Zoom A3 Acoustic Guitar Multi Effects Pedal

Product Information

Maximum output level: [LINE] +5dBm (Output load impedance: 10kΩ or higher), [PHONES] 5.7mW + 5.7mW into 32Ω load The unit is built like a tank and should have no problem handling the rigors of a live show. Ins and outs Performing acoustic guitarists can be divided into two camps: those who plug in, and those who don’t. For purists, there’s no alternative to playing into an external microphone, which sounds great under ideal circumstances. Unfortunately, most of us gig in less-than-ideal settings, which makes plugging in a necessity.

If you cannot find body and model types that match the guitar you are using, use ones that are as close as possible. Be aware that combinations of body and model types that do not exist in reality will not produce suitable tones. When you select just a "model" in the A2 or A3 all that does is model/emulate the particular guitar body that is selected and I agree that if all you have is a model selected and no effects it will not likely make a 6 string sound as a 12, but the 6 string will have the model of the 12 string guitar body. Adding "detune" as an effect supposedly is Zooms way of recreating a 12 string. Perhaps if you could browse through the memory slots on your A3 and if it does have a 12 string patch, go into edit mode and see if they actually did put a detune effect in the chain as they did with the A2. Shape and tame your sound with 10 compressors, equalizers, exciters, and wah effects, along with Zoom's Noise Reduction (ZNR) algorithm, designed to remove noise during pauses while still maintaining your instrument's naturaltone. This cookie stores user-like settings for the chat system provider, which are required for our online chat service. Trusted Shops Hold the footswitch down to activate the built-in chromatic tuner in an instant. Even on stage during a performance, all you need to do is move your foot to enable tuning. You can choose between a BYPASS mode that turns all the effects off and a MUTE mode that allows you to tune silently.

Multi-fx/DI for acoustic guitars

Use the Tap Tempo feature to set the tempo in real-time to the rhythm of a song as you play guitar. You can also use it to for delay times and modulation effect frequencies. The 40 effects, which have a focus on chorus, delay, reverb and other spatial effects, can make acoustic tones even more beautiful. Other effects include a compressor that suppresses input peaks and evens the volume level, an air effect that simulates the sense of space from room tone and a detuning effect that creates a sound like a 12-string guitar. You can use any 2 of these effects together as you like." models: D-18, D-28, D-45, 000-28, 000-18, OM-28, OM-18, OM-42, 00-21, 00-18, J-45, Advanced Jumbo, J-160E, Hummingbird, Dove, SJ-200, F-55, LG-2, LG-0, 314ce, LL36, LL66, Adamas, Legend, Nylon, 12 Strings, Resonator, UprightBass With the A3’s balanced XLR output, you can avoid using DI boxes completely and directly connect the pedal to any mixing console to maintain a balanced, high quality signal. The GROUND switch can also be used to eliminate hum caused by ground loops.

The A3 also has the ability to recreate the distinct sound components of 28 of the world's most famous acoustic guitars. The A3 even accounts for the subtlest of differences between these models. The pedal accurately recreates the tonal differences between guitars with the same body shape, but different bracing or wood from which they are made. Acoustic players who plug in can be subdivided into two more categories: those seeking sounds closest to a pure acoustic voice of their guitar, and those who embrace the opportunities of going electro-acoustic. The latter group sometimes uses pedalboards that electric players would envy, and signal chains comprised of a tuner, a preamp/DI box, some sort of EQ, and perhaps a reverb unit are common. Chorus, compression, and delay are also popular, as are modeling or imaging processors like Fishman’s Aura.With the A3, Zoom is betting that one box can replace those individual components for convenience-minded acoustic players. This is a box that does a LOT and does the majority of it very well. There are, however, some caveats to think about when considering this pedal. The two effect limit is a problem. There are sonic enhacers of all types on this pedal, but when going from the A3 into a live sound board – you’re likely to need additional gear to get the sounds you want. Many online users keep pointing to the USB port and the ability to upgrade firmware as a sign that Zoom might add additional effects capacity to the pedal – but I don’t think that’s something that can be relied on. Here’s the basic signal flow: A large dial selects from 16 different guitars styles (such as Dreadnought, Round Shoulder, Orchestra, Double 0, Resonator, etc.), and you choose the setting that most closely matches your guitar. Then there are two input gain knobs for the unit’s twin channels, each with an LED peak indicator. Next are a 3-band EQ, master level, and a balance control to set the blend between dry and effected signals.

The digital graphic and parametric EQs are also impressive. The latter provides surgical control over offending frequencies. There are several lush sounding choruses, and aggressive strummers will welcome the available compressors. The unit’s delay, tremolo, phaser, auto-wah, and flanger effects work well, sound good, and are easy to edit. effects specially crafted for acoustic guitar, including compression, equalization, modulation, delay, andreverb The A3 features an “acoustic remodeling function” that’s designed to restore the tone of various body types and specific instruments. Simply choose the closest body type and the model that most closely matches the guitar you’re playing and then use the balance knob to dial in the levels of the direct signal and the modelled signal. Easy-to-use interface includes LCD, footswitches, analog-style cursor keys/parameter knobs and LED indicatorsIt’s small, portable and built like a tank. For live use, 8 hours on AA batteries is pretty amazing as well. You can use two effects and one guitar model simultaneously and save your combinations for instant recall. The actual guitars that were used in the development of the acoustic remodeling function are shown in the photograph above.