Zoom AC3 Acoustic Creator

The Essential Acoustic DI
The AC-3 puts essential DI features right at your fingertips. Its high-quality preamp boosts your signal and helps restore your true acoustic sound. Plus, its 3-band EQ lets you quickly make the perfect adjustments to refine your tone.

To add depth and color to your tone, AC-3 also features the best effects we’ve ever designed for acoustics. Choose from 9 different effects such as delay, chorus, and reverb, each of which has with adjustable parameters for fine-tuning your sound.

Dial In Your Source…
With 16 source guitar presets, the AC-3 recovers the sonic characteristics of a variety of guitar types and body shapes. You can choose from dreadnought, upright bass, nylon strings, 12 string, and more.

Simply select your guitar of choice, then choose piezo or magnetic pickup. From there, the AC-3 is ready to reproduce and amplify your guitar’s tone with complete accuracy.

…and Target
The AC-3 also comes with 15 additional target guitar* presets that you can use to more accurately match your guitar’s tone. For example, when using a Martin D-18 dreadnought, you can choose the Dreadnought source guitar preset and the D-Eighteen target guitar preset to more closely match the unique sound of your instrument. Or if you’re playing a square shoulder guitar, choose the Square Shoulder source preset, then use the Humming Bird target preset to recreate your tone more accurately.

*Not all target guitars are available from all source guitars. For instance, when plugging in a Resonator, you would turn your target guitar to “Off.” Please see page 10 of the operation manual for compatibility.

Ultra Smooth Compression
Whether you’re lightly strumming or playing with a little more intensity, the AC-3’s single-knob compressor is one of the finest you’ve ever heard. Zoom's single-knob compressor makes it easy to smooth out and control your guitar’s dynamics for a full, balanced sound. Plus, the compressor’s LED indicator makes it simple to adjust dynamics parameters during a live set.

Stereo Outputs Times Two
The AC-3’s balanced XLR mono/stereo outputs with pre/post control allow you to connect to any PA mixing board or studio console. It also includes two ¼” outputs for simultaneous mono/stereo connection to amps, headphones, or audio interfaces. This allows audiences to hear the full character of stereo or delay effects.

Cut Feedback Automatically
The AC-3 is equipped with an anti-feedback button which can also be activated with Zoom’s FS-01 footswitch (sold separately). This automatically locates and eliminates problem frequencies—an essential for live performance.

Ground/Lift
To eliminate unwanted hum or buzz from mics or speakers, the AC-3 includes a ground/lift switch that interrupts ground loops between equipment.

Studio Magic
Thanks to the AC-3’s all-in-one design, you can record the rich, acoustic sound you love without the need for heavy post-production processing.

Watch the clip below to see Kyle Bolden record directly from the AC-3 to his computer DAW.

Volume Control
The AC-3's Volume control automatically controls both the preamp’s input gain and output level, taking the guesswork out of adjusting sound levels to match.

Tune on the Spot
The AC-3’s built-in tuner with its large LED meter lets you easily see when you’re in tune.

Up to 9 dB of Additional Gain
You can also add up to 9 dB of gain with the tap of your foot using the AC-3's boost function, allowing you to switch from strumming to finger-picking without ever missing a note.

Three Ways to Power Up
Two AA batteries provide up to three hours of continuous power. Alternatively, you can use the included Zoom AD-16 AC adapter for plug-in power, or the micro USB port to bus power the AC-3 via your computer.

Features at a Glance
16 source guitar type/body presets for accurate tone re-creation
15 target guitar type/body presets for tonal refinement
¼” input
Two XLR balanced outs
Two ¼” outputs for mono or stereo connection to guitar amps, headphones, and audio interfaces
High-quality, low noise preamp
9 effects with adjustable parameters
Piezo/magnetic input pickup select
Built-in compressor
3-band equalizer
Input and output gain/sensitivity adjustable via single volume knob (patent pending)
Clipping indicator
Anti-feedback control
Boost switch for up to 9 dB of additional gain
Built-in chromatic visual-LED tuner
USB connection for firmware updates
Dual output jacks for connection to guitar amps and mono or stereo PA systems
Three power options: 2 x AA batteries, the included Zoom AD-16 power adapter (9V DC in), or bus power via micro-USB port