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Zoom AC-3 Acoustic Creator Enhanced Direct Box and Multi-effects Pedal

Direct Box for Acoustic Instruments with 16 Source Guitar Presets, 15 Target Guitar Presets, Single-knob Compressor, 3-band EQ, 9 Effects, and Stereo Outputs
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Zoom AC-3 Acoustic Creator Enhanced Direct Box and Multi-effects Pedal
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The Perfect Tonal Enhancement for Any Acoustic Guitar

Before you hit the stage for your acoustic gig, don't forget your Zoom AC-3 Acoustic Creator. This enhanced direct box takes your sound to the next level by restoring the tone that's lost through your acoustic guitar's pickup. Choose from 16 Source Guitar presets tailored to your specific instrument, then refine your sound further with 15 Target Guitar presets matched to your guitar's exact model. Finalize your sound with a 3-band EQ and single-knob compressor, then polish it to perfection with nine reverb, delay, and chorus effects. Complete with a 9dB boost, anti-feedback control, stereo outputs, and a built-in tuner, the AC-3 is everything its little brother, the AC-2, is and more.

Tonal enhancement that's tailored to your exact guitar

Adapting the AC-3 to your specific instrument is easy. First, select one of 16 Source Guitar presets like Dreadnought, Jumbo, or Parlor, then choose whether you have a piezo or magnetic pickup. After that, select one of the 15 Target Guitar presets like D-Eighteen, Humming Bird, or J-Forty Five. That's it — you're dialed in! You're ready to experience a lush, resonant sound that's faithful to your guitar's original tone. Beyond that, the AC-3 takes all of the guesswork out of gain-staging — its Volume control affects input gain and output level simultaneously.

Source Guitar Presets:

  • Round Shoulder
  • Square Shoulder
  • Jumbo
  • Parlor
  • Single Cutaway
  • Resonator
  • Upright Bass
  • Mold
  • Dreadnought
  • Orchestra
  • Triple 0
  • Double 0
  • YMH
  • Silent
  • 12 Strings
  • Nylon Strings

Target Guitar Presets:

  • J-Forty Five
  • Humming Bird
  • Dove
  • F-Fifty Five
  • Super Jumbo
  • 00-Eighteen
  • 00-Twenty One
  • LG-Two
  • 000-Eighteen
  • 000-Twenty Eight
  • OM-Eighteen
  • OM-Twenty Eight
  • D-Forty Five
  • D-Eighteen
  • D-Twenty Eight

Enhance your sound with ultra-smooth compression

The guitar is a dynamic instrument. That's why the AC-3 comes with a compressor. It smooths out your playing, resulting in a full, balanced sound. On top of that, by virtue of its one-knob design and LED indicator, it's easy to adjust your dynamics parameters — even during a live set. And if you really need a volume bump, you can hit the Boost footswitch for an additional 9dB of gain — it makes switching between strumming and fingerpicking virtually seamless.

Polish your sound with onboard effects

The AC-3 comes loaded with nine different effects, such as delay, chorus, and reverb. These algorithms were developed by Zoom specifically for acoustic instruments, and they add a beautiful depth and color to your sound. At Sweetwater, we've found that the AC-3's effect algorithms rank among Zoom's best.

Effects:

  • Chorus 1
  • Chorus 2
  • Tape Echo
  • Analog Delay
  • Delay
  • Hall Reverb
  • Mod Reverb
  • Tremolo
  • Pad

Zoom AC-3 Acoustic Creator Features:

  • High-quality preamp restores the tone that's lost through your acoustic pickups
  • 16 Source Guitar presets are tailored to your specific instrument
  • 15 Target Guitar presets match your guitar's exact model
  • Volume control affects input gain and output level simultaneously
  • Single-knob compressor smooths out your playing
  • 3-band EQ for sculpting your tone
  • 9 onboard effects including delay, chorus, and reverb
  • Stereo outputs enhance your guitar tone and effects
  • Eliminate feedback with the anti-feedback button
  • Ground/lift switch removes unwanted hum and buzz
  • 9dB boost allows you to switch from strumming to fingerpicking seamlessly
  • Built-in tuner with easy-to-read LED meter

