How to Make an Acoustic Guitar Sound Great (Featuring Taylor Guitars)

We've talked about pedals for acoustic guitar and shown that yes, indeed, this works. Maybe we convinced you that you should use pedals on acoustic. On today's live, we'll see if we like micing or direct better with audience participation. Thanks for watching!
Just Try Stuff Ep. 3, Pedals for Acoustic - • Pedals for Acoustic (J...
Who is Ernie Ball - • Who Is Ernie Ball?
History of Guitar Strings - • History of Guitar Stri...
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[@GregMusic-sr3gz]

As an acoustic player I would love to see you do more pedal stuff with acoustics. It is a large area of the market no one seems to acknowledge. It is not just gigging, it is home play with a looper.

[@Chrisamic]

I'm playing around with a NUX Pulse CAB IR at the moment. It has a couple of acoustic modes that work really well with a piezo bridge pickup.

[@TrashHeapCustodian]

Acoustic+Metal Zone was a transcendent experience

[@lepus6511]

Whatever you guys were on this episode please do it again. This was insane. I always listen to the live streams in the background while I work but I couldn't resist actually watching this one. You guys were on one

[@darylstevenett1]

As a gigging Fingerstyle player...and using a very large pedal board with compressors, EQ's and more...I'm still searching for the best "Live" acoustic sound...loved the show!! Thank you!!

[@matthewmcclure3181]

Daryl, I'm also a finger-style player. I went into a fair amount of detail on my live setup in my comment in this thread. Based on your comment, you already understand the criticality of comps and EQs for sculpting your tone, especially for those of us who play more lightly... like finger-style guitarists. But if you are unaware of a few mic options actually suitable for live applications, or the concept of blending multiple PU/Mic sources and using multiple preamps, then you might find something useful in my post.

[@simonpark843]

Thank you for making these videos. JHS videos remind me a lot of how my life was, years ago, when I was playing music with friends and so on, and it's a good feeling. Seeing all of you messing around with various gear and having fun with it makes me happy so...please keep doing this stuff. It's free entertainment of the highest standard, so thank you.

[@jhspedals]

Thank you!!!

[@lepus6511]

I read "wife" instead of "life." "JHS videos remind me a lot of how my*wife* was, years ago, when I was playing music" I was like, "oh yikes what a strange comment" lol

[@scottutter8262]

I’m always in search for ways to make my acoustic sound better-so I LOVED this episode.

[@jhspedals]

💪🏼

[@jamesparker92]

Love the es2 system in my Taylor. Was super surprised when I had my es1 upgraded to es2: blows me away. I have a dn3 (310, dreadnought) and love it. Thanks JHS fam for all you do. Love the show so much!

[@matthewmcclure3181]

This is my bag, I'm more of an acoustic than electric player. My comment is primarily in the context of performing as a solo performer, but this setup can work in certain band settings too (depending on the genre - when the key acoustic guitar frequencies (200 - 1250 Hz) aren't competing with other overly saturated/distorted instruments and this freq range isn't too densely populated). What I've found works best is: (1) blending a good acoustic pickup with specialized attachable mics (I'll explain in a moment) a. K&K Pure Mini PU b. DPA 4099-G mic (their purpose-built mic for guitars, clamps to the body of the guitar) c. iSolo Wireless mic (a small wireless mic that "sticks" to the body) and a receiver that's about the size of a mini pedal (2) running the pickup and mics through good preamps (w/either built-in EQ bands, Q, and HPF, or an external EQ pedal) Here's my setup: K&K Pure Mini (internal) -> channel 1 on the Grace Felix Preamp (built in 3-band EQ w/Q control) DPA 4099-G Mic (aimed at 12th fret) -> channel 2 on the Grace Felix Preamp ((built in 3-band EQ w/Q control) iSolo Wireless Mic (aimed slightly in front of sound hole) -> AEA TRP Preamp -> Source Audio EQ2 note: DPA 4099-G and iSolo are positioned roughly 3-4 inches above the guitar (very little background noise and don't feedback) The Grace Felix, AEA TRP Pre, and iSolo receiver sit on my pedalboard (no different than a pedal) along with the Source Audio EQ, Origin Cali-76 Comp, Strymon Big Sky, and a few pedal slots to rotate other pedals. If you're envisioning some monstrosity sitting on the floor in front me, for perspective all of this sits on a Pedaltrain Novo 24. I concur with Josh that the L.R. Baggs Anthem is a good PU and I use this pickup in two of my guitars. However, I actually settled on a much cheaper option... the K&K Pure Mini... not because it was less expensive but because it worked better for me. The K&K + Grace Felix channel 1 EQ settings are focused on the higher mid frequencies (everything above 1250 Hz). The two attachable mics focus on different low mid and mid freq bands, the Grace Felix is transparent, and the AEA TRP provides some subtle color. The result is a full-bodied acoustic guitar tone, a balanced and rich frequency range, and when necessary an ability to cut through a mix w/o harshness. Summary: sound is picked up and processed through 3 independent sources, blended back together with each channel concentrating on discrete EQ bands, and the usual suspect freq's that generate woof/honk/shrill are cut but not eliminated. I'm not at the mercy or reliant on a sound-man to shape my tone, and I know what I'm going to sound like without much tweaking. Final comment - The setup I've described is specifically for live performance. For recording, I haven't found any pickup or D.I. option that comes even remotely close to tracking with a pair of goods mics (typically 1 small condenser pencil mic, and 1 ribbon mic). The "why" should be blatantly obvious, as the beauty of an acoustic tone isn't residing within the cavity of the guitar -> it's the sound being pushed out of the sound hole and it's best captured a few feet in front of the guitar. Setting up mics a few feet in front of the guitar is completely impractical in live settings for a number of reasons. The secret of why the two mics I'm using "live" work so well isn't complicated. It's the closest option to placing two great mics in front of the guitar, but without all of the problems.

