Zoom A3 Acoustic Guitar Multi Effects Pedal

Product Information

body types: round shoulder, square shoulder, jumbo body, parlor body, mold body, single cutaway, resonator, upright bass, dreadnought, orchestra, triple O, double O, YMH, Silent, 12 String, Nylon String

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. The preamp is very quiet. The Zoom specs quote a –100 dBm noise floor and a 120dB signal-to-noise ratio. The Models

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. While there’s a DC 9v in, the A3 can be powered by the USB input or by batteries (up to 8 hours continuous use on 4 AA batteries and 5 hours when the +48V phantom power is being used for the mic input). The Pre-amp 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. 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. 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.

Engaging the onboard chromatic tuner mutes the output signal as well (so no more tuning noises bleeding through the PA!) Patch saving The A3’s front panel features three parameter knobs that also function as buttons. These buttons can be used to open various menus where you can then use the parameter knobs to tweak effect settings to your liking. Adjust the mix position of mic signal, turn the AUTOSAVE function ON and OFF, recall patches and more with ease and efficiency. 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. By selecting the body and model type of the guitar being played, players can share the true sound of an acoustic guitar with live audiences. Presets for 16 body types and 28 models simulate the sonic characteristics of various acoustic guitars with different body shapes and constructed of different materials.

It’s small, portable and built like a tank. For live use, 8 hours on AA batteries is pretty amazing as well.