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Acoustic DI Preamp with effects
  • Effects Types: 15 Acoustic Guitar models, Delay, Chorus, Reverb, Compression
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4" (instrument)
  • Outputs: 2 x XLR, 2 x 1/4", 1 x 1/4" (anti-feedback footswitch)
  • USB: 1 x Micro-B
  • Features: Tuner, Anti-feedback control, Source Guitar presets
  • Power Source: 9V DC 500mA power supply (included)
  • Batteries: 2 x AA batteries (3 hours run time)
  • Height: 2"
  • Width: 6.2"
  • Depth: 4.2"
  • Manufacturer Part Number: ZAC3

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Great preamp with extras

Used this for the first time on a gig last night, really enjoyed the experience. I was using separate pedals for delay, boost and, compressor. All of this and, more in one easy to use pedal. There is so much in this it's hard to single everything out. My acoustic electric grand auditorium never sounded better! I see nothing but better and better as I use this. I have the ac2 for my fiddle and mandolin and it performs excellent also. Made very well, solid heavy duty construction does not move around on the stage. I searched a lot of units like this and Zoom got my choice over all the others.
It's reasonably priced and, looks Great! I got mine used but, in mint condition, comes with the power supply or you can use batteries too. I have used batteries with other FX pedals but, definately don't want to have to change batteries in the middle of a set. I guess just put fresh one's in before a performance if you can't use the power supply. Highly recommend this unit if you're looking for a preamp with many extras. Also very quiet and, clean. This is a must on stage!!!!!
Music background: Professional musician singer
Rated 5/5

Great Acoustic Pedal

Easy to use and dial in. Has presets to match my J45 and D28 to get them sounding good right away through their K&K Pure Minis. I even found a great combination of pre and post body and model types to play my Godin Baritone guitar through it. Very versatile, and the on board effects and tuner are perfect for playing out live.
Rated 5/5

Zoom AC-3 Acoustic Creator

First of all, thank you Sweetwater for going above and beyond with your advices, help, and service everytime I purchase a product from your store. I'm very happy and satisfied with my new Zoom AC-3 acoustic creator. It truly does make a big difference in retaining the tone and warmth when I play my acoustic guitar. In a small or big venue the Zoom AC-3 comes thru with excellent and high quality sound that exceeds all expectations. Thank you and God bless!
Rated 5/5

Zoom AC-3

This acoustic pedal is just as good as advertised and reviewed by other owners. I've owned many multi-effects acoustic pedals and all were complicated; this is very easy to use. I had it up and running in minutes after it arrived and used on stage the next day.

I can set up the reverb I always use and the additional effects are on a separate control, so I can bring them in or out as needed. Boost is also separately controlled. The source and target guitar feature, makes even my kick around camp guitar sound fantastic when plugged in and my high end guitars even better.

For use on stage, if you use many of the secondary effects you'll have to raise the pedal up within reach since the selector is a dial. For me I usually use the same secondary effect along with reverb (to keep things simple), so it has not been an issue and I can leave it on the floor, using the foot buttons.

The only thing I would add is a volume control for the secondary effects besides the level control.

Overall I am very pleased with my purchase.
Rated 5/5

Terrific.

I originally ordered a Trace Acoustic Transit A, but it had some issues when I initially tried it out. Turned out those issues were the result of it being daisy chained with another pedal, and disappeared when plugged it in directly (though that's still an unnecessary pain), but I'd already arranged with Matt to return it and had the Zoom on the way.

I figured I'd hang onto the Trace until the Zoom arrived, and keep the one I liked best. Suffice to say the Trace was repackaged for shipping within minutes of trying the Zoom. The sounds were markedly better on the Zoom. The size of the Zoom works better for me as well, as sometimes I play with my TC Play Acoustic on a mixer stand, and this fits nicely right beside it. The Trace is longer and suitable only as a floor unit. The only thing the Trace had on it was you could use chorus and delay at same time, but I don't use chorus much so no biggie. Actually, the chorus on the Zoom is so nice that that's the only reason I wish I could use both. The sounds on this unit are lush, but the sweep of the controls allow for a lot of subtlety if that's what you're going for. Truly, a near perfect unit.

Thanks Matt! The Trace is on it's way!
Music background: Gigging Solo Musician
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