[@Liko81DJ]

That description of the ES is for the ES2 system; Taylor's original ES was indeed a magnetic pickup in the neck and a couple strategically-placed boundary mics. So Addison's not crazy (at least not for this reason)

[@WhatsUpWhitey]

This is one of my favorite episodes you have ever done!

[@jhspedals]

thanks!!!

[@steverhinefrank5589]

wow... whatever y'all were doing before this one, keep doing it ! good to see everyone having so much fun while actually being quite useful

[@HumbleInitiative]

I’ve been looking for a video like this for a long time. Thx! ❤️🇨🇦

[@scottgeyer684]

I love my NUX Optima Air! It’s the best thing that ever happened for my acoustic live sound!

[@robertoacuna6699]

It was a lot of fun watching. Learned a lot!

[@ToneCharmAudio]

Thanks for awesome live!

[@clydehannah1056]

Learning so much about freq’s and seriously getting allot out of this show! Thanks Fellas!

[@joshuaraysummey7679]

I'm at the beginning and you probably covered this. One of the reasons I picked up the boss IR200 is how good Pete thorn made his acoustic sound with acoustic irs. On the 200 you can blend your dry signal with the ir. I've gotten some pretty outstanding sounds with bands lately because of it

[@rich77rich77]

I like the history shows and I like these tech shows, keep diving deep on both of these styles please. Cheers!

[@RSCphoto-Savannah]

I hate to tell you this, but this is the best show you have ever done.

[@jhspedals]

Thank you!!!

[@macsarcule]

This is killer. Excellent show!

[@ArvidNielsen]

Thank you, Josh! You’re the best. Those final words on purported genious…thank you!

[@scottmoreau5630]

I always appreciate your videos but it would be awesome to see an update once you get a chance to research acoustic pickups a bit more. It was a shame that no one knew how the ES2 worked or the Baggs Voiceprint. There’s so much out there though like Dazzo and Amulet pickups.

[@Kevin_Fallin]

I recognized the Dave Matthews in that chord the moment you first struck it and the band totally caught the groove! My heart is full ❤😂 Also I just realized that I'm holding my Taylor 514ce cedar top in my KZbin profile pic lol. I can definitely vouch for the ES pickup system!

[@douchecraft3113]

those jams were very thoughtful. Love it

[@billyshears6622]

I endorse Mike. My friends and I always talk about "is there a better way to do this" at open mic night so this was worth seeing.

[@reneaceves8820]

I use an Empress three band parametric EQ (recently discontinued) into an Empress compressor, which is fully featured with 3 different ratios and adjustable attack/release, and blend; from there going into a Keeley 30 ms with stereo outputs.

[@scottworsham]

I have found my JHS Colour Box V2 is perfect for an acoustic DI. Really works amazingly well.

[@littledrummerboyph]

I've just gotten into the Fishman Aura pedals this year- they seem similar in approach to the Voiceprint, but you can't do an IR of your own guitar, you just search through until you find one that works well (you can search their IR catalog by make, model, size, woods used). I've set it up for 5 different acoustics, taking about 45 minutes each time with a bunch of careful listening to the guitar in the room, and achieved better DI sounds out of them than anything I've used over the years. The craziest part is that you really only end up putting about 40% of the IR in the signal most of the time, but it does so much for the sound.

