Using multiple guitars live - multiple DIs?
 

Folks who use multiple acoustics on stage: Do you have separate DIs for each instrument? I would like to use a 12-string on a couple songs for my acoustic group (haven't bought it yet but looking at used Guild jumbos) and am concerned that the electronics/sound of that guitar would be different enough from the Martin GPCPA1 Plus I use on other songs that I'd want to adjust the EQ/other settings on my Baggs Para DI for the 12-string. And I don't want to delay the performance to do that. So I'm thinking of having a separate DI box to dedicate to the 12 string. Make sense? Other recommendations? Thanks!

I use a different PADI for each instrument (mostly for EQing and notching).

I do both depending on the gig/band/situation, Even to the extent of playing my Epi Mandobird through my 18watt combo on occasion (maybe one or two tunes in an otherwise all electric set). Two of my giging acoustics are active (Fishman Rare Earth and B-Band) but my Selmer style has a surprisingly high output passive BigTone and my Loar F style mando a fairly low output Fishman bridge so sharing a DI with them can be problematic. The best answer is to use different channels and DIs if you can. Try the new guitar through the Baggs before shelling out though, you may be able to taylor the sound to something acceptable using the onboard pre, then it's just a matter of a lead with a Neutrik Silent jack at the guitar end and Robert is your relative.

You are probably going to want either two separate devices or a two channel pre like the Grace Felix.

If you feel you don't need separate EQ, but just a volume balance, a unit like a RedEye Twin would be in order.

If your amp has enough EQ and two channels, you may need nothing.

It all depends on the guitars and the application.

I'd suggest to look at the planet wave cables that have an interrupt button.


Personally I run a DI (a yamaha AG Stomp) that allows me to have a variety of presets that I can go to based on what guitar I use.

I have a 7 band EQ as well but I set that pretty much to work equally with all the guitars. Even my nylon string. the AG Stomp gives me all the variations I would need.
you can probably find one on eBay for real low bucks. (these were not cheap back in the day)... $400 bucks as I recall.

Hi,
For two instruments, try an A/B switch. I use one made by Startouch and it works perfectly.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/770/21...be10e670_n.jpg
(It's in the lower right corner)

I have different images for my different guitars loaded into the user bank in my Fishman Aura Spectrum DI -- one device for multiple instruments, and it works very well.

That is a very interesting solution. Do you only do it with guitars? Would it work with banjo and mandolin?

Edit: alas, a little googling reveals that this might not work.

Obviously this could be done in a myriad of different ways depending on your budget and needs. I only do one guitar at a time but if I were using multiple guitars it would be a given that I wouldn't want to fiddle with anything more than hitting a mute switch and switching guitars. Anything more would lose momentum unless you were gifted at filling in the dead spaces with gab. You may always have to end up tuning the next guitar again which would make it worse. I definitely wouldn't want to be fiddling with EQ.

The Aura Spectrum has a number of banjo and mandolin images in their Bluegrass image bank (with more, I believe, available in Aura Gallery imge software that comes with the Aura). So it could work well for what you need. Good luck in your search for your killer tone!

Thanks! I'm actually less interested in the imaging than I am in the idea that I could set up individual settings (EQ and gain) for individual instruments and just A/B/Y them into a single pedal.

Thanks for this - reminds me that I probably will want to run the 12-string through the same pedalboard I use for my main acoustic. A/B switch or one of the mute-able cables would be the way to go in that case.

There are a bunch of two channel DI-boxes out there (2 in's and 2 out's) so that you only need one metal box.

The RedEye Twin might work well for you.
http://www.fire-eye.com/#red-eyepreamp

Steve