The Ultimate Acoustic IR Shootout

#acoustic #IR
0:16 Intro
2:57 Today's contenders
8:10 Examples and thoughts
25:22 Just the audio files
25:24 Fishman Matrix Undersaddle (raw)
25:45 Neumann KM 184
26:07 Fishman Aura F1+
26:28 L. R. Baggs Voiceprint DI
26:50 NUX Optima Air
27:12 Audiospockets ToneDexter
27:33 Cuki's IR
27:55 Cuki's IR with EQ Match
Disclosure: The links below may be affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Gear/links mentioned in this video:
Fishman Aura Spectrum DI - imp.i114863.ne...
L. R. Baggs Voiceprint DI - imp.i114863.ne...
ToneDexter - imp.i114863.ne...
NUX Optima Air - amzn.to/3g0TNSi
Neumann KM 185 - imp.i114863.ne...
Cuki's FREE IR Generator (note that this is NOT the process that he used for today's video - acousticir.free...
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Sennheiser MKH 416 Microphone - amzn.to/2X52SQz
Neumann U87 Ai Microphone (for singing) - amzn.to/35evsRu
Neumann KM 184 MT Stereo Set Condenser Microphone (for instruments and amps) - amzn.to/348RXWM
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[@aaronshortmusic]

Gear/links mentioned in this video (Sweetwater affiliate): Fishman Aura Spectrum DI - imp.i114863.net/3P91LM L. R. Baggs Voiceprint DI - imp.i114863.net/NKQamV ToneDexter - imp.i114863.net/yReNB3 NUX Optima Air - amzn.to/3g0TNSi Neumann KM 185 - imp.i114863.net/7mGgQg

[@torta122]

I know its been a while you did this video. But did you ever try the IR's with the Variax?

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@torta122 I did not. The Variax already has IR’s built into it.

[@scottbecker3485]

This comparison is a huge contribution to the community - thanks so much! And every single conclusion you drew was mirrored by my sonic impressions. You literally took the words out of my mouth after every sample. Really enjoyed Kookie‘s (sp.?) IR a lot, as also the Nux Optima‘s. Could well imagine getting a Nux and trying this one day.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thanks Scott. Yes you should try the NUX. It’s a great pedal for the price.

[@namede6210]

The Nux Optima Air sounds really convincing. After watching tons of videos about it I kinda think it could be a game changer for someone like me who wants to record acoustic guitar but lives in a noisy neighborhood so mic up a guitar is not an option. The Optima seems like something I could rely on.

[@Noseel]

A lot of the reviews report Optima Air being Noisey, what did you find?

[@garygohmusic]

Wow the Optima sounds extremely impressive! And Cuki's IR is definitely top-tier, with the EQ match it's almost indistinguishable from the mic.

[@aaronshortmusic]

It really is!

[@davidbelcher2805]

Good job Aaron. I agree with Maury, maybe a future video with the corrective EQ added to each pedal as well.

[@willyjoe3000]

To my ears, some of the brightness that you're after could come from, yes, boosting highs, but also, low-mid cuts. The NUX sounds great but it's still pretty husky in the lower mids than the mic. I like trying to get results from cuts before boosting.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thanks, I start by cutting the bass too as it 'exposes' the highs more.

[@BluegumCounterpoint]

Why did you run the LR Baggs at 100% blend? No-one runs an IR at 100%. Its no wonder it sounded the worst. You blended all the others. Not a fair comparison.

[@aaronshortmusic]

The test was to see if they can match the mic. Once you blend the Baggs there is too much of the undersaddle pickup sound which is why I didn’t do that. I don’t think the Baggs works well with undersaddle pickups currently.

[@GertvanderDoes]

I have the NUX Optima Air and love it! I like to run the IR at about 2 to 3 o'clock. I did not like the built in IR's or any I found online and the result making one with the unit itself left something to be desired. I built my own IR using Reaper and Melda FreeFormEQ. That got me very close! I can run this IR in anything that will load IR's so it's also in my Fractal FM3 and of course Reaper. Awesome! The other guitarist in the band is now using one and just recently I got the (electric) bassist to go direct with the Optima using bass amp IR's from ShiftLine. This video helped deciding to buy my Optima, so thanks!

