Skip to content
Everything In Music Since 1958
Everything In Music Since 1958

Zoom AC-3 Acoustic Creator Enhanced Direct Box

by Zoom
Original price $0.00 - Original price $0.00
Original price $0.00
$299.99
$299.99 - $299.99
Current price $299.99
♫ In stock
About Inventory Status


Questions?
Call or text us at 301-946-8808.

In stock: It is in stock and available to ship or pickup. Apparel must be shipped from another location and is not available for in-store pickup. We can usually ship or have these items available for pickup by the next business day if they don't require inspection, special handling, or setup. Our pickup location is 11151 Veirs Mill Rd. Silver Spring, MD 20902.

📆 Preorder: It is on the way to our warehouse. We can't predict when preorder items will arrive due to current supply chain issues. If you place an order for one of these items someone will contact you to estimate the delivery date.

Out of stock: We don't currently have it available but you're not out of luck yet. We still may be able to get it. If you order one of these items we will contact you with an estimated fulfillment date. You have the option to cancel the order if you change your mind.

Special order: The item is so special that it needs to be custom ordered for you. Some of these items are works of art and have to be made individually. Orders for special order items must be prepaid and we cannot accept cancellations or refunds.

█ Sold out: We don't think we can get this item because it was either discontinued by the manufacturer or was limited in quantity. If you want or need this item call or text us. Sometimes we can help you track down the item through other sources or help you find something similar.

About Item Conditions


Questions?
Call or text us at 301-946-8808.

New: The item is brand new as received from the manufacturer with a full manufacturer warranty. Instruments such as guitars, snare drums, drum kits, brass and woodwind instruments may be opened for photography and quality control inspection and may not be in a factory sealed box.

Mint or Open Box: The item may have been opened and tested but has been repackaged. The original packaging may have superficial issues but the item itself and any originally included accessories are in perfect, like new condition.

Display Model: These items are so cool that we put them on display in our legendary shop. The condition is brand new as received from the manufacturer with manufacturer warranty. Rest assured, these items undergo a very careful inspection before shipping.

Demo: These items have been on our sales floor for demo purposes and will likely show signs of use. The original packaging may no longer be included, but you can be assured that you are receiving an awesome item and an awesome price.

Used: The item is used. These item may have varying degrees of wear. Please read the description for information about the condition of the item. Used items do not carry a warranty.

B or C Stock: Factory refurbished. These items were purchased from the manufacturer in a refurbished condition. They will show some cosmetic issues, but nothing that would impact performance. Being that these are sealed from the manufacturer, we generally do not open these to photograph the cosmetic issues. They are guaranteed to work and may have a limited warranty or you may purchase an extended warranty in some cases. Please see the listing description for item specific information.

Educational & Government Sales Quotes

Click here to inquire about an educational or government quote and discover more about our Educational & Government Sales Division.


Expand your Acoustic Possibilities with the Zoom AC-3 Acoustic Creator Enhanced Direct Box

Like its little brother, the AC-3 Acoustic Creator is an enhanced direct box with essential DI features that help you achieve great tone no matter where you play. The AC-3 is equipped with an effects generator, stereo outputs, and a compressor. With these features plus the same high-quality preamp and 3-band EQ as the AC-2, the AC-3 is an all-in-one acoustic toolkit that’s perfect for live performance and studio.


  • 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


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 Zoom has 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.

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 2

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/Life

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.

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.


SPECIFICATIONS

General

  • Source Guitars: 16 Types
  • Target Guitars: 15 Types
  • Effect Types: 9 Types
  • Sampling Frequency: 44.1 kHz
  • A/D conversion: 24-bit with 128x oversampling
  • D/A conversion: 24-bit with 128x oversampling
  • Signal processing: 32-bit
  • Frequency characteristics: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+1 dB/-3 dB) (10 kΩ load)

Inputs

  • Standard mono phone jack
  • Rated input level: -20 dBu
  • Input impedance: 10 MΩ

Outputs (L/MONO/PHONES)

  • Standard stereo phone jack/li>
  • (combined line/headphones)
  • Maximum output level:
  • Line +7 dBu
  • (10 kΩ or more output impedance)
  • Headphones 8 mW + 8 mW (32 Ω load)

Output

  • Standard mono phone jack
  • Maximum output level: Line +7 dBu
  • (10 kΩ or more output impedance)

Balanced Out-L:

  • XLR jack
  • Output impedance: 100 Ω (HOT-GND, COLD-GND), 200 Ω (HOT-COLD)
  • PRE/POST (switchable)
  • GND LIFT (switchable)

Balance Out-R:

  • XLR jack

Output Impedance

  • 100 Ω (HOT-GND, COLD-GND), 200 Ω (HOT-COLD)
  • GND LIFT (switchable)

Equivalent Input Noise

  • 120 dBu

Noise Floor (residual noise)

  • -100 dBu

Control Input

  • FS01 Input

Power

  • AC adapter: 9 V DC 500 mA center negative (ZOOM AD-16)
  • Batteries: 2 AA (about 3 hrs continuous operation time using alkaline batteries)

USB

  • USB MIDI USB Micro-B

Dimensions

  • 6.22 in (D) X 4.21 in (W) X 2.04 in (H)

Weight

  • 2.5 lbs (Not including batteries)

Options

  • FS01 footswitch
  • Note: 0 dBu = 0.775 V

Manufacturer: Zoom
Model: AC-3
SKU: I490760-N-1-WHXA
UPC: 884354017835


We are Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center

Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC's legendary music shop. Family-owned and operated since 1958. Buy gear the way it was meant to be bought, from a store that's been there through it all and has the vibe to prove it. We're staffed with musicians and industry experts, people that live and breathe music gear. Our mission is to help you find the right gear for your project, that thing that will bring you the most joy out of what you do. We're an authorized dealer for almost every brand, we stock items the other stores don't, so you can try before you buy. Stop by our Wheaton, MD showroom and see for yourself.

Contact us if you have questions about one of our listings or if you need help finding the right piece of gear.

Free Shipping

Offered for thousands of items when you spend $100+

Questions?

+1 (301) 946-8808

Get A Quote

Get an educational or government quote

Easy Returns

Learn about returns.