Zoom A2 Acoustic Guitar Multi Effects Pedal Review

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(More customer reviews)I was very skeptical ordering this product because I bought the Zoom electric processor & was not impressed. However I must say I am totally blown away by how well this unit works out of the box. Most of these processors are packed full of over-done processed sounds that needs lots of tweaking so you don't sound like you're playing in outer space. Two days after I got this unit & less than an hour playing & barely having to fiddle around with it I was jamming live in front of 500 people that weekend, and at least 5 of the factory settings were usable without any tweaking at all! It was like my acoustic guitar, only better, sweeter & more vibrant sounding. Not overdone, not too spacey nor too much reverb, just a little more color & better EQ & sound quality. I got several comments from my band members about how good the acoustic guitar sounded.
The unit has some cool modeling features so you can have your guitar sound like the standard Martin D-28 or Gibson dreadnought & others. What I also really like about this unit is it has REVERB, EQ, CHORUS, DELAY, MODELING, PICKUP SELECTION, AND VERY IMPORTANT: a COMPRESSOR! This is a must for live performances, compression smooths out your sound. Many of the other more expensive acoustic processors make the terrible mistake of leaving off either reverb or a compressor.
You could spend more month but I doubt you'd get a better unit? Forget the Zoom electric processor & definitely get this one for your acoustic, its a great unit.
One bad thing--these things eat batteries (if you leave them plugged in with the cords). I was surprised it sucked a fresh set of batteries dead in one weekend with only about a couple hours of playing time, apparently because I left the guitar cable plugged in overnight. But unit does come with an AC adapter. I dont have need for a volume pedal so I skipped the more expensive version, although that unit does come with a XLR (mic cable) jack which eliminates the need for a Direct Box on stage (necessary for maintaining the signal over long cable runs)
Enjoy, thanks for reading.

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Zoom's A2 processes the line signal from your acoustic guitar pickup, adding the tone and space normally associated with mic recording. Even if you're playing through an amp or PA, your guitar's natural resonance will shine through. It will also model famous acoustic sounds, and features EQ and effects for getting exactly what you're after.

