Zoom B3 noise

[BigCat]

I just purchased a Zoom B3 from Amazon. It's a good and versatile.
However I noticed some noise problems, especially for preset patches.
I'm not sure if it's a defect and should I return it.
If you also own a B3, could you tell me if this also happens on yours?

My steps to test it is:

• Factory reset Zoom B3. All patches are default.
• I'm using the Zoom adapter, so I think the power supply shouldn't be a problem.
• Signal chain: Active bass -> Zoom B3 -> Fender Rumble 25 amp.
• With Patch A1, Turn all effects off in B3.
• Adjust the amp to get reasonable volume for normal fingering play.
  (9 o'clock on Fender Rumble 25)
• Switch to other patches default.
  I found it's pretty noisy on some of the patches, like J9, J0, I8, I6, G3, D6.
  It's very noticeable with the same volume setting.
• The most weird thing is, the noise still exist even if I turn the volume off on the bass, or unplug the bass (so there is nothing in the input jack)!

It's really weird that the noise still exist when the instrument is unplugged (so there should be no input signal).

I also noticed that the output level may be very different between the preset patches.
Is this problem just an output level issue?
It's a bit disappointing, because ideally I'd hope that the preset patches can have similar output level, so new user can easily switch between the presets.

 

[bassbrad]

Most of the presets are useless, the real magic comes from creating your own sounds. Any time distortion or drives are engaged noise floor increases significantly, most players will use some other pedal for those sounds.

 

[Crystalman85]

Most of the presets are useless, the real magic comes from creating your own sounds. Any time distortion or drives are engaged noise floor increases significantly, most players will use some other pedal for those sounds.

I couldn't agree more. creating your own patches is where the real magic is. I've created my own patches on the zoom b3 and they sound phenomenal. some of the distortion models may not be the best, but with a little creativity, you can make it sound phenomenal.

 

[BigCat]

Thanks for your reply. I read the previous threads and understand that presets are not very useful.

Let me simply my questions: Is that a defect that some dist/fuzz/delay/mod effects produce noises even if the input jack isn't plugged in? For example, preset patches J9, J0, I8, I6, G3, D6.

I'll definitely work on creating my own patches, but that a question about if it's a defect and should I return & get a new one.

 

[bassbrad]

Not so much a defect but more a product of modelling gain stages, think hiw loud a cranked amp or drive circuit will be with no input. A big part of designing an amp or drive circuit is finding a balance between noise and sonic product. Zoom almost intends us to use ZNR anytime we use any sort of drive.

 

[BigCat]

Thanks for the reply! Good to know!

 

[SirMjac28]

The key is adjusting the patch volumes and the overall volume of the B3 to get a nice balance usually the gain is too high on all of the pedals.

 

[bonruiz]

Thank you for clarifying this issue. I really thought that all my distortion presets i my B3 suddenly broke. I will check and balance the gain settings and see
All the Best to everyone here.

The key is adjusting the patch volumes and the overall volume of the B3 to get a nice balance usually the gain is too high on all of the pedals.

 

[Guiseppe]

Thank you for clarifying this issue. I really thought that all my distortion presets i my B3 suddenly broke. I will check and balance the gain settings and see
All the Best to everyone here.

I use the level control on any of the B3 effects to achieve parity; that is to have equal volume/gain with the effect that I had without it. The only exception is if I am TRYING to use a certain patch for BOOST.