Zoom A2

Using of this device is quit easy. If you remember for what purpose each bank is set.

Forget about build in preset. As for me there are 2 of them which can be used without editing. Just make the sound you need.

Programming (settings) is almost impossible without manual.
But if you spend some time (as I did) you will be able set everything you need quick enough.

Be ready to read and study manual first!
It is clear enough.

This device really destroy natural guitar sound. My strong opinion that my Parker P6EB without ZOOM has more rich and natural sound.

Though, I use ZOOM in some application.

Usually I use tube modeling preamp, compressor (5, 5, 50), EQ (if necessary), reverb - air, ZNR. Chorus and delay - also useful.

I cant say that some of effects has extremely bad or good sound.

Modeling features of this device is poor. But I thing that modeling cannot produce really good sound. So - if you like you can play with them.

I thing it one of advantages of the device. It look to be really reliable. And it does. But ones it fall down from my hand and one knob was broken (just plastic, not functionality. Tough all other things works fine.

I think it is reliable enough.

I use it when I need to have same "synthetic" sound from acoustic guitar. I would like to sound better, but it useful any case.

It is not a bad device for its money. But think twice if you have good guitar to but something which has more precise sound.

If you are a beginner and want to have "all-in-one" for good value and field for experiments - it you choice.

Ease of use is going to be relative depending on how much experience you have programming synths. I have a lot of that so I found it very easy to program, even though it uses just 2 character read out. But you must also read the manual. However, if you don't program synths regularly, I can see where this could throw a curve for some, understandably.

The sound quality of this is great. However it's great only if you use it right, otherwise, it won't sound that good. First thing to keep in mind that this is going to work differently with different guitars. The models will respond better to some guitars than others. I'm using a Yamaha CPX15. The Martin model sounded lousy with my guitar, as did many of the other models (this same kind of bias exists with the Fishman unit, they'll give 16 guitar models, 15 will sound lousy and one will sound good with *your* guitar). However, the Gibson J-45 model in the Zoom A2 sounded excellent, making the guitar sound like a very well mic'ed guitar. I was also very plesantly surprised that this same model worked well with my Godin Multiac Nylon string. Both sounded good either live or when recorded. Another parameter to play with is the pickup selection parameter. it will improve the sound depending on your pickup.

The effects sound great for live performance, and you can program the different patches you're going to use for a set prior to going on the gig and you're good to go. The reverbs sounded good, the delays gave you a lot of flexibility, there's a lot of bang for the buck in this box.

Haven't used the drum machine yet, but the tuner works well.

You can definitely take this on a gig, nothign will happen to it. It's like any other stomp box, designed to be stomped on.

Have not had to deal with them.

I can say that it's been a while that I've been this pleased with a piece of equipment, particularly one that I really didn't think was going to be much of anything. I tried the Fishman Aura box in the past and although it wasn't bad, it was just too much money for its set of features. This box for $89 bucks, gives you the same thing plus it has effects and a tuner, a wall wart, and a drum machine, and other stuff which I haven't even tried yet. If you need a box to make your acoustic guitar sound better at your gigs, I would check this out cause it truly does majorly improve the sound of a electric acoustic guitar and gives you a lot of other parameters to experiment with as well.

If you are not used to multi-effects units, nor familiar with how to use individual effects such as compression and parametric equalisers, then there will be a steep but enjoyable learning curve to use this product effectively.

The manual is well laid out and is a must-read, if you lose it you can donwnload the pdf version. Editing functions are quick and easy once you know how - sit with the pedal on a table next to you and listen to the sounds as you punch in parameters, then save. Once you have saved your sounds pedal becomes much like a dedicated stomp box with the three right-side knobs adjusting the main parameters (which you can quickly save at any time if you like the sound). What I missed having in the manual was more advice on how to get certain sounds, for example tips on using compression, useful settings for EQ etc.

Use the factory sounds to help you work out what kind of sound generally you like and then set-to and work out your own and save them - forty user memories is more than enough for acoustic guitar. I tend to repeat the sounds over a number of memory locations so that I always have a single main 'work-horse' sound next to chorus/phase/flanger/echo sounds for particular songs, for quick re-access.

The sound quality is excellent, but people will always complain "it's not like a rack-mount lexicon". My friend has a 1997 Alesis Nanoverb which was very hot in its day. But to compare say the reverbs side by side, well the A2 SOUNDS like a rack-mount model, very classy and clean. The chorus (three types) is suited to acoustic guitar, not over the top. Delay is fine, up to five seconds if you can find a use for that.

