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ADI21 versions and gain
I read here that old versions of the ADI21 had much lower output than the current version. Is that correct? If so, the one that I just got off eBay is an old one because it's basically useless as a preamp.
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#2
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Never heard that about old or new versions (or that there are old/new models). I've had mine for 6 years…I don't know where that puts it on your timline of old/new. Mine works just fine with my guitars (and friend's guitars). Hope you are referring to the Behringer V-Tone Acoustic Driver DI ADI21 - CliCk If you turn the blend up all the way, and step on the button - that activates the preamp. 'Level' sets the output volume. Never had any issues on mine with gain. I've never operated mine with AC power (only internal battery). Hope you get it to work. Also hope someone didn't rip you off on eBay. |
#3
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I have two of the older versions which have separate switches for PAD and GND lift. The newer version only has one switch to control both, but other than that, they should operate the same. The older ones that I have definately function as a preamp.
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#4
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@cmac , turn up the blend control and you'll be fine.
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#5
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Ok, so the one I have has two separate switches for -20dB pad and ground lift, so it looks like an older model.
In a post from a few years back I read "Ive had 4 of these things and never got distortion , What I got on 3 was very low output." (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...9&postcount=12). It could just be that my expectations are too high. The guitar I'm trying to make it work with has a JJB 330 passive pickup and I'm playing fingerstyle (pads, not nails) so there isn't much signal to work with. I have a K&K Pure XLR preamp that works fine with the guitar, but of course it has a gain control. I was hoping that the ADI21 would do a similar job, but I think it is designed for stronger input signals. As for turning up the blend, I can do so but the bass and mid then has to be turned down because they overwhelm the tone. So I back off on the blend a bit, turn down the low and mid, and in the end it is louder if I bypass the unit with the footswitch, i.e. use it just as a DI. |
#6
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__________________
"Lift your head and smile at trouble. You'll find happiness someday." |
#7
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I just leave it in bypass mode for the fingerstyle because it then acts like a simple preamp with no settings. On the strumming songs, I engage the button but have everything turned down a bit so the output actually decreases. A bit counter-intuitive, but it makes it easier to just tap the button between songs than reach for the belt pack and turn the volume up and down. Does that make sense at all?
__________________
Original music here: Spotify Artist Page |
#8
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#9
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#10
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The point of a preamplifier is to boost the weaker signal of a passive pickup up to solid levels without distortion, and then in the case of the ADi21 (and other active preamplifiers), adjust the tone, and the output. This keeps a solid signal, and less noise from the system. The purpose of the tone controls is to shape the sound, and the master level out is what keeps it from overdriving the next gear in line (be it a mixer or amp). You need to feed the maximum gain possible from each piece of gear to the next so you don't introduce self-noise (the inherent noise gear makes). There is a proper order to setting up gear with multiple input and output volumes, and multiple tone controls. In most cases the preamp has an input volume, and output (master) volume. Most mixers have an input gain on each channel, and an output volume on the channel, and the mixer itself has an additional output volume. Acoustic amps often have a channel volume for the instrument (input gain), and a Master volume for setting stage/room volumes. A smart process for setting up multiple-stages is… A simple Gain Staging Process…
This may seem a bit complex, but it solves a lot of issues people experience when just plugging in things and twisting knobs. By starting at the original input gear and working one's way through the chain, you end up with better sound and predictable/controllable tone. |
#11
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That's the problem for me - I want the gain, but not all of the effect.
Yesterday I tried recording via the ADI21 into my audio interface. I had to crank the gain on the audo interface way up and even then the signal reaching the DAW was just a little ripple on the waveform, and the S/N far too low to be usable. With blend up full it's getting towards something useful, but I find the tube effect at that point to be excessively muddy on a guitar that already has lots of overtones and depth. Now, it's possible that this unit is faulty (but unlikely, since it seems to work in all other respects) but I think it's just a problem of their specific design decisions. The ADI21 has to be able to handle relatively strong inputs, e.g. from active pickups, without lots of distortion and mess so I think it is designed to have low gain so that it works for lots of people most of the time. Adding a gain control would, I guess, have made it less plug & play for their target market. If they had designed it with a gain control before the blend and tone stage then it would probably be ideal but for whatever reason (maybe cost, maybe simplicity) they didn't. But that's fair enough - it's a low cost product intended for a certain function, which is not quite what I wanted it to do. |
#12
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__________________
Original music here: Spotify Artist Page |
#13
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Sounds like you are have an interesting time. You do realize that recording via pickups and interfaces is some of the worst sounding acoustic guitar recordings ever, right? To quote someone in the Recording section of AGF, "The worst mic will still sound better than the best pickup when recording gutiars." Pickups and preamps are designed to sound good when they come out of speakers after going through amps and boards…the direct sound is sorely lacking. For $150, The Fishman Platinum Stage would improve your preamp situation immensely. It's kind of a hidden gem among preamps. A RedEye will also improve it immensely (plus no meaningful tone controls to mess with). |
#14
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My go-to preamp remains the K&K Pure XLR. It works well with the JJB 330 and the K&K pure mini (I have one of each), so it's no big deal that the ADI21 didn't work out. It was cheap enough to give it a go, but there's no urge to look for more expensive options. |
#15
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I find myself tempted... |