[@brainsplosion3000]

Josh, you perfectly illustrated the experience of the Grunge pedal with the 50 taps to get the switch to engage (and I'm not a hater, I have like 11 of em)

[@GreenyBlues]

I like this educational tangent. You’re explaining stuff it took me years to learn through trial and error (before the days of KZbin). More like this please! I find a thin pick is a good way to get more zing and cut-through sometimes (in certain mixes). And fresh strings (old strings can really get dull). Most of the time I record through a SM57 - direct can be ok but never sounds as good. Or natural.

[@jonnytacoma]

Nailed it..57 all day

[@fecklessmovies]

@@jonnytacoma I have a 57 too which I often use on acoustic. What position/distance from the guitar do you have yours and where do you aim it?

[@johnhood7098]

I really enjoyed the “saxophone part”! Lol!

[@VAR1423]

Awesome video! Thankn you so much!

[@BobMaulucci]

I have a Radial Tonebone Acoustic preamp. Has a loop which works great with something like a NUX Atlantic Delay/Reverb, has a boost, and works well with all types of acoustic pickups.

[@ContemporaryFingerstyleGuitar]

The LR Baggs Para DI is magical. It can take a little time to understand the EQ, but the pre-amp and EQ are musical. I've used it for 15 years. Combining it with an IR pedal like the Impulse IR Loader can yield even better results.

[@ContemporaryFingerstyleGuitar]

This is a wonderful, educational video. Thanks! There is a lot of voodoo associated with getting good acoustic tones. Thing is, there are so many acoustic tones. The first tone might be a strum style in a band context with hard compression. It could also be a very defined solo fingerstyle sound with deep reverb (think Michael Hedges' Aerial Boundaries). It could be an acoustic guitar tone for a solo singer. Each sound requires different EQ, compression and space.

[@timmoore5494]

Nice Collective Soul throwback around 13:25 Josh (The World I Know)

[@danielhasty6077]

This was one of the most fun episodes yet

[@Rockfish66]

I'm here for the EB cable! Back in the day I zip tied a 20' headphone cable to my guitar cable for exactly this purpose!

[@kayplainsdrifter136]

It's a great idea!

[@m0j0b0ne]

I've had a Baggs Double Barrel pickup system in my cedar top Washburn dreadnaught for over 20 years, but only recently found the ideal pedal/preamp for salubrious amplification of said signal. Of course Zoom, in their finite wisdom, discontinued their A3. That said, I've gotten the best results on stage with a pickup/mic blend, either with the Baggs' internal omni or an external cardioid pencil condenser. The A3 has phantom power on the combo mic input, so it's also great for running condenser mics through a bunch of guitar pedals. I also use it to route miked djembe and uke bass to a looper for quick accompaniment loops on the fly. For this reason and some others, I own 2 zoom A3s. In the studio, it's strictly mics, unless I want a specific pickup sound or I can't get the player to sit/stand still.

[@dahlbaker]

Mic to a Colour Box V2 in parallel with Colour Box V2 as a DI. Delay on the DI. Great show!

[@aliasdandavisofficial]

About 9:30 or so - the LR Baggs vs the condenser mic - by the time the sound got squeezed through the interweb tubes, they sounded identical (listening through the KZbin app on a Roku TV). It must be maddening to attempt to produce unbiased shootout videos. Great content either way.

[@lynyrddeville]

“They’re glorified shakers”, great great description. I’ve heard so many recordings where the “shing shing shing” of the acoustic could be confused with a ride cymbal if you weren’t paying attention is how I think of it but glorified shakers says it with less words I think.

[@okayguitarplayer]

My favoritest show on YT... Love you nerds

[@ted_splitter]

I have a soundhole pickup, a piezo inside and also a condenser mic and my intention has always been to record 3 simultaneous guitar tracks together and then mix and effect them. But I have never so much as got around to recording one note in this way haha

[@LunaWorldcast]

We use the LR Baggs pick up system paired with the Fishman Platinum Pro Preamp or a Fishman Aura Spectrum DI and it sounds great for us. The preamps have great FX loops. Aura does a great job of modeling different types of mics. They're both worth trying. Would have liked to see the Aura in this video! It answers most of the questions posed by this video. We want a Colour Box Style acoustic preamp with an fx loop that can also model different mic tones, you got this.

[@cj.sabella]

I always loved Tommy Emmanuel’s method. He faces his acoustic amp away from the audience and then mics the front of the amp AND sticks another mic in the back of the amp by the cone and blends from there.

[@irapelletier5506]

I just bought a colour box to replace my paracoustic di because I love that you can use it with a microphone too!!!

