What is the Zoom ARQ?

What is the Zoom ARQ?

Earlier this year, Zoom released the ARQ (pronounced ark). The ARQ is a drum machine, synthesizer, sequencer, controller, and looper with Bluetooth connectivity to a computer and built-in effects used with an accelerometer. It consists of two major components: the detachable ring controller and its base station. The base is the main power-house that holds 468 drum and instrument sounds, 70 synthesizer sounds, and tons of effects. In the center, it houses a defined display that allows the user to scroll through menus, choose presets, etc while being easy to read on stage. There is an SD slot so you can load in your own samples, save patterns, and update firmware. Each corner also has two 1/4" jacks, one for stereo input to fuel the looper and effects and the other for stereo output to a mixer or interface. On the ring controller, there are 96 velocity-sensitive pads with after-touch that trigger either built-in sounds, or samples that you loaded in from an SD card. The coolest part of the ring happens when it detaches from the base. It holds an accelerometer that is used to control different effects, most commonly the filter frequency. Depending on its position from the base, it can severely, yet fluidly alter the timbre of your session, making for more intuitive and involved performances. Not only is this the most versatile piece of gear on the market, but it looks amazing too. Any DJ or studio engineer would have heads turning with this in the room. Check out this great overview by Zoom: As always, enjoy FAST and FREE shipping on any order in the continental US. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to give us a call at 855-269-0474 or stop in our store in Downtown Appleton! Want to see other articles about the latest gear? Click here.

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