Sonicake A Factory - Affordable Acoustic Preamp/DI Tips & Review

[@smandez2023]

Aside from the product being reviewed here, what I really appreciate is a master class in acoustic guitar EQ'ing from somebody who clearly understands how it works and has the experience working live gigs to back it up. I've lost track how many videos I've watched regarding working with troublesome mids (the "Q" variable), that did a poor job of explaining the what, why and how. Excellent Aaron.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thank you!

[@FrederickChipkinsMusical-vt9kc]

I just purchased this. My situation is a bit odd. I have a drop tuned acoustic Archtop guitar. I'm using a KNA stick on pickup which on a PA sounds a bit tinny. You're in instructions were great (I took several screen shots...The Notch filter & N Frequency were totally confusing to me). You gave me a very clear starting point. Without it it would have taken me all day to adjust the settings. I got a great sound after about a half hour. I looked at many,many videos on this, yours was the only one with useful information. THANK YOU!

[@aaronshortmusic]

That’s great!

[@cugir321]

Fishman mini has a preamp built in.....Temu has the A factory for about 43.00...I've never had a problem buying from Temu's sonicake vender on their site. Use the sonicake vender listed on the pedal ad. The reverb has a little noise with my soundboard transducers (on more then one guitar)...I use a sonicake noise gate after the A factory pedal if I want to use the pedals reverb......I don't need the reverb so I'm happy without using the reverb. It's minor noise....not a big deal. the rest of the pedal is quiet. I like this pedal....it's a real deal! All of sonicakes pedals are very good and trouble free....love the echo rain delay pedal...for slight delay on an acoustic guitar

[@MuseumsBloke]

Nice sounding piece of Very Reasonably Priced kit, especially if the player already has a couple of other effects such as modulation or delay, that can extra flavours to the sonic palette. Something I’d be keen to hear thoughts on using is a 7- or 10- band EQ pedal instead of a dedicated preamp. My working hypothesis is that I might need greater tone shaping options but don’t need a specific volume boost. Any thoughts?

[@aaronshortmusic]

EQ is the most powerful tool we have. It’s definitely worth considering that over a preamp. Some preamps also have advanced EQ built in, the Line 6 HX Stomp is a great example of that but it is also 10x the price of the Sonicake and not as easy to use on the fly (physical knobs vs digital screen).

[@Aptmusicuk]

Love Sonicake always good and very affordable

[@aaronshortmusic]

I agree. I am impressed with their products so far.

[@rombsix]

Great work, man!

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thanks!

[@thereyougowithbryan6014]

Is there a phase switch?

[@aaronshortmusic]

No

[@dividedbytimestudios]

There’s also that affordable Orange acoustic preamp pedal, have you tried the empress para EQ pedal? Since you say the pickup is a preamp I guess the Para EQ could be a good alternative to preamp pedals?

[@aaronshortmusic]

Yeah there are a LOT of preamp pedals on the market. The appeal of this one is the features for the price.

[@adriantodor3458]

Thanks for the review, Aaron. How does this pedal compare with the Sonicwood acoustic pedal which you reviewed before? Which one do you prefer? I remember the other one didnn't have mid range control, but had more effects.

[@aaronshortmusic]

They are both great. It really depends on what you need and which other pedals you are using. I think the preamp would be my choice.

[@jamescorbett3039]

I’ve got the sonic wood. My view is that if you have a pre amp in your guitar the sonic wood is the one to go for. It has tap tempo on the delay AND a great chorus pedal and a basic reverb. You can also split the signal as you have the xlr and jack outs. The pre amp in the sonic wood is basic, it has level bass and tone, but it does a great job of removing the piezo quack(very much like the tc bodyrez pedal). The switches are high quality, much better than pedals I have by more expensive brands such as ehx. If you don’t have a pre amp on board the guitar I’d want more time shaping options such as what is available on the pedal Aaron reviews here. That said I think something like the nux stage man pedal would be preferable in my view as it has more features in a similar price range. That said I think sonic wood is good gear for little money.

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@jamescorbett3039 Yes really depends on the preamp in your guitar and the other effects that you already have.

[@geneleoneii3013]

Does the ground/lift work even if the preamp is off ?