[@markntexas8265]

Awesomeness and yes I am in for the ride I just watched an intro to sine waves err I mean how sound works in a music theory lesson

[@seangrover140]

Josh's saxophone solo was 🔥.

[@KenInVic]

I have to agree, the Sonic Stomp is Voodoo. It goes on and off my pedal board and I really can't say how I come about either decision at any given time.

[@Aaron-zh4kj]

Would love to have seen the new phenomenon of acoustic guitar impulse responses explored as well. I have a piezo equipped Floyd rose bridge in my electric and when used in tandem with acoustic guitar IR’s, it’s downright spooky how a super strat electric sounds exactly like an acoustic guitar.

[@m0j0b0ne]

Not only can the color box get your pickup MUCH closer to a miked sound, it can also be used WITH a mic; the latest version can even pass phantom power, for your fancy condensers.

[@davidkent2804]

Have used BBE exciter in mixed tracks for years. I think it's doing frequency specific expansion

[@mattdoyle1554]

Maton guitars. There's your answer! They have a small condenser built in that swings out near the sound hole inside. Blending that with the under saddle? Best I've heard

[@ContemporaryFingerstyleGuitar]

Pedals work great with acoustic guitars! Just stay away from pedals that deliver or focus on a typical electric guitar EQ. Compressors that emulate LA-2A or 1176 compressor work well. Ross/MXR style compression will kill the acoustic's dynamic range. Digital reverbs work well. Even some DSP stuff like the DigiTech Mosaic (12-string effect) or Meris Enzo work well if used subtly.

[@SHTMusik]

Josh singing!!! Awesome.

[@jamesrabic5380]

I love the almost Dave Mathews, I didn't think I'd ever hear that on this show!!!

[@78tag]

How many times have all of us done exactly what you are doing in this video but without as many choices of gear? Thanks for this demonstration.

[@discokvn4243]

someone likely posted this already but i will add my voice -- the lr baggs voiceprint di is really amazing, and a bit complicated. you CAN use it as a straight di box, but when you make a voiceprint, it captures the "tone" of your guitar. you can't really make one guitar sound like another by using the voiceprint, and addison was incorrect in suggesting that they had ir's that you could load in. i think you should revisit it, and do a show on it... maybe even the history of lr baggs, cuz they do pedals.

[@mattnunnelly6321]

I use the align series EQ and Reverb on my acoustic as always-ons, and they are stellar. The session Preamp/DI is also good (but the tuner is garbage).

[@thehoss84]

In essence this episode makes me want to experiment with amplified acoustic tones and that is a good thing

[@jhspedals]

yes

[@bmoklsc]

I just bought K&K transducer pups and a JHS Clover to replace the old Fishman system in my 25 year old Taylor 314ce. I kinda wish I’d seen this episode beforehand, but at the same time I’d still set up my Taylor the same way. Now I need to figure out what to do with the huge hole in the side where the Fishman preamp was.

[@b-mob]

Thanks to Zach P. Never heard Collective Soul - The World I Know. But it definitely sounds like adoption of 90ths trance progression to guitar.

[@SeniorFeliz]

That was so cool I was singing along to Pearl 🎸 jam what!!!! "She dreams in color she dreams in red can't find a better man"

[@waltonadams3483]

I’ve used mine through pedals and half stacks with fuzz etc. they sound best natural and use the semi and solids for the electric duties. I won’t even use a chorus or reverb pre eq on mine and won’t even do it then. They are awesome the way they are.. darnit

[@macsarcule]

Btw, if you like the bbe sonic stomp, you _gotta_ try the 29 Pedals EUNA and OAMP. Game changers. ✌️😌🎸

[@clydehannah1056]

Fav logo, the next one

[@kalebbeach2700]

41!!! Awesome to hear!

[@Ixodiusixi]

Fishman neo sound hole pickup no pick noise (i have not the active) ,amp gain around 3 (clean but give it some) volume. I use a Kemper profiling amp with ( BIG Headroom. ) Jhs buffered splitter and a modulation and or delay. Sounds all sorts of real like can't unlimited volume but is real nice. I use a lil compression to even out the volume, and I don't eq it sounds so natural.

[@erikzen1]

I use K&K Mini in my guitar with a Fire Eye Red Eye preamp. Sounds pretty good. You should check out Fire Eye.

[@livingthedream137]

Let’s be clear. Just because what DM plays is hard does not mean it is good. It is hard. It is bad. They not mutually exclusive. Hard on fingers? Sure. Hard on ears? Definitely. Love the show.

