Advice- my pedalboard build

[hann]

Transiting to acoustic from electric and I don’t really want to get acoustic-specific pedals.

Following are the pedals I’d probably be using

1. Sunn audio stage di-2
2. PolyTune mini
3. Origin CD comp
4. Source Audio collider

I also have a two notes cab m+ for IRs. Is the consensus that IRs are the way to go for acoustics?
Cuki’s custom IR service looks interesting for sure.

I might also add an eq pedal if I start using more acoustics and need to tune each to a venue (something with presets like a source audio eq2)

Should all my pedals post sunnaudio just go into the loop? And difference putting them all pre di-2?

What would be my chain when including the cab m?

Thanks!

[martingitdave]

I just set one up for myself. Cuki is a dear friend of mine and he developed outstanding IR work. The SunnAudio DI-2 is a great DI (I keep one in my guitar case) and probably has all the analog EQ you need for any acoustic pickup. I chose to combine the two function (DI and IR) by purchasing the LR Baggs Voice Print DI.

[hann]

Thanks

Yeah I figure I’d only spring for a parametric eq if I need to fine tune between guitars. Nice to know it’s di-2 has powerful eq.

Hmm not looking to spend, and those voiceprints are costly.

I guess tho that the two notes stuff can’t blend.

Still reading many on the fence about IRs though. Hmmm

Perhaps I should try without first and then if I find it’s not enough then add the IRs.

[hann]

What difference would it make putting all the pedals in the di-2 insert rather than pre?

[hann]

Tuner> Preamp send> Comp>eq > delay>reverb>ir (two notes cab m> preamp return>Xlr to board?

1. Comp
before preamp?
At the end before preamp return since we’re not thinking so much about gain staging? And more to equalise strumming and fingerpicking?

2. Eq pedal before preamp (which has 3 band eq)?
Still deciding on whether eq pedal is necessary but good to know in case I feel I need it.

3. Ir>delay>reverb>preamp return instead?

[edward993]

1. I have been using a SourceAudio EQ, first version, and it is superb! Dead silent, powerful tone shaping, and the presets are invaluable! The ver2 offers even more goodies. I highly recommend you get one on your board and not wait until you use more guitars.

2. I'd personally wait on the compressor. I know I know, lots of folks love/recommend slight compression on acoustics. I don't. It just doesn't "do" anything for me in an acoustic setting. Electric board, yes; acoustic board, nothing "gained" with a compressor IME.

3. Are you referring to your pedals before the DI vs in the f/x loop? It really depends more on whether your guitar pup is active or passive. If passive, you must run whatever pedals you wish into the fx loop because the pup's passive's signal is far too weak to drive through pedals.
If your pup is active, you can do it either way. Try it both ways and choose accordingly. I did so and found through the f/x loop got me nothing sonically and caused more cable routing issues. So I run my pedals first, Baggs Venue last, and all is good. Lots of variables here with impedance and whatnot so try it both ways and see what you hear

Edward

[hann]

Thanks Edward!

So without the comp, would you put it in the way I described?

The input to the board will be a wireless receiver. Wireless bug on my guitar, has an internal preamp.

[edward993]

I don't have any experience with wireless, but yes I would start there.

Remember that there are general rules of thumb with pedal order, but there is also lots of latitude with which you should experiment to determine where a given pedal will sound best. EQ and clean boosts are like this: early in the chain it sounds like this, later in the chain it sounds like that. Modulation and time-based fx typically later, reverb last. But experiment and see what you hear

Edward

[hann]

So, I've used the following on my board for a few months.

Boss WL-50 wireless> Polytune Mini> Sunnaudio stage DI2 <Send> Two Notes Cab M> 3 band parametric EQ>Cali76 CD> Source Audio Collider <return> Sunnaudio DI.

And it's totally overkill.

I'm planning to scout out a HX Stomp. At the very least, to remove the polythene, Cab M, Cali, Collider.

So it'd be
WL-50>Sunnaudio>HX Stomp (Maybe with a small footswitch for tuner/looper) >Hx loop eq pedal (just so it's easier to notch out offending frequencies)> Sunn audio.

What do you guys think?

Is the EQ on the hx stomp easily accessibly without diving into many menus?
I've also found with the Sunnaudio, the EQ is good enough, I've not needed the EQ pedal much.

Does the Stomp have any preamp patch that would be as good as the sunnaudio?
Sunnaudio would also be my DI, so I figured no harm.

[dcopper]

I like the less is more approach. I think most of what you need can b gained from an HX Stomp. You may want to add an eq before it so you can quickly fine tune to the venue. Once I start playing I don't like to fiddle with my board.
davidc

[rschultz]

Get a Helix Stomp (or XL). Can setup patches for acoustic AND electric. So easy. I used to have a $2500 electric board and a $1000 acoustic board. Now my $400 stomp can do 100x what those can do.

[hann]

Originally Posted by dcopper

I like the less is more approach. I think most of what you need can b gained from an HX Stomp. You may want to add an eq before it so you can quickly fine tune to the venue. Once I start playing I don't like to fiddle with my board.
davidc

My eq was post IR, so would I put that in the stomp loop after the ir?

How’s the quality of the preamp in the stomp for acoustic? I thought I’d keep the sunnaudio cos it’s so good.

[hann]

Originally Posted by rschultz

Get a Helix Stomp (or XL). Can setup patches for acoustic AND electric. So easy. I used to have a $2500 electric board and a $1000 acoustic board. Now my $400 stomp can do 100x what those can do.

Where can I get a $400 stomp?!!!

[rschultz]

Originally Posted by hann

Where can I get a $400 stomp?!!!

Well, I bought my $400 Stomp used... before the pandemic when prices started to increase. Best I've seen lately is probably $500 on The Gear Page emporium (3% paypal fee, no tax). It's still worth it, so much it can do.

[EZYPIKINS]

I DI straight into a mixer. So my answer would be no. I don't see a need for an IR on acoustic.

A quality DI is much more desirable for me. But I go into a PA.