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DI boxes
Mar 28, 2024 13:36:44 GMT
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Post by littlebobby on Mar 28, 2024 13:36:44 GMT
Looking for a bit of advice. I play an Ayers 12 fret parlour. Cracking all solid guitar with a K&K in it. Part of my set is a self written song which some might suggest is unduly influenced by RL Burnside and involves a percussive tap with my right thumb between chords. Finding that when I’m playing it through a PA it sounds a bit crap and the sustain is poor - sounds great acoustically though and rings nicely. This does not change based on how new the strings are. I use Newtone 12’s in phosphor bronze. Wondering if an active DI box that I can twiddle with would help? If so, any recommendations?
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Mar 28, 2024 13:54:58 GMT
I'm talking live bass playing here, but it may help... First off I would talk to the sound man and get him on board - he's probably only used to four chord plectrum strummers these days. A pint usually helps. If that doesn't work then by all means get yourself an active DI box (I used to use Tech 21 stuff), set it up yourself to the sound you want then give the output lead to the sound guy, tell him with a smile to set that channel FLAT and on no account change anything except his volume knob. It was the only way that I was able to get the bass sound that our band wanted in the last 20 years of my live playing career. Hands over to others on which DI box would be most suitable in this case....
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Post by littlebobby on Mar 28, 2024 13:56:10 GMT
I'm talking live bass playing here, but it may help... First off I would talk to the sound man and get him on board - he's probably only used to four chord plectrum strummers these days. A pint usually helps. If that doesn't work then by all means get yourself an active DI box (I used to use Tech 21 stuff), set it up yourself to the sound you want then give the output lead to the sound guy, tell him with a smile to set that channel FLAT and on no account change anything except his volume knob. It was the only way that I was able to get the bass sound that our band wanted in the last 20 years of my live playing career. Thanks man.
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 28, 2024 13:56:47 GMT
Here you go. No contest, this is the best acoustic and resonator guitar tool around. I have three of these units. www.fishman.com/portfolio/platinum-pro-eq-di-analog-preampPLATINUM PRO EQ/DI ANALOG PREAMP All-analog universal instrument preamp and DI 17-volt, high-headroom, discrete class-a preamp 5-band tone control with sweep-mid and low frequency filter 2 eq modes: guitar (universal) or bass Volume boost switch Integrated chromatic tuner One-knob compressor Shine On Michael
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DI boxes
Mar 28, 2024 14:56:28 GMT
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Post by littlebobby on Mar 28, 2024 14:56:28 GMT
Here you go. No contest, this is the best acoustic and resonator guitar tool around. I have three of these units. www.fishman.com/portfolio/platinum-pro-eq-di-analog-preampPLATINUM PRO EQ/DI ANALOG PREAMP All-analog universal instrument preamp and DI 17-volt, high-headroom, discrete class-a preamp 5-band tone control with sweep-mid and low frequency filter 2 eq modes: guitar (universal) or bass Volume boost switch Integrated chromatic tuner One-knob compressor Shine On Michael Lush. Thanks. I’ll be scouring the second hand market. Looks perfect.
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 28, 2024 15:00:14 GMT
It is not the cheapest box of tricks around, but it is the best.
I have seen them turn up second hand on Reverb and eBay.
Shine On Michael
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DI boxes
Mar 28, 2024 15:11:06 GMT
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Post by littlebobby on Mar 28, 2024 15:11:06 GMT
It is not the cheapest box of tricks around, but it is the best. I have seen them turn up second hand on Reverb and eBay. Shine On Michael They ain’t cheap but you gets what you pays for. already saved into my search accounts
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Post by snakehips on Mar 28, 2024 15:33:26 GMT
Hi there ! I'm not sure where you are based (if in the UK or not) - but if in the UK, you should really consider the Orchid Electronics Acoustic Preamp : orchid-electronics.co.uk/acoustic.htmWhen the Highlander pickup's internal preamps failed in some of my reso guitars, I wired the pickups directly to mono jack sockets, and used the Orchid Electronics preamp instead and got a fab sound. It is powered from Phantom Power, so no need 9V batteries are ever needed. Brand new, they are £200. It's probably bigger & heavier than that Fishman preamp BUT it's cheaper, built like a tank, the controls are EASY to use AND there's a Mute button (very silent switching on & off). The photo used on Orchid Electronics' website is an old one. I think they are usually black in colour these days - the one I have, is black, and the clamp that comes with it to attach it to a mic stand (or wherever you want) is less DIY-looking than the one pictured. As I play both guitars & piano in my trio band, I would clamp the preamp onto a leg of my keyboard stand, so it was a bit more out-of-sight (from the audience), under my keyboard, but easy for me to see and use. Great quality piece of kit and un-complicated to use.