[@john_ford]

The comment about acoustic guitars in the background maybe the case in a lot of mixes today. But in early rock and roll the acoustics were mixed right out front to make the BIG rock and roll sound. Buddy Holly-Not Fade Away is a good example. The Rolling Stones- Street Fighting Man is another example. The mix of the acoustics right out front is what creates that big sound.

[@BillyMoonMan]

I use the tc body rez. It’s cheap and it’s one knob. Adds compression and eq curves. It’s nice and easy.

[@BillyMoonMan]

And add a 3 series reverb!

[@CoolGreenApple]

LR Baggs makes the best shit. My Seagull came with a Duet II and being able to blend the pickup & internal mic was sooooo good

[@vulinmusic]

Is that the 3 Series Reverb or Hall Reverb? Enjoyed the show boys 👌🏼

[@aaronseverydayprojects5040]

This is probably my favorite episode since Danny Chambers. The 90’s jams mixed with worthless and worthwhile information was amazing. Little disappointed we didn’t see the fx69 grunge stinger…

[@davidkent2804]

Josh's vocal sax: hawk about to dive for helpless prey

[@ElijahRock92]

I actually heard a 90s gospel song with 2 acoustics (probably DI) panned in stereo layered with chorus and reverb similar to that Boss pedal. It actually sounded good in the mix with the pads, bass, and electric guitar. Always thought it was a cool usage for acoustic.

[@jhspedals]

nice. you remember what it was?

[@ElijahRock92]

@@jhspedals "Adore You" by Anointed

[@jordan.lafayette]

@@ElijahRock92song is absolute 🔥🔥🔥 too.

[@radiogigguidewithgreggo943]

38:46 Yes, the blend is the bit. The blend is the unique sound that Josh creates. Capture all & blend to your desire.

[@daddio307]

I have an older 710 (39 yrs old). Very nice axe.

[@diodesDankessAndDives]

The holy stain is my favorite everything pedal 🤙✨️🤙

[@dougiemanross]

I think the best way to do it is blending both. It’s not cool to like the DI, but most of the time, I lean on the direct sound of the pickup with the “air” or room from a condenser mic blended in but it kind of depends on what I’m doing. For some projects, I do the opposite. Whatever works, ya know? 🤷‍♂️

[@glennkearney7829]

love it

[@enricopallazzo8510]

Can you guys do an entire episode talking through a Metal Zone? that was quiet cool

[@jhspedals]

lol

[@SeniorFeliz]

Yes it has been useful I feel direct is better.

[@gustavoberocan]

So if when you are using a mic moving the guitar is like adding Eq then you could make an acoustic wah wah just with a guitar, a mic and an office chair.

[@TraneFrancks]

I'm digging bingeing on all the livestreams I've missed up till now. Can't afford any new pedals at the moment, so the least I can do is give you guys hours upon hours of Premium view time. HNY, gang! ❤

[@williamknell864]

Trance Audio, and K&K make some of the most believable transducers to louden the acoustic guitar that I've ever heard. Amplifier or PA.

[@JohannesLabusch]

Love that mic, btw! Is that a Soyuz Bomblet? Edit: Got my answer @ 58:15.

[@ryanjohnson9121]

Collective Soul "The World I Know" Blue album. My favorite band of all time.

[@kslim1657]

I picked up on that instantly - also one of my favorite bands of all time.

[@DrSaxman33]

Finally some Dave Matthews love!

[@Millennial_Mike]

Impulse response is the (current) ultimate solution imho... paired with good mixing (compression, reverb etc)

[@chrisjw5]

What an incredibly fun episode. If you ever want a fan-guest…

[@Servant316]

Please do a Video on Stone Deaf Pedals Josh, would like to have your insight on those!

[@oldtomthestoryteller6517]

I would have liked to hear the Baggs Align preamp, but great stuff.

[@aaronhuisinga2531]

I'm thinking the Sonic Maximizer, Color Box, EQ, and a bit of reverb are going to be the closest going completely direct. The Sonic Maximizer alone helps a lot.

[@AnthonyDunstan]

this episode needs a "warning - may cause giggle fits" banner.

[@AndrewStottisTheIndiWerWlf]

Josh. Sweet, brilliant Josh. Piezo is pronounced pee·ay·zow.

[@mikesucho]

Good video but you did not give the Voiceprint a fair shake. You should do an IR pedal shoot out and add the NUX Optima Air and others.

[@silverdragon0000120]

I can finally try to use my Taylor 814ce deluxe in its electric form lol I never use the electronics since it’s already pretty loud on its own 😀

[@jhspedals]

yes

[@rem7544]

what do you guys think of the firewood acoustic di from animals pedal ? I just love the drawing but i never even owned an acoustic di i always recorded my acoustic guitar with a microphone