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Zoom’s A3 is the company’s brand-new, next-generation modelling effects unit for acoustic guitar.
The Zoom A3’s user interface is very similar to the one used in their MS-50G-pedal for electric guitar, but in terms of its features the A3 offers a whole plethora of stuff developed specially for use with acoustic guitars.
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Zoom have managed to pack an unbelievable amount of processing prowess into its new compact contender (current street price in Finland approx. 170 €), yet the A3 is still easy to use. The most vital functions have been given their own knobs and pushbuttons, which makes the A3 easy to use and cuts back on unnecessary menu-jumping at the same time.
The Zoom’s main sections are the quality dual preamp with its three-band EQ, the pedal’s versatile guitar-modelling department, as well as the A3’s large assortment of effects.
Additionally, the pedal offers a switchable solo boost (up to 12 dB) with its own tone control, an automatic feedback remover (that can defeat up to three different frequencies simultaneously) and a digital tuner.
The Zoom A3 is a programmable unit, which can store up to 20 patches. The patches can also be lined up in an A/B-list, which enables you to select patches for on-the-fly switching.
The effect pedal comes with its own power supply unit, but it can also be run on four AA-size batteries.
The A3’s microphone input – which can run phantom power (+24V or +48V) for condenser mics – and the unit’s balanced XLR-output (with a dedicated ground lift switch) have been placed on the front panel.
Your guitar’s output goes into the Zoom’s pickup input on the unit’s right hand side. A three-way slider lets you select two pre-EQ curves – magnetic or piezo – as well as a linear option (flat).
The stereo outputs have been placed on the opposite side, next to the USB-port for (firmware updates).
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Each of the A3’s patches can run up to three different effects simultaneously, so you could use the first slot for one of the Zoom’s 28 virtual guitars, the second slot for one of three virtual microphones (SM57, C414, U87) and the third for something like a reverb.
On the other hand, you can also use the A3 as a ”pure” multieffect, by not using any digital guitar-modelling and creating patches with three effects in them. You can choose from 40 different effect types – from compression and chorus all the way to pitch-shifting and reverb. The sound quality is very good, and each effect offers plenty of leeway for precise adjustment.
Still, I think the A3’s biggest selling point is its excellent modelling section, which makes it possible to achieve astonishingly realistic results with only a few clicks of a button.
To work properly the modelling section needs a clean guitar signal, so the first thing is to make sure you’ve got the input gain settings for your straight guitar output and/or the mic put in front of your guitar just right.
Once the levels are OK, miraculously changing the character of your guitar is quick and easy: First, use the rotary switch above the Zoom’s display to select the body type corresponding best to the guitar you’re using – for example, choose ”Mold Body” if you’re playing an Ovation or ”YMH” if your guitar is a Yamaha LL-series instrument.
Next, you select a virtual guitar of your liking for the first effect slot in the chosen patch. You can access all of the A3’s 28 virtual guitars by using the Type-buttons. The guitars are displayed using their model names – like J-45, LG-2 or F-55 – as well as by an icon in the display.
If you’re using only a direct piezo signal as a starting point, you can add a good dose of authenticity by selecting a virtual microphone for the second effect slot of the patch. Each of the three virtual mics lets you choose between close- and ambient-miking, and whether the mic has been placed in front of the virtual sound-hole or near the virtual guitar’s bridge.
I have recorded three audio examples to give you an idea of the modelling technology’s sound:
The first clip features a Godin Acousticaster with an LR Baggs piezo system. First you’ll hear the straight piezo signal, followed by the these virtual guitars: A D-28, an OM-28, a 00-18 and an SJ-200. I’ve used Zoom’s virtual version of an AKG C414, and a touch of reverb:
The second clip has been recorded with me playing my Takamine N-20 -jumbo into a real condenser mic (an AKG C3000). The sequence of virtual guitar models is the same as above:
In the third clip I play my Tanglewood TW28-CSN -dreadnought, with the physical microphone and the sequence of virtual guitars staying the same:
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In my opinion the Zoom A3 is a very serious contender for the title of ”Best compact multieffect for acoustic guitar”. It is a fantastic little tool for both live use and in the studio, where it can act as your own production centre for acoustic guitars. The Zoom is very easy to use and it sounds great. The on-board anti-feedback circuitry works very nicely and the solo boost is a handy tool to have in a unit such as this.
The best bit is, nonetheless, the A3’s surprisingly organic-sounding modelling section. The Zoom’s biggest advantage, when compared to other similar effect units, lies in its versatility and the wide range of different virtual guitars on offer. It is very easy to find a good body-style match for your physical guitar’s input signal, and the amount of different virtual guitar models makes it almost hard to choose. The option to creatively misuse the Zoom A3 – by selecting the ”wrong” body-type for your input signal – is also fun, and yields some nice new flavours.
But, don’t listen to me, go out and give it a try yourselves.
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Zoom A3
Current street price in Finland approx. 170 €
Finnish distributor: Studiotec
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Pros:
+ value-for-money
+ quality preamp
+ mic input with phantom power
+ great-sounding virtual guitar models
+ effect quality
+ EQ-section has physical control knobs
+ Boost & Anti-Feedback functions
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