What's an Acoustic Guitar DI & 6 Best DI Pedals ★ Acoustic Tuesday 204

There are a lot of different DI pedals out there. But how do you know which one is best for your needs? Watch this video and I'll tell you all about the 6 best acoustic guitar DIs, so that you can find the perfect one for your sound.
DI pedals are one of the more essential pedals for acoustic guitarists. A DI pedal allow you to capture the sound of your guitar and allow it to be processed on a soundboard. This allows a sound engineer or AV tech to change the balance on your guitar.
If you ever plan on playing live or playing through a PA, you'll really need a DI. Because you can't just plug your guitar straight into a soundboard, the DI allows your guitar to be processed through a soundboard.
Each of the acoustic guitar DIs featured in this episode have a slightly different sound. I'll play the same guitar and run it through different DIs to allow you to hear how each DI captures the same guitar's sound differently.
In addition to hearing my 6 favorite acoustic guitar DIs, you'll hear about what it's like to start a guitar journey. From imposter syndrome to creating expectations, you'll hear how one TAC Family member overcame those negative thoughts to start their journey on the right step.
Last but not least, you'll get my curated list of acoustic guitar news you can use.
#acousticguitar #DI
00:00 - Intro
02:05 - What is a DI?
03:47 - 6 DI Sound Tests
05:55 - DI Pedal Demos
12:10 - TAC Family Story
17:59 - Guitarsenals & Comments
24:50 - Daisy Tempest 1st Guitar
26:00 - ‪@sturgillsimpson‬New Album
28:03 - ‪@riddyarman30‬ New Album

[@HeartbreakerGuitars]

Tony's show never disappoints. Always fantastic content... Love listening on my way to work. Keep it going TP!

[@barryemerson3526]

Thanks for highlighting me today in the guitarsenal section! Would have included myself in the picture but did have anyone to take my picture on that day. I joined TAC back in May of this year and have enjoyed it immensely. I’ve started playing the guitar in May of 2020 as a COVID project and have kept it up. Only missed 3 days of playing over this time period. Thanks again Tony!

[@TheBritishPatriot]

I liked #2 and #5, they both gave a more natural acoustic sound, unfortunately they’re really expensive. Would be nice to see a more budget friendly DI comparison that includes names like Stagg, Behringer and Art Pro etc

[@mikec6947]

I agree with your assessment. The others (1, 3, 4, 6) sound just like my LRBaggs under-saddle sounds like through an amp. It's a shame that magic can't be worked in the pickup circuitry.

[@maraviyoso8473]

Mmmmm, I have the Radial Pro DI. Unlike the rest, it is passive, and passive DI's should be used with active systems.

[@sarahbrzezniak373]

I agree #2 then #5

[@fcwy1]

#2 and #5 sound best for me too. Can't decide between both.

[@juffurey]

Uh yeah #5 was by far the best for me. makes it sound like it's played through a mic which is what I want.

[@stephenpierce2274]

Nice video. Enjoy the format and subscribed to learn more - thank you! Been using the LR Baggs Para Acoustic for 18 years, though mostly play unamplified unless studio recording with great mics. Recently gigging live and needing a more robust interface. Ran across the NUX Optima Air and curious about your take on that one. Looking forward to more of your great posts!

[@LewWelchThePoet]

Thank goodness, finally a demo that explains the purpose of a DI first. Essential for newbies like me to the DI world. Be good to know how to use a DI with other pedals.

[@chriskastelic1491]

5, 6, and 2 (in that order). 5 was actually by far the best to me.

[@GUITARSandBBQ]

Been listening to the Ballad of Dood and Juanita for the last week. Fantastic western music and great story, definitely worth a listen.

[@davidshaw5979]

2, 3 and 6 for me in any order. Great show Tony all the best.

[@markstrain8989]

5 sounds best to me in this demo. thanks 👍

[@toddjohnson9753]

My ears picked #1 and #5. Looking forward to next weeks show.