96kHz sampling brings out the true nature of acoustic guitar sound The rich, detailed tone of an acoustic guitar is created by a delicate triple harmony of strings, neck, and body. But a piezo or magnetic pickup never captures the full body resonance, often resulting in thin sound dominated by the strings. This tendency can't be fully compensated with a conventional preamp equalizer.
The A2 series incorporates 24-bit / 96 kHz sampling and sophisticated sound modeling technology to process the line signal from the pickup, adding a lush body tone and the spatial ambience that is created by mic recording. Even when playing through an amplifier or PA speaker, the resonance of the guitar body is restored, allowing the natural acoustic sound to shine through.
The new ZOOM ZFX-3 32-bit DSP chip The heart of any multi-effect device is its processor and decoder section. ZOOM has attained a new level with the ZFX-3 chip. 32-bit architecture ensures outstanding performance and allows smooth and detailed signal processing. Fine nuances of fingering and touch come through without any deterioration, thanks to this incredibly powerful DSP.
Select optimum characteristics to match pickup and amp model The GLOBAL module that controls settings for the entire unit combines a pair of parameters called AMP SELECT and PICKUP SELECT. These let you optimize frequency response for the type of pickup and amp that you are using. Whether recording or live on stage, you can always get just the right acoustic sound.
Six-band linear equalizer or two-band parametric equalizer provide ambience control Center frequency allocation and filter slopes of the built-in six-band EQ are optimized for acoustic guitar. Peaking type filters in the crucial middle range (320Hz, 500Hz, 1.2kHz, 6.3kHz) are augmented by shelving-type filters at the low and high end (60Hz and 12kHz). Further flexibility is offered by the possibility to switch to a two-band parametric EQ, for delivering a pin-point boost or cut. The A2 series lets you really take control.
Feedback control feature When playing an acoustic guitar on stage, acoustic feedback (howling) is often a problem--but now there is a remedy. The feedback control feature allows automatic or manual detection of the constantly changing feedback point, and an effective notch filter is then brought into action to provide the required attenuation. Auto detection can be triggered with the foot switch to allow swift reaction during a performance.
47 high-quality effects implemented with 32-bit processing Eight modules dedicated to aspects such as dynamics, filtering, modulation, and ambience offer a total of 47 effects. A limiter/compressor lets you control peaks and ensure that levels are matched. The air effect simulates the ambience in a room, the detune effect adds pitch-shifted harmony components for that fleeting 12-string guitar sound. Or emphasize a specific frequency range with the resonator. All of these effects are optimized for acoustic guitar and can be put to use right away. Other features include multi-tap delay and long delay with settings up to 5000ms, reverse delay, flanger, phaser, and various other studio-class effects.
Add body and depth with 3 types of chorus Add just the right amount of body and depth to the sound when you need it. The choice is yours: warm and mild mono chorus, clear and transparent stereo chorus, expansive and three-dimensional chorus ensemble, and more.
Enhance your acoustic sound with 9 types of reverb The A2 has nine types of reverb designed specifically for acoustic guitar including Hall, Room, Arena, Tiled Room. Many guitarists will also be familiar with Spring Reverb. The A2 also features a reverb setting called "Early Reflections" and a Slap Reverb that is a first for this class. Each reverb setting is fully adjustable so the user can make each phrase more distinct.
12 acoustic guitar/preamp sound character simulations A simulation module lets you choose among a number of very famous and popular acoustic guitar tones. The different sonic characteristics that depend on body size and shape as well as on the materials used are faithfully reproduced. What's more, a mic module simulates the sound of guitar as recorded through a microphone, with selectable positioning and mic type (dynamic / condenser).
Analog style editing knobs make it a snap to create your very own sound The three rotary knobs let you tailor three different parameters at the same time. This could be sensitivity, attack, and level for the compressor effect, or delay time, feedback, and mixing level for the delay effect. It's like having an array of stomp boxes ready for action. In play mode, the three knobs adjust the modulation effect mix level, delay/reverb mix level, and the patch level. This lets you quickly match the unit's performance to the band or the room acoustics.
40 ready to use preset patches for stage and studio The unit comes preprogrammed with recommended settings for various acoustic guitar models, settings that are modeled on the signature sound of famous guitarists, rich ambience settings using chorus and reverb, and more. Plus, a user area capable of storing another 40 patches gives you plenty of creative leeway.
World's fastest patch change speed: 8ms The annoying interval heard when switching patches on standard effects pedals has been virtually eliminated. With its record-setting speed of 0.008 seconds, the A2 series never misses a beat. For example, when changing to a lead solo during a song, you no longer need to press the switch slightly in advance. Simply push the foot switch and start playing the solo phrase.
Built-in auto-chromatic tuner for guitar The guitar tuner can be called up instantly by pushing two foot switches together. High-brightness LED indicators make the note readout easy to see also on a dark stage. The calibration range is 435 to 445Hz, and mute tuning without sound output is also possible. Tuning has never been easier or more convenient.
ZNR keeps playing pauses quiet The built-in ZOOM Noise Reduction (ZNR) provides optimized performance for guitar. While minimizing any alteration of the original sound, ZNR shuts out unwanted noise in the playing pauses. Even the tails of long sustain notes come out beautifully, with natural release.
Integrated drum machine with PCM sound sources Realistic drum sounds derived from PCM sources are arranged in a variety of rhythm patterns for different musical genres. The 40 rhythm variations include the steady 8-beat of Rock and Pop, funky 16-beat, a "Jazzy" 4-beat, and many more choices.
Optional foot switch allows versatile remote operation When the optional foot switch (FS01) is connected, tap tempo input of settings such as delay time and modulation rate is possible. Other selectable functions include bank switching, drum machine start/stop, and delay hold on/off switching.
Ultra low noise design with 100 dB S/N ratio With an amazing rated signal-to-noise ratio of 100dB, background noise ceases to be a problem, leaving only superbly clean, transparent sound.
Sturdy metal chassis and rubber damping for superior toughness and durability The combination of a solid metal chassis with shock-absorbent rubber damping ensures that the unit can stand up to the rigors of use on stage. Take it on the road or into the studio, the A2 series will not let you down.
Two-way power allows use just about anywhere Thanks to its circuit design optimized for low voltage operation, the unit will run for more than 7.5 hours on a set of four IEC R6 (size AA) batteries. A separately available AC adapter (AD-0006) can be plugged in for extended studio work, but on stage you never need to worry about AC power.
Expression pedal adds further versatility to your guitar play The optional expression pedal (FP02) is a great way to control effect parameters in real time. Besides adjusting the volume or the tone of a simulation effect, the pedal can be used for manual detection of feedback frequency, controlling the modulation rate, or adjusting the delay/reverb mix level.
What's in the Box Zoom A2 Multi Effects Pedal, AC Adapter, User's Manual

