Zoom A1X Four

What it is

The A1X FOUR is a floor-mounted multi-effects unit from Zoom aimed at acoustic instruments. Zoom lists over 90 built-in effects, up to five of which can run at once in any order, along with dedicated effects for acoustic guitar, saxophone, trumpet, violin and harmonica. Its acoustic guitar modeling offers 15 factory models with 13 more available through the Guitar Lab software, and each model has gain, bass, mid and treble controls. The unit also includes a 30-second looper, 68 rhythm patterns, a chromatic tuner and an expression pedal that controls pedal-category effects such as volume, pitch, reverb, delay and wah. The A1X FOUR is distinguished from its sibling, the A1 FOUR, mainly by the included expression pedal and a slightly larger effect count. Zoom gives the A1X FOUR a width of 216 mm and a weight of 610 g without batteries, against 130 mm and 340 g for the A1 FOUR. Both share 50 user patches, the looper, the 68 rhythm patterns and the MAA-1 microphone adapter. The MAA-1 is included with the A1X FOUR and adds an XLR input with phantom power. The notes do not give a launch date or a detailed production history for the A1X FOUR. Reviews and retailer listings date from the period after its release.

Specifications

Built-in effects

Over 90 (Zoom); some retailers list over 80

Simultaneous effects

Up to 5, chained in any order

Patches

50 user patches

Sampling and conversion

44.1 kHz, 24-bit A/D and D/A, 128x oversampling

Signal processing

32-bit

Display

128 x 32 dot-matrix LCD

Acoustic guitar models

15 factory models, 13 more via Guitar Lab; gain, bass, mid and treble per model

Pickup selection

Piezo or magnetic, selected per patch with the AG pickup selector

Looper

Up to 30 seconds / 64 beats

Rhythm patterns

68 built-in, usable with the looper

Tuner

Onboard chromatic tuner with standard, open and drop tunings

INPUT

Mono phone jack, rated -20 dBu, 470 kOhm

AUX IN

Stereo mini jack, rated -10 dBu, 1 kOhm

OUTPUT

Stereo phone jack combining line and headphone outputs, maximum line level +2 dBu

Headphone output

17 mW + 17 mW into 32 Ohm

Input S/N

120 dB; noise floor -97 dBu

Power

9V DC 500 mA adapter (Zoom AD-16) or four AA batteries, about 18 hours on alkaline cells with backlight off

USB

MIDI, firmware updates, power and Guitar Lab connection

Dimensions

156 x 216 x 52 mm

Weight

610 g excluding batteries

MAA-1 adapter (included)

XLR input with +48V phantom power, gain +3 to +30 dB, 1/4-inch output to INPUT, runs on two AA batteries

How it's used

Musicians use the A1X FOUR for live acoustic performance, with retailers and a Sweetwater listing describing it as aimed at that setting. Zoom and retailers also emphasize use across several instruments, and one user reports using it on a multi-instrument setup for saxophone. It is also used for practice and jamming, combining the looper with the built-in rhythm patterns. Its position in the signal chain is between the instrument or microphone and an amplifier, mixer or audio interface.

Suggested usage

• Set levels before connecting

  The manual advises turning down the output device before connecting, then raising it once everything is connected.

• Match the pickup type

  Set the AG pickup selector in each patch to match the pickup type, piezo or magnetic, as Zoom describes.

• Check power source behavior

  One user reports that the unit powers on when a cable is connected to INPUT while running on batteries. Another found that USB power introduced noise in a recording setup, which stopped after switching to a charger.

• Use Guitar Lab for editing

  One user found editing on the computer through Guitar Lab easier than editing on the unit.

• Use the phantom power on the MAA-1

  Phantom power for condenser microphones is switched on at the MAA-1 itself, not on the A1X FOUR.

• Use the anti-feedback filter

  Zoom describes the anti-feedback filter as intended to detect and cut feedback-prone frequencies.

• Choose a performance mode

  Zoom describes MEMORY mode for setlist-style patch changes and STOMP mode for switching individual effects with footswitches.

What reviewers said

• Sweetwater customer reviews

  Mixed. Users praise the range of usable tones and effects, while others find the looper functions demanding to operate and one notes the unit is not an acoustic guitar pedal. One reviewer criticises the 50-patch limit, with 40 taken by factory presets.

• Thomann customer reviews

  The listing shows an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 72 customer ratings. One reviewer criticises the plastic construction but considers it acceptable at this price.

• TDPRI forum thread

  Mixed to positive. One user describes it as not studio grade but suitable and good-sounding for wine bar and fair gigs. Another reports the housing seems more durable than first impressions suggested.

• Sound House staff blog

  A positive write-up from a retailer blog, which is promotional in tone. The author describes it as fun to use, with good sound and simple setup.

Sources

• Zoom A1X FOUR Acoustic Guitar Multi-Effects Pedal : Musical Instruments
• Zoom A1X Four Acoustic FX Pedal
• A1 Four / A1X Four
• Zoom A1 Four Acoustic FX Pedal
• Zoom A1X four
• Zoom A1X FOUR Acoustic Multi-Effects w/Expression Pedal
• Zoom A1X Four Acoustic Multi Effects with Expression Pedal Black - Best Buy
• Zoom A1X FOUR Multi-Effects Processor with Pedal
• Zoom A1X FOUR Acoustic Multi-Effects Processor with Expression Pedal
• Zoom A1X Four Acoustic Instrument Multi-Effect Processor Reviews
• Zoom A1 Four
• You must read the Usage and Safety Precautions before use. Operation Manual
• ZOOM / A1X Four Review｜Sound House
• Zoom A1four Multi Effects Pedal Review - The Acoustic Guitar Forum
• Effects - Zoom Sax Pedal