[@stuartdocherty8409]

Yeah...... well..... I'm not sure the Voiceprint got a fair shake there... I've been looking through the internet for options on my Tonedexter, which has demonstrated some hardware fragility of late. This has been a useful clip for sure. I am not the purist audio guy though, microphones are not an option.... I'm the guy sitting on the stool in the venue, working with bridge plate and under saddle transducers.. the Cuki IR was nice but didn't really fit in with your "plug and play" paradigm.. It's something created by a tech savvy somebody, wedged into a device which is largely a microcomputer with a guitar input. Suffice to say I don't have the savvy or the interest in becoming a programmer in order to do my gigs. You chose to fine tune this option right at the end, where, from what I have seen on the net so far, you could have dramatically improved on the Voiceprint by sliding your finger on your phone (there again: I am not contemporary enough to know whether one "swipes left" or, "swipes right"...). admittedly; iphone only is a bit limiting, but there are a lot of them out there, so an understandable starting point... I'll keep looking, thanks. Further: I did like the Optima... I got one and one hour later it created a sustained hiss that saw it returned.... Maybe NUX is the new behringer.....?

[@BluegumCounterpoint]

Agree. It is shown at 100% blend, whereas the others are appropriately mixed. Its not a fair comparison.

[@andrejgregoric1324]

To me, Fishman sounds more like SM57 than KM... and some other too...

[@jmoorecareers]

Excellent review. Thank you!

[@robertgreen9675]

Nicely done. Love you included tracks at the end for us to repeatedly review.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thank you Robert. I thought it was important to do that. I’m glad you found it useful!

[@MaurysMusic]

Well done! I have to go back and listen again on earbuds and a Bose mini. If you’re up to making a follow-up video, I’d LOVE to hear these IRs with your choice of corrective EQ. Make each one sound the best you can - subjective, I know - but that would be useful. I remember loving the Voiceprint DI in an earlier video and I’ll bet it can be the best one here with EQ. Ymmv

[@aaronshortmusic]

You are so demanding lol. I’ll add it to my list!

[@MaurysMusic]

@@aaronshortmusic I said "IF" :)

[@DavidEidelberg]

@@aaronshortmusic What is it you say about Bose? No highs no lows or something like that?

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@DavidEidelberg That’s what I hear people say. I’m not sure if that relates to the EQ or something else?

[@wychwoodmusic]

I have to agree with Maury - I'd love to hear a video comparing the best you can come up with these pedals, Andy. But that's the reward for doing a great job (thanks, genuinely!), you get asked to do more! I was real impressed with the Nux -Cuki's IR still had had a little quack or unpleasant quality to my ear, I think in the mids, but I guess that just shows how subjective these can be. Still I wonder if the more expensive and presumably high-powered pedals could catch up with or even surpass the Nux with some work.

[@LucasHaneman]

I agree with another commentor who said that the only thing that the IRs’ truly lack is the sound of the strings themselves, and the pic hitting the strings. My personal pickup of choice is The K & K quantum trinity mini. It’s a mixture of K & Ks’ Pure pickup and a gooseneck microphone inside the sound hole that run into the quantum blender, which is an external preamp to control the sound of each source. I honestly find it sounds so natural that I have never had to worry about impulse responses etc. It’s amazing to see how far the technology has come though, and certainly very nice to see all of it in one cohesive video like this. Very impressive stuff!

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thank you so much Lucas. I agree that a good SBT and internal mic can sound excellent but IR's also offer the experience of a mic on the outside of the guitar. I am excited to see how it improves in the future!

[@LucasHaneman]

@@aaronshortmusic For sure man. The lack of worrying about feedback is certainly some thing nice about the IR World as well. I agree with you. I really enjoy that one that your friend made as well. Sounds awesome!

[@BlakeHarper99]

I have the HX ask kookie how he set it! I want that same program on my board!

[@makkamccann]

Great video and well worth the time. Thank you very much. Would love to know where to get hold of Cuki's IR. Sounds sweet!

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thanks! If you Google him then you can contact him directly.

[@doscheid]

I think a great part of the high end in the micrphone is the pick hitting the strings. The IRs can't reproduce that because that is a sound that isn't really present in the under saddle pickup. I felt like that was the only thing missing in the NUX and Cuki's IR for them to really feel acoustic.

[@doscheid]

Thinking about the "pick hit the string sound", that is an effect that those manufactures could develop. A kind of controlled clipping sound at a certain threshold. I think it would help in creating the ilusion.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Yes, James May mentioned this during our interview. I wonder if there’s a way to artificially add that back in?

When I didn't have an acoustic guitar, I used to record an electric with a condenser mic and mix the picking noises with the signal from the pickups, it was fairly convincing.

[@ronniemocciola9147]

Thnx for this.. It would be awesome if you did a bonus Acoustasonic track on this vid. Somewhat on topic as it uses irs 👍

[@aaronshortmusic]

Great suggestion Ronnie! I will save that idea for another video.

[@braderrick]

Thank you so much, introduced me to the nux and saved me some cash in the process! I’m super impressed. Thanks for putting in the work and for sharing!