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 28, 2024 16:07:21 GMT
I am not going to gert into a "mine's better than yours", but I can assure you that having used the Orchid, the Fishman Platinum pro is in a different league with the features it offers and the quality of sound you get. That is why so many players are using them. It's only £60 more expensive, which is not too serious.
Shine On Michael
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Post by archtopeddy on Mar 28, 2024 16:15:26 GMT
Interesting info about the Fishman Platinum. How well does it work with other non-resonator guitars, such as wooden parlor or 12 strings?
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DI boxes
Mar 28, 2024 16:37:27 GMT
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Post by littlebobby on Mar 28, 2024 16:37:27 GMT
Interesting info about the Fishman Platinum. How well does it work with other non-resonator guitars, such as wooden parlor or 12 strings? Parlour acoustic is what I’m looking to use one for.
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 28, 2024 20:30:53 GMT
Interesting info about the Fishman Platinum. How well does it work with other non-resonator guitars, such as wooden parlor or 12 strings? It is fantastic with acoustic guitars, that is what it was designed for. Regarding its use with National & Dobro guitars it has transformed my life. After 45 years of using SM57s and rarely using the Highlander and McIntire pickups that are fitted in my guitars, for the past 18 months I have been using the Fishman and it's amazing. Nothing else I have ever used gives the control and accuracy to dial in the realistic true sound of the guitar that I want. The features it has, such as the notch filter, frequency filter, phase choice switch, compressor and EQ. Plus the ability to set a volume for soloing, DI into the PA with no phantom power...etc etc... Every venue and festival stage I have played since I started using them has been just exactly right for both me and the sound crew. A few times I have been asked by knowledgeable people (good players) "where is the mic?" Here is a clip filmed on an audience member's phone from a gig we did in February in a small venue to around 80 people. We just used a small house PA with very basic controls and the guitar sound speaks for itself. It does not sound processed, it sounds like it's coming from a mic, not a DI. Through a proper PA rig it is even more controllable and true sounding. The guitar is a Fine Resophonic Dobro with a first generation McIntire pickup fitted onto one of the spider legs. Shine On Michael
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Post by mitchfit on Mar 28, 2024 22:23:04 GMT
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 29, 2024 7:56:29 GMT
While Mitchfit says that he knows very little about venue amplification, he absolutely nailed it with what he said about the Fishman unit.....
notice MM's suggestion does have a mid frequency fine adjustment knob and a notch filter to keep the feedback dogs at bay. you will notice a substantial increase in >usable< headroom when these are dialed in correctly. add to that the onboard compression, which will also attenuate feedback loops by "flattening" out volume wave peaks. note onboard tuner and phase switch too.
With notch filter and fine adjustment, feedback can be dialled out in seconds. It is so easy to pinpoint the frequency causing the problem and remove it.
I just ask the sound engineer to set everything flat and just give me the basic volume, the rest I take care of myself, even volume boosts for soloing or just needing more volume as I use the boost switch.. If you go into the PA with a jack to jack, rather than XLR like I do, you can also take total control of the volume. It's a magical box of tricks.
Shine On Michael
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DI boxes
Mar 29, 2024 12:35:37 GMT
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Post by snakehips on Mar 29, 2024 12:35:37 GMT
Hi Michael,
I mentioned the Orchid Electronics acoustic preamp as it’s hood but not too expensive- but also, it’s not overly complicated to use.
Can the preamp you use be powered by Phantom Power, or do you have to use 9V batteries? I had a good look at the preamp’s website page but couldn’t determine if it can be Phantom powered or not.
Lastly, I was confused on one of your last comments :
“If you go into the PA with a jack to jack, rather than XLR like I do, you can also take total control of the volume.”
Do you plug in with a jack or an XLR ?
Thanks
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