom bass devices and guitar devices is the selection of pre-assigned patches. In general, the bass versions always sound a little less aggressive and more rounded! You can also use them very well for keyboards and so on! The guitar versions always have a lot of crazy effects that you usually won't use! .
@@gearfacts thanks! one last question. I want to simulate or get a close approximation of the Yamaha DX7 Bass sound (all over various 80s tunes) - In particular the Rick Astley 87 songs. I'm thinking that would probably go beyond the capabilities of this pedal - but perhaps something reasonably close is doable with other fx in combination within the BX1 FOUR.
Are you using the correct type of USB cable (data transfer/charge cable, not just charge cable)? Does your computer have the correct version of Windows?
Thanks. I did finally figure that out this weekend, but still can’t figure out how to listen to just individual effects without selecting a patch and turning off individual effects in edit mode to isolate the effect I want to hear. It’s gotta be easier than that.
@@knightalumni I am new to it as well and I believe you want to select a patch that is empty such as number 50. Then hit stomp/memory/mode (I never know which one I am in), then scroll through and select the one effect you want to listen.
I just don't get why all of my effects are fucking dead, losing the plot here - tried everything. Had stomp boxes before, and then suddenly when my bass was hooked up to any of them, signal goes and I can't get anything, only when I'm direct into an amp or interface. I really don't think it's the bass, same thing happens with my old bass, and my guitar, but this pedal is brand new out of the box and having the same issues so I'm literally so close to just giving up entirely. It can't be faulty. I can get the sound but it's either HORRIBLY distorted with a guitar, or with the basses, absolutely nothing at all - when I press the lead to my hand, it picks that up. What on earth am I doing wrong here!?! Tried Reddit, Guitar discords, all I'm getting is either hooked up wrong, which it isn't, or a defect pedal, which is SUPER unlikely considering it's the same symptoms as my previous pedals that suddenly started doing it... please help me, I don't mind clean bass but it's SO BORING.
Hmmm maybe the connection (your bass’s output) needs tightening or resoldering? Limited connection/contact can result in a kind of bypassed sound but it’s usually all reverb (not really what you’re describing). Tricky one. I guess if it’s happening when using other pedals then at least that narrows it down to guitar, cables or amp. Sorry I can’t be more help!
0:15... ahhh if only twas that simple. I tried Win10, Win11, USB on the motherboard, both 2.0 and 3.0... USB on a hub, every USB cable I have, Always same result "No Device Found" - Conclusion ? Junk.
almost perfect! but u missed one thing. only one thing, for a beginner like me in digital effects. :) "if it has a "TUNER" or it dont. if it has, how to tune the bass in this thing" lol.
