Thoughts about my new K&K Pure Western Mini
DanielleOM
These thoughts are coming from some one that has never had a pickup in a
flat top acoustic guitar before.
The pick up was installed in my 000 / OM size Eastman archback guitar, a
maple bodied carved back guitar, with a flat spruce top.
When I picked it up the store plugged it directly into a Schertler amp and I
thought it sounded pretty good. At home I have tried it directly into a
Zoom G2.1 pedal and also into my Motu Ultralight PC interface. I somehow
seem less impressed by it than it sounded at the store.
I have brought it three different open mike venues where it was plugged
directly into mixer line inputs. In each case sound was very different but
in no way did it come close to the nice acoustic sound I recall from the
Schertler amp at the store.
Tomorrow a friend said he would bring his Baggs interface to an open mike to
see how that works.
Starting to wonder if this is worth the effort. It seems sound people
really need to work hard to screw up the sound from my Eastman archtop
electromagnetic pickup.
The quest continues.
I recall an article on the weekend I read where they stated the maturing
artist uses less tools as they define what they want.
Danielle
Les Cargill
You did not say you bought an onboard preamp to go with the pickup. I
will assume you did not.
You are critically dependent on what you plug in to. When I got a K&K,
I bought the preamp to go with it. Try the Baggs, then try various
preamps and active DI boxes. A peizo pickup wants a very high input
impedance to drive.I will bet that my very modestly priced Samson
active DI box would give you much greater consistency.
I once played with a fiddler who used a pickup, and we got nothing but
"screech". One buffer box later, he sounded great.
--
Les Cargill
hank alrich
If the K&K goes into a regular circa-10K - 20K cheapie console line
input, it will not sound much good at all. Into a regular guitar or
other instrument amp, whether or not intended for acoustic
instrument(s), it will sound much better.
Further, there are some horrible DI boxes out there. I'd happily
recommend the Red-Eye, again, except that they are temporarily
unavailable. I'll holler when they start to flow again. So far it's the
best instrument pre I've found. It still doesn't exactly sound like the
Schoeps, but I don't expect that.
--
ha
shut up and play your guitar
http://www.armadillomusicproductions.com/CarryMeHome.htm
http://hankalrich.com/
Les Cargill
This is one reason I was specific about the Samson. It sports
a > 1 Mohm input impedance.
> I'd happily
> recommend the Red-Eye, again, except that they are temporarily
> unavailable. I'll holler when they start to flow again. So far it's the
> best instrument pre I've found. It still doesn't exactly sound like the
> Schoeps, but I don't expect that.
>
--
Les Cargill
don hindenach
Anything else is wayyy more complicated than the K&K system.
*Every* pickup needs to be interfaced correctly.
You need a preamp. The only pickups that don't need a preamp for
general-purpose use are ones that have a preamp already built in.
The good news is that $100 to $200 can buy a Very Good Preamp (perhaps, if you
are lucky, even the Best), even tho there are ffolks that would prefer to sell
you ones that cost over $2000.00.
--
-donh-
donh at audiosys dot com
Misifus
K&K makes an external preamp/DI which is, not surprisingly, well suited
for their pickups. Several other makers have perfectly adequate
preamps, the Baggs PADI is one example. (I'm not familiar with the
Samson, but it might bear looking into) Any of these would insure more
uniform output from the various sound systems and amps you've used.
-Raf
--
Misifus-
Rafael Seibert
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rafiii
home: http://www.rafandsioux.com
rayboyce
>> You are critically dependent on what you plug in to. When I got a K&K,
>> I bought the preamp to go with it. Try the Baggs, then try various
>> preamps and active DI boxes. A peizo pickup wants a very high input
>> impedance to drive.I will bet that my very modestly priced Samson
>> active DI box would give you much greater consistency.
>>
>> I once played with a fiddler who used a pickup, and we got nothing but
>> "screech". One buffer box later, he sounded great.
>>
>> --
>> Les Cargill
>
> If the K&K goes into a regular circa-10K - 20K cheapie console line
> input, it will not sound much good at all. Into a regular guitar or
> other instrument amp, whether or not intended for acoustic
> instrument(s), it will sound much better.