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thank you for the kind words.

[@56davidwright]

I have found that if l take an earth wire from anywhere on my rig and tie it tightly to the metal drain in my sink the top end gets the sweetness l'm looking for. Running water improves the contact. Getting this rig to the gig is problematic but we'll worth the effort. I put a kill switch on this wire and it acts as a 10 db boost. Using different sinks gives you effective notch filtering and shimmer. I currently use only three sinks live. A Miele for clean, a vintage Westinghouse for character and, somewhat surprisingly, the budget bin bargain from Bunnings for bluegrass !

[@aaronshortmusic]

You are a well grounded individual!

[@rombsix]

You're doing wonderful work, brother. I've love to meet you in-person at some point. We're both NYC folks. :)

[@antonioduarte1335]

The NUX optima air sounds amazing

[@aaronshortmusic]

It is very impressive!

[@fordcortina]

I too thought it sounded great... 30 minutes later it started to generate a hiss that quickly overtook it greatness.. Maybe, you get what you pay for......?

[@fordcortina]

@Elyon Alone Well, that will be useful information for some, but all the pedals on my board have to suffer the indignity of my two strymon ojais... So it becomes a case of finding pedals that work with these, and not everything is happy..........

[@ramspencer5492]

You need to start with something better than undersaddle, IMO... K&k mini will do.... You can't completely squash that quack once it's introduced....

[@aaronshortmusic]

You can if it’s done right. It can be easier with a K&K. The K&K can also feedback more so it’s swings and roundabouts.

[@CoreyMcConnell]

Thanks for all of your hard work aaron! I hang out with a lot of majority world guys with small budgets. Do you have any opinion on the really cheap options? Cube Baby, Sonicake. I'm currently using the Cube Baby AC as an all-in-one acoustic rig; not because it's a Kemper, but because it's so affordable that anyone can get one

[@aaronshortmusic]

I’ve reviewed the Sonicake. It’s good!

[@FirstMM]

I'd love to see an updated version of this with the latest firmware's. Based on this I don't think that there is enough value provided by any of the pedals, all of them compromise the high end or over emphasise the bottom end. It is very much a case of only being able to process the signal coming from the pickup, though, so I'd like to hear a comparison with something like the Anthem as well.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Until they get 1 to 1 I would rather just use an excellent analog system. I do believe that IR is in the future for acoustic guitar. It just isn’t there yet.

[@richardstones6445]

Just listening to the sound comparisons, the NU-X sounded head and shoulders above any other device. I will watch the rest of the video to see what IR's you were selecting for some of the other devices, but just based on the recordings you compared, I like the Optima. I was really pulling for the Baggs, because the mobile phone IR creator interface sounds awesome, but the Voiceprint recording sounded like I was inside a submarine

[@aaronshortmusic]

The NUX is a great pedal.

[@11KT11]

Absolutely brilliant video as always. I must say I’m super surprised by the nux. 🤔

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thanks Kieran. Me too, it’s a really great pedal and NUX make a lot of great stuff!

[@ShaighJosephson]

Nice comparison... I'm running my acoustic guitars thru the cleans of a GT-1000 core and a Headrush...which can take the same IRs...

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thanks!

[@cugir321]

Here's the perfect review..get a D45, D28, J45 and others.....compare them one to one with the Optima air settings....see if you can set up the pedal to match the instrument.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Great! Send me the guitars and I’ll do it!

[@kalvino67]

Why is this all so hard in the 21st century! I just want to record my songs with my D18! Is that too much to ask? 😂. Great vid!!

[@aaronshortmusic]

Lol thanks! Use a microphone when you can!

[@greacen]

Love this demo - you have some nice friends! I'm interested in hearing how you'd use one of these IR pedals in a live situation. I looked at your video list, but didn't see one. Also curious about some of the other players out there - Hotone Omni AC comes to mind, sheesh also that Boss "acoustic simulator" thing. It seems like there are plenty of pedals aimed at squeezing acoustic sounds out of an electric guitar, but I like the idea of using one of these in a live situation to get closer to that mic'd instrument sound without the feedback & hassle.

[@brentnelson7716]

Thanks Aaron. This is super informative. I felt Cuki's IR and the Optima were head and shoulders above the others. I own both the NUX and an Aura Dread. The latter -- although usable and ok -- sits in a box. I spent an afternoon A/B ing the two. And I could get usable sounds out of both. But the Air was far better, at least to my ears and with my rig. Thanks for all of your contributions to knowledge!

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thank you so much Brent!

[@NunaYerbusiness]

How is your NUX holding up?. I keep hearing they're fragile and not up to regular gig use.