[@aaronshortmusic]

I’m not sure. Please ask Sonicake.

[@rudolfprinsloo3299]

Sonicake A Factory or NUX Stageman Floor? I am using Fishman Neo D humbucker pickup. Currently using Behringer ADI21 but I want a preamp with reverb.

[@aaronshortmusic]

They are both excellent for the price. Choose the one with the features and form factor that suit you best.

[@latenight5865]

Can I possibly use this with my acoustic bass guitar with a passive piezo transducer?

[@aaronshortmusic]

Sure.

[@joseph_Stuart]

Would you recommend this for a K&K pure mini? I have one installed in my Martin 000-28ec.

[@aaronshortmusic]

K&K suggest that you use a preamp with a 1mOhm input. I think the Sonicake is 10. If I am correct then it will work but may have more bass than desired. You would have to try it.

[@erikbase4080]

is this pedal necessary if my guitar have fishman presys installed? it has same feature except the reverb

[@aaronshortmusic]

If your guitar already has a preamp then you may not need a preamp.

[@dariocantore3427]

It's good for acoustic Guitar with passive piezo? (Yamaha ll6) Thanks.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Yes it should be great for that.

[@danielenorido8522]

Sonicake ❤❤❤

[@aaronshortmusic]

Great company!

[@Acoustic_Music-h6x]

I recently tried a Schertler Jam amp with my Taylor 314 and it sounded amazing. These things are in a whole different category from regular acoustic amps. Just a suggestion for demos. Only issue is they are EXPENSIVE.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Yes and the quest many ask these days is ‘is it worth buying a high end acoustic amp over an 8” powered speaker’. I feel they are still worth it to the right player but would probably recommend the new rechargeable amps or regular PA speakers to 99% of players.

[@SteveSingerFowkes]

​@@aaronshortmusic I have a Henriksen Bud 6 (very expensive!) and the Bose S1 Pro Plus Whilst the Henriksen is fantastic The Bose wins hands down

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@SteveSingerFowkes The Pro Plus is a great unit.

[@yourloveisamazing143]

Is it compatible for electric guitar as an acoustic simulator pedal?

[@aaronshortmusic]

It will not simulate an acoustic.

[@yourloveisamazing143]

@@aaronshortmusic I mean does it simulate electric guitar to a acoustic sound

[@11000038]

I'd swap the preamp bypass for boost.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Good point.

[@ChrisTidestrom]

I use this one nowadays. Mostly to pre-cut the highs on my Acoustasonic Player, but I have a project cheapo hollow body with a piezo loaded bridge. And then...the P90 into the POD Express. That's the plan 🪖

[@aaronshortmusic]

Cutting the high end from an undersaddle pickup REALLY improves its tone.

[@lawrencegenereux8567]

So subtle that I don't need it. Thanks!

[@wjdavey3]

❤️🎶🎵👍🎶🎵🙏❤️😎

[@TheChristafershawn]

Interesting, great price on Amazon but of course there’s the ethics of using Amazon. I wish this had a room/mic simulator on it as well but you can’t have everything, especially for the price that it is.

[@aaronshortmusic]

The price is amazing and you can purchase directly from Sonicake using the link in the description.

I have this preamp and also Fishman Platinum pro EQ preamp…and I must be deaf…because I cannot hear a 250 dollars difference..😂..so I will buy a second one

[@cameroncook3863]

Sure disappointed in the Cole Clark i bought

[@aaronshortmusic]

Why?

[@cameroncook3863]

@@aaronshortmusic worse fit and finish for a higher dollar guitar ever. Had to take 2500 grit sand paper to smooth out the neck. Knobs on EQ are so stiff. Batter compartment sucks. Bridge pins were absolutely horrible. One was so hard to get out it chipped the finish off the bridge. Unplayable without taking in to have it worked on. I have a Cole Clark and take a $ 400 Teton guitar for gigs. Want to buy another C.C 😁 I will say looks wise its exactly what I wanted a full bodied blonde dread.

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@cameroncook3863 Sorry to hear that. Actually I had to change the pins on one of mine but I must have played at least 30 and overall they are great. I’ve never had a rough neck. I love that they grain fill them to be perfectly smooth. Next time reach out to them and let them know. They are very receptive.