>
> Further, there are some horrible DI boxes out there. I'd happily
> recommend the Red-Eye, again, except that they are temporarily
> unavailable. I'll holler when they start to flow again. So far it's the
> best instrument pre I've found. It still doesn't exactly sound like the
> Schoeps, but I don't expect that.
>
> --
> ha
No, not nearly the wow factor of an SD or even an LD side-address condenser
mic, but IME it behaves much better on a live stage, particularly in a
reverberant room or frequently quick-changing instruments with different
hotspots.
Danielle,
I used to do audio often, for plenty of large shows, but nowadays am in it
for fun. I enjoy it more and make far better money in my engineering day job
after 22 years. These days, I mix 40-50 open mics and another ~15-20
multi-act "acoustic" paying performance gigs yearly.
IME, Hank is spot on. The instrument level of a passive p/u feeding a line
level (designed for headroom to accomodate a keyboard or +4 line source)
mixer input is definitely not ideal. K&K is better than most of the rest at
providing stronger signal, but still not even close to optimal.
I havent tried the redeye, but I trust Hank's judgement. The best
all-arounds that I've used alot of are Countryman Active DI's, BSS DI's
(both have active gain leveling built into the circuitry), and the Baggs
Para, but it's always surest to get what's made to interface with the pickup
on your guitar....
My most universally trouble free welcomed setup with a proper preamp inline
is K&K, also the best sounding IMO.... At least until you get into the
really hi-end rack gear. There are others that can sound very good, with
proper pre's, such as B-Band, LR Baggs Dual, Highlander, McIntyre, & PUTW.
In this case, based on what you already have, the K&K Pure XLR pre is one
extremely stable option, but perhaps a more open-mic friendly setup is the
KK beltclip. That way, you're ready for the standard quarter inch, if the
venue's mixer is shy of mic inputs.
Equipped this way, I'm pretty sure you'll like it. You'll likely find that
if you have proper gain structure, this is quite fat enough, and cleaner
than any mag setup, for purity... Even if not as historically authentic or
responsive for the grit-n-growl bottom of a good mag p/u for the blues or
ragtime type stuff.
Hope this helps,
~ray
PS-I'd love to have one of those arch back Eastmans for a gig rig.
Madgamer
up. Here in the states my own choice is any amp by a company called
Ultrasound.
Larry A
Mike Brown
The Schertler that Danielle used in the shop is a pretty good amp IMHO.
That's probably why she liked the sound and hasn't been very happy with
anything else yet.
MJRB
Misifus
>
>
> K&K makes an external preamp/DI which is, not surprisingly, well suited
> for their pickups. Several other makers have perfectly adequate
> preamps, the Baggs PADI is one example. (I'm not familiar with the
> Samson, but it might bear looking into) Any of these would insure more
> uniform output from the various sound systems and amps you've used.
>
> -Raf
>
I looked at the Samson, and it's an interesting unit. The input
impedance is just right for the K&K and looks like it might be just the
ticket. The price is certainly reasonable. There is, however, one big
drawback compared to some of the other preamps, it doesn't run on
phantom power nor on batteries. It's got to have A/C power. For
gigging, that would be a big drawback to me.
Sikora Family
I just ordered a K&K beltclip from Shoreline Music for $40. Open box
clearance special. I will report back when it arrives, but, given their
reputation, Shoreline would not sell it if it were not usable.
Charlie (bargain hunter) Sikora :)
--
It's not dating advice, but take out "pam" to reply.
JD
I have one, it works well enough. My only gripe is
the ergonomics. If I could rig it so it was easier
to adjust I'd like it more. Maybe on the strap?
Tony Done
"DanielleOM" <danie...@reply.to.group.com> wrote in message
news:heho9t$rf7$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
I will just add my support to what has been said, you have to find the right
combination of preamp/buffer and amp to suit the piezo and give the tone you
want. The Schertler may have a very high impedance input specifically
designed for unbuffered piezo input, and that would have contributed to the
good sound. Isn't the Zoom an electric guitar multiFX? If so you can't
expect it have work well with a piezo, because for two possible reasons, too
low input impedance and an EQ that won't take out all the unwanted top end
of a piezo.
