If you have a pickup-equipped acoustic guitar and wishes to perform live, there are things you need to consider when you perform live. Anyone who plays an acoustic guitar on stage knows that it is a challenge to get a sound that’s as inspiring as playing the instrument acoustically. Here are some tips for you.
- Plug Straight into the PA
This is the simplest and most cost-effective way to amplify your sound – simply plug into the PA system provided by the venue. You don’t require any extra gear beyond your guitar, your cable and your sweet self. But this is also the most sonically fraught and unpredictable method because it leaves you utterly at the mercy of the PA. This may create inconsistent sound that is beyond your control, and you are at the mercy of venue equipment and sound person (if there’s even a sound person!).
- Using a Preamp/DI pedal
If your pickup doesn’t have an integrated preamp, consider using an external preamp. A preamp shapes and boosts the signal from your pickup, providing better control over your tone.
Putting a preamp pedal between your guitar and this familiar PA system will then afford you a lot more control over the sound of your guitar before it hits the PA.
Here are some good examples:
BOSS AD-10 Acoustic Preamp, which incorporates stage-ready features like compressor and feedback reduction along with handy effects like chorus, delay, and reverb – and even options to enhance your performance like an in-built looper.
Fishman Platinum Pro EQ DI Analog Preamp Pedal
This piece of gear has Balanced XLR out with Pre/Post EQ Switch, Footswitchable Boost with Level Control, DI with Onboard Compression, Acoustic Guitar Preamp and Phase Control.
3. Using a Acoustic Guitar Amplifier
Acoustic guitar amplifiers are designed to reproduce the natural sound of your guitar. Look for an amplifier with features like EQ controls, effects (if desired), and an input for microphones.
Here are some examples:
Fishman Loudbox Artist BT 120-Watt 1×8 Inches Acoustic Combo Amp with Tweeter Bluetooth
This features 2-channel Acoustic Guitar/Vocal Amplifier with Bluetooth Connectivity, Feedback Suppression, Built-in Effects, Phantom Power and Effects Loop.
Boss Acoustic Singer Pro 120-Watt Bi-Amp Acoustic Combo with FX
This is an acoustic amplifier with premium sound and features, Harmony function automatically creates smooth and accurate vocal harmonies via real-time key/chord analysis of the guitar input, Dual channels with discrete analog input electronics and three-band EQ, Dedicated guitar channel with Acoustic Resonance to restore natural tone to stage guitars with piezo pickups.
So, now you will need to make a decision, how will you amplify your sound live? It is best to start experimenting to find out what works best for you.
Enter the 21st Annual IAMA (International Acoustic Music Awards), see: https://inacoustic.com/enter-here/