[@markinthemix6055]

I’m currently using a T Rex Acoustic Soulmate. I like it. I wish it had an effects loop. I wish it had 2 inputs. It does have stereo outs. Blessings to you

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thank you, that is a good pedal. I made a review on it a while back.

[@PJD02915]

This video was excellent!!!! Thank you!!! The NUIX was my favorite. The idea of being able to load an IR like Cuci's and go gig with it is really great. I can see loading a few IRs depending on the acoustic I'm bringing and being ready for anything.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thank you and yes I agree. The NUX is very impressive!

[@vince8081]

That's cool but the Neumann capture is the best, by far. The NUX is the better pedal to emulate.

[@aaronshortmusic]

A real microphone will always be best. It’s the real thing. Hopefully technology will match it eventually. I agree about the NUX it did a great job.

[@bryancd911]

Thanks for this video Aaron. Have you also tried the Zoom A1 Four? It has an acoustic modeling feature. How do you think it fares compared to Acoustic IR?

[@aaronshortmusic]

Hi Bryan, I have reviewed the Zoom. It works quite well but the problem with pedals like that is that the IR is just generic and now made from the users instrument. All of the pedals in today's video were making IR's of the exact guitar/pickup.

[@FastRedPonyCar]

I've actually got that same Martin GPC Aura GT guitar and the fishman system in that is absolutely amazing for playing live but I've been taking my Godin Multiac Steel to shows these days because it's more comfortable to sit with for hours and it's much faster to play as well. I've tried a couple IR's with my Fractal FM3 and they're ok and I recently got a used Fishman Aura Spectrum pedal and I think that pedal has the most flexibility for people wanting to just buy something, plug in, find a sound and play. It's a double edge sword though because the wrong IR selection can make your guitar sound like absolute trash so it takes a bit of trial and error to get the right IR. Also, the Fishman lets you load your own IR's if you connect it with the USB cable. That's what the user images section of that slider is for. One other thing is that I've found that setting the Fishman Spectrum pedal in global EQ mode where you can still use the EQ controls while using the IR is a big improvement to really fine tune the sound if you don't want to rely too heavily on some other type of EQ'ing.

[@nomandad2000]

I didn’t like any of these. My conclusion: IR tech isn’t there yet. All of them sound boomy or boxy, and poorly EQ’d. Maybe better stuff has come out since….

[@aaronshortmusic]

I agree with you based on this video but I believe that it’s the future.

[@geoffallen1331]

This was what I was looking for about the best shoot out I've seen brilliant production. I'm ordering the Nux optima

[@aaronshortmusic]

You’re welcome!

[@akgeezer]

This is great!Last year, 2020, I was looking to possibly installing LR Baggs PUP's to eliminate the "Quack" sounding piezo's I have in the three different acoustics I use. That was too expensive to really consider seriously. Then I heard of the Aura and liked what I was hearing about it, but still quite expensive. Luckily, during my research, I ran across the newly released NU-X Optima Air pedal. I was really uninformed of IR's, but was impressed enough on what I was hearing about them to buy the Optima Air. One of the best decisions I ever made. I use the units included IR's and tweek the sound with the on board EQ to get a really close result of my acoustic's natural sound. No more "Quack". It is very impressive and I would highly recommend this pedal. It has much more capability than I have used, but it has given me the results I was searching for. Your comparisons reinforce what I have discovered with this unit. It's awesome! Not perfect, but really really good!

[@Celticsaint777]

Can you add Kookie’s impulse responses to the NUX??

[@aaronshortmusic]

Cuki, yes.

[@Celticsaint777]

How can I go about getting good IRs for my acoustic guitars and then have your friend tweak them and then apply the EQ match and then put them in an IR loader?? Your eq matched it sounds awesome and for life use it would sound like the guitar is mic’d.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Reach out to him via his website acousticir.free.fr

[@georgefenning4844]

some people were complaining about a lock of preamp on the NU and also no XLR in ? any thoughts?

[@aaronshortmusic]

You just have to use a mixer. It’s how they keep the cost down.

[@aaronlarsen7447]

I've always known them as a d.i. What is an i.r?

[@aaronshortmusic]

Impulse Response

[@jeremybrown9850]

Anyone still using the nux or did we move on from the IR realm?

[@aaronshortmusic]

I’m taking a break from IR’s and will revisit at a later date!

[@nainportekel6431]

That was absolutely great, tyvm ! I'm all new to this but gosh I learned a lot ! And it was all useful and great listening. Sure Nux Optima Air + IR made with Cuki + Logic's Eq match is the best by far. Without Eq match, the color wasn't the same as real, I'd add/disagree to what you said, it was good but another color (plus the high freq problem).