--
Tony D
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=784456
http://www.flickr.com/photos/done_family/
Ed Edelenbos
"Tony Done" <tony...@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:ztfPm.57500$ze1....@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
The K&K's have very little of the characteristics of most piezo pickups
(esp. passive under saddle units.) Actually, they sound pretty good going
straight into many electric guitar amps. Something about the 3 elements in
parallel really makes them work well. That said, they do sound especially
good (even without a preamp) going into amps like the Schertler, Ultrasound,
etc. designed for amped acoustic instruments. There is a big difference
between the sound one would expect from a coil pickup on an archtop and an
acoustic guitar... or at least there is for me.
Ed
Misifus
I seem to recall that this has been discussed in detail before. The
K&K, as I recall, performs best into a 1 meg input impedance. Many
boards and amps have much lower impedance, and that had a large negative
impact on the sound of the pickup. However, some popular preamps (PADIs
among them) have a much higher impedance, >10meg, and that has an
impact, too. Although, the higher impedance devices don't sound nearly
as bad with the K&K as the low impedance devices do. Kudging the
impedance down to the 1 meg range has a subtle, but definite effect on
the tone which I prefer.
A lot of folks play their K&Ks through PADI's and other high impedance
preamps with no problem and the sound isn't bad at all. In fact, it's
pretty darned good. It's just that somebody here a few years back
recommended putting a 1 megohm resister in parallel with the input of
the PADI to improve the tone of the K&K/PADI combination. That was such
a simple fix (I went to Radio Shack and cobbled up an impedance matching
device in about 5 minutes for $8) that I couldn't resist trying it. I
like the result, but, as I said, it's not a big difference.
This may all be much ado about nothing, but I thought I'd mention it for
the benefit of anyone who wanted to try it.
DanielleOM
"Tony Done" <tony...@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:ztfPm.57500$ze1....@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
I actually had tried the zoom with the tone controls in the off (bypassed)
position and listening through headphones.
Input inpedance on the Zoom G2.1U is 1 Meg.
"?Input: 1/4" phone jack(Rated input level: -20dBm, Input impedance: 1M?)"
Danielle
Tony Done
1M input should be OK. Piezos need a lot of EQing to eliminate the very high
frequencies that they produce. Even the basic preamps like the Martin Matrix
do this.
I prefer soundhole pickups these days for after-market installation. My
homemade ones are just basic electric types, balanced for acoustic strings,
and I like the smoother sound they give. I also have a Baggs M1 Active
soundhole pickup that behaves a lot like a piezo. It has a lot of top end,
so I installed a small switch the allows two degrees of treble cut plus
bypass.
Tony D
Steve Hawkins
I think you're generalizing too much about piezo technology. I haven't
found the K&K to exhibit any of the undesireable characteristics you're
describing. Most preamps and acoustic amps were originally designed for
for the early Fishman and Baggs offerings, with input impedances of 10
Meg ohms. I almost always will go directly into an acoustic amp with the
K&K if the cable length is less than 20 feet. The usual result of the
mismatch is an emphasized low end which, at the most, requires a small
tweak on the bass EQ. I've also run a K&K directly through an active
direct box into a PA system with the EQ set flat with no problems. Even
when I use the Pure Preamp, the EQ is set flat, unless I'm playing the
Baritone.
All piezos are not created equal. The output of the K&K is just one
proof of that.
Steve Hawkins
Tony Done
"Steve Hawkins" <res0...@verizon.netREMOVETHIS> wrote in message
news:Xns9CCF2B483B2Dr...@188.40.43.245...
Yeah, I can't argue with any of that as I have never used a K&K. I'm quite
happy to accept your advice that I'm barking up the wrong tree, but I remain
deeply suspicious of the merits of any piezo that isn't accompanied by a
well matched buffer/preamp. I have used the Schatten bug type piezos in a
few applications, and a Baggs reso pickup. I found that they need a preamp
to get a sound I like, so my experience isn't limited entirely to USTs.
There is also the question of our preferences in amplified sounds - as I
mentioned earlier in this thread, I tend to go for smoother electric-type
sounds than many acoustic players.
