Zoom A1 FOUR User manual

You must read the Usage and Safety Precautions before use.
Quick Guide
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Multi-Effects Processor

2
overview
The has numerous effects that change the sound of an instrument.
Up to five can be used at the same time. Other features include a looper that can
playback already recorded phrases, a rhythm machine and a tuner.
In addition, by using the MAA-1, the effects can also be applied to the sounds of in-
struments that are normally captured with a mic.
Operation modes
The has three operation modes that can be used as needed while
performing.
• MEMORY mode
Use this mode to select patch memories with the footswitches.
• STOMP mode
Use this mode to turn effects in a patch memory on and off with the footswitches.
• EDIT mode
In this mode, edit the types and parameters and effects used in a patch memory.
MEMORY mode
EDIT modeSTOMP mode

3
Signal ow
Output
EQ
Looper
Post
Looper
Output
volume
Rhythm
Tuner
Level
Effect
Patch memory
INPUT
AUX IN
OUTPUT
2345
Pre
1
①②③④ ⑥
⑦
⑤
④
The input instrument sound passes through effects 1 – 5 in order.
Up to ve effects can be selected and ordered as desired.
The patch memory level is adjusted.
The level can be adjusted separately for each patch memory.
The overall sound is adjusted.
Adjust the tone of the . This setting is retained even when the
patch memory is changed.
Recorded phrases can be played back in a loop.
You can record playing and create mono loop phrases that are up to 30 seconds
long. Can be set to before (Pre) or after (Post) the effects and EQ.
Drum sounds can be played back using built-in rhythm patterns.
You can play along with built-in rhythms.
Adjust the overall level.
Adjust the volume. This setting is retained even when the patch
memory is changed.
Tune the connected instrument.
Use either the guitar tuner or the chromatic tuner.

4
Making connections
Installing batteries
1. Open the battery compartment cover on the bottom of the product and insert 4
AA batteries.
By default, ECO mode setting is ON, so the power will automatically turn off
if no use occurs for 10 hours.
ECO mode can also be set to “OFF” on the SETTING screen.
NOTE
1. Minimize the volume of
the output device.
2. Connect an instrument
to the INPUT jack.
Use the MAA-1 to con-
nect a mic.
3. Connect a PA system or
headphones to the OUT-
PUT jack.
4. Raise the output device
volume.
If distortion occurs, lower
the level of the connected
instrument.
NOTE
• If a dedicated AC adapter (ZOOM AD-16) is connected, it can run on AC power.
• Power for operation can also be supplied through the USB port.
• By connecting an audio device, for example to the AUX IN jack, you can
play along with another sound source.
HINT
Using the Mac/Windows Guitar Lab application, you can manage patch
memories and edit and add effects.
AC adapter
MAA-1
Computer
(Mac/Windows)
1, 4
2
3
Audio device, etc.
Acoustic guitar with
pickup, electric violin,
etc.

5
Connecting a mic
Using the MAA-1, the can be enjoyed with instruments that do not
have pickups, including harmonicas, violins, trumpets, saxophones and other string
and brass instruments.
1. Open the battery compartment
cover on the back of the MAA-1 and
insert 2 AA batteries.
2. Connect the mic to the MAA-1.
3. Connect the MAA-1 to the
INPUT jack.
4. Turn the MAA-1 power on.
• Set to the ON position.
will light red.
When connecting a condenser mic or
other device that requires phantom
power, set it to the +48V position.
5. Adjust the MAA-1 input level.
•Turn .
Adjust so that lights green.
If the input level is too high, will light red.
When connecting devices that are not compatible with phantom power, do
not set to +48V. Doing so could damage the device.
NOTE
4
5
2
3
MAA-1

6
The is preloaded with 50 patch memories.
Select patch memories to use in MEMORY mode.
• Patch memories
These store effect on/off states and parameter setting values. Effects are saved
and recalled in units of patch memories.
• Banks
These are groups of 10 patch memories.
The MEMORY mode screen opens when the
starts up.
Switching patch memories
• Press .
This switches to the higher-numbered patch memory.
• Press .
This switches to the lower-numbered patch
memory.
Switching banks
• Press – .
The LED for the selected bank lights.
Selecting patch memories (MEMORY mode)
Adjusting the overall audio character and output level
In MEMORY mode, turn – to ad-
just the overall audio character and output
level of the .
Low-
frequency
level
Middle-
frequency
level
High-fre-
quency
level
Overall
level
Patch
memory
10 – 19
Patch
memory
20 – 29
Patch
memory
30 – 39
Patch
memory
40 – 49
Patch
memory
50 – 59
Patch memory
number
Patch memory
name

7
Turning effects on and off (STOMP mode)
In STOMP mode, you can use the footswitches to turn on/off each of the effects used
in the patch memory.
1. Activate STOMP mode.
• Press .
2. Select an effect.
• Press .
The selection moves to the right.
Selected
3. Turn the effect on/off.
• Press .
This turns the selected effect on/off.
You can also press the – that corresponds
to an effect to turn it on/off.
HINT
ON OFF
12345
Effect positions and numbers
1
23

8
Editing effects (EDIT mode)
In EDIT mode, you can change the effects used in patch memories and adjust their pa-
rameters. Select a patch memory in MEMORY mode beforehand to edit it in EDIT
mode.
1. Activate EDIT mode.
• Press .
Unit number
Parameter
Effect name
2. Select an effect to edit.
• Press – .
3. Turn the effect on/off.
• Press the same – as in step
2 again.
OFF ON
4. Adjust the effect parameters.
If an effect has 5 or more parameters, use to change the screen.
When the AUTO SAVE function is ON, changes to effects will be automatical-
ly saved.
NOTE
1
2, 3
4

9
• Effect type
Effect types cover a variety of effects, including reverb, chorus and distortion.
• Category
Effects are grouped into categories. When selecting effects, you can switch by cat-
egory.
Selecting effect types
• Press / .
This switches to the next/previous effect type.
…
In the following cases, "PROCESS OVERFLOW” will appear and the effect will
be bypassed. Bypassing can be ended by deleting some effects or changing
their types.
• When the processing power limit is exceeded
• When trying to use 3 or more effects that have 5
or more parameters
NOTE
See Guitar Lab for the explanations of each effect.
HINT
Selecting effect categories
• While pressing , press .
After the category name appears, the effect type will change to the rst effect in the cate-
gory.
…
Select effects in the PEDAL category on the to use effects that can
be controlled by the expression pedal.
HINT

10
Using the tuner
Use this to tune the connected instrument.
1. Activate the tuner.
• Press and at the same
time.
To close the tuner, press or .
2. Tune the instrument.
• Play the sound that you want to tune
and adjust its pitch.
The nearest note name and pitch detuning
will be shown on the display and by the LEDs.
When the pitch is accurate, the LED at the
center of the meter will light green and the
LEDs to the left and right will light red.
Setting the tuner
• Turn and to set whether the sound is output
while tuning (BYPASS/MUTE) and the standard pitch.
• Press to open the SETTING screen where you
can set the tuner type and drop tunings.
Flat In tune Sharp
1
2
Pitch detuning
Nearest note
Instrument
sound output
Standard
pitch