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Martin GPC-28E - Aura Enhance VT observation
Hi guys, new here.
I just got a Martin GPC-28E with Fishman's Aura VT Enhance. I noticed that for the "Enhance" wheel function, when it is turned up between 50% to 100%, it causes the D string notes to be much louder than the other strings somehow, to the point anything played on the D string overpowers the other strings. This is kind of putting me off using the Enhance function at its high settings. The effect is even more obvious with reverb turned on, I am using a Fishman Loudbox Artist amp. Just wondering if this is the normal behaviour for the Fishman Aura VT Enhance pickup? Thanks! |
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er anyone..?
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I recently got a Martin GPC-18E and thoroughly enjoy its acoustic tones; the Aura VT Enhance is another matter. The Aura VT Enhance pickup/preamp system looked good to me on paper and prior to buying my guitar I auditioned a Martin OMC-18E in a local store and found the system to be very mid-rangey and trebly, especially when engaging the Enhance soundboard transducer. I went ahead and ordered my Martin GPC-18E hoping it would have more bass resonance, which it does, acoustically, but the Aura VT Enhance system is still rather mid-rangey and trebly. In my opinion, with all EQ flat on a mixer, and only using the guitar's onboard EQ, the amplified tone is barely passable. The Aura VT Enhance system needs the additional EQ capabilities of a mixer, amp or outboard preamp/EQ to get a good amplified tone. View my "NGD: Martin GPC-18E Aura VT Enhance" thread here.
I sent an email to Martin inquiring about if there are any switches or trim pots on the endpin preamp that can adjusted to increase the bass-frequency output of the Enhance transducer. I never received a reply. My advice is to add in just enough of the Enhance soundboard transducer (25% max) to get some of its top and body resonance into the mix with the Matrix/Aura section of the system. I actually ordered a new Tusq saddle and fitted it because the Tusq saddle that came in the Martin leaned forward a bit too much for my liking. This is typical of the way Martin installs it saddles for UST usage. I like my saddles to be just a bit smaller in thickness than the saddle-slot so they don't lean but are easily removed with the fingers. Another possibility is that you're getting what I call "string ping" or the "sitar effect" on your D-string. It's the tinny overtone you may be hearing--even without amplification--that emphasizes the D-string in the mix, especially when coupled with the mid-rangey and trebly characteristics of the Enhance. This can likely be eliminated by shaping the top of the saddle behind where the D-string passes over it and comes down the rear of the saddle's top. I think I've noticed "string ping" or "sitar effect" occurring on the D-string and G-string much more often since the introduction of compensated bridge saddles, regardless of material used, and brand of guitar. I think the potential of being a really good pickup/preamp system exists in the Aura VT Enhance but may be realized with some tweaking or updates from Martin/Fishman. I hope the above helps in resolving your concern.
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Martin HD-28 Sunburst/Trance M-VT Phantom Martin D-18/UltraTonic Adamas I 2087GT-8 Ovation Custom Legend LX Guild F-212XL STD Huss & Dalton TD-R Taylor 717e Taylor 618e Taylor 614ce Larrivee D-50M/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass Special/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Sunburst Larrivee C-03R TE/Trance M-VT Phantom RainSong BI-DR1000N2 Emerald X20 Yamaha FGX5 Republic Duolian/Schatten NR-2 Last edited by SpruceTop; 01-10-2017 at 06:13 AM. |
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hey, try to switch to a rear saddle of bone, it becomes softer sound, maybe it helps,
I switched it off a behind-saddle on a Martin HD 35 from bone to Tsuq and got a high bad lud at the G or was it D string, switched back to the bone and it was good. The problem may also be that the saddle is not right / plan (downside). you can check it by taking it off and put it towards something steel that is known to completely plan and look towards a bright light, if you see light in between some places, let the files / ground plan, this should be done by professional person. |
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Many thanks for the useful information SpruceTop and 2Fenderman, looks like I should have done more research before deciding on the GPC-28E.. I would have preferred a pickup that works well without any external EQ tweaking unfortunately..