The most important sections in shaping your sound will be EQ, compression, noise reduction, and maybe the modelling effects. After that comes the 'cream' - reverb, chorus, delay, flange etc. and I have found songs where it is fun and useful to use effect types more commonly associated with electric guitar.

I think the guitar modelling is over-rated and currently I don't use them, actually some of them sound pretty terrible.

I have an excellent all-solid wood Maton (www.maton.com.au) with a great piezo pickup - why do I want to sound like a Martin, and how could that be possible trying to superimpose another guitar's sound onto your own? Better to try an come up with your OWN sound! If you have a crappy guitar with a crappy sound, then maybe the modelling might help.

This is built much tougher than previous Zoom models (which I haven't owned) - robust metal buttons, rubber sides, probably an aluminium or very tough plastic body. But you can get even cheaper versions with the classic flimsy Zoom all-plastic construction. It does give me a feeling of dependability. However, I am an amateur busking/charity musician, practice more than I gig, so it doesn't get get a pro-beating every night of the week. Pro's might need a backup but I'm not in that league.

Never used customer support.

I play singer-songwriter music with neck-rack harp and acoustic guitar. The Zoom A2 works well, I can take my sound with me to the gig. I really like the long battery life, your can easily get two three hour gigs out of it (I recommend Sanyo Eneloop NiMH rechargables) - other companies should take note! I don't mind the two-digit display because it helps extend the battery life.

It needs an XLR DI out, you have to get the much bigger brother with the expression pedal to get this. I think that presenting a balanced mike-level output to the mixer definitely improves your acoustic guitar sound (rather than using line-level 1/4" leads) and if I can I try to plug the A2 into a DI box and then to the mixer.

A worthwhile feature is the 'manual' mode. Here the A2 operates a bit like a single function stomp box. So you set up your standard sound (modelling, EQ, compression, reverb) and then set a modulation effect such as chorus. You then press the left footswitch which brings in the chorus, press it again and the chorus switches out. You could bring in a long delay effect for a lead line for example. The other footswitch functions as an automatic feedback buster. So quite a complicated multi-unit masquerades as a simple stompbox if you want it to - nice!

And then there's the price, you can't get this much quality, in such a small space, and so many sounds for so little.

This is the only part of the A2 I believe could have been done better. The 2 digit display takes a while, with the manual, to really understand, but once you get it, it's not too bad. I do stress to take the time needed to really understand the entire manual or you will never get all this unit is capable of!! As an example, there is a high gain setting you can only use by holding down the left button when turning on the power.

I bought this strictly for home recording and it solved my problems completely!! My main acoustic guitar is a Martin HD-35 with a fishman passive pickup installed. The guitar itself is 20+ years old and has a beautiful tone but loses most of the body when recording due to the pickup. This little green box brings it back and then some!! I blend the D-28 (40%)with the orginal (60%) for a very rich full tone. It has virtually no noise for recording and the effects are actually pretty good. I use mainly chrous & reverb with mild compression. I run this through a 8 channel sub mixer, then into a 16 channel main mixer combined with many MIDI rack units and a 100 watt reference amp, then to a Tascam HD recorder. No comment on the drums other than it beats a metronome for practice.

It appears to be built to last but only time will tell for sure.

I emailed Samson with a question about using an external tap tempo button that was not built by Zoom and got a quick response that it would work just fine.

I have played for 40+ years in bands from rock to country and studied classical theory in college. Currently I am retired and have a MIDI home studio that I use for recording orginal songs. I play mostly classic rock with the electric and chord melody & classical with the acoustic. This allows the acoustic to finally sound the way I want when recording. I'm sure there are higher priced units that claim to sound better, but after being taken in by the Line 6 hype I'd have to hear it first.
If this were lost ot stolen I have another on order within minutes!!

I already owned A Zoom G1X so I was familiar with the process of programing the A2. I don't know if the unit is upgraded or not , but it sure has a great selection of preprogrammed sounds. I will adjust the few that I want change too and I find it fun to do that as I get some great solo sounds.

I am using this on Takamine acoustic-electric 6 string playing it through my Crate acoustic amp. Very clean sounding tones, and the 12 string setting has alllowed me to Hotel California withg a true Eagles sound to it. I get a lot of really good tones for Beatles or CCR songs that before just didn't come that easy.

