Zoom A2.1u multi effects processors are designed specifically for acoustic and electro acoustic guitars. Zoom A2.1u features 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. A2.1u even comes loaded with a USB Audio Interface and Cubase LE recording software.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
With Zoom A2.1u you can 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.