<g> I can't pass up the chance of a bit of in-context promo. The tune "Hard
time playing this" on the Soundclick site in my sig was done on my old
National Style O fitted with a magnetic pickup I made myself, straight into
a Fender Blues Deluxe amp. I think it yields a nice balance between acoustic
and electric tones.
DanielleOM
"Steve Hawkins" <res0...@verizon.netREMOVETHIS> wrote in message
news:Xns9CCF2B483B2Dr...@188.40.43.245...
I am thinking that I want to keep things small and simple bearing in mind
that at open mikes people generally hand you a 1/4" instrument plug to
connect to. It seems a lot of them are using those low cost mixers where
there a lot more 1/4" line inputs than XLR inputs.
(Conversely for my own rig, I have 8 XLR inputs.
Danielle
Steve Hawkins
news:hem8rf$hua$1...@news.eternal-september.org:
ahhh, open mics. Get there early and talk to the sound person; you might
be able to talk them into a sound check. If not, find out how they
handle acoustic guitars and pay close attention to how other players
sound. If the mixer is on-stage, 1/4" is fine, but if you're plugging
into a snake box ask for a DI or bring your own.
At open mics, you can hope for the best, but you'll have to accpet what
you get. I always take a 10 ft. 1/4" cable and my preamp/DI to an open
mic. They fit nicely in the accessories compartment of the guitar case.
Steve Hawkins
rayboyce
Danielle,
Steve's the guy whose guitar I first heard with K&K... Some years ago, where
I changed over for all my future p/u's over and haven't looked back. I know
others, same result.
Yes you're right, open mic venues have limited gear/facilities. I never
setup/use any of my own rigs for ones I run, that would be like working the
audio company again, too many gigs, don't have time or interest to work that
hard for somebody else. One venue I work (the biggest acoustic open mic in
Seattle no less) has a racktop mixer with only 4 xlr's with phantom, +4
without phantom power and one of those is iffy. That's why I suggested the
KK Pure beltclip. The XLR Pure is a better tool itself, as it works to a
true mic level DI. But the beltclip is more convenient for open mics as you
are setup at Tuning time, to walk on stage ready for the 1/4 " plug, with
your pre in your pocket or on the guitar strap.
As Steve said, set it flat... The system lives up its name, and sounds
great.
The problem with the 1/4 " inputs on small-format mixers themselves, is that
their circuitry is set up with enough headroom to handle line-level active
signals, and signal going direct from the KK PWM is only ~1/3 what it should
be for that.
rayboyce
"Misifus" <rafse...@att.net> wrote in message
news:7n5fsbF...@mid.individual.net...
No, not all about nothing, Raf, but there needs to be some clarity.
It's your sound experience, your signal path, and I have no doubt that
changing a component in the signal path sounded better for you and/or
others.
However, assuming that the perceived improvement in that setup, was just
because the spec'd impedance was decreased, that's different.
Engineering-wise, as long as you have ENOUGH impedance ratio driver to drive
an input (at least 1:10, better to be 1:100 for dynamics in music)
lowering/raising input impedance itself shouldn't affect tone.
Once there is enough impedance at the input, sound level and quality is
colored by other things.
It's very appropriate to liken this to a 1kw generator verses a 10kw
generator. Which one can drive a 100 watt light bulb better, to more light?
(Neither, the bulb takes what it needs from either).
Your pickup is the generator and your input buffer amp on the mixer or pre
is the lightbulb.... Once your p/u feeds an input load it's capable of
driving properly (of hi enough impedance ratio), impedance isn't in the
equation anymore.
After that, tone is determined by other components, such as gain structure
(voltage) in the signal path.
JD
The K&K belt clip comes with an XLR out as well.
In the interest of convenience and most common
usage I have the 1/4" TS out version Semms to work
OK. Ray's heard and mixed it, he could tell you
what it's like. My gearheadedness doesn't dig very
deep into the electronic side of the disease.
don hindenach
That was my understanding of the situation until I made a variable-impedance
input and plugged in a couple different piezo-based pickups. I didn't make up
pictures and charts, but all who listened (all three of us!) could hear the
lower bass-response increase with the increased input impedance (as I remember,
I could vary it from about 40k to 11meg) and reduce with a lower impedance. One
to Two meg was flattest-sounding for the K&K, and five to ten with the PUTW.
