abigails_ghost's forum posts 1

I am interested in knowing the reason for your request. You indicate that your acoustic guitar has always been mic’d. Have you had issues such as feedback or mobility that have prompted you to seek an alternative solution?

In my experience, I have always found that microphones provide the most realistic acoustic tone for both recording and live performance. Notwithstanding, I have experimented with other options in my quest for tone, though sadly with limitations:

undersaddle piezo transducer = quack

microphone mounted inside the guitar's sound chamber = boom and feedback

magnetic acoustic guitar soundhole pickup = electrified acoustic tone

These options can be useful in certain recording situations, such as when using outboard effects processing. So, if pure tone is the most important factor, none of these options capture the natural sound of the unamplified acoustic guitar.

When mobility or feedback are issues complicating the use of stationary microphones and perfect reproduction of the natural acoustic tone is secondary, I use the DiMarzio Super Natural Plus magnetic soundhole pickup. I have had far greater success with this than with the factory-installed piezos and internal mics that I have used.

What I like best is that its temporary installation does not require drilling, chiseling, or other alterations to the guitar. It is easily removable and transferrable to another acoustic guitar with a circular soundhole. The integrated cord is not by any means robust, so I would be careful of tension or stepping on the cord. I would recommend plugging into a wireless system to minimize wear and tear on the cord, especially if you intend to move freely about the stage.

For me it’s mics-preamps-mixer.