Acoustic question...

[clogan98]

Anyone got some tips on using my Acoustic guitar with my Roland VS-840EX? I have a thin-line pickup inside, and I just got the Roland. I seem to have a nasty hum/buzz which I can't seem to get rid of.

Thanks folks!

[Even]

take a quick peek at a few basics first...
Check the freshness of your battery in your guitar. Verify the patch cable has good ends. and make sure the volume levels are all set at a decent (non clipping) level.

[clogan98]

No battery in the guitar, just a straight pickup. I am not even sure what kind, it's about 20 years old! Cable doesnt seem to make a difference, I have tried several good ones. Should I run the thing through an amp first?

[Hard2Hear]

You need a pre-amp, just like a mic would. There is no power coming from the thinline pickup. Also, I used to have a Martin Thinline pivkup and it was always noisy, even with a good preamp. I founf that it was installed badly. Just FYI...The best route when recording acoustic is always to use a mic or two. But if you don't have that, you can use piezo.
H2H

[clogan98]

Thanks! I will give it a try...I have a couple of decent mics, but need to get a good one for vocals...after all my reading I am convinced to get a NT1 because of price and reviews I have read. However, if I get the Rode, my budget to get a pre-amp will be limited. How about the Rolls Phantom Power Supply - or will that simply not deliver?

By the way, is it just me, or is this VS840EX awesome? I was using a Tascam mk4, damn! What an idiot I was to buy that! I mean the difference in quality and the ability to get things done easily, and the clarity!