[@markkoons8457]

Hey Aaron! Thanks for the great video. I've been looking to improve my pickup sound in both a '77 Guild D25 with a K&K pure mini and a Taylor K24CE v-brace as well as a new Guild D50 with an LR Baggs hifi in it. Before your vid, I was kind of consumed with picking the right pickup for the D50, but with the IR loader option on the NUX Optima, the pickup is less of a concern now. Have you tested and IR with the LR Baggs hifi in a dreadnaught? I would be interested to see what the results were. Do you have feedback issues with the IR's on the NUX in a live show? I've had tons of feedback issues with the K&K even with a feedback buster in the guitar at gigs. Thanks again!

[@slidersson]

So basically I'm watching an ad?

[@aaronshortmusic]

No you’re watching a comparison video and my thoughts.

[@dharmacaristhirananda3994]

Thanks, Aaron. Really useful demonstration. Is it possible to export IR files from Logic to the NUX Optima Air?

[@aaronshortmusic]

Hi, yes you can do that. I show how it’s possible in the Acoustic Tone-match video.

[@dharmacaristhirananda3994]

@@aaronshortmusic OK. Thanks.

[@kevingriffin9893]

Thanks for taking the time to do these videos you do sharing objective sound samples as well as your opinions. I'm in the process of exploring dual source acoustic pickup options and I've watched a few of your videos, and they've been very helpful!

[@aaronshortmusic]

Cheers!

[@georgefenning4844]

teh wide range of differences must make a comparison difficult. When you factor in preamp or iphone etc - its bewildering .. still impressed with the NUX for the money --

[@barakados]

Kookie's one is excellente. I don't know if needs a little compression, but it has a little lack of punch, you can realize every time you strum harder, the IR doesn't match that instant. Anyway I'm impress.

[@DonAlderOfficial]

NUX sounds best vs the one you chose as the bottom end is more clear and likeable

[@bogaciludzie]

Thank you Aaron!!! The NUIX is my winner. The sound is almost identical to that recorded by the microphone. Perfectly! Thank you for your work. This video is very helpful to me.

[@ChaRahgung]

Thank you for this, I am hunting pedal for acoustic gig

[@aaronshortmusic]

You’re welcome!

[@MurdaMetz]

Awesome video ! Cookies ir with the eq matching sounds so close that I can barely tell the difference if at all . The others I heard just don’t compare , I have a pair of km184’s love them , but don’t love my room unfortunately. I’ve been trying out different ways to get a di to sound like a mic’d acoustic and havnt had the best of luck . I’ve tried the session di , Neve rndi , I’ve tried using the lr baggs anthem true mic and piezo but still I can’t seem to get the clarity I’m searching for . I’m definitely considering getting the nux , hunting down cookies ir , and buying an eq match plug in ! I wonder if the aura spectrum di has merit as well . Thanks again for the video !

[@-b0j-]

This is exactly what I’ve been looking for!! Thanks.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thanks for watching!

[@harryharris1619]

Love your channel and you have been very helpful regarding the Boss RC-500 looper. In regards to this video, I would not except any of these pedals or IRs as coming very close to the real mic in the room. They all sounded muddy, thuddy and the top end was never even close to my headphone ears. With that being said you could EQ these to get closer as far as frequency range goes but still don't think its going to match very well with the real thing. Maybe this tech will get better but it is hard to tell on some sites due to the fact they do not compare their IR with the real mic'd guitar as you have done here. Very well done demo and should be the standard for demonstrations of this type of tech.

[@MeTuLHeD]

The Nux Optima Air sounds excellent. I would LOVE to hear what it sounds like with the EQ match. Just needs that little bit of air.

[@JulienMARY]

I have the optima air since Friday, and Cuki made IR files from the wav I sent him, following instructions. The result is spectacular with my Acus amo. The match with the guitar is terrific, a Taylor 418eR. I don't think I would change that for a Dexter.

[@CalicoSkies18]

@@JulienMARY Hi Julien, Did you get the chance to try the Nux with that Cuki IR through a PA system in live configuration? If so, were you still impressed with it? Thanks.

[@jameslifetimelearner]

I've used a brghter AT mic into the tonedexter and got better results. The Aura has 10 different mics confgured to sharpness. I dont own any Neumanns but will try a Golden Age preamp/Eq with the NuX and compare all three with different mics.Aiso Bob Wier's Real Deal works well live with dynamic mic and Aura. Love your gear demo work !