If you go far enough into the therory of all this, I think you'll find that the
capacitive nature of the piezo elements will hold the answer to this behavior.
Tony Done
wrote:
> "Steve Hawkins" <res0p...@verizon.netREMOVETHIS> wrote in message
>
> news:Xns9CCF2B483B2Dr...@188.40.43.245...
>
>
>
>
>
> > "Tony Done" <tonyd...@bigpond.com> wrote in
> >news:5UlPm.57603$ze1....@news-server.bigpond.net.au:
>
> >> "DanielleOM" <daniell...@reply.to.group.com> wrote in message
> >>news:hekou7$vi3$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
>
> >>> "Tony Done" <tonyd...@bigpond.com> wrote in message
> >>>news:ztfPm.57500$ze1....@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
>
> >>>> "DanielleOM" <daniell...@reply.to.group.com> wrote in message
>
> - Show quoted text -
The Baggs Gigpro might be worth a look, it is a versatile preamp small
enough to attach to your belt or guitar strap:
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/LR-Baggs-Gigpro-Acoustic-Guitar-Preamp?sku=307107
http://www.aampselectricguitarstore.com/lrbaggs_pickups/lr_baggs_gigpro.html
I had the Mixpro version for a while and it worked very well.
Tony D
rayboyce
"don hindenach" <bounc...@driveway.splort> wrote in message
news:ZGh26eEmFvyP-pn2-lV0JdruHPSY4@ddon...
ok Don, you know youre my bud, but youre making me break out the
techno-babble
40k would be far too low for any piezo setup, even the kk config/impedance
of 3 elements in parallel. and yes above 10 meg would be approaching
"added" bass, as far as capacitive reactance.
But trust me, IRL, I've mixed 2 same make/model guitars, partners, same
strings, side by side, similar players, that each went back/forth between
lead and rhythm, on a pro stage. Both had KK-PWM's and both instruments
sounded virtually identical unplugged.
because of availability in my "tool box" that day, one went thru a
countryman type 85 (10meg), the other thru k&k pure xlr (1meg), set flat,
dead middle on everything at the box.
Board eq wound up as basically flat, except:
I VERY slightly could tell and very slightly preferred the K&K tone... and
slightly tweaked (less than -2db) the countryman down on lower bass, and
down a feather on the gain from where the K&K DI box was set.
After that, you could turn around blind to the stage and couldn't tell who
was playing what line through which input.
However take note: using a KK wherever I use the Countryman simply won't
work.
So I'll say again:
From my knothole, from a ton of opportunity to hear/use, match the pre to
the pickup manufacturer for best results. With K&K PWM, choose something
with slightly higher INPimp (IF) you think you might need all around
versatility/headroom for other quality instruments someday. Difference is
negligible. For the all-around, I prefer Countryman as long as phantom
power is quality.
PS-Radial's new DI Tonebone PZ has 10meg and I'm itching to hear it and turn
some knobs on it.
rayboyce
"rayboyce" <nospamraymond...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:hemoom$78g$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/305339.html?gclid=COq-w83EqZ4CFSUsawod2ia4lg
(FWIW I've had/used 4 of them for ~ 15 years, in virtually every setting you
could imagine. I've never had a situation they wouldn't fill better than
most every other choice I had available)
http://kksound.com/preamps.html
(FWIW I own and use the Pure XLR with my KK-PWM equipped instruments. I have
mixed from the pure beltclip model a bunch, as a soundguy, but I have
complete confidence of no probs if I have only have the Countryman DI s
along... Great online source for KK if you don't have a good local is
Shoreline Music)
Ed Edelenbos
"Tony Done" <tony...@bigpond.com> wrote in message
news:0a54b34f-f9e2-4fe2...@j9g2000prh.googlegroups.com...
Or the K&K XLR preamp designed for this pickup. But it (and the K&K pickup)
are only useful if you want the output to sound like an acoustic guitar. If
you want an electric guitar sound, there are better options.
