Zoom B2.1U

This is Zoom's newest amp/cab modeling and effects processor for bass guitar. It's fairly easy to get a good sound out of it, although as with most effects processors, the majority of the presets are a bit over-the-top. You can get some great tones by creating your own presets however. Editing is fairly easy once you get the hang of it (there are "hints" printed at each knob, but you still have to pretty much remember what each knob actually does based on what parameter you're editing...once you've learned this, then the hints become useful.) The manual isn't great, but it's sufficient. You have to use your ears to see how the sound changes as you turn knobs, which is what you should be doing anyway. The firmware is burned onto a read-only chip, so there is no upgrade possible to this device. Not as many parameters are tweakable as I would prefer, but it's still plenty sufficient to get some great tones out of it.

I'm using a Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray5, Conklin GT-5, G&L L-2500 Tribute, Dean Edge 5 fretless, and BSX ST-4 electric upright. These into go one of the following: an SWR SM-900 and Bergantino HT-322 cab, a Nemesis NC-200 combo, direct into my church's large PA and monitoring system, or direct into a digital recorder.

With 24 bit 96KHz sampling, the AD and DA conversion is as accurate as current studio recording gear. This pedal is very quiet

I have mostly used SWR bass amplification gear, and I think the SWR model is extremely accurate...the "tone" knob even functions as the aural enhancer when using the SWR model and to me it sounds very authentic. The Ampeg model is also very accurate...the Ampeg overdrive sounds very authentic, although it's not as touch-sensitive as a real SVT head nor one of the Sansamp BDDI's. Those are the two models that I use consistently, the other's sound fine but I can't comment on how authentic they are.

In my opinion, the compressor model built into this guy is very musical. Compressors generally are either completely transparent, somewhat quirky but very musical, or somewhat quirky and not very musical. In this case, I think the compressor is somewhat quirky but VERY musical...the middle settings really accentuate finger-picking dynamics. I really like this compressor algorithm. There's also a limiter model that sounds more like a very transparent compressor.

The effects are good, but not the absolute best I've ever heard. The chorus sounds good and fairly creamy...this is the bass effect I used most often. The Ampeg over-drive is very warm and punchy (not buzzy), and it sounds good to my ears.

The EQ section is rather good...you can choose between a 6-band graphic EQ or 2 bands of fully parametric EQ (or mix the two). I'd really like to see them add a high and low shelving plus two semi-parametric bands (which would use the exact same number of knobs), but perhaps we'll see that in a future release.

Not that currently this is the only floor-type bass modeler/effect processor that has an XLR output (in addition to 1/4" output) AND a ground-lift switch. This is perfect for going straight into the PA at church (no amps on stage). The Boss GT-6B has two XLR-outs but no ground lift switch...as far as I know, no other bass floor processors have XLR outs. Both the XLR out and the 1/4" out are very quiet. The only noise that I can detect at all is barely audible hiss from the compressor, and that is effectively eliminated by the noise gate when not playing (it's inaudible when you are playing). This is definitely quiet enough to record with.

I've had this gadget about a month or so, but...construction seems very sturdy, foot switches are metal and solid...I can't imagine it breaking unless you throw it around the room. I will use it in church without a backup.

Zoom is distributed in the US by Samson. Samson customer service isn't great, but it isn't terrible. If you need a repair to it, I would expect that you'd have to send the pedal to them and wait 4-8 weeks to get it back repaired or replaced. That said, I really wouldn't expect anything to break on it unless you really abuse it.

I have played rock, metal, funk, and currently do contemporary Christian music. I've played bass guitar for about 15 years. If it were stolen or lost, I'd definitely buy another one. Zoom's previous bass processors were more like toys than tools...this one however is very much a useful and high-quality tool. It's small, light, uses very little power, is sturdy, sounds good, and has a quiet XLR out...perfect for using in church or other venues where you go direct into a PA.

The features and sound this pedal offers are certainly more than sufficient for most people. I would really like to see Zoom introduce a larger, more capable, and more tweakable model that is comparable to their G7.1tu for guitar...a B7.1u for bass guitar. If you read this, please email Zoom at info@zoom.co.jp and ask them to create a create a B7.1u for bass guitar. They are generally fairly responsive to input from the users of their products...if enough people ask (indicating enough demand for a product), they'll create it.

I'm not a big effects user. I purchased the B2.1u primarily because it 's DI capability allows me to go places where I can just plug into a sound system without having to lug along my amp. I was, however, attracted to the amp modeling and the de-fretting feature - I am not "wowed" by either but pleasantly satisfied.

Editing patches isn't difficult, but it wasn't as intuitive as I expected it to be thanks in part to a manual that could undoubtedly be better. However, once I figured out what the manual was trying to tell me, it was amazingly simple... and FUN!

What I would like to have seen as part of the manual is a page listing all the factory patches and their locations. It's difficult with some of the patches to tell exactly what effect your listening to - particularly in the amp models.

I'm using a Cort Curbow 5 upgraded with a Bartolini MK5 pickup and Aguilar OBP3 electronics.

There are some effects right out of the box that are a just too noisy to use - typically accompanied by and electronic buzz. Without running through the 2B.1u, my bass is dead silent, so I'm confident the buzzing is coming from the pedal.

Again, I'm not a big effects person, so many, if not most, of the pre-set effects are fairly useless to me. I suppose if I played with a lot of distortion and such they might be useful, but I prefer a purer sound. I'm sure the longer I own this unit I'll be able to create my own arsenal of effects that fit my style. I just wish there was a way to back them up and manage them on a computer since this thing does have a USB connection and is designed to work with a computer.

I did play around with some settings and came up with my own patch that gives me an effect that almost sounds like a clarinet playing in unison along with my bass. Very cool, as I can use the expression pedal to mix the two from having all bass to having no bass and only "clarinet" effect. I could envision me using this patch sometime as a jazzy Weather Report style duetinterlude sort of thing during a band break. It probably wouldn't impress the jazz purists that might be listening, but it would certainly take people by surprise.

I have tried the B2.1u with my Roland keyboard amp and my Ampeg bass amp and a Fender Bassman amp. However, my preference is to use studio quality headphones when tweaking patches as I feel doing so helps make my tweaks more universally acceptable. I really like the fact that I can take the B2.1u, my bass and my headphones out on my porch and spend some time creating new patches, modifying old ones and jamming along with the internal drum machine.

The sounds are pretty flexible (once you get the hang of how to modify and save your settings) and of usable quality. I'm not sure how well some would work in running direct to a recording console via USB since there are some factory pre-sets that have a rather annoying buzz. However, I'm sure once I spend more time with it and identify which effects are notorious for creating buzz I'll be able to tweak them to an acceptable level.

I suspect I'll be able to depend on the 2B.1u if I handle it with reasonable care. It seems to be well built and there's nothing cheap feeling about it.

I haven't had to deal with customer support for this unit. I was, however, curious to hear some of the effects prior to purchasing it since none of my local dealers carry them yet. I contacted Sales via their web site and was given a link to Zoom's site in Japan where they had some sound clips to listen to.

I play contemporary Christian rock, funk, praise & worship, etc. I have been playing since 1975. I own an amazing top of the line 1980 Vantage Performer bass guitar, a Tacoma DM10, a custom shop Tacoma EKK19C-E3, a 1984 Ovation Custom Legend, a Samick FA2 electric guitar, a Roland Fantom X6 keyboard, and various other instruments.

If this device were lost or stolen I would probably replace it.

My favorite features are the DI, the fact that I can use it in place of my amp and that I can hook up headphones and sit on my porch and get creative.