Yes, I would consider this to be solid for gigging anytime you wanted too. It would be excellent for a band or solo setup.

Zoom has always responsed to my emails and I think they make great products from my use of their amps and pedals.

I am still learning to play as I only started 3 years ago at the age of 50. I play classic, 60s , 70s 80s rock, some country and blues. I would buy another if this were stolen and must say that I'm very happy with this product. I plan to do some programming settings for a little more reverb in some of the Martin , and Gibson settings to play around with. I choose this pedal because my Zoom G1X has been great with my electric guitars.

Pretty easy to use, other than the limitation of a 2-digit LED display. I wish that the bank switches were larger for stage use -- although I can't imagine using more than a half-dozen patches on an acoustic guitar. (If you are buying this thing to add delay + EFX to your acoustic, wake up: get an electric.) I wish it had an XLR out for direct-to-board use; I almost bought the A2.1u for that feature alone, but I like the size of the A2. The display is nice and bright, and easy to read.

The manual makes it easy to get at functions, but doesn't always display the nuances of some of the settings. Used with some restraint, it's pretty easy to get useable sounds. The built-in tuner is a nice touch. I haven't found a use for the rhythm box yet.

I'm using this with an Ovation Celebrity Deluxe, the shallow-bowl model, going direct to a monitor system. The shallow bowl really needs a little help on the bottom end, and this box does the trick. The acoustic guitar models are good -- not as good as a top-line Fishman Aura, but super for the price. I like what the Martin Drednaught adds to the Ovation; for whatever reasons, the "Ovation Adamas" model is the one I like the least. (So much for the "use the model closest to your guitar" theory." It's interesting: When I first got the Zoom, the first thing I did was disable all the guitar EQ, then set up a patch without a guitar model to try and duplicate the sound of the Ovation with its preset EQ curve. I can't quite duplicate it; no matter how hard I try, the Zoom always sounds a little BETTER than the guitar's preamp EQ!

The "Air" effect adds a nice bit of room acoustics, and the reverbs are useable, if not turned up too loud. (Again, it's not a top end Lexicon or Yamaha, but great for the price.)

This box works best with a little overall restraint -- a little of most of the effects goes a long way. I've basically got about 6 patches with different guitar models, most using similar Air and Reverb settings. This allows me to "switch guitars" between songs to add the right tone for the particular song.

It's got a metal case that looks pretty rugged. It feels "substantial." If an '80s MXR stomp box is a 10, this is probably about an 8.5 or so. I'm not sure about the footswitches: they LOOK like old-school on/off types, but they appear to be more like a ruggedized momentary switch. I would gig with it without a backup -- partly because I could probably live without it for two hours if it died.

I haven't had to deal with Zoom (or Samson) Support yet.

I'm a keyboard player who plays rhythm guitar a bit on many tunes. The A2 allows me to tailor the sound of my Ovation shallow-body acoustic to better fit each tune, plus it adds a nice little "stage" feel to the sound without having to play around with the PA's effects, which are usually set for vocal needs.

Much of my critique takes the cost into consideration: This is not a top-end system like the Aura, but for under $100, it can't be beat. It adds a nice warmth to the guitar's sound, and gives me better control over my sound that having to translate my needs to the PA engineer. If it were lost or stolen, I would gladly pony up another $90 for a new one. I also have a G2, the electric guitar sibling, so the learning curve was shared.

I considered the Korg Pandora and the low-end Aura series before buying this pedal. I rejected the Korg because it seemed to be geared towards mounting up in the air; I elected to pass on the Fishman because I wasn't sure which model set (if any) would match to the Ovation's rounded back.

The presets are just fine on it. I'm fond of the B-3 setting which is a simulated Martin D-28 with a bit of chorus and reverb. The manual is OK but I really don't need it. It's an ACOUSTIC processor, I mean, how flexible does it really need to be?

Love it. I use a Washburn EA-20k acoustic electric into a PA. I can make my Washburn EA-20k sound just like a Martin D-28. This pedal can pick up where a PA might be lacking as far as acoustic overtones. I get compliments on my sound all the time and it's because of the A2. All the effects available are top notch always.

Feels like it's made of either aluminum or a thick plastic case. The switches are the old fashioned steel button types. Very sturdy and durable. It's very dependable. I don't use a backup, if it died at a gig, I'd just go straight into the PA. I play every weekend and haven't had to do that yet.

Never had to deal with the company yet.

