Question:
I wanted to give a quick review and post some clips of my new Zoom A-2 acoustic effects processor. It is an improvement over the 404II that I used to have. The acoustic simulations are much more realistic. The effects are better too (more variety, more control of parameters, better quality). The effects are probably a step better than the ones on my Digitech RP100 but probably not as good as a Pod or GNX3000 (neither of which I have tried). I have been having fun with it at home but of course the true test will be when I use it live.
Sound chain for the recording was:
Seagull Mosiac---> Semour Duncan WoodyXL mag pickup---> Zoom A2--->soundcard--->Audacity
Both tracks of the first clip are a Martin 000-18 simulation with a little chorus. The second clip has the Martin in the rhythm track and a resophonic with reverse delay in the lead.
Answer:
not bad, sounded a bit dry. Some reverb would open up the sounds a bit more. Also, I'd skip on using the guitar modelers, there's just no way they can be accurate (it's worse than trying to model an amp I'd suspect), and they'll just eat up the tone of your acoustic. That's just my oppinion though man.
The A2 (the whole new ZOOM line actually) should have better sound quality than the PODxt etc, just because it has better AD/DA converters and a much faster processor. It all comes down to the programming though....
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Originally Posted by Griffon not bad, sounded a bit dry. Some reverb would open up the sounds a bit more. Also, I'd skip on using the guitar modelers, there's just no way they can be accurate (it's worse than trying to model an amp I'd suspect), and they'll just eat up the tone of your acoustic. That's just my oppinion though man.
The A2 (the whole new ZOOM line actually) should have better sound quality than the PODxt etc, just because it has better AD/DA converters and a much faster processor. It all comes down to the programming though.... Yeah, meaning the digitized sound made by the programming is more accurately sent to the amp. But if the programming is junky, then there goes your tone.
However, as of yet, the Acoustic POD has not come out. We anxiously await it's arrival...
Answer:
Originally Posted by Griffon not bad, sounded a bit dry. Some reverb would open up the sounds a bit more.
Okay, I might try that. I've just started playing around with recording; these were my first multi-track recordings.
Also, I'd skip on using the guitar modelers, there's just no way they can be accurate (it's worse than trying to model an amp I'd suspect), and they'll just eat up the tone of your acoustic. That's just my oppinion though man.
I think these ones sound better than any other ones I have heard. Using a mag pickup kind of eats up a lot of acoustic tone (so would a peizo to some extent); I kind of need something to put some back in. Probably nothing is better than recording with a mic.
The A2 (the whole new ZOOM line actually) should have better sound quality than the PODxt etc, just because it has better AD/DA converters and a much faster processor. It all comes down to the programming though....
I didn't know that. I had looked for the specs on the Pod but I couldn't find them anywhere. It would be interesting to compare them side to side.
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Okay, I might try that. I've just started playing around with recording; these were my first multi-track recordings.
Don't worry aobut it, the recording community of CGR can poke at a mix for eternity.
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Originally Posted by presbystrat Okay, I might try that. I've just started playing around with recording; these were my first multi-track recordings.
I think these ones sound better than any other ones I have heard. Using a mag pickup kind of eats up a lot of acoustic tone (so would a peizo to some extent); I kind of need something to put some back in. Probably nothing is better than recording with a mic.
I didn't know that. I had looked for the specs on the Pod but I couldn't find them anywhere. It would be interesting to compare them side to side.
Don't worry man, it's more personal preference than anything...I tend to put a little (or a lot) of reverb and delay on anything I record.
That's funny, because I -really- prefer the tone of a mag pickup on acoustic to a piezo. Neither sounds exactly like the acoustic...but I've had more luck with mags in live circumstances. Also, this is just personal preference, as most people around here know I really don't like modeling. (I'm back and forth on the Line6 Variax line....you have the opportunity to do some really cool things with it...but it's still modeling...) But it's your sound, do what you want!
According to this site the Pod's bit depth and sampling rate is 24bit, 44.1/48kHz. The ZOOM G series (including the A and B processors) feature 24bit/96khz bit rate and sampling, akin to a professional digital recording studio (Though now some are tracking in 192kHz...). So yeah, you should have a clearer tone with the ZOOM, and while they could have hired hack programmers for their software....I highly doubt it.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Griffon That's funny, because I -really- prefer the tone of a mag pickup on acoustic to a piezo. Neither sounds exactly like the acoustic...but I've had more luck with mags in live circumstances.
My last guitar had a piezo and this time I decided to go the mag route. What kind of mag do you use?
Also, this is just personal preference, as most people around here know I really don't like modeling. (I'm back and forth on the Line6 Variax line....you have the opportunity to do some really cool things with it...but it's still modeling...) But it's your sound, do what you want!
Yup, and I like to have my own sound. I really like the resophonic simulation for getting some nice lead tones.
According to this site the Pod's bit depth and sampling rate is 24bit, 44.1/48kHz. The ZOOM G series (including the A and B processors) feature 24bit/96khz bit rate and sampling, akin to a professional digital recording studio (Though now some are tracking in 192kHz...). So yeah, you should have a clearer tone with the ZOOM, and while they could have hired hack programmers for their software....I highly doubt it
Cool
Answer:
Originally Posted by presbystrat My last guitar had a piezo and this time I decided to go the mag route. What kind of mag do you use?
Yup, and I like to have my own sound. I really like the resophonic simulation for getting some nice lead tones.
Cool It's been a while, but I used to use a Dean Markley Pro-Mag, sounded great. I haven't owned an acoustic guitar in a while, and so I normally play any acoustic gigs with borrowed guitars and use their piezo pickups and just can't stand the sound. Too bright and almost painful. However, a couple guys I've played with have used the Duncun Woody's and they sounded great so if I were to buy another acoustic I'd probably go that route or just mic it.
It's great that you like the A2. Feel free to post more samples.
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Originally Posted by Rainer. However, as of yet, the Acoustic POD has not come out. We anxiously await it's arrival...
The DTAR MamaBear?
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As of the moment, I only endorse Line 6 products.
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Originally Posted by omensixaxe The DTAR MamaBear?
While the Mama Bear has acoustic modeling, it doesn't have any effects.
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The A2 makes a good vocal mic preamp too. Here is a little clip to show you that and some fingerpicking. My playing and singing on it are not quite up to performance level (timing and pitch are off in spots) but you get the idea. Gosh, I love Audacity BTW; I'm having great fun with it.
Vocal sound chain: Shure SM10a-->Little Imp-->A2-->soundcard-->Audacity
Vocal effects: air, hall reverb
Guitar sound chain: Seagull Mosiac---> Semour Duncan WoodyXL mag pickup---> Zoom A2
--->soundcard--->Audacity
Guitar effects: tube preamp, hall reverb