Zoom A2

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.

AMP SELECT: Choose from three settings (combo, bright combo, stack) and eliminate the excessive treble that can ruin the sound when playing an acoustic guitar through an amp.

PICK UP SELECT: Besides piezo and magnetic for acoustic guitars, electric guitar pickup settings such as single-coil and humbucker settings are available, allowing you to use the unit as an acoustic guitar simulator.

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.

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).

* MARTIN D-28 Martin, the leading manufacturer of acoustic guitars, introduced this model in 1931. With its Dreadnought body, it has become the "gold standard" of acoustic guitars. The sound is well balanced and rich, great for chord play.

* GIBSON SJ-200 This is the top-ranked model from Gibson, known as the "king of flat-tops". Its extra large body produces sound on a grand scale with a rich low-end.

* MARTIN OOO-18 Slightly smaller than a Dreadnought, this is the definitive Auditorium body guitar. The detailed, bright sound is typically Martin, which is why the guitar is often used for recording.

* GIBSON J-45 A Dreadnought model with a smooth round shoulder design. Much loved by blues and rock guitarists for its warm tone and unique attack dynamics.

* TACOMA C3C Concentrating on the top plate sound, the soundhole of the C3C is located in the low-vibration shoulder area. A characteristic midrange tone is the hallmark of this guitar.

* OVATION ADAMAS This celebrated electroacoustic guitar is famous for its unique and original design with a molded round back body and epaulette type soundhole consisting of many tiny holes.

* NYLON (ZOOM original) Simulates the soft and delicate sound of a nylon-string guitar. Great for classical music, Jazz, Bossa Nova, Flamenco and other finger-picking styles.

* SELMER MACCAFERRI Simulation of the Selmer-Maccaferri guitar used by Gypsy Jazz great Django Reinhardt in France from 1930 into the fifties. The Maccaferri model is characterized by its distinctive mid/high-range sound.

* DOBRO MODEL 27 This is a resonator guitar from Dobro with wooden body and metal resonator. Suitable for country blues and slide/bottleneck playing styles.

* NATIONAL RESO-PHONIC STYLE O This is a resonator guitar from National with brass body and metal resonator. It produces a more metallic sound than a Dobro.

* RESOPHONIC (ZOOM original) ZOOM original resonator guitar sound with treble emphasis producing a dry, resonant tone.

* TUBE PREAMP (ZOOM original) Simulation modeled on an acoustic guitar preamp. Mixing balance between solid-state circuitry and tube circuitry can be adjusted.