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  #1  
Old 06-09-2016, 03:49 AM
Cue Zephyr Cue Zephyr is offline
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Default Radial PZ-DI vs Baggs Para DI

Howdy folks,

I own a Baggs Para DI. I have two Taylor acoustic guitars with the ES-T and one mandolin with a K&K Mandolin Twin in it. I might add a Rare Earth to my banjo in the future (or something else, but the Fishman most likely). I know there's an impedance mismatch with the K&K and the Para DI. Is it worth swappig the Para DI for the PZ-DI?

I realize for some instruments, the J48 or the PZ-Pre is a better option, but getting both is not an option since I also need a Pro D2 for my digital piano. However, the J48 can also be used for electric guitar and bass guitar, which I use in the studio a lot.

Cheers.

CZ
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Old 06-09-2016, 04:33 AM
pieterh pieterh is offline
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Default Radial PZ-DI vs Baggs Para DI

Isn't the ParaDI a preamp with a balanced output?

The Pz-DI is essentially a DI with a few extra features that are really good for any instrument with a pickup but should not be confused with a full blown preamp. It has a sweep low cut knob and a fixed high cut switch as well as a three-stage impedance switch, meaning you can optimise the DI's Input for the kind of pickups you have. I have tried one with my guitars as well as live with visiting artists and this feature alone makes it an indispensable part of our equipment setup.

If you are planning on getting a DI for you setup then in my opinion the Pz-DI is an even better choice than the J48, which is already excellent of course.
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Old 06-09-2016, 07:20 AM
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Rumblefish Rumblefish is offline
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I have used both and find the PZ much more versatile with multiple instrument setups. Sweep-able mids and the impedance switch are worth the price of admission. It worked well with the K&K in my mandolin, the Schatten in my National Tricone and the Baggs M1 in my Larivee OM.

When I had my Taylor I found that as long as I used the proper cable I never needed a preamp or DI.

I've switched to the Fishman Platinum Pro for now though and after a little more stage time with this setup I'm leaning towards sticking with it. I use it with an aura 16 imaging pedal and have several images for each of my instruments loaded. The PZ is a great Swiss Army knife and I'll hang onto it for the great tool that it is.
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Old 06-09-2016, 01:27 PM
Cue Zephyr Cue Zephyr is offline
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Thanks folks, I'm really leaning towards the PZ-DI and it seems like it could work well with electric guitar and bass as well if needed.
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Old 06-11-2016, 02:06 AM
pieterh pieterh is offline
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Default Radial PZ-DI vs Baggs Para DI

Rumblefish is possibly referring to the preamps I think, either the Pz-pre or Pz-deluxe. The Pz-DI is a box, same size as the J48 but with a few additional features particularly tailored for acoustic instruments (though it will be great with bass and electric guitar too).

Personally I think the Pz-pre (the preamp) is more versatile than the ParaDI. The Pz-DI (direct box) is even more versatile for your needs than the J48 DI. I have direct experience of all of the above apart from the ParaDI.
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Old 06-11-2016, 08:38 AM
Nailpicker Nailpicker is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pieterh View Post
...
Personally I think the Pz-pre (the preamp) is more versatile than the ParaDI. The Pz-DI (direct box) is even more versatile for your needs than the J48 DI. I have direct experience of all of the above apart from the ParaDI.
Pieterh has given me good advice in the past as I was (and still am) learning about preamps and DIs. I agree with his above comment.
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Old 06-11-2016, 04:03 PM
pieterh pieterh is offline
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Default Radial PZ-DI vs Baggs Para DI

Thanks man
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Old 06-16-2016, 12:55 PM
Nick84 Nick84 is offline
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I bought a PZ-DI last week on a reccomendarion from pieterh.

I used it at a gig in a noisey bar Saturday night and have been messing about with it this week, running my different pickups through it.

I'm really pleased with it. The low cut is really effective. Didn't need to use the hi-cut. All my pickups sound better run through this box.

I had a Stagebug SB-1 and was planning to upgrade to a J48 until pieterh reccomendarion trying a PZ-DI.
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Old 06-22-2016, 12:31 PM
Cue Zephyr Cue Zephyr is offline
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Tried the PZ-DI with my mandolin today. It has a K&K Mandolin Twin in it which doesn't pair well with the Para DI. I had the impedance set to 10Mohm, low cut dialed up and off I went. I'm selling the Para DI.

I got a ProD2 today for my digital piano and I'm really pleased.
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Old 06-22-2016, 07:42 PM
Petty1818 Petty1818 is offline
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I know you have the PZ-DI and it's a great little preamp/DI. My only complaint was that it generated a bit more hiss in the signal that I am used to. I am a big Radial fan but it wasn't 100% quiet. I a/b'd it with my Aura spectrum DI and the Spectrum had about half of the hiss of the PZ-DI. The hiss isn't terrible on the PZ-DI, it's just higher than I would like.
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Old 06-26-2016, 04:13 PM
pieterh pieterh is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick84 View Post
I bought a PZ-DI last week on a reccomendarion from pieterh.

I used it at a gig in a noisey bar Saturday night and have been messing about with it this week, running my different pickups through it.

I'm really pleased with it. The low cut is really effective. Didn't need to use the hi-cut. All my pickups sound better run through this box.

I had a Stagebug SB-1 and was planning to upgrade to a J48 until pieterh reccomendarion trying a PZ-DI.
Glad it worked out for you!
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  #12  
Old 07-01-2016, 05:54 PM
Cue Zephyr Cue Zephyr is offline
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I was gonna say I'll post a comparison with my mandolin pickup of the Para DI and the PZ-DI, but I've only just ordered the PZ-DI and the Para DI is about to be shipped to its new owner.

I might make a new review though, like I did with the Para DI. Maybe some of you have seen it.

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