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Zoom G1U Guitar Effects Pedal with USB Interface Review

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(More customer reviews)I was looking for a decent headphone amp because I live in a crowded apartment in a crowded city and my marshall stack would get me either arrested or beat up.
First of all, the zoom g1u package DOES include an AC adapter. I say this up front because all the literature I read on it indicated it did not ("optional" ac adapter, is the reference everywhere).
As far as the zoom itself, its a remarkable and very very fun piece of technology.
--the presets ("patches") are great, you get a huge variety of tones and sounds and effects pre-set so its easy to just jump in with it and start playing different genres of music. Many of the presets are explicitly modelled after famous guitarists and their famous tones (srv or randy rhoads for example) and are labelled as such. If you want to create your own tones you can do that too, obviously.
--amp and cabinet models - they sound just fine to me. I havent compared the zoom models with, say, those on the digitech rp series, but the zoom models (from distortion to clean to jazz) all sound lovely to me.
--huge set of effects are available.
--drum machine is a blast, much more fun than I expected, having never played along with a drum machine before. Most of the drum tracks I probably wont use, but I think anyone can find a few favorites to play along with. Of course preset drum tracks are not as versatile as being able to play your own drum track, though. At some point i'll probably buy a separate drum machine. Its definitely a fun thing to have included though, I think.
--includes software - zfx tools (create patches) and ableton live (record and edit your music): ability to record directly to computer via usb is a blast too, and works well.
Is it worth a hundred bucks? Absolutely, its amazing how much technology they are packing into these tiny boxes (5"x5" approximately) and it will keep you entertained for quite a while. The g1u is a great introduction to these things - drum machines, effects, amp modelling, and recording software - it makes certain things easy particularly for a beginner (like giving you presets with descriptions and not forcing you to build common tones from scratch). Similarly the recording software is simpler and easier to grasp and use than the much more complex Cubase software that you get with higher and more expensive models.
I did compare the g1u with a couple of higher models (g2.1u and digitech's rp255). These are the only other two models right now that have both usb connection AND drum machine tracks built in. Both are considerably more expensive than the g1u. The main thing both add is the 'expression pedal' (which I didnt need). Other than that they dont add much at all in features. In fact the g1u I believe has a lot more models and presets than either, and is a more recent and updated product than either.
Pretty happy with it so far. Loads of fun. I'm not missing my full size amp at all, and this box lets me play to my hearts content without bothering my neighbors. The convenience and value you get with these boxes is truly amazing.

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Zoom G2 Guitar Effects Pedal with Drum Machine Review

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(More customer reviews)When you have a beguinner rocker in the family you have to find a way to develop his rhythm technique. Throw out the metronome and get this cool pedal. It's easy as heck to use and as fun as the day is long! The drum patterens are varied and really sound good, not like electronic drums and there are lots of interesting guitar sounds and effects. Highly recommended!

