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#1
12-08-2017, 05:09 AM
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Can I use a DI with an onboard pre-amp?
Hi folks,
My guitar has an AER AK15 mic/piezo blender. It's active (I think - it has a battery), and I believe you'd call that a pre-amp. I'm looking to try out some options for a better amplified acoustic sound (aren't we all?), and I'm consider things like the Boss AD-10, the Zoom AC2, the Tonedexter. I believe those double as DIs. Is it a problem to use a preamp and a DI together? I vaguely recall reading somewhere to be careful. Maybe it was about impedance, or volume level? I'm not sure, so I figured I'd check before I break something  Somewhat related question: I'm looking to set up a small pedalboard with an expression pedal, chorus/reverb, a tuner, and perhaps a nice overdrive if I can find it - plus the abovementioned DI. Ideally I'd be able to use the same setup wherever I go - whether I plug into the venue's PA or bring my own Acus acoustic amp to smaller gigs and plug it in there instead. Would that work, or would it cause any problems? Would I need to bypass the DI if plugging into an amp? Anything else I need to know? Hope someone can clear up this fog for me! Kind regards, Philip 
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#2
12-08-2017, 09:24 AM
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Yes...do it all the time.
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Blessings, Kip... My site: Personal Blog Yamaha LL16R-12 L Series A.R.E. Yamaha FG-75 Fender CF 60 CE Ibanez AF75TDG Epiphone Les Paul Std PlusPRO Eastman MB515 Mando Yamaha YPT230 Keyboard
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#3
12-08-2017, 11:59 AM
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Hi Philip,
I always do what you're talking about doing. My Martin has an onboard preamp but I always go through my Fishman Platinum Pro DI for its EQ and feedback control; it's on my pedalboard along with a bunch of other pedals. One of the main purposes of a DI is to convert the 1/4"'s unbalanced signal to a balanced signal that can travel over longer distances to a mixing console (PA) without gathering noise. They generally say not to use a 1/4" cord longer than 20/25 feet to connect to the PA. If you're farther, only then would a DI really be needed. Technically, as far as signal matching, ideally you would use a passive DI if you have an active onboard pickup (has a battery)---that's what I've read anyway---but most people don't adhere to it (including me). But, FWIW, you'll have much more headroom with an active pickup/passive DI combo than an active pickup/active DI combo as the latter will be boosting an already boosted signal so you have a higher likelyhood of experiencing clipping. Hope this helps!
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Buscarino Starlight nylon, Martin 000C-RGTE, Godin nylon duet ambiance, Breedlove Bossa Nova, cedar/EIR, Breedlove SC-20, cedar/walnut, Ovation Nylon LX1773, CA Cargo, CA GX, Larrivee 00-03, sitka/hog Last edited by Kalani; 12-08-2017 at 02:37 PM.
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#5
12-08-2017, 03:20 PM
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That clears up a lot, Kalani. Thanks, everyone!
-P
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