I play acoustic americana, folk and a bit of acoustic pop. This pedal is ideal for that. I've been playing for 27 years and performing for 25. I have a Fender Fat Strat and a Behringer GMX212. I also have a Behringer Ultracoustic ACX1000 Acoustic Amp that I use for smaller gigs. That amp has an array of effects as well but since i got the A2, I bypass the effects and use the pedal with it. If this thing got lost or stolen, I'd replace it with another one ASAP. It's the best $100 I ever spent. This unit was recommended to me by a store sales person. I tried it out and fell in love with it. I wouldn't change a thing on it. Zoom makes another one that has a volume/expression pedal attached to it. I think that's overkill. I'd have no use for the volume pedal on it.

The Zoom A2 allows me to express myself much more when playing live. I love the sound coming through the PA when i'm useing it.

i found this like other zoom effects - you need to use the manual

this sounds quite good to my ears - the simulations are not perfect - they definitely improve the sound of my little piezo guitar

looks ok, just got it

i would get another - big improvement over previous zoom 504ii

In ease of use, I break this further down into two sub-categories:

Programming and playing.

It lacks a little in ease of programming. It's not terrible though. Mostly this is due to the two-digit interface through which all the data must be conveyed.

Once you have it set up the way you like, however, and have gone through the learning curve needed to do so, performing with it is simple, and it's pretty easy to tweak it here and there on the fly.

For the money, it sounds absolutely awesome. I think it would hold its own against far more expensive equipment as well. What's great about it is its balance of good sound and basic simplicity. One stomp box. All the tools an acoustic player needs.

You could certainly spend more money and put together a rig that sounds way better than this does. I don't know of any all-in-one units that do what this does, and sounds as good though, for any price.

In the short time I've owned it, it hasn't had a proble. It sure seems to be built like a tank.

I play mostly in Church. This unit is perfect for our set up.

I've been playing since about 1980. I play mostly two guitars. A 1986 Fender LaBrea, out of which I have ripped all of the original (crappy) electronics, and installed a Fishman Neo-D passive single-coil magnetic pickup. The other guitar is an Ibanez GA6CE classical with a cutaway and Fishman UST. (The Ibanez has been out of commission since before I bought the A2, however, so I have no comment on how well it works with the A2. I'm looking forward to finding out.) I use a Boss TU-2 tuner, and run through a Peavey Ecoustic 112, and DI out from there to the house PA.

What I love about it is that it gives me the tools I need in a simple package that sounds good.

Here are my gripes:
* The user-interface could be a lot better
* It does generate some digital artifacting at very low levels (like the end of a long sustain)
* It doesn't have a DI out (although it's big brother, the A2.1u does)
* The tuner is not so good. It works, but I like the TU-2 better.
* I wish the feedback killer was multi-frequency
* I wish the feedback killer could do a continual scan, so I don't have to hit the scan pedal at the exact moment a howl starts.

Not a gripe, but I do wish the guitar modeling were better. For the price, it does quite well, but I just wish it were in the same league as, say, the Fishman Aura, or D-TAR Mama Bear. Again, for the money, it does quite well.

The 4 knobs and 2 switches take on different functions for different parameters, so you need the manual to hand when doing serious editing. Also, the digital display is very limited and is therefore quite baffling half the time for example, what does br mean? or bp? or ar? The tuner is ok but not the most accurate I've used.

I use the A2 with my acoustic, which has both crappy EPM piezo (probably the worst sounding I've ever heard) and a Fishman NeoD (one of the better magnetic pickups) in the soundhole. With the A2, the piezo still sounds like a piezo, albeit a really good piezo through a really good preamp. The Fishman however, almost sounds like the real thing. The level of realism is beyond what I expected and is almost recordable. I bought the A2 for gigs to make my acoustic sound more like an acoustic and it seems to do this with ease. I'm a real twiddler when it comes to effects and I expected to be using compression and mic modelling etc. To my surprise, you end up sticking it on the first patch and leaving it - there's really no need to do anything else apart from warm up the eq for certain PAs. I don't like using the compression because it makes it feel less like an acoustic.

Zoom have finally got their act together and this is a really durable pedal, metal body, metal switches and rubber sides. The only thing is that when the battery is running our it flashes 'bt' all the time which is really annoying.

I'm sure a top of the range pickup in a really nice guitar going through a lovely tube preamp into a massive PA would sound better, but this was ??45. You'd pay more than that for a tuner. Or a compressor. Or a reverb unit. As the americans say - it's a no-brainer.