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Introducing the G Series from Zoom. G2 pedal offers two algorithms: One for live and one for recording. The sound you created at practice or in the studio can now be brought straight to the stage. Or take the sounds you worked out during a rehearsal and apply them seamlessly in the recording studio. Your creative scope has suddenly doubled.

96 kHz sampling brings out authentic sounding tube amp harmonics Everyone knows that the sound of tube amplifiers is the ultimate in guitar tone. By employing high-accuracy sampling at 96 kHz, G2 pedal faithfully model these sonic properties, right up to the highest harmonic register. Dynamic range is also excellent, thanks to 24-bit A/D/A conversion. These extremely high levels of digital processing also make your playing sound cleaner and clearer thanks to the fast processing speeds.
ZFX-3: A new-generation DSP from ZOOM The heart of any multi-effect device is its processor and decoder section. Zoom has reached a new level with its newly developed ZFX-3 chip. 32-bit architecture ensures smooth and detailed signal processing. Accuracy and speed bring out the character of your instrument without restrictions.
54 high-quality effects made possible by 32-bit processing A total of nine effects modules are included, including dynamics, ambience, drive, and modulation. Together they offer 54 types of effects. The Harmonized Pitch Shifter lets you play along in key. Use long delays or multi-tap delay of up to 5000 milliseconds. Select dynamic flanger and have the effect level controlled by picking intensity. Select from three types of modulation waveforms for the tremolo. A multitude of high-performance choices opens up totally new territory in this class. Touch up the harmonic register with the six-band equalizer. The cabinet simulator gives a choice of mic positions. The G Series has in incredible level of flexibility and the ability to create an awesome array of great tones.
Latest modeling technology supports 16 different drive sounds By digitally simulating the clipping action of analog devices such as tubes and diodes, the G Series faithfully duplicates the distortion of tube amps and vintage effects. This includes not only the superficial sound character but also elements such as depth and dynamics. As you start using the G Series, you will be amazed by the realistic balance between fundamental notes and harmonics that is essential to a great analog tone.
The right tools for the job: Editing controls with analog feel The three rotary knobs let you tailor three different parameters at the same time. This could be the equalizer bass/midrange/treble, or the chorus depth/rate/mixing level, or the delay time/feedback/mixing level. It's like having an array of stomp boxes ready for action. In play mode, the three knobs are assigned to drive effect gain, tone, and patch level. This lets you quickly match the unit's performance to the guitar or amp type, room acoustics, or other factors. Delay time and modulation rate settings can be made directly via the intuitive TAP key input.
Preset patches ready to use for recording or live performance The unit comes preprogrammed with a total of 40 preset effects patches. 20 pairs of similar sounding and similarly named effects are optimized respectively for use with a guitar amp on stage or for recording with DAW software or a mixer. There are settings for duplicating well-known amps and stomp boxes, settings that are modeled on the signature sound of famous guitarists, as well as totally original Zoom creations. There is also enough built-in memory to store up to 40 of your own effects patches.
World's fastest patch change speed: 5 ms Thanks to the speed of Zoom's new processors, that annoying interval when switching patches has been all but eliminated. With its amazing speed of 0.005 seconds, the G Series pedals never miss a beat. When changing from rhythm to lead, you no longer need to press the switch slightly in advance. Simply push the foot switch and start playing the solo phrase. No more fear of losing the rhythm when making patch changes.
Built-in auto-chromatic tuner for guitar The guitar tuner can be called up instantly by pushing two foot switches together. High-brightness LED indicators make the note readout easy to see also on a dark stage. The calibration range is 435 to 445 Hz, and mute tuning without sound output is also possible.
ZNR makes those playing pauses silent Zoom Noise Reduction (ZNR) was developed specifically for guitar. While keeping any alteration of the original sound to an absolute minimum, ZNR shuts out unwanted noise in the playing pauses. Even the tails of long sustain notes come out beautifully, with natural release. Additional flexibility is provided by two noise gates. The vintage type DIRTY GATE is a great match for fuzz sounds, while the high-speed muting of the GATE setting brings heavy riffs into clear focus.
Integrated drum machine with PCM sound sources Realistic drum sounds derived from PCM sources are arranged in a variety of rhythm patterns for different musical genres. The 40 rhythm variations include the steady 8-beat of Rock and Pop, funky 16-beat, a "Jazzy" 4-beat, some great shuffle riffs for blues sessions, and many more choices. Rhythm training is a cinch, and the rotary knobs let you quickly make tempo or level adjustments.
Ultra low noise design: 120 dB SN ratio and -100 dB noise floor Specifications such as a signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB and noise floor of -100 dB demonstrate a level of performance that is unsurpassed in this class. Background noise is a thing of the past, leaving the unit free to produce only its own superbly transparent sound. Especially when using reverb effects such as Hall, Room, or Spring, the low noise floor combined with 96 kHz sampling and 32-bit processing results in breathtaking performance.
Sturdy metal chassis and rubber damping for superior toughness and durability The combination of a solid metal chassis with shock-absorbent rubber damping ensures that the unit can stand up to the rigors of use on stage. Take it on the road or into the studio, the G Series will not let you down.
Two-way power allows use just about anywhere Thanks to its circuit design optimized for low voltage operation, the unit will run for more than 7.5 hours on a set of four IEC R6 (size AA) batteries. A separately available AC adaptor (AC-0006) can be plugged in for extended studio work, whereas on stage you never need to worry about AC power.
Optional foot switch allows versatile remote operation With an optional foot switch (FS01) you can set tempos for delay time and modulation rate. Other selectable functions include bank switching, drum machine start/stop, and delay hold on/off switching.
Expression pedal adds further versatility to your guitar play The optional expression pedal (FP02) is a great way to control effect parameters in real time. Control the vintage wah, pitch shift, or adjust the volume dynamics. Go beyond conventional pedal effects by varying drive gain or modulation rate, and adjusting the mixing ratio of delay and reverb.
What's in the Box Zoom G2 Pedal, AC Adapter, User's Manual

