Zoom A2

The product is a multi-fx stomp box--replacing the old 504 unit in the product line-up. it has a footprint of about 9" x 9". It has four rotary knobs, 5 solenoid (soft-touch) buttons and two heavy contact foot switches for scrolling between patches.
The construction appears to be some type of anodized aluminum with a green finish.
I have been playing guitar for almost forty years. While I gigged some in my high school and college days 30-35 years ago, since then my playing has been more limited to special music at church and musical programs in nursing homes.

I purchased this from Sweetwater Sound to replace a Digitech multi-FX unit I was less than pleased with. I paid $100 for it. In shopping, I compared it with previous units I had owned from DigiTech, Alesis, and DOD. I also field compared it to similar units from Line 6, Behringer, and Boss.

First off, this unit is very easy to use in terms of editing and storing user patches. As with any Multi-FX unit, you will have to have some idea of what sounds you want to have stored. All in all, I had created 20 user-edited patches in about an hour.
A second major plus is that this unit has the capability of 6-band EQ. The best the other manufacturers can offer in this price range is 4-band EQ.
The sound is virtually noise-free. While it comes with a Noise reduction component, I have not noticed as much noise compared to Alesis and DigiTech units, which produce a lot of hiss.
The unit can be powered by either battery (4-AA cells) or AC. By using rechargeable L-Ion batteries, there is no need to be tied to a wall wart with the wimpy spaghetti cord again.
Finally, Zoom builds their units with an on/off switch--something only Boss does.

The negatives on this are relatively minor:
The first negative is that it has a single 1/4" TRS (stereo) output -- dual (L/R) 1/4" TS outputs would be better.
A second negative is that Zoom arranged the FX so that the reverse delay and tape echo FX are located in the Modulation FX cluster with phaser, flanger, chorus and tremolo instead of being located with the delay/reverb cluster. It would be better to move reverse delay and echo functions to the delay/reverb cluster so that they can be used in conjunction with the phase/flange/chorus FX (for some of those Beatlesque mid-60s psychedelic FX)

The construction appears to be very sturdy.
Except for the battery compartment cover, the top, back and bottom appear to be made of some type of anodized metal (probably aluminum. The sides appear to have some sort of rubberized coating on them.
The knobs for adjusting the settings/parameters are very sturdy as well.
The 1/4" inputs and outputs are anchored to the casing with reinforcing collars instead of being anchored internally to the circuit board.
The footswitches are heavy contact switches (like on MXR stomp boxes).

This has many other features I didn't examine because I don't use them--such as acoustic guitar modeling (11 different models). For what it offers that I do use, it was worth cost.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Purchased repair following a breakdown of gear for a dozen dates pending the repair of my preamp.
Used 1 (one) night.

UTILIZATION

A 2-digit LED display for 250 parameters ....

Finally, after consulting the manual it is not complicated and even I have to say that logic is pretty well done compared to other much more expensive gadgets.

SOUND QUALITY

Where the bottom really hurt with this stuff is really quality. Manufacturing and especially sound ....

Start with what interests us at the highest point simulations microphones.
Well it's just a joke. I can not describe the record: it means to understand. That sucks, unworkable. Besides, I think this is a scam pure and simple: no emulation algorithm in there but just pre-designed EQ associated with a pre-delay for distance "micro" and a slight compression is meant too.

Reverbs, chorus and other modulation effects and space are cold and metal artifacts and especially to hear it all the time. Looks like 8 bits miscoded colder!
The delay is the only effect to pull out of the game
When the compression I not speak ....

All effects - falsely - by-passed one might expect a good sound DI: Well not the same without using the gear you still rots the signal. it returns low flat, cold mediums and especially hyper-aggressive and full of false harmonics acute, short, horror.
Without exaggerating, really: I know that it's not expensive but why sell unusable??

Preamp and converto at the lowest posssible limit: my guitar live console without DI and despite the impedance problems, sounded better!

OVERALL OPINION

Sleeping in a closet since the only concert I've used. I finally opted for simple DI waiting to get my Aura.

The value for money is just Cheap, not good.

A multi-purpose introduction to the limit ...

Understand that if I spend time to write this negative opinion it is not for the sake of breaking the low end but to avoid beginners penniless an unnecessary expense.
Few weeks of savings will be much more productive to afford real stuff.