[@hollowbodymusic5673]

I loved #1. Gonna pick up that Fishman. Thank you!

[@MashaT22]

Thanks for featuring my q! Really, really helpful about the scale length advice. Gonna give that a go! And yes, I’m a gal! 😉 Btw, really funny that you forgot The Beatles on that episode. Even funnier that most of us didn’t notice. Lots of amazing music scores in film. Pretty sure The Beatles wouldn’t be insulted one bit! 😂

[@mburtondavis]

I’m watching on my iPhone and the sound on #5 was just so much better than the other ones.

[@paulhudson7719]

Thanks for explaining DIs and showing several in action. My practice space now includes a Boss Acoustic Pro amp, which seems to incorporate several of the pedal functions you have recommended on a previous show. If I understand what I am seeing (possibly a big IF), this box allows direct connections to a sound board, with either the built-in effects or a dry signal. The features include reverb, chorus, delay, harmony and a looper, not to mention equalizations options. I think is a really efficient way to get most everything an acoustic player might need in one box! Might be time for a review. Cheers!

[@monkeysweeperguitar]

I’ve been singing the praises of the Voiceprint DI since I got one. My Martin J-40 has a K&K, and my Breedlove Journey Concert Ltd Brazilian has an LR Baggs Anthem. Both guitars sound amazing through the VPDI. They both are insanely beautiful sounding guitars on their own, so keeping that sound quality was really important to me when I was deciding between the Tonedexter and the VPDI. I feel pretty validated right now LOL.

[@ruicruz8231]

What a great show with a lot of useful information! I wanted to love the fishman, however my choices were 2, 5 and 6! My wallet hated these choices! May I ask for one episode dedicated to acoustic busking? Cheers

[@sbolfing]

I have zero experience with DIs - but #1 was probably my favorite. Love Raising Sand and cannot wait for Raise the Roof - there's something magic about Krauss and Plant, and the first single being a Lucinda Williams cover! Awesome!

[@johnwyrosdick5817]

Completely agree with your choices! The Alex has a second channel for a microphone and you can blend the two signals. The Baggs sounded amazing.

[@scottgeyer684]

I would love to hear your assessment of the NUX Optima Air!

[@jimmextorf7785]

Using headphones/computer speakers. #2 and #5 were the best to my ears.. I would need to hear them live and with my acoustics to make a final choice. Thanks for the comparison and the knowledge.

[@garymiller7597]

I ran upstairs and played the DI section from You Tube thru my stereo with AR LST speakers. I liked DI #1 as it sounded crisp, clean and natural. then DI 6 which was natural but not as crisp, DI 3 mellow but not bad, DI 4 was a bit electronic (less natural) sounding but would be okay. DI 2 sounded muddy and DI 5 sounded hollow.

[@ianglencross]

My DI is a LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI, and I use it with my Ovation Celebrity, my Fender CN-140 and my Epiphone Casino. It's great with all of them!

[@bonfireballads]

Gonna go with DI #2. Not too bright sounding, not boomy.

[@jeffhatcher6778]

If you get a chance, try to check out the HX stomp (or other helix product) with an acoustic IR. Another option, which I think gives some pretty fantastic results.

[@joelcelima]

Would love to hear the AER colourizer ! Great video .

[@heymrguitarman7637]

So here's one for you Tony. Last night I played a gig (only my 3rd ever as a singer) using an Emerald guitar I was inspired to buy after seeing the brand on your channel, playing predominantly Travis picking folk style which I first learned from your channel. Oh and almost every song I played used a capo, which was an Elliott Capo I bought after seeing a review on your channel. Just thought you'd like that.

