Fishman Aura Spectrum Users..Like it or not ??

[Blazes]

Having plenty of acoustic gigs comin ,I m thinking about purchase a Fishman Aura Spectrum D.I...

I haven t found much reviews on the subject so I d like to read on you guys goods and bads about this box..

Thanks guys!

[williamsdbrian]

I've been debating this versus the LR Baggs Venue. Someone fill us in...

[JSeth]

You might want to check into the Acoustic Guitar Forum for more info and hands-on experiences... it's ALL about acoustic guitars there, well, 90% anyway...

I've heard a lot of positive responses about the Aura there... don't have any personal knowledge about it, though...

[78deluxe]

I use the original Aura.

http://www.fishman.com/products/view/aura-imaging-blender-discontinued



In mine it has separate EQs for the Aura your Guitar Pickup. Not sure if the Spectrum has that ability.

As for the original, which I assume is basically the same thing as the spectrum...I love it. BUT I have a patch that is based on the exact same model guitar AND same pickup I use. Finding the perfect match is KEY to great sound with the device.

They used to have a web site with every patch they had. I'd email Fishman to see if they can give you a list of the Guitars and the Pickups used for each patch.

[gtrnstuff]

I use an Aura pedal with USB and downloaded some images from Fishman to match my two acoustics with pickups.
It's a cool effect. It does take some of the harsh quack out of the piezo undersaddle.
I dial in about 30 or 40% image, more and it starts sounding phasey and weird.

Much easier than dealing with internal mics, blending, feedback, etc.

[jbd3]

I use an Aura pedal with USB and downloaded some images from Fishman to match my two acoustics with pickups.
It's a cool effect. It does take some of the harsh quack out of the piezo undersaddle.
I dial in about 30 or 40% image, more and it starts sounding phasey and weird.

Much easier than dealing with internal mics, blending, feedback, etc.

So is the Fishman Aura designed to be used primarily with an undersaddle piezo pickup? I've got a K&K Western p'up in my Martin and I made the mistake of plugging right from the guitar into the DI at a show and it sounded dreadful.

[southpaw pete]

I use the Aura sixteen and really love what it does to my sound. Currently I run it through an LR Baggs PADI and it works beautifully - the Spectrum wasn't out when I bought the setup, otherwise I probably would have gone that route.

A few things to keep in mind with the Aura:
Like 78 Deluxe mentioned, it isn't a modeler, so don't expect it to make a jumbo sound like a parlor guitar. It is designed to make your guitar sound more like your guitar, only mic'd. So, for the best results IMO, you want to look through the "images" of the different guitars they have, and find a guitar that most matches the one you play (model if possible, woods and body style...).
Also, for performing live, they recommend (and I agree) to set the "image" to around 40-50%. That adds just enough depth and air to your sound, while still being able to cut through the mix.

I've been using the Aura for quite a while, and the other night I was going to be just playing a little, and didn't feel like bringing my acoustic board, so I just ran through my LR Baggs PADI. Yeah, it wasn't "bad", but I was really reminded of how much I enjoy using the Aura.

[southpaw pete]

So is the Fishman Aura designed to be used primarily with an undersaddle piezo pickup? I've got a K&K Western p'up in my Martin and I made the mistake of plugging right from the guitar into the DI at a show and it sounded dreadful.

Yeah, it works best with an undersaddle piezo pickup. And if it is dialed in to an image of a model that doesn't fit your specific guitar, it can definitely sound dreadful.
I imagine the K&K would sound nice on it's though.

If I were looking for something like the Aura to use with your setup, I'd track down a (now discontinued) Yamaha AG Stomp. It does an amazing job of helping an acoustic sound more "mic'd" and isn't as specific and picky as the Aura about the guitar you are using.

[southbeck]

Love it! But you really need to try all the images to find the best for your guitar. When you do it's fantastic.

[Gearaddict]

I bought the aura spectrum DI with a Martin acoustic. I only used it once, but LOVED what it did for the piezo in the Martin. I didn't download any and used the stock settings. Worth every penny if you have an underssddl piezo pickup. I returned the guitar and bought one with a built in aura spectrum collaboration between Martin and Fishman. So the DI is going back cause the new guitar has it built in.

Now I'm in a conundrum with my other O00 Martin. Do I put the aftermarket aura soundhole system in? Looks like a possibility, but no eq. Might go with a piezoelectricity and the 16 aura DI which is 100 less than the spectrum. Whatever I go with it will be an aura system. The spectrum DI has everything you'd need in a good preamp for a piezo application.

[darkwave]

I'm experimenting with an Aura pedal which I upgraded to have access to the online images. I use it with several guitars, but only one of them has a traditional undersaddle piezo:

fretless nylon with undersaddle piezo
metal body resonator with Schaller Oyster mounded under the biscuit
Eastman archtop with K&K pure Archtop pickup
Parker Fly Deluxe
Heritage H150 with Baggs piezo


I also have a dreadnaught with a Fishman rare earth ready to go in, but have no experience with it yet.

None of these setups are the ideal for the Aura, but I get some benefit in each case. It adds air to the sound, but also makes the thump and attack sound better in each case. I did a lot of experimentation to find the best images to use, which takes some time. A few are a bit too bright, and there is a "phaseyness" to some tones, but it is my best setup yet. I used a Boss AD-5 before which is very close, and a bit more versatile in what it can control, but I'm happy for now focusing in on the Aura alone.

Take note that the Aura isn't happiest with body-sensitive sound sources (K&K and Baggs M1) so you may get some occasional audio anomolies. Also, input impedance is not ideal for the K&K, so I will modify a cable eventually with a resistor to make it match better.

-Douglas C.