The Zoom B6 is a bass multi-effects processor built as an integrated pedalboard with nine footswitches and a 4.3-inch color touchscreen123. Zoom positions it as a unit for "the modern bassist," combining four modeled DI boxes, 11 amp models plus a couple of new ones, and the company's effects collection with 10 new effects45. It runs a new analog circuit in the input and DI section alongside digital effects processing at an 88.2 kHz rate, which Zoom describes as double the rate of others5.
The B6 was announced in October 2021, with Guitar World reporting an MSRP of £478 / €534, approximately $6502. Gearnews' reviewer summed up the launch: "There is a lot on offer here, and it looks as though Zoom has included all the basics and more. Gigging bass players and home users alike are sure to appreciate its overall value"1.
DI, amp and preamp models
The DI section is where the B6's analog circuit does its work. Zoom says the new analog circuit, combined with the DI section, "vastly improves the low-frequencies of your instrument"5. The company modeled four DI boxes, each with its own character5:
| DI model | Zoom's description |
|---|---|
| Tube 1 | Vacuum tube DI character with rich harmonics and thick low frequencies5 |
| Tube 2 | Second vacuum tube DI character (modeled alongside Tube 1)5 |
| Solid State 1 | Moderate compression and sharp tones for electric bass; protects against loss of low frequencies when playing an upright bass with piezo pickups5 |
| Solid State 2 | Solid state DI character with a clear tone and little distortion5 |
For amp and cab modeling, the B6 carries 11 amp models "of the best amp models in history, plus a couple of new ones," along with simulations of 12 classic bass cabinets, each with three variations based on mic positioning5. Two of the amp models Zoom highlights by name:
- Sun CB: features clean bass and bright high frequencies3
- Monotone: a solid-state combo amp Zoom describes as perfect for jazz, with a round low-mid range and a calm overall tone3
The preamp models include several Zoom originals3:
| Preamp model | What Zoom says it does |
|---|---|
| 1073 Preamp | A thick, warm sound of a vintage mic preamp with transformer distortion3 |
| Solid Preamp (SolidPre) | Modeled after a console's solid state mic preamp; delivers tight sounding harmonics with the ultra-low frequencies cut out3 |
| Clear Drive (Clear DRV) | Uses a linear phase filter in the distortion path, eliminating phase interference during dry mixing for a clear drive3 |
| Super Low Preamp (SpLoPre) | Uses "missing fundamental" acoustic science with a bass enhancer, Lo EQ and a negative one octave sound to produce a super low-end tone3 |
| Djent Preamp | Combines an undistorted low-end with a strongly distorted high-end for crisp, intense distortion even with a down-tuned 5-string bass3 |
Bass effects and synths
Alongside the amp and DI models, the B6 delivers Zoom's effects collection plus 10 new effects5. Several of the new bass-specific effects are Zoom originals3:
- Bass Analog Octave: Zoom's original octaver, using an algorithm based on the operating principle of analog octavers3
- 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
The unit also includes 68 rhythm patterns in a range of styles, tempos and time signatures, and a looper for adding layers to your sound54. With an SD/SDXC card installed, loops and recordings can run up to two hours long and are saved directly to the card for instant access and recall; without a card, the looper holds 45 seconds5.
The two-hour looper recording length requires an SD/SDXC card. Without one, the B6's looper is limited to 45 seconds5.
The controls and play modes
The 4.3-inch color touchscreen lets you drag, drop and rearrange effects to build a signal chain, and the nine footswitches handle the rest32. The B6 has four Play Modes, each of which changes the touchscreen and footswitch layout to give quick access to the controls that mode needs5:
| Play Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| Effect Board | Shows a visual representation of your pedal chain; clicking the assigned footswitch turns effects on or off in a patch5 |
| Bank/Patch | Lets you scroll up and down through your banks and patches by clicking the corresponding footswitch5 |
| Memory | Ideal for organizing patches for performances; the footswitches activate one of the 4 patches in each bank54 |
| Looper | Use the looper to add layers to your sound4 |
Connections, power and accessories
The B6 has separate inputs that allow A/B switching from electric bass to synth or acoustic bass and back, and both inputs let you change the impedance from 1M to 10M ohms, which Zoom says gives a cleaner tone for upright basses equipped with piezo pickups5. You can also connect to a computer via the micro-USB port to record directly to your DAW5.
Zoom lists these optional accessories for the B65:
- FP02M expression pedal
- BTA-1 Bluetooth Adapter
- CBG-6 Carrying Bag
There is also an external expression pedal input, as Gearnews noted in its launch coverage1. The B6 ships with the Zoom AD-16 AC adapter and a Quick Tour guide5.
What reviewers said
Gearnews covered the B6 at launch in October 2021, describing it as an integrated pedalboard with 9 footswitches and noting the external expression pedal input1. The reviewer's overall take:
"There is a lot on offer here, and it looks as though Zoom has included all the basics and more. Gigging bass players and home users alike are sure to appreciate this new bass multi-effects processor from Zoom."
Guitar World reported the launch pricing as an MSRP of £478 / €534, approximately $6502.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
ZoomSoundLab
ZoomSoundLab
Questions
Can the Zoom B6 record to a computer over USB?
Yes. Zoom says you can connect the B6 to a computer through its micro-USB port and record directly to your DAW. Loops and recordings can also be saved to an SD/SDXC card in the unit itself, with recordings up to two hours long.
Does the Zoom B6 work with acoustic bass?
Yes. The B6 has separate inputs for A/B switching between electric bass and synth or acoustic bass, and both inputs let you switch impedance from 1M to 10M ohms for a cleaner tone with upright basses using piezo pickups. The Solid State 1 DI model is designed to protect against low-frequency loss on piezo-equipped upright bass.
How long can the Zoom B6 looper record?
With an SD/SDXC card installed, the B6 can create loops and recordings up to two hours long, saved directly to the card for instant recall. Without a card, the looper holds 45 seconds.
Does the Zoom B6 have Bluetooth?
Not built in. Zoom lists the BTA-1 Bluetooth Adapter as an optional accessory for the B6, alongside the FP02M expression pedal and the CBG-6 carrying bag.
Does the Zoom B6 have an expression pedal?
There is no built-in expression pedal, but the B6 has an external expression pedal input, and Zoom offers the FP02M expression pedal as an optional accessory.
Sources (5)
- Zoom B6: A dedicated multi-effects floor unit for bass, gearnews.com, 2021-10-05
- Zoom launches B6 bass multi-effects processor with DI models and color touchscreen, Guitar World, 2021-10-06
- B6 | ZOOM, ZOOM (zoomcorp.com)
- B6 | ZOOM, Zoom Corporation
- B6 | ZOOM, ZOOM
