passive acoustic pickup question?

[dmbfan1981]

If I just install a passive pickup would my M-audio DMP-3 be ok for acting as the preamp or should I buy a DI? I know the LR BAGGS one is very nice, but only have a limited budget and wanted to get a few other guitar things I need within that budget.

Also what would be everyones suggestion of pickups? I know fishman is good, but does it really matter all that much in a passive pickup? I originally was going to get a fishman pick up and LR BAGGS direct box.

 

[Light]

If I just install a passive pickup would my M-audio DMP-3 be ok for acting as the preamp or should I buy a DI? I know the LR BAGGS one is very nice, but only have a limited budget and wanted to get a few other guitar things I need within that budget.

No, it won't. The output impedance of a piezo is extremely high, so you need something which is designed to bring that impedance down.

Better is to simple get an active pickup, or at the very least an external preamp.



Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[Whale Bone]

I have the most basic humbucking Fishman acoustic guitar pickup. I use it sometimes through a Presonus TubePre or just through a DI. It has a fairly low output, which is why I was using the preamp, but I've since realized the level is good enough for live use with just the DI.

It sounds alright, too. It even tames the shrill high-end of my guitar a little bit. I use it for light-duty live work and for sketching out ideas when I don't a mic set up.

 

[famous beagle]

No, it won't. The output impedance of a piezo is extremely high, so you need something which is designed to bring that impedance down.

Better is to simple get an active pickup, or at the very least an external preamp.



Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

Well ... he didn't say it was going to be a piezo. I have a passive LR Baggs M1 and a DMP 3, and you could get a useable level with a DI box and no preamp.

But I'd never do it because miking it sounds so much better (IMO).

As far as recommendations, I'm pretty happy with my M1, but I only use it live and I use it in conjunction with a Baggs GigPro preamp. I always mic an acoustic when I'm recording in studio. I only got the M1 as a necessary evil for playing out. And for that, I'm satisfied. Plugged in acoustic is always a compromise (or at least it definitely still is), but for the money, the M1/GigPro combination is pretty nice for me.