Really tricky acoustic preamp question

Subject: RE: Really tricky acoustic preamp question
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 25 Jul 16 - 02:09 AM

And Richard, did you ever come up with a satisfactory permanent solution? I recently had Jon Godsland (Orchid proprietor) build me a 'special' version of his Muting DI for my pedal board which has no battery facility, but has 48v Phantom Power and 9v DC Input, which switch automatically depending on whether Phantom is present or not. Cost was exactly the same as a standard Muting DI.

Subject: RE: Really tricky acoustic preamp question
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 25 Jul 16 - 02:03 AM

Kev - I'm guessing you're also asking questions on the UMGF? I'm watching that thread with interest, but I do have to ask....why?

Subject: Acoustic preamp circuits out there!!?
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jul 16 - 03:54 PM

I'm having a go at making my own version of the K & K 3xsensor acoustic pup......;and it occurs that someone out there might be able to point me towards a decent circuit so I can build a preamp too?
It seems that the Orchid is the one to go for....any proven circuits out there??

Kev/Leeds

Subject: RE: Really tricky acoustic preamp question
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 03:03 AM

I've acquired another Passac EC100 on ebay, which will provide a temporary solution - 2 separate belt-packs to run to the stage box - while I cogitate a major purchase.

It will also give me a set of instructions for the Passac EC100 which I think has internal dip-switches to vary the input impedance.

Subject: RE: Really tricky acoustic preamp question
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 30 Jul 12 - 02:13 AM

Richard - talk to John Godsland, he can do anything you want and he will undoubtedly have a very elegant and highly effective solution (it may cost, though!).

I hope it works out.

Subject: RE: Really tricky acoustic preamp question
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 10:19 PM

Or one of these is cheaper

http://www.studiospares.com/phantom-power-supplies/studiospares-48v-phantom-psu-2-channel/invt/448550/?htxt=%2FUvRjc0xAaKk26JwgsxcsV6E2gjpK53ITJCPcypNRrR6jhjYX3SDlEUFWaOdTpLU0xVcTayKYYOc%0Aw4t9gBa9qg%3D%3D

Subject: RE: Really tricky acoustic preamp question
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 10:17 PM

I could power it with one of these:

http://www.dv247.com/microphones/samson-s-phantom-48-volt-phantom-power-supply--42527?gclid=CMmU76yqwLECFYQKfAodNE8ALw

Subject: RE: Really tricky acoustic preamp question
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 10:14 PM

I wonder if they'd do me one of those with a separate powerpack for when the desk does not have phantom.

Subject: RE: Really tricky acoustic preamp question
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 04:58 PM

How about this!
http://www.orchid-electronics.co.uk/Dual_Micro_DI.htm

Subject: RE: Really tricky acoustic preamp question
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 03:49 PM

Stan, thank you but I am NOT going to start cutting holes in the side of my lady of easy virtue. The first one I ever saw (second hand) was upstairs in Andy's in Denmark street in 1989 and it was £1800 then. They are scarcer than rockinghorse shit and I have been after one ever since.

Bozo - suggest circuits. And suitable stomp pedal cases. I want input impedance of about 10 meg, choice of phantom or battery, 2 discrete channels (no knobs except maybe gain and earth lift) and 2 mic level sends to the desk.


Primitive Tribesman (affectionate nickname on this occasion since we are above the line) thank you, that is intelligent. A twin acoustic guitar preamp from Orchid is going to be over £300 which makes me wince a bit since I am strictly an amateur even if the band is getting nice comments.

Subject: RE: Really tricky acoustic preamp question
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 02:12 PM

The Orchid gear is very high quality - if you want great quality sound and a unit built to withstand a nuclear holocaust, Orchid is as good as it gets.

I have the 'Orchid Muting DI' (the one with a muting button but without volume/EQ controls) which can be either battery or phantom-powered, and I use it when I know the PA guy and trust him. I also have the 'Orchid Acoustic Guitar Pre-Amp' (the 'sexy' one Richard referred to) which mounts on the mic stand, has volume, EQ and muting, but which is phantom only. I use that one when I want some control of volume/EQ myself. Both superb pieces of kit.

A glance at John's clients on the Orchid website should tell you all you need to know about how highly his gear is regarded.

If it was me, I'd talk to John (he's a nice guy) and get him to make me something that would fit the bill.

Subject: RE: Really tricky acoustic preamp question
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 01:17 PM

You could get out your soldering iron, find some circuits and make your own!

Subject: RE: Really tricky acoustic preamp question
From: GUEST,Stan
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 01:08 PM

Perhaps you could run to two of these;

acoustic pickup/tuner

and do a fresh install.

Subject: Really tricky acoustic preamp question
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 29 Jul 12 - 12:53 PM

I have a new toy - and my daughter must not know!

Daion THE80W (the twin neck also known as the "Lady of easy virtue") One 12-string neck, one 6 string.

It's had some vicissitudes in its life and along the way someone has fitted an undersaddle to BOTH necks, running out of a stereo endpin jack socket - which necessitates a stereo or two mono outboard preamps. Oddly the one in the 6 string neck goes through the bridgeplates in the middle so when out out the guitar it is T shaped. I've never seen one like that before.

The new LR Baggs Mixpro belt amp might do the job - but it leaves the mix to the player and sends a mono signal to the desk - so only one EQ is possible.

Orchid do a really sexy toy that you can attach to the mic stand but it is phantom only - all very well so long as the desk HAS phantom. By the time you've gone for the stereo one it's -er - NOT CHEAP.

Or I could get a couple of cheap shit Behringer ADI21s or their Artec brothers.


Thinking internally - I can't come up with a stereo endpin preamp or other internal preamp that will take two undersaddles. They all seem to be for one undersaddle and one stickon (Baggs, B-Band, and FIshman all do these). All of them send a mono mix so again only one EQ will be available.

I'm up for suggestions.