Invert switch (LR Baggs Para acoustic DI)

[Pen]

I'm trying to wrap my head around exactly what my Invert Switch on my LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI box does. I've read up and seen that it changes the polarity of the signal and that this, somehow, affects the propensity of the guitar to feedback (something with the way the guitar top is pressurized by the loudspeakers). This all, so far, is chinese to me.

Can anyone explain this in plain talk? And, if possible, break it down to applying it in live applications. I use this DI box (with my Martin D28) with a passive p/u as a solo artist as well as in loud band environments.

Thanks!

[Joe F]

If the lower frequencies coming from the speakers are in phase with the guitar top, it will give you a fuller sounding lower end, but could induce a feeback loop. (The speaker sound reinforces the top vibration and starts a feedback loop which turns into a howl).

Generally when you push the button in and out, the position that sounds the most 'bassy' is the "in phase" position. If you have no feedbacl problems there, leave it there. If however you get a feeback howl at loud volumes, setting the position to the out of phase, or less bassy position can help with feedback, although it may not completely solve the problem and you'll also need to engage the notch filter, which can be used to lower the specific frequency the guitar tends to resonate and feeback at.

If you have no problems with feedback, set the phase to the position that sounds best to your ear and don't lose any sleep over it.

[Fran Guidry]

Originally Posted by Pen

I'm trying to wrap my head around exactly what my Invert Switch on my LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI box does. I've read up and seen that it changes the polarity of the signal and that this, somehow, affects the propensity of the guitar to feedback (something with the way the guitar top is pressurized by the loudspeakers). This all, so far, is chinese to me.

Can anyone explain this in plain talk? And, if possible, break it down to applying it in live applications. I use this DI box (with my Martin D28) with a passive p/u as a solo artist as well as in loud band environments.

Thanks!

Here's as simple as I can make it:

Press the button. Does it sound better or worse? Press it again? Better or worse? Leave it in the position that sounds better.

Fran

[Pen]

Thanks Joe - that's a huge help. It does clarify it for me. Very helpful.

Fran - really?

[RRuskin]

Originally Posted by Pen

Fran - really?

That's pretty much the way it works.

[Fran Guidry]

Originally Posted by Pen

Thanks Joe - that's a huge help. It does clarify it for me. Very helpful.

Fran - really?

Since all bass notes are by definition at different frequencies and have different wavelengths, moving a foot or so in any direction will change the coupling between any specific note and the guitar top, as described above. So there can be no setting that works better in all situations.

I've heard dramatic differences in the midrange tonal quality when switching the phase inversion on a PADI when there was no feedback evident.

So, yes, really.

Fran

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Pen

...Can anyone explain this in plain talk? And, if possible, break it down to applying it in live applications. I use this DI box (with my Martin D28) with a passive p/u as a solo artist as well as in loud band environments.

Hi Pen…
I rarely use a feedback buster (black rubber plug that goes into the soundhole). I needed it once for a large outdoor venue where the idiot on the board wanted to pump the bass over-the-top (and would not follow advice or suggestions).

I popped the soundhole cover on and it changed the tone radically. Hit the phase switch and it went back to sounding normal.

[Larry Pattis]

Originally Posted by Pen

Fran - really?

Originally Posted by RRuskin

That's pretty much the way it works.

Had I seen this thread earlier, I would have offered the exact same comment that Fran did...or Rick!

You asked:

Can anyone explain this in plain talk?

That's as plain as plain can be...and accurate, *and* gives you all the info you really need to physically manipulate the gear in *any* setting, solo or band...

[Pen]

lol - sounds like some of you guys are wound a little tight today.

My question was "I'm trying to wrap my head around exactly what my Invert Switch on my LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI box does"

The brief answer of fiddling with it until I find what sounds best hardly answers that. I know now that what sounds best may not be best for a live show (thanks Fran!).

I do truly appreciate the answers. I get it now.

[Larry Pattis]

Originally Posted by Pen

My question was "I'm trying to wrap my head around exactly what my Invert Switch on my LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI box does"

You might think that this will add to the notion of wound-tightness (heh, heh, heh), but that's not a question...it's a statement!

Your question was:

Can anyone explain this in plain talk?

Just to be clear, this was also a question:

And, if possible, break it down to applying it in live applications.

You got plain talk for use in live applications. No technical jargon, just really sound (no pun) advice!

[knock knock]

My LR Baggs Venues phase switch only works when pushed down(engaged) anyone have any ideas why that is what is the problem?

[Vancebo]

I believe the Venue switch works the same on both the Venue and the PADI and every other Phase switch.

In the out position, nothing is changed. It is working when it is pushed in.