Ed
Tony Done
"Ed Edelenbos" <ed...@spookeasy.net> wrote in message
news:7n8oniF...@mid.individual.net...
According to the blurb the Gigpro has similar characteristics to the PADI,
so for those who like the PADI, the Gigpro my be a good mini-option. I can't
recall the details, but the Mixpro version has internal switching options to
make it suitable for many kinds of pickup, eg piezo, magnetic and phantom
power for mics. Magnetics are easy, you can just plug them straight into an
electric guitar amp.
Tony D
kol_isha
enough to attach to your belt or guitar strap:
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/LR-Baggs-Gigpro-Acoustic-Guitar-Preamp?sku=307107
http://www.aampselectricguitarstore.com/lrbaggs_pickups/lr_baggs_gigpro.html
Tony D
Hmmm.... I have not followed most of this discussion because it's pretty
much a foreign language to me. I do have a passive pick-up in my guitar. I
do play at open mics. I have not generally had a problem (I can hear my
guitar just fine, nobody has complained that they cannot hear my guitar).
And... I do have one of these things. It looks exactly like in the photo.
It was Steve's. I have never used it, and I have no idea what to do with
it, really. The top looks exactly like the photo shows. Pretty obvious
what to do... volume controls, etc. The bottom has an "in" and an "out"
jack... for, what? Guitar cables? Two of them? I assume one (which?) goes
into the mixer... where does the other end go? It also has two other
buttons on the bottom... a red push button (invert) and a little black dial
(gain). What would those be for? Would this thing be something I should
try using? Would it make my guitar sound better at open mics? What is the
purpose of it?
--
Best,
Arlene
--------------------------------------
"Kol_Isha" - A Woman's Voice
kol_isha
"kol_isha" <kol_ishaR...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:hesg10$jds$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
Ummmm... do I get a prize for the most ignorant question of the year?
Duh!!! Of course, the other end goes into the guitar! :)
So... which end is which? (i.e. "in" and "out") And do you use just 2
standard guitar cables with it?
Arlene
Ed Edelenbos
"kol_isha" <kol_ishaR...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:hesg10$jds$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
>
Arlene, you figured out the duh question, so... the cord from the guitar
goes to the in, the out goes to the mixer. Regular guitar cords are
perfect. Gain is how much the signal at the input is made bigger. It
should be set so when you are playing your hardest, the signal doesn't
distort. The invert button can help if you are having feedback issues. The
rest are pretty evident.
Will it make your guitar sound better? My guess is, probably. Should you
use it? Are you unhappy with what your guitar sounds like now? That should
be your answer... but just to complicate things... give it a try. If
*YOU* think it makes things sound better, go for it. If you can find
someone you trust (and is tech savvy with this sort of stuff), get them to
do the adjusting and give it a listen. Maybe even listen to the difference
with them playing and see if you like it better with or without the box. If
you get a chance with your equipment at home, play with the Baggs and adjust
things to see what does what.... then again, decide if you think you need
it.
I'm sure some of the resident experts will chime in and give you better
advice but I tried.
Ed
Tony Done
Ok, the "in" is from your guitar, so if you use it on your belt, or put it
on the guitar strap, a short cable, maybe 12-18" or so is what you need. The
"out" is the longer cable that goes to your amp.
I've forgotten most of the details about the Mixpro, as it is a while since
I sold it, but the gain knob will set the range that the volume knob works
in. It is designed so that pickups with different amounts of outputs can be
accommodated by the preamp. Too much gain and you will get clipping, like an
electric guitar in overdrive, too little gain and the volume won't go high
enough to send a decent signal to the desk, or there may be relatively more
noise in the signal.
The inverter switch shifts the signal phase by 180 deg. If you are getting
feedback or odd tones, try inverting the signal, it sometimes fixes it.
This should help you sort it out, pretty simple really:
http://www.lrbaggs.com/Manuals/gigpro_manual.pdf
HTH
Tony D
Steve Daniels
compelled "kol_isha" <kol_ishaR...@hotmail.com>, to say:
> I do have a passive pick-up in my guitar.
