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MOTU

collapse expand iconDescription

The MOTU ZBox matches the output impedance (Z) of your guitar to the impedance of a non-amp input, such as the mic/instrument preamp inputs on your audio interface. Without proper impedance matching, your guitar won't sound natural or feel right.

ZBox's unique advantage? Authentic matching circuits that emulate the two-jack switching network found on many classic amplifiers, complete with analog simulation of the input tube grid. Only ZBox delivers the most authentic amplifier impedance matching available for the absolute truest sound and feel from your guitar. To support a wide range of guitars, ZBox provides authentic "Hi-Z" and "Lo-Z" inputs, just like the ones found on many classic guitar amps, complete with analog simulation of the input tube grid.

ZBox is the missing link for digital guitar processing, providing the hardware-driven input characteristics required to truly emulate a real guitar amp.

If you use Digital Performer's Custom 59 amp model plug-in, or a third-party guitar plug-in product like IK Multimedia Amplitube, Waves GTR, Native Instruments Guitar Rig, or similar guitar modeling software, use ZBox to further enhance the authenticity of the tones you play from these products!

Today's guitar amp modeling plug-ins are simply amazing in their ability to faithfully model real guitar amplifiers. From IK Multimedia's Amplitube, to Waves, to Native Instruments, to Line 6, to Digital Performer's included Custom '59, you can plug your guitar directly into your audio interface, dial up a guitar tone in your plug-in software, and play. The sound is simply stunning.

But wait. They're all missing something. In fact, they're missing a crucial element of the signal path that simply cannot be modeled in software: the proper input impedance of a real guitar amplifier. When you plug your guitar into your audio interface, the interface's impedance does not match the typical levels found on a real guitar amplifier.

The result?

No matter how hard you try, you'll never quite be able to replicate the true sound and "feel" of playing into a real guitar amp. The sound will be just a little more thin and unresponsive than the real thing.

The solution? ZBox!

What types of devices can you use ZBox with?

You can use ZBox with pretty much any device that has an "instrument" or preamp input suitable for a guitar. Examples include:

¢Audio interfaces
¢Mixers
¢Recording devices
¢Wireless transmitters
¢PA systems
¢Effects processors

Use ZBox with any of these devices to sweeten your guitar tone and make it feel more like playing into a real guitar amplifier.

ZBox is NOT a computer-related device and does not require any software drivers. It does not even require a power source! Simple!










MOTU Zbox Guitar Impedence Adapter
MOTU Zbox Guitar Impedence Adapter
MOTU Zbox Guitar Impedence Adapter

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Restores natural guitar tone
  • No extra cables required
  • No power required
  • No software or drivers required
  • Simple to use
  • Plug and play operation with any guitar
  • Sturdy, lightweight metal housing
  • Built-in 16" cable with 1/4" plug for connection to any guitar input
  • Authentic matching circuits that emulate 2-jack switching networks on classic guitar amps
  • Works with audio interfaces equipped with preamps (Mac or PC)
  • Works with other devices with guitar (instrument) inputs (wireless transmitters, mixers, etc.)
  • Two-year warranty

collapse expand iconSpecs

  • 1"H x 1-3/4"W x 2-1/2"D
  • ( 2.54 x 4.45 x 6.35 cm)

collapse expand iconWarranty

Warranty terms vary. Check with manufacturer for specific product warranty.

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

5

2 Reviews

0%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Reviewed by 2 customers

  • It just works

    5

    submitted12 years ago

    byMark Greyland

    fromEl Sobrante, California

    This is a review of such satisfaction that I forgot that rating a product might be valuable for others. Due to disaster I had lost all of my gear except a couple of guitars and a Studio monitor intended for vocal work. I desperately needed to hear the actual tone of my instrument so I could resume practice and the straight feed from the old P90's on my Epiphone 295 did NOT sound good when plugged in. I sent some time researching the product and while there are a lot of impedance adapters on the market, this one claimed to be inexpensive and hassle free so I went with it. Rather than go online I went to the boys at my local Guitar Center and they were awesome! Set me up, notified me when it came in by email, then helped verify that everything was as advertised before I left the store. Put simply, it just worked. There was no mystery: plug the guitar into the Hi Z input slot, then the plug on the other side into the amp. Turn it on. Play. While the Roland Studio monitor is NOT a guitar amp, it sounded good enough that I completely forgot I was using it in moments. I am confident when I get my laptop set up for recording the same seamless adaptation of input will happen as well. Like I said, it just works.

  • Awesome!

    5

    submitted15 years ago

    byGilberto Gonz��́lez

    fromAguascalientes, M���xico

    This little piece of hardware is just amazing. This can really give you that "extra feel" you just couldn't get with any software. I use no amp since line 6 guitar port was launched (now i use a line 6 tone port kb37), just my line 6 pod x3 live (before i had xt live) feeding directly to a mixer. Result? Maybe you just cannot explain, since it's a matter of feeling, but my guitar sounds bigger, thicker and more natural both in studio and on stage. I use a wide variety of guitars, from line6 variax, parker, fender, epiphone, gibson, san dimas (with emg active pickups), this works for all guitars. This works for basses as well. This is definitely a must-have if you are a emulator-based guitar o bass player, whether you work in recording studio or live on stage.

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