[@customgtrs]

I wish the voiceprint could make an ir as good as the Optima air can. I have been making tons of ir"s with the baggs and have to eq them all to get something usable. I made 2 ir"s with the optima air and they were both really good

[@MRxr400]

seems to me the IR's are just eq'd processing of the signal that could be done on the desk. maybe a little fairy dust not found in just eq, like a touch of compression etc. however, what i like about the idea, is plug your guitar into a desk and have a preamp like your showing and get the sound you like on a flat eq'd desk. then save it and it's a good start every time you plug into any PA system.

[@MRxr400]

by the way, i'm writing as i'm listening to your video. excellent point, and i totally agree, is make sure lower bass and strong balanced mid presence to cut through live. the first example of the mic recording was dead in the mids and too much bottom end. i cut acoustic at at least 100Hz or higher. so far, i'm the happiest with the fishman with the blend knob. i also like a compressor with a blend knob, to allow original signal response mixed with a touch of compression. that's a common advanced way compression is used at the desk for live performances.,

[@aaronshortmusic]

No an IR is like having thousands of bands of EQ with time information as well. Not that it makes it ‘better’ but in theory can make the pickup sound closer the to microphone.

[@garyworsham9471]

Thanks for doing this... I have not been paying attention to these things! My motivation is to be able to record the acoustic at home in spite of house and neighborhood noises. I think I will give the Nux a try. Doing the A/B with mic, even for just a few seconds, is helpful. The only thing I might have done differently would have been to get the pickup signal recorded at the same time as the reference mic tone, and then send that back through the pedals - just because the amount of high end you get with acoustic also depends on how you hit the strings. Even without that it was pretty convincing.

[@ericlai1160]

Been reading forums and reviews that says they have noise issue with the NUX. Is this a common problem?

[@aaronshortmusic]

Mine was fine.

[@aardjazz]

It can do if you screw up the gain staging when making an IR. easy to fix tbh

[@AlexVoinotGuitar]

Thank you so much for this contribution! This is fantastic!

[@BucoBucolini]

How the heck did you get the NUX to sound that good? Not only that it has the fidelity of the microphone, it has the air (ha didn't even plan on a pun) that you get with the mic that others don't. I'm not getting that captured with my guitar and the NUX. Yet, hopefully...

[@aaronshortmusic]

I’m not sure. Maybe it was the mic I used? Sometimes you just get lucky when making IR’s.

[@BucoBucolini]

@@aaronshortmusic it sure looks like a crapshoot. The mic I'm using is TLM 102 so at least it's from the same family. Thanks, I'll experiment more.

[@permjoback2580]

Cuki’s IR with eq 👍

[@makkamccann]

Yes, would love to be able to get hold of this IR.

[@lesmcc8103]

Could his Ir be loaded into POD go as well or just the stomp?

[@mikemcclelland3864]

Great compare- but if your really gonna do a detailed- you would be adjusting the EQ to tweak out the boomy bass and get more highs- I assume most these pedals offer some eq?

[@aaronshortmusic]

Yes but I could EQ them all forever and get different results. I like to just show what is achievable at the start. Anything can be improved with EQ.

[@mikemcclelland3864]

@@aaronshortmusic I’ll be ordering my NUX soon!

[@roymeyer6837]

This is an extremely helpful video! I have a Martin with an Aura system in it, and it's phenomenal live. Recording, it sounds much darker than through a good PA. But in a live setting it sounds like a good mic. The shortcoming of that system though is that the pedal and D.I. versions of the Aura are not nearly as good unless you get lucky enough to find an image that suits your guitar and pickup just right. And it's hard to gauge that since the sound you get in headphones or a DAW is not what it will sound like live through most PAs. It's great as an onboard system matched to a guitar but not nearly as easy to get good results with a standalone pedal/DI.

[@endoffate5475]

Optima sounds the best by far.

[@grahamhall2662]

Great comparison thank you. I like the straight Fishman Matrix the best. All of the pedals sound as if there are booming percussive drum section in the lower mix which I don't like at all.

[@aaronshortmusic]

I don’t disagree but remember that our ears also get used to a certain sound and tend to prefer it. Are you using an untreated undersaddle pickup currently?

[@grahamhall2662]

@@aaronshortmusic Hello, I have just bought a new Taylor 214ce from Gear for Music which has the ES2 system which I think produces a very good natural sound. I have no ir processor unit at the moment which is the reason I was drawn to your post. Over the years I have experimented with piezo pickups and made simple pre amps for them particularly for violin. My acoustic combo is a Marshal AS100D. Yes I agree your ear quickly gets used to a certain sound, the only exception for me is the piezo quack, something that all of your systems here deal with admirably.

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@grahamhall2662 Try it with the ES2 and see if you prefer it.

[@daveschellenberg5894]

nux for the win

[@aaronshortmusic]

I agree. It’s worth noting there is a Tone Dexter 2 now.

