Zoom A1X Four Acoustic FX Pedal

With the A1X FOUR acoustic pedal, the Japanese effects specialist Zoom has created a multi-effects unit which has not only been developed to allow the multifaceted editing of acoustic guitar sounds but can also be used with practically any acoustic instrument. The compact pedal is equipped with 90 specially designed effects that give the saxophone, violin, trumpet, double bass, and even the harmonica a whole new tonal range and provide an impressive level of sound for recordings or live gigs. Additional features of the A1X FOUR include a looper with a 30-second recording capacity, an expression pedal, and a drum machine with 68 built-in acoustic drum styles. The device is also equipped with a microphone adapter that can be used to connect dynamic or even condenser microphones and features switchable 48V phantom power for the latter, all wrapped up in an attractively priced package.

The Zoom A1X FOUR acoustic pedal also offers up to 28 different presets based on the respective tonal characteristics of various acoustic guitar shapes, including emulations of proven and coveted models from companies such as Martin, Taylor, Gibson, and Yamaha, whose “acoustic fingerprints” have been developed using Impulse Response technology and can be subjected to further editing using the four gain, bass, mid, and treble parameters. The signal can then be routed to the "effects department" and edited using these specially designed effects.

With its numerous features, the Zoom A1X FOUR acoustic pedal offers ground-breaking and highly creative options for users wishing to add a special sound to their violin, harmonica, or any form of brass instrument, or to give their acoustic guitar a different tonal character. With up to five effects that can be used in unison and have been specifically adapted to acoustic instruments, and courtesy of the freely assignable expression pedal, drum machine with 68 presets, looper, and 50 memory slots, this multi-effects unit is a true all-rounder for amplifying and shaping the tone of acoustic instruments – and a package that, given its extensive range of options, is also available at an extremely reasonable price.

Practising and jamming with the looper and drum machine can be an extremely fun experience, and one which does not tie the user to a mains power connection, as the Zoom A1X FOUR can also be operated seamlessly on the go with a set of AA batteries and a pair of headphones. The compact pedal is quickly stowed away in a gig bag or case, and connected up just as quickly to a studio or stage mixer for an unparalleled sound performance, while the anti-feedback filter eliminates the annoying high-pitched noise and "whistle" to which amplified acoustic instruments are often prone.