Just to share, I posed the same questions to Martin's and Fishman's customer support and just got their responses. - Martin said that they only recommend a small amount of Enhance in a live situation. - Fishman informed that the enhance control could be boosting frequencies that would make the D string more pronounced, but also mentioned that if the D string is louder no matter where I play on the fretboard, then it could be a mechanical issue, and gave some advice on saddle adjustments. |
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Quote:
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Martin HD-28 Sunburst/Trance M-VT Phantom Martin D-18/UltraTonic Adamas I 2087GT-8 Ovation Custom Legend LX Guild F-212XL STD Huss & Dalton TD-R Taylor 717e Taylor 618e Taylor 614ce Larrivee D-50M/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass Special/HiFi Larrivee D-40R Sunburst Larrivee C-03R TE/Trance M-VT Phantom RainSong BI-DR1000N2 Emerald X20 Yamaha FGX5 Republic Duolian/Schatten NR-2 |
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Consider taking it to your Martin dealer or repair shop and asking them to address the D string, if you suspect it is a mechanical issue. I suspect the enhance feature is more to provide "air" to the UST signal. Some folks like the UST signal, others don't. Once you have the D string sorted out, try a TC Electronics Body Rez pedal or a Zoom A3 with your new GPC guitar. I think you will find a simple "one knob" solution to improving the acoustic tone. You can dial in a little of the enhance sensor too.
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"Lift your head and smile at trouble. You'll find happiness someday." Last edited by martingitdave; 01-11-2017 at 11:40 AM. |
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Not to change the topic, but I do have a question regarding the Aura Enhave VT in my GPC-35E. I googled else where but I think this is too new of a technology to have much reference on the net, so here goes.
Last night I went to practice and decided to take my K&K pure mini preamp with me and try it with my GPC-35E. I plugged it into the guitar, and sent the output direct to the board. After about five minutes all of a sudden I lost my sound. I then plugged the guitar direct it to the board, and I had sound. So that ruled out the guitar. This morning I tested the K&K preamp with my M-36 (which it was intended for). Everything worked as expected. So I tried it with the GPC-35E and got nothing. I'm stumped. It worked for five minutes last night, but no more. I'm not much when it comes to electronics, but all I can think of some sort of impedance mis match. (And this wouldn't normally be a problem except the other acoustic played does use a preamp with his Taylor and he tends to get loud on occasion.) Thoughts?
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Pura Vida 2011 Martin M-36 2016 Martin GPC-35E 2016 Martin D12X1 Custom Centennial 1992 Takamine EF-341C, great for campfires 85 Gibson Les Paul Custom 82 Gibson SG 96 Fender Clapton Stratocaster 91 Fender Deluxe Telecaster Plus 86 Fender MIJ E-series Stratocaster |
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That's very odd. However, the Aura in your guitar doesn't require any other preamp. You might use a tone shaping EQ compressor, etc. Perhaps the signal was too hot from your active Aura pickup and clipped out? Bad cable? Loose jack? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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"Lift your head and smile at trouble. You'll find happiness someday." |
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Hi Martingitdave.
The cable and the jacks are just fine. I suppose it could be clipping, but I'm not sure exactly how to tell. And yes, I shouldn't need it with the Aura, but Bob was getting loud last week, and last night I just wanted to experiment. It's weird, last night I tested with our Mackie 800, and this morning in my basement using my zoom with headphones and got the same results. I guess I'll keep searching for a solution. Just scratching my head here at this one...
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Pura Vida 2011 Martin M-36 2016 Martin GPC-35E 2016 Martin D12X1 Custom Centennial 1992 Takamine EF-341C, great for campfires 85 Gibson Les Paul Custom 82 Gibson SG 96 Fender Clapton Stratocaster 91 Fender Deluxe Telecaster Plus 86 Fender MIJ E-series Stratocaster |
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Martin GPC-28E - Aura Enhance VT observation
I think you might have over loaded the channel on the board. You would have had two stages of gain before getting to the preamp (3rd stage) at the board. If the board has overload protection, you could have easily clipped it if you started strumming hard, for instance.
The zoom A3 is a good choice because you can trim the gain for proper staging. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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"Lift your head and smile at trouble. You'll find happiness someday." Last edited by martingitdave; 02-25-2017 at 09:24 PM. |
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Ah thanks. I will look at the board in more detail next week. I'll see if there are any controls for overload. Thanks!
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Pura Vida 2011 Martin M-36 2016 Martin GPC-35E 2016 Martin D12X1 Custom Centennial 1992 Takamine EF-341C, great for campfires 85 Gibson Les Paul Custom 82 Gibson SG 96 Fender Clapton Stratocaster 91 Fender Deluxe Telecaster Plus 86 Fender MIJ E-series Stratocaster |
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Good. Just make sure you're not boosting the already hot signal from the Aura with whatever pedals you are using. Then play hard and soft at sound check and make sure the gain on the board channel is set to take your hard strumming without clipping. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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"Lift your head and smile at trouble. You'll find happiness someday." |