[@GuitarGathering]

Very helpful video. Thanks Aaron. - Steve

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thanks Steve!

[@trafalgar622]

Would the Nux work (creating my own IR) with a 6-string banjo with a Schatten pickup installed? Thx for helping!!

[@aaronshortmusic]

Sure. It’s not guitar specific.

[@trafalgar622]

@@aaronshortmusic thx so much, will give it a go. Wonderful job on that shootout, many thx!

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@trafalgar622 You’re welcome!

[@kennyschiff]

I have a Nux Optima Air, and play my Godin Multiac through it, also my mandolin, a L'Arrivee with an LR Baggs Anthem. I mostly play online and have used the 1/4" out into my Yamaha MG06X mixer, then not my Evo 4 interface. I have been troubleshooting noise issues, and thought I'd isolated it to 1/4 out on the Nux, so I decided to try using the XLR. Since my XLR inputs on the Yamaha have phantom power, I put a phantom blocker in between. It sounded terrible, very very noisy. I went and looked online and found multiple threads whereby people reported the same. This lead me to consider replacing it. Which then lead to the acousticguitarforum, which lead me here (great rabbit hole). Have you tried the Two Notes Opus?

[@aaronshortmusic]

The NUX is noisy with all of the outputs? I haven’t tried the Opus but have heard good things. Why not get an HX Stomp or similar and load your IR’s into that?

[@josechavarria3823]

Awesome video! I liked how with your EQ it got closer. I think it's just missing the percussion of the instrument that a mic is capable of capturing. The pickup sound is super different to be in front of the guitar, so it's crazy how similar it gets. Very well done, thank you for doing this.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Cheers!

[@RobCmusic]

I have the Optima Air, which I use mainly for turning my Telecaster with piezo bridge saddles into an acoustic. I loaded a Guild IR made by 3Sigma (they have various IR files in their pack to suit the source instrument). I use it when I need to record acoustic guitar, when outside noise makes it prohibitive to use a mic. It works very well for me, but I'm just a strummer, mixing the acoustic track with electric guitar tracks.

[@hervemerliet]

Very instructive .Thanks . Any advices for the choice of an under saddle pickup matched with the NUX ?

[@aaronshortmusic]

Maybe a Fishman Matrix.

[@DavidEidelberg]

That NuX is very impressive.

[@aaronshortmusic]

I agree!

[@premiumproductions9041]

Can you load reverb IR’s to any of these pedals ?

[@aaronshortmusic]

No.

[@premiumproductions9041]

@@aaronshortmusic oh ok thanks for responding ✨

[@brianmoore9637]

Bodyrez pedal in front of (or after) the Aura DI is amazing for UST equipped guitars.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Yes it adds even more EQ and compression. Like IR’s YMMV depending on the guitar and PA etc.

[@BodyjailedBlues06]

Really appreciate the aura by fishman, I’ve been looking for the aura dreadnought but nowadays in 2023 aura is not produce anymore … in France in the second hand market nothing 😢….

[@aaronshortmusic]

The Aura DI is still available in the USA. I’m hoping for a new version in 2024.

[@practicerepobarrie]

That was really good and well done. Thanks, I appreciate your hard work. I totally get it. Maybe one day I'll need one. Since two years have passed, have there been any updates that may have changed your pick ? Just wondering?

[@aaronshortmusic]

There is a new Tone Dexter but the algorithms haven’t changed too much. It’s more the interface and the feature set.

[@freetotalktruth3508]

The Tonedexter sounds like it's a few steps away. I'm so angry that I spent about $400 on this device.

[@aaronshortmusic]

There’s a new version out soon.

[@freetotalktruth3508]

@@aaronshortmusic It doesn't give me $400. :( My money evaporated.

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@freetotalktruth3508 You can sell it and move on.

[@choiceblade]

Please, do an acoustic video for NOOBS that carefully explains basic method of operations for hooking up and dialing in settings for a live show including definitions for "low cut" and "high boost" AND which dials control these effects/choices. Thanks!

[@aaronshortmusic]

“How To Plug-in an Acoustic Guitar” - I like it.

[@dandial3733]

Hi again Aaron, have you ever tried out a very basic IR loader such as the TC Electronics Impulse IR Loader or the Sonicake Sonic IR for acoustic guitar? Your thoughts ? Thanks

[@aaronshortmusic]

I have not. They will work but they cannot load long IR’s which results in less bass (sometimes this is a good thing).

