Zoom made the AC-3 Acoustic Creator to create the authentic sound of your acoustic guitar or bass from the humble origins of your instrument’s direct output. If you play on stage or in a studio ensemble, you know the frustrations of using microphones to reproduce your sound. The cantankerous bleed and feedback that so easily result are a plague to the pristine tone you desire. Yes, DI boxes neatly skip around those issues, but very few people are pleased and inspired by the sound of a DI’d acoustic. If you’re tired of spending your time wistfully daydreaming about a DI box that makes your guitar sound like your guitar and more, it’s time to spend some time with the AC-3. It offers a host of features optimized to the produce YOUR sound, the way you hear it.
The AC-3 starts with the same preamp and 3-band EQ as the AC-2 for clean and flexible amplification. You can choose any of the 16 source guitar presets to structure the pedal’s sound based upon what guitar you are playing, and the 3-position pickup selector (piezo, magnetic, off) lets you hone the tone according to what is installed in your precious piece. Rather than sifting through menus, just turn a knob and flip a switch to effortlessly set the source as a dreadnought with a piezo or a jumbo with a pickup. To further refine and define your acoustic sound, the AC-3 has 15 target guitar presets that tweak the timbre to match specific models such as D-28, OM-18, and more.
For control over unruly aspects of your acoustic, there is a selectable anti-feedback circuit, ground-lift switch, integrated tuner, and a smooth, one-knob compressor. The single volume pot simultaneously adjusts input and output gain so you don’t have to manually match your levels. When you do need a bump to help your tender finger-picked arpeggios be heard, just tap the Boost button for up to 9 dB of extra level.
When you want to dress up your dry tone, the AC-3’s nine built-in effects are just a knob away. From reverbs and delays to chorus and tremolo, each effect features adjustable parameters for precision application of the sonic frosting on your acoustic cake.
Versatile connectivity is key for the AC-3. Output in mono or stereo to the unbalanced 1/4" jacks and balanced XLR connectors. This means that you can easily route your prized tone to a variety of devices such as a mixing console, audio interface, guitar amp, PA system, or headphones. The presence of an onboard tuner means that you won’t have to bring your own or complicate your setup to integrate one. Multiple power options prepare the pedal for use in the studio, on stage, or at practice. It can be run via two AA batteries, the included AC adapter, or a USB connection to a computer.
Whether you play in a band, record in the studio, frequent open mic nights, or just want to enhance your tone at home, spend some time considering this new Zoom pedal. Feel free to stop by the B&H SuperStore or beeline to our website to check out the AC-3!
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