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Zoom B1X Bass Multi Effects Pedal with Expression Pedal Review

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(More customer reviews)This pedal far exceeds all of my expectations. While this pedal isn't as sturdy (the B1 is hard plastic and the B2 is metal) as the B2X by zoom, the price more than makes up for it (Almost half the price of the B2). You absolutely cannot get a better value than this from any other multi-FX units. The best thing about this pedal is that it has great response time. With any multi unit you come across, you will have problems with slow switching between patches. I have had a few bass processors from the Zoom 707, Korg, and Digitech. None of these can hold a candle to the B1s speed. I did own the B2 and it is even faster. The distortions of this unit are the best. Usually the distortions for bass are muddy or too trebly but with this unit you can mix in your original clean signal in with the dirty. One of the cool things that I have discovered is that if you leave the know on the mix selection you can turn off the mix and go straight clean instantaneously. This is very useful in the that you don't have to setup multiple clean patches or try to hit both button to shut it off! The other function such as wah, phaser, and Chorus are very nice and quite useable. The rest such as pitch shifter, octave, and synth are just for novelty and I can't image why anyone would want that. You can sound like a cello with this thing though and that is very cool. The drum machine is a great feature that helps you with your timing and practicing. The foot pedal is a must and is super useful and well worth the extra 20 dollars when choosing between the B1 and the B1x. Zoom is the master of all Multi-fx processors so don't bother with anything else.

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Get the exact bass sound you're after with the Zoom B1X. Choose from 13 different amp and stompbox models, and play with 46 bass-centric effects including a full-fledged bass synth. Handy additions like a built-in tuner and drum machine take it a step further, and the convenience of AC or battery powering means you can take your tone anywhere.

