The Boss AC-3 is an acoustic simulator pedal: it takes the signal from an electric guitar and simulates the sound of an acoustic guitar. Boss says it uses the company's COSM Acoustic-Modeling technology to do this in a compact pedal format1. It belongs to the wider family of acoustic pedals designed to get acoustic-style tones without switching instruments.
How it works and how it is controlled
The AC-3 is built on Boss's COSM Acoustic-Modeling technology, which simulates the sound of an acoustic guitar from an electric signal. Boss describes the pedal as simulating "the sound of an acoustic guitar with incredible precision"1.
Four simulation modes are provided, selectable on the pedal:
| Mode | What it gives |
|---|---|
| Standard | A standard acoustic model |
| Jumbo | A jumbo-body acoustic model |
| Enhanced | An enhanced acoustic model |
| Piezo-equipped | The "cut through the mix" direct piezo sound1 |
Two controls shape the sound. The Top and Body controls are provided for shaping the characteristics of the four acoustic models1.
Outputs and connections
Two sets of outputs are provided: one for connecting the AC-3 to a standard guitar amp, and one for connecting it to a direct input device such as a PA or a recorder1. The second set means the pedal can serve as a direct connection to a house system, which is how many players use an acoustic simulator on stage.
Where it came from
The AC-3 provides four acoustic models, and its Top and Body controls are provided for shaping the characteristics of those four models1.
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Questions
Can I plug the Boss AC-3 straight into a PA?
Yes. The AC-3 has two sets of outputs, one for connecting to a standard guitar amp and one for connecting to a direct input device such as a PA or a recorder. That makes it usable as a direct box for playing an electric guitar through a house system.
Sources (1)
- BOSS - AC-3 | Acoustic Simulator, boss.info