Goodies:
- Nothing .... ah if the price can be

Cons:
- This is a multi "minus" on its own

47 types of effects:
- 11 models of the most famous guitars + 1 pre amp tube
- A microphone positioned in different parts of the guitar
- A compressor and a limiter
- 2 low-frequency equalization
- 2 EQ High Frequency
- A noise reduction
- 14 effects (chorus, delay, phaser, flanger ....)
- 13 delay effects and reverb
- A small drum machine
- 1 tuner

is the digital

not editable

I 8 but because the effects can not be edited

UTILIZATION

-Configuration is quite simple I've had two days, I've never touched a pedal before and it works anyway, it sounds easy

He must download the French manual 37 pages I find well explained (see the forum zoom a2)

SOUND QUALITY

I'm not a pro, so try the beast I recommend it, however I find really nice effects all its not only useful for a sound but you get to this vraimment laughed it changes the sound of the guitar for some in well with moderation but bad if you have any background, normal

I use it with a cw seagull q2 because I find the reverb and chorus of my acoustic amp marshall rotten vraimment

I have not tested enough to determine what I like or hate but for reverbs and chorus it's been my business

OVERALL OPINION

- I use it for 2 days so I will update this opinion
- I was looking for a cheap pedal with his right to make me happy on the bits that I again
- Value for money is great (99 euro)
- For a beginner like me who wants this to please 'for cheap I suggest
- YES I would do this choice

Résumé to the CHARACTERISTICS of A2, there are the effects ncessaires even a useful electro-acoustiquecompresseur destinies, rducteur noise, qualiseur, modulation, delay / reverb, anti-feedback) + 12 "modlisations" clbres guitar with a simulation of micro prampli lamp that gives more attack solo.On has 40 pRSET "user" and "4O Factory" ( is more than enough!) The connection is made between a guitar, a sound system or headphones (Y-cable for the stro required), an insert for the pedals CONTRL, (better to buy a little more A2.1u CHRE, of course, but it was the "all in one" with the pedals to enjoy the paramtrage effects), followed decision of the Food and switch. Let us not forget the tuner which I find, nevertheless, quite prcis and the small premium rates bote / mtronome (which is not so ridiculous that a! Well, it is true that sounds a bit "stiff" especially for patterns "latino".

UTILIZATION

The manual is quite explicit and handling rapide.En other hand, if we do not have much memory possde, like me, it is better to carry a pen and paper to record what each pRSET possibly giving it a name as represented (eg CLAPTON / LAYLA) as "B2 or 03" did a little naval battle! The edition of the sounds is quite simple: by simply turning a knob, we choose successively among those we intressent effects (in other custom settings with the buttons on the right) then users press the key "store" and the turn is played, however, for small BMOL rverbes and Dlay: it is cheese or dessert, not both at once!

SOUND QUALITY

I find the effects of good quality clean and well suited for electro remaining in the right dosages. IT IS almost no breath. The anti-feedback fulfills its rle when necessary. As for modeling, I like "GIBSON", Russian and quite a few types of "Gypsy" o found out the tone of this kind of guitars. For others, such as "nylon," he sounds too straight without musical or so you have to be limited only play on three strings dernires (bronze) has more going on (in case the 'was a folk). Personally, I bypass the "modlisations" because I like the sound still my little SEAGULL ... Let's say that, taken together, the simulations proposed are all usable condition to agrmenter a little effect (s). In the whole range, there may be a lack of simultaneous "banjo" ... And what else? a "sitar" ...

OVERALL OPINION

DCID I put myself to green (my color ftiche) with this little pedals about a month ago and I am glad trs. Before, I used the multi-effects for my electric, but the A2 is really Designed for electro. I was looking for something in particular compact (small) effects to vary with some other time of my electro sounds without dnaturer while removing the abrasive ct after branch PA (STAGPASS 300) : this was done with the A2. I have not tried other multi-effects the electro fates because there are not many: The KORG AX10A home and MAGIC STOMP ACOUSTIC YAMAHA home are more expensive and less r cents.ZOOM is a box with the pedals, however there is no so long dnicher A2 was scarce. Report qualitprix is ​​no competition! Ms. twice as much in this version, it would be t justifi.Je would do this choice is sr, but when same-always to the same price, should not be either maso !