BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

[guitarSQUIRELL]

Has anyone used one, have one, like it? I actually have one, but, I seem to get alot of high end "HISS" when its on....Does anyone have this issue? I'm using a 9V battery instead of a power plug if that makes a difference.....

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

I had one waaaaaay waaaaay back. I used it for about 2 weeks before I decided I didn't like it, but I remember it was on Standard.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

I tried one over a decade ago. IMO, the result did not even manage to replicate the sound of a cheap, plastic bowl-back copy with an undersaddle transducer system.

If you want the sound of carefully selected and assembled tone woods, in a sympathetic room, through a sensitive microphone, it is going to cost a four figure sum. There is no short cut.

Regarding the hissy BOSS pedal, is that in effect mode or all of the time? Has anyone ever plugged in a guitar with active pickups?

 

[guitarSQUIRELL]

Re: BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

I tried one over a decade ago. IMO, the result did not even manage to replicate the sound of a cheap, plastic bowl-back copy with an undersaddle transducer system.

If you want the sound of carefully selected and assembled tone woods, in a sympathetic room, through a sensitive microphone, it is going to cost a four figure sum. There is no short cut.

Regarding the hissy BOSS pedal, is that in effect mode or all of the time? Has anyone ever plugged in a guitar with active pickups?

No that is with the effect on and no no actives have ever been used with it....I bouught it new

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

I personally find most acoustic simulators to not sound like an acoustic–the ones I've tried tended to have that high end "hiss" sound to me as well...

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

I've always heard good things about the Scholtz R&D acoustic pedal. Most said it sounded way better than the BOSS backinnaday.

And if you want a halfway decent acoustic tone out of an electric, get 3 Barcus-Berry DISQOS transducers and mount them to your guitar in 3 places, one touching the bridge. It'll sound more like an electric-acoustic (which is a tone I've never really liked) but probably better than a pedal. At least then you're getting the actual resonance of the wood and not a filter.

 

[guitarSQUIRELL]

Re: BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

I think I may get rid of it. I like what sound it produces, but I cant live with the noise it produces as well when its engaged....but im not sure yet.....

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

Is it the first thing in the chain? Try it by itself, you may be getting something from another pedal in the loop.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

In crude terms, the pedal applies fairly extreme equalisation to the electric guitar signal, scooping the midrange and boosting the bass and treble. Add to this the sort of pre-amp hiss associated with onboard active EQ found in bass guitars and there is your noise. Unfortunately, introducing filtering to block the hiss would also block some of the high frequency content that makes up the simulated acoustic guitar sound.

 

[Hank-]

Re: BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

Hiss problem is common with those stock. Not sure if there are any mods to fix it.

If you have an electroacoustic then the Fishmann Aura stuff it supposedly fantastic, they came out with another new stomp i think lately. If you can try out a zoom g3 the acoustic sim on that is much better than the ac3.

 

[Aceman]

Re: BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

If it is all you have, ok. But honestly, no.

Actually, i get a surprisingly decent, but not passable, tone using the Acoustic sim on my cube with a DiMarzio Super Distortion.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

an image of the knobs/settings please
and your amp settings if possible

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

after reading the Manual

I would advise turning down the reverb

after that please look over which output you are connected to
and what that output goes to

after that turn it to selector from "Enhance" to "Jumbo"

after that adjust "Body" knob

after that return to store and curse salesman for all the evils of Boss Corp
fling it across the store and demand your money back

Feel free to skip the last two steps

 

[IM4Tone]

Re: BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

I bought one many years ago. Tried it and didn't care for it...doesn't sound much like an acoustic guitar to me. Now it sits somewhere in storage.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

If you're in a situation where you need the variety of tones and can't be bothered with switching guitars, I'd say get a Variax. The acoustic sim on the one I had (600 I think) sounded decent enough. Better than the piezo-saddled boxes I've heard, anyway.

But then if you're trying to nail that thin synthetic electric-acoustic tone of A Tout Le Monde, go for the pedal.

 

[skyydogg01]

Re: BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

The BEST sound I got out of one is running the AC-3 into a Behringer ADI21 to further tweak it. It actually sounded kind of convincing.

I use the ADI21 with my acoustic guitar anyway.


On a side note, I do have an AC-3 for sale if anyone wants it.

 

[korayalpaslan]

Re: BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator

Folks,

I had the same issue with Boss AC-3 and here is the ultimate solution:

Connect your pedal line out to a DI with an amp sim; could be H&K Red Box 5, Joyo JDI-01, Behringer Ultra G, Palmer Junction, Radial JDX Direct-Drive etc...

My personal choice is Palmer Junction DI with 'Bright' setting. Use an XLR cable from the 'Balanced Out' to PA or sound card.

If you want to have total control over the acoustic simulated tone on stage, use an EQ right before the AC-3. If you have a plug-in running on your computer, keep in mind; you might want to set the 'Reverb' on AC-3 to zero and use that effect after the EQ plug-in.