[@melodology-5383]

Hello 👋 It will be great if you can answer my question if possible of course. I always trust your opinion 🙏 I recently bought a KNA-ng2 pizo pickup and installed it in my classical guitar to play in big outdoors/indoors Venue. However the sound of the piezo is just traditionally plasticy. I only want to use piezo and no mics at all due to feedback issues. I saw your review on the Nux air optima and the zoom a1 four pedal. So my question is which one of these can give me the most natural and full buddied sound? Of course with some EQ tweaking... Etc. I will hook them up to a sound mixer btw. I picked these 2 choices cuz both have a built-in reverb , which is the only effect I use. Or if you know other options (same price range and reverb availability) Again thanks for your great work and your contribution to the community ❤

[@aaronshortmusic]

I would say the NUX but you will have to connect it to a mixer and use a mic to make your own IR.

[@renmad0078]

In my mooer ge 300 i have the tone capture and with this i can emulate all the guitars i have electric and acoustics guitars. I can take a fender and play and like my gibson es 335 and same with my acoustics guitars. It's really impresiv. Nice video 😊👍

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thanks!

[@alexmusic2387]

Got different of these compact pedals. The Zoom A3 have a better processor, Input for a microphone, phantom, anti feedback and runs with Eneloop rechargable batteries.

[@aaronshortmusic]

The Zoom stuff is very good.

[@ericmathes1550]

I have a j45TV with a k&k pure mini installed. I hate the plugged in piezo tone. I have an HX Stomp but haven’t found an ir I like and I’m tired of searching the internet for compatible IRs. Should I buy an LR Baggs Anthem to get a mic to replace the k&k, or try the NuX?

[@aaronshortmusic]

Honestly I would either replace it with an Anthem OR look at getting a dedicated stage guitar for gigs.

[@steverolfeca]

I use the HX Stomp as my piezo hub, with a Martin D28 IR. Expensive, but the Stomp’s variable input impedance, gain staging, built-in mono/parallel/stereo inputs outputs and FX loop, tuner, extensive EQ, MIDI, modelled effects and IR loader make it a terrific option. Parallel blends and some parametric EQ help a lot with the HF issues that bothered you…

[@aaronshortmusic]

The Stomp is a great acoustic DI. I don’t need it with my Cole Clark though.

[@iup02236401]

Optima Air is impressive until it heats up and your sound becomes completely distorted and unusable.

[@aaronshortmusic]

I still have mine and that hasn’t happened to me! Did you tell NUX?

[@iup02236401]

@@aaronshortmusic Of course.

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@iup02236401 I didn’t have this issue with mine. I do have the latest firmware installed.

[@HubertMurrayMusic]

I find myself switching between the tonedexter and the Neumann. The Tonedexter aint bad!

[@aaronshortmusic]

I hear the new ToneDexter is better…

[@andymacc]

Whatever is used in pro studios to make acoustic guitar recordings sound really lush and amazing is needed across the board on all our mixes in consumer studios. Your raw mic file sounds great but, it’s not the sound we all hear and adore on hit recordings. With this in mind I feel the LR Baggs with a little tweak will sound closest. Your eq settings made your friends file sound very impressive at the end of your video. Maybe share that with us 👍

[@JohnDoe-xr5is]

7:20 You can change the settings of the Aura so that the eq buttons also effect the IR. I had my Aura for years, and didn't realize you can change a universal eq setting so that it effect BOTH guitar and IR signal. Don't ask me how to do it...I made the change a few years ago, and have forgotten.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Yes it’s in the user guide on page 21. Either just the pickup or both.

[@rabokarabekian409]

Brilliant, unusually professional vid. Still, no fingerpicking demo?

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thank you! I don’t think that fingerpicking will change the overall result, it may sound better than strumming though.

[@denmar355]

I too hope Fishman updates the Aura Spectrum IR’s. I think they will be very hard to beat. I sold the NUX Optima that I had bought used. Just using an eq after a Baggs Para-Acoustic DI pedal now. Works pretty well with the Godin A6 Ultra, and my OOO-45 with Rare Earth Blender pickup. The Loudbox acoustic amp provides some delay and reverb. DI out to PA.

[@aaronshortmusic]

The NUX works best when the IR is created from the guitar. I just did this the other day and the result was amazing but I’m still not sure that IR’s are what I want to use at a gig…

[@BigHugeYES]

The pickup was my fav.

[@denmar355]

With the NUX having several different guitar pickup choices it’s hard to beat. Between the Fishman, Baggs, and NUX, the NUX is the bargain. Used with a Godin A6 it’s really good. People always ask me how it sounds so good. Is it the guitar or the pedal. I say, “both”. It’s a package.

[@jbp3517]

If they added ground lift and feedback notch, NUX Optima is hard to beat. I opted for caline cp-67 for the preamp, DI+feedback-notch then the Flamma FS-07 Stereo IR loader. to hopefully achieve the features combination.