The pre amp will make it passive aggressive.
DanielleOM
"Les Cargill" <lcarg...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:hehpt0$9cf$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
> DanielleOM wrote:
>> These thoughts are coming from some one that has never had a pickup in a
>> flat top acoustic guitar before.
>>
>> The pick up was installed in my 000 / OM size Eastman archback guitar, a
>> maple bodied carved back guitar, with a flat spruce top.
>>
>> When I picked it up the store plugged it directly into a Schertler amp
>> and I thought it sounded pretty good. At home I have tried it directly
>> into a Zoom G2.1 pedal and also into my Motu Ultralight PC interface. I
>> somehow seem less impressed by it than it sounded at the store.
>>
>> I have brought it three different open mike venues where it was plugged
>> directly into mixer line inputs. In each case sound was very different
>> but in no way did it come close to the nice acoustic sound I recall from
>> the Schertler amp at the store.
>>
>> Tomorrow a friend said he would bring his Baggs interface to an open mike
>> to see how that works.
>>
>>
>> Starting to wonder if this is worth the effort. It seems sound people
>> really need to work hard to screw up the sound from my Eastman archtop
>> electromagnetic pickup.
>>
>>
>> The quest continues.
>>
>> I recall an article on the weekend I read where they stated the maturing
>> artist uses less tools as they define what they want.
>>
>>
>> Danielle
>>
>>
>
> will assume you did not.
>
> You are critically dependent on what you plug in to. When I got a K&K,
> I bought the preamp to go with it. Try the Baggs, then try various
> preamps and active DI boxes. A peizo pickup wants a very high input
> impedance to drive.I will bet that my very modestly priced Samson
> active DI box would give you much greater consistency.
>
> I once played with a fiddler who used a pickup, and we got nothing but
> "screech". One buffer box later, he sounded great.
>
> --
> Les Cargill
I am still undecided on a preamp. I was thinking of the K&K pure preamp.
Thought it would be handy for open mike use with it's 1/4" output.
Not sure if it would help with my electromagnetic pickup archtop. The
internal gain adjustment would seem to make it dedicated to a particular
pickup once you have adjusted it.
Danielle
Les Cargill
Really? Go try them. In every town, there is usually a music
store that's less... "corporate" than others, usually run by
an old pro muso. Find them, and that will afford you the opportunity
to possibly experiment with various models of preamp.
> Not sure if it would help with my electromagnetic pickup archtop.
It might.
> The
> internal gain adjustment would seem to make it dedicated to a particular
> pickup once you have adjusted it.
>
>
Perhaps. Interestingly, the one I have has a big ( relative to the size
of the case ) slider on it. Extremely useful feature, too.
This worked out great - the luthier who mounted it for me just added
it ( after saying I needed it ). If not for that feature, I'd rather
have an external preamp.
A gain control readily accessible is pretty necessary.
>
> Danielle
>
--
Les Cargill
hank alrich
> A gain control readily accessible is pretty necessary.
I think the Red-Eye solves this for me elegantly, and differently.
--
ha
shut up and play your guitar
http://www.armadillomusicproductions.com/CarryMeHome.htm
http://hankalrich.com/
DanielleOM
"hank alrich" <walk...@nv.net> wrote in message
news:1j9xt67.6gztsl28wv6N%walk...@nv.net...
Hank
I recall you mentioning these were currently not available. Do have any
idea as to when they will be available again? (ballpark)
I really like the two volume settings and switch.
Thanks
Danielle
hank alrich
Daren has these back in production, but it's a slow process right now.
You could place an order with anybody shown as a dealer, which includes
Don Hindenach.
Daren has also designed and is delivering dual units for folks who
double, the Red-Eye Twin. But since they feed a single line, and one
switches between inputs on the Red-Eye, I'd prefer to use two separate
Red-Eyes.
These little boxes really are silly good. I've been in several sit-in
jams lately here in Austin, sometimes without my Red-Eye at hand, and
the difference between my sound through a Red-Eye, for either the McC or
the old A mando, is not at all subtle.
(And yes, I'm a dealer, too. Smalltime. But I like these things
bigtime.)
--
ha
shut up and play your guitar