Clear and solid bass sound thanks to 96 kHz sampling The sonic frequencies generated by an electric bass are about 40 to 600 Hz, but harmonics go all the way up to the ultrasonic frequency range. The ZOOM B1 offers ultra-high resolution signal processing with 24 bit/96 kHz sampling, rivaling the best rack-mount processors. The dynamic, wide-range bass signal retains its full impact resulting in clear, powerful tone that retains a distinct presence.
ZFX-3 -- the new-generation 32-bit DSP The heart of any multi-effect device is its processor and decoder section. ZOOM elevates performance to the next level with its newly developed ZFX-3 chip. Its 32-bit architecture means outstanding performance and smooth, detailed signal processing. Fine nuances of fingering and touch come through without any deterioration.
13 different bass amp and stomp box modeling choices Whether you want the massive sonic push of an all-tube amp, the sweet and mellow tone of a vintage model for melodic phrasing or the sound of a high-power wide-range modern amp, the choice is yours. There are seven bass amp settings that range from Rock and Pop to Fusion and Jazz. Plus, five unique distortion pedal sounds as well as a tube preamp for adding warmth are also available, letting you create exactly the bass sound that you want. Freely adjust the mix between drive sound and original sound to create deep distortion for real punch.
46 dedicated bass effects Eight modules designed for bass guitar offer a total of 46 effects. A limiter/compressor lets you control peaks and ensure that levels are matched, while the three-band equalizer makes it easy to taylor your sound further. Auto wah is indispensable for playing that funky sound, and the octaver impressively enhances the low range. A defret effect gives you the special tone of a fretless bass. Detune produces a chorus effect with moderate amounts of modulation. Other studio-class effects include a long delay with settings to 5000 ms and a harmonized pitch shifter.
Bass synthesizer The built-in full-fledged bass synthesizer uses an internal DSP sound source with triggered operation. Select one of three waveform settings (sawtooth, square, PWM) and create deep, punchy bass synth lines.
40 preset patches reproduce the sound of the pros The unit comes preprogrammed with settings for duplicating well-known amps and stomp boxes, settings that are modeled on the signature sound of famous rock bass players, as well as totally original ZOOM effect sound creations. Right out of the box, you can enjoy professional-quality bass guitar sound. And to store your own creative sounds, a user-defined set will store another 40 patches.
User friendly interface Editing an effect is as simple as choosing the patch with the selector knob and adjusting the parameter with the value knob. Let your imagination roam without being hampered by complicated controls.
Integrated drum machine with PCM sound sources Realistic drum sounds derived from PCM sources are arranged in a variety of rhythm patterns for different musical genres. The 40 rhythm variations include the steady 8-beat of Rock and Pop, a funky 16-beat, "Jazzy" 4-beat, and many more choices. Rhythm training on your bass guitar has never been more convenient. A tap key is provided for easy direct tempo input.
Built-in auto-chromatic tuner for bass The bass guitar tuner can be called up instantly. Mute tuning output offers further convenience. Bright LED indicators make the readout easy to see on a dark stage.
Ultra low noise A signal-to-noise ratio of 110 dB and a noise floor of -98 dBm mean that background noise is virtually eliminated, resulting in clean, transparent sound. ZOOM's proprietary noise reduction technology (ZNR) is also built in, to completely shut out unwanted noise during playing pauses.
AC/DC allows use just about anywhere Thanks to its circuit design optimized for low voltage operation, the unit will run for 12 hours continuously on a set of four IEC R6 (size AA) batteries. The AC adaptor (AD-0006) can be plugged in for extended studio work, whereas on stage you never need to worry about AC power.
Expression pedal adds further versatility The built-in expression pedal lets you adjust volume, wah, or pitch shift in real time. But going beyond conventional pedal functions, you can also adjust the mixing ratio of direct sound and drive sound or freely control the modulation rate or other delay and reverb effect parameters. The PEDAL ASSIGN key that makes it a snap to select the function operated by the pedal.
What's in the Box Zoom B1X Multi Effects Pedal, AC Adapter, User's Manual

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