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acoustic guitar (with pickup) into mixer


DoctorStar

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Good Evening,

 

 

In a week or so, I am helping a colleague with their DIY wedding reception. Evening entertainment is an acoustic guitar and vocal group. I am providing some basic sound reinforcement in the form of an analogue mixer (Soundcraft Spirit) and some active boxes.

 

What is best practice for acoustic guitar (with pickup) into mixer? Can 1/4" jack from guitar go straight into the top of a fader strip or would a DI box help. If the latter then I need to get a pair. If there is an option I haven't considered then I am open to that too.

 

 

Thanking you all in advance

 

DocStar

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Don't worry about it, it will be fine. Assuming you're not having a multicore or anything.

Try it before and see how it goes. Prob be ok.set the guitar about 3/4 vol then set input gain.

 

Agreed, I suspect that your mixer is going to be close to the performers, in which case, direct in with a jack lead is likely to be fine. If a long run is required, then almost definitely, use a DI box. As it's a wedding reception, you will feel embarassed if it doesn't go well, so have a soundcheck well before the event with all the kit and the performers (i.e., weeks before, not hours before, so that you can fix problems before the day).

 

The biggest impact on how the guitar will sound is likely to be the guitar itself and its player. No matter of good kit will make up for mediocre talent - I hope yours is a pro.

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Thanks folks,

 

We are meeting up a couple of days before for a sound check but I want to be prepared all ways and if a £20 DI box is considered de rigueur for acoustics then I'd get one.

 

As Alec guessed, all kit will be close together so no long runs.

 

Thanks for the link Kerry, always on the look out for good reading.

 

 

Best wishes

 

DocStar

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+1 for Alec's comment about lead length.

 

I find that a valve DI box such as the ART Tube MP makes a *massive* difference to the sound of an acoustic guitar compared to a standard active DI. I know the ART is only a cheap unit compared to some of the very fancy acoustic guitar valve pre-amps on the market but to my ears it adds warm and a nice liveliness to the sound.

 

Might be worth it if you cam borrow one. It had balanced XLR outs so good for long cable runs and no noise.

 

Behringer do one called the MIC100 which seems to be identical to the ART, although I've had unhappy experiences with that particular device.

 

Good luck.

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Realistically, it'll be fine. I've done it times without number. As long as the cable length isn't excessive, there'll be no problem. But what I would want to consider is adding some reverb both to voices and to acoustic guitar. Depending on exactly which Spirit you have, you might have FX built in, but if not then it's one effect that does make a big difference - especially if you are in a room with not so much natural reverb.
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