Zoom B2 FOUR

The Zoom B2 FOUR is a bass multi-effects and amp emulator pedal from Zoom, introduced as an "Effects and Amp Emulator for bass" and built on technology from the company's larger Zoom B6 processor¹². It packs amp and preamp modeling, direct box (DI) models, cabinet simulation and a full effects library into a compact floor unit aimed at bassists who want one box for recording, practice and live use.

The core of the unit is a patch system: you build patches from 104 effects, including models of famous boutique effects and preamps, and mix and match up to 5 effects and amps simultaneously³. It ships preloaded with 250 presets¹, and a 60-second looper lets you build grooves on the spot³. Guitar World reported at launch that the B2 FOUR models 11 classic amp units and 11 preamps, and retails for $249²; MusicRadar reported an expected arrival in the third quarter of 2023⁴.

What the B2 FOUR does: bass amps, DI models and effects

Zoom positions the B2 FOUR as a do-everything bass processor. A balanced output connects directly to a PA or interface, while the stereo outputs feed an amp, so the same patch works on stage and at home¹. The unit can also serve as a 2-in/2-out audio interface when connected to a computer or smartphone, letting you record with your effects in place³.

Guitar World's launch coverage described the feature set and the connectivity:

The instrument input has a switch that changes the impedance from 1M to 10M ohms, which Zoom says gives a cleaner tone for upright basses equipped with piezo pickups¹. Beyond the amp and DI modeling covered below, the effects library includes bass-specific synth and octave effects, and the sound can be expanded further through the "Handy Guitar Lab for B2 FOUR" app for iOS, a paid download on the Apple App Store with a constantly expanding library of patches and effects³.

Six DI models and Multi-Layer IR cabinets

A central feature for bassists who plug straight into the desk, the B2 FOUR offers six DI models that Zoom says recreate the tone of world-class direct boxes³. Each model targets a different character:

The Solid State 1 model also delivers moderate compression and sharp tones for electric bass while protecting against the loss of low frequencies when playing an upright bass with piezo pickups, according to Zoom's B6 documentation of the same model⁵.

Cabinet simulation uses Zoom's Multi-Layer IR technology: impulse responses were captured from cabinets at 3 different levels and are activated based on the volume of your bass, so the cab character responds to how hard you play rather than staying static¹.

Compared with the larger Zoom B6, the B2 FOUR actually offers more DI models: the B6 provides four (Tube 1, Tube 2, Solid State 1 and Solid State 2)⁶, while the B2 FOUR adds Tube 3 and the Motown-flavored Solid State 3. The B6's looper runs 45 seconds without an SD card⁶, against the B2 FOUR's 60 seconds³.

Preamp models and bass synth effects

The preamp section covers both clean recording preamps and modern drive shapes. Zoom's descriptions of the notable models:

• Super Low (SpLoPre): uses "missing fundamental" acoustic science with a bass enhancer, a Lo EQ and a negative one octave sound to produce a super low-end tone³.
• Solid (SolidPre): modeled after a console's solid state mic preamp, delivering tight sounding harmonics with the ultra-low frequencies cut out³.
• 1073: a thick, warm sound of a vintage mic preamp with transformer distortion³.
• Clear Drive (Clear DRV): an original Zoom preamp using a linear phase filter in the distortion path, eliminating phase interference during dry mixing for a clear drive³.
• Djent: combines an undistorted low end with a strongly distorted high end for crisp, intense distortion even with a down-tuned 5-string bass³.

The amp models include Sun CB, with clean bass and bright high frequencies, and Monotone, a solid-state combo amp Zoom calls perfect for jazz, featuring a round low-mid range with a calm overall tone³.

For synth and octave textures, the effects list includes three Zoom originals:

• Bass Standard Synth: Zoom's original bass synthesizer sound with adjustable filtering detail³.
• Bass Synth Talk: produces a synthesizer sound similar to a talking modulator³.
• Bass Analog Octave: an original octaver using an algorithm based on the operating principle of analog octavers³.

The controls

The front panel keeps editing quick. Four rotary encoders allow fast adjustments to effects parameters as well as output settings, and cross key navigation buttons handle menu movement, which Zoom says helps you control the pedal with ease¹.

An expression pedal connection is included among the inputs and outputs², so volume swells, filter sweeps and parameter control can be handled from an external pedal rather than a built-in one.

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