Zoom A3 Hit Or Miss?

RobKay · #1 08-01-2014, 08:05 AM

Has anyone used the Zoom A3, any thoughts?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZTNxFA77E8
Rob(uk)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ODh9_ab8pc

Vognell · #2 08-01-2014, 08:40 AM

Just picked one up last nite. Took a little time to figure out how to program it, but not too bad.

Acoustic models are pretty decent. I was able to get my Cordoba Fusion 14RS Nylon string to actually sound like a nylon stringed instrument while amplified (b-band dual pickup system). Had the most fun with my ej200. Still have lots of futzing to do with it, but so far, I am happy with the results. My acoustic electrics sound a lot more natural going through the A3, and the addition of a little bit of spatial processing makes everything sound a little better.

I haven't been able to compare the the Fishman Aura system, though I hear the A3 comes up short. Might could be, but the A3 does a decent enough job.

slewis · #3 08-02-2014, 09:09 PM

Yup. Wasn't my cup of tea but I'm really happy with the Zoom G3.

deltoid · #4 08-03-2014, 06:55 AM

I haven't used one yet, but I wish the guy giving the demo would learn more than 3 strange sounding chords. Maybe he kept playing the same chord over and over for for comparison reasons.
It looks like it could be a useful unit, but probably too complicated for a dummy like me though.

RPK · #5 08-03-2014, 09:47 AM

I' m thinking about trying the Zoom A3. It looks like the Zoom G3 is for electric guitar. How does it work out with an acoustic?

RPK

Photojeep · #6 08-03-2014, 03:17 PM

I own one and love it! Yes, it takes a ridiculous amount of time to figure out how use the flippin' thing but once you do, it makes your acoustic sound acoustic through an amp. I like having several sound "versions" available to use on different songs.

I highly recommend it!

Best,
PJ

slewis · #7 08-04-2014, 11:28 PM

PJ, you're talking about the A3, right? I found it also too complex and then I tried the G3, which I found to be amazingly easy to use, and I'm really a techno-moron when it comes to a lot of gear. The only complexities I found were the almost limitless ways to tweak every one of the many effects. But it's easy as heck to scroll through them all and open up their "control screens" which then are also very easy to work with. I do know that the unit does a lot more than that though -- things that I don't use or need, yet. Anyway, for getting lots of different effects and customizing them the way you want, the G3, I think is great, super user-friendly, and can give an acoustic lots of great effects like reverbs and delays and tremolos and etc...

Vognell · #8 08-05-2014, 03:05 AM

The point of the A3 isn't just effects like reverb, chorus, and such. The big feature of the A3 is it's acoustic modeling, which allows you to restore much of the natural "acoustic" sound of the instrument if you are using transducers of some sort. Because of this, the G3 is not a comparable product.

The acoustic modeling features of the A3 are certainly worth the investment (for me, at any rate). The other features (chorus, compressor, reverb, microphone modeling, etc.) are just icing on the cake (sweet, delicious icing).

RPK · #9 08-05-2014, 05:06 AM

I ordered one. It should be in tomorrow. I will let you know how it works out

RPK

slewis · #10 08-05-2014, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vognell

The point of the A3 isn't just effects like reverb, chorus, and such. The big feature of the A3 is it's acoustic modeling, which allows you to restore much of the natural "acoustic" sound of the instrument if you are using transducers of some sort. Because of this, the G3 is not a comparable product.

The acoustic modeling features of the A3 are certainly worth the investment (for me, at any rate). The other features (chorus, compressor, reverb, microphone modeling, etc.) are just icing on the cake (sweet, delicious icing).

Excellent point -- thank you!

Doubleneck · #11 08-07-2014, 04:34 AM

Picked one up for cheap on ebay (great sport in itself). Will be interesting to see it with my carbon guitars and my hybrid to see if they can be enhanced.

RPK · #12 08-08-2014, 05:17 AM

The Zoom A3 came in last night. Pecked with it a little. My 514ce sounds great with just basic settings. The effects sound great. I'm having trouble saving them to "patches". I will search on Utube. Maybe there is a "Dummies" lesson.

The real test will be acoustic duo practice Monday gig on Wednesday.

RPK

Doubleneck · #13 08-09-2014, 06:23 PM

Mine came today, got it used on ebay but really brand new. Does a ton of stuff: will take some time. Biggest plus right off the bat is the unit is good giving acoustic depth to my hybrid guitar. It's a thin chambered body and has little real acoustic residence. Fatten it up a bit. The models do impart different guitars characteristics. You can hear the Dred's bass bias. Find it not hard to work but haven't saved patches yet. Love its small profile solid metal construction. High quality effects. Steve

RPK · #14 08-10-2014, 04:46 AM

This pedal definitely fattens up my 514ce. That alone is worth the cost. I was able to save 3 "patches". One with a nice chorus and reverb. One with reverb and compressor. One for my Taylor 12 string. Again, the real test will be Wed.at a cocktail party gig.

RPK

Doubleneck · #15 08-10-2014, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPK

This pedal definitely fattens up my 514ce. That alone is worth the cost. I was able to save 3 "patches". One with a nice chorus and reverb. One with reverb and compressor. One for my Taylor 12 string. Again, the real test will be Wed.at a cocktail party gig.

RPK

Right behind you saved and A/B two patches. Now the sonic experiments begin.