The Zoom AC-3 Acoustic Creator is a powerful and advanced direct box and tone-shaping tool designed to elevate your acoustic instrument's sound on stage or in the studio. As the more feature-rich sibling to the AC-2, the AC-3 builds on its foundation with studio-grade effects, stereo outputs, and ultra-smooth compression, all packaged in a sleek, rugged enclosure tailored for live performance. Whether you’re playing a dreadnought, nylon-string, resonator, upright bass, or 12-string guitar, the AC-3 ensures your sound remains authentic, rich, and dynamically balanced.
At its core, the AC-3 combines a high-quality preamp, a 3-band EQ, and 16 source guitar presets that match the tonal characteristics of various body types. What sets the AC-3 apart is its Target Guitar feature, with 15 additional presets that further refine your tone by aligning it to the sonic profile of specific guitar models like the Martin D-18 or Gibson Hummingbird. Add in 9 built-in effects including lush reverbs, delays, and chorus, plus a dedicated compressor with real-time LED feedback, and you’ve got a fully integrated acoustic processing system at your feet.
The AC-3 also features dual XLR stereo outputs, ground/lift switches, and anti-feedback control for seamless integration into PA systems and studio rigs. The boost footswitch provides up to 9 dB of gain, while the large LED tuner ensures you stay pitch-perfect on stage. Power it via AA batteries, the included AD-16 adapter, or USB bus power, giving you total flexibility for any performance scenario. For musicians who demand clarity, depth, and complete tonal control, the Zoom AC-3 is the ultimate all-in-one acoustic DI solution.å