[@cvbrowning]

I've played keyboards all my life and fell in love with guitars from an old Gibson 12-string a good friend played in a small folk band we formed when I was about 19. I bought an old guitar on a trip to Mexico and my friend taught me a basic E,A,D chord combo. The rest is history. I LOVE acoustic guitars! I now own the likes of Furch, Taylor, Konig-Meyer, Seagull, Larivee, and quite a few others I'm really proud to play. I recently started thinking about doing some live shows after many years of sitting it out. Ran into some serious sound problems with my PA setup. Very frustrating to hear a muddy, bass-cramped sound coming from even my best guitars. So I've been looking into DIs, EQs, and various effects pedals. Coincidently, I researched the L.R. Baggs sound shaper yesterday, but I kind of doubted whether it could really be that good. This review did it for me. I finally found someone who can break it down in human terms! Definitely a new subscriber! Thanks, Partner! Gotta go - I have an L.R. Baggs to buy. ;-)

[@keestoft250]

Thanks tony, that was a good introduction into a bewildering world. There's a caviot we maybe should all have with DIs, pickups and outboard preamps; they're probably not gonna get us all the way sonically, but nearly is good enough. There's a great session by Hiss Golden Messenger on KEXP radio (I think), MC Taylor is playing a lovely martin 00-18 or 28, his plugged in sound is a tad bluh, but the performance is great so it doesn't really matter... if you catch my drift!?

[@jameslawrencewirth]

2 definitely!

[@1122445]

G'day Tony. It would be wonderful if you had a follow-up show on the connectivity of I.D Boxes, now that would boil over nicely. Thanks for being you. All good things from the Beaufort Street Cats.

[@BhuushanMaloo]

1 was do warm and melodious .. liked the #1

[@conniewasham2737]

My favorites were #2 and #5...I liked the deeper tones, not so tinney (sp) fun show

[@ariakiss]

Lloyd Baggs always nails it with his preamps. Fishman makes great ones also But everytime i hear that voiceprint. Im blown away

[@pameladiez4933]

I like all of them.they are all different.and depends on the mood,on how you want to sound at the moment.thanks.i hope you are well,your wife and emerson.love your show.i liked #5.

[@larryclark3547]

I liked #5 the best, followed closely by #2. They sounded the most natural, like the guitar is being played in front of a microphone. All the others allowed the piezo “quack” to come through. I hate hearing that in live performances (although understandable in very large venues).

[@cathaldalymusic]

3 and 5 were my favourites

[@mwdollar]

The Grace Felix is the bomb with a K&K dual mic setup! 🎶

[@RexRobbins1]

Thanks for this comparison of DIs. I have been looking at the LR Baggs VoicePrint and like you felt somewhat skeptical of the claims they made about this DI. This demo sold me on the voiceprint!

[@pcam1926]

Don't forget Rex, you will need an iPhone to operate it fully. Not an android or iPad. Check your local prices too as the Tone Dexter isn't always dearer.

[@donmartin3356]

Tony. This was very informative. These DIs sounded very good. One question- what pickup is in the guitar you were using? Thanks

[@vwbeetle72jellybeen]

#2 and #5 Jahre the best out of every taste sample. My favorite is #5 LR Baggs Voice print. A little pricy, but with a saddle pickup the LR Baggs is by far the best. I would like to see a re-visit of the best add-on pickups for my Yamaha so I can plug in once in a while.

[@markvossler1676]

#5 in the blind taste test for sure. Now that I realize how it works and how user friendly Tony thinks it is I might need to buy one.

[@GUITARSandBBQ]

Going with DI #5

[@mikejenkins1694]

4 was my favorite

[@fipenna]

Could you comment on the Boss AD-10? It’s a DI that integrates some effects as well, curious to understand your feedback on it as it bundles some desired features. Thanks!

[@ricjoorg]

#5, by far!

[@michaelpeterson5832]

I liked #5.

[@user-uy2wm1cz8x]

I , too , like #2 and #5

[@williedeuel]

I like #5, followed closely by #2.

[@jnparesa]

I own the Fishman and I love it

[@Jess_Jones]

Oh, my vote for favorite was #6

[@JonDSpeer]

I liked #3 Radial ProDI best. I also like that this is the least expensive option you shared because the concept of a DI is brand new to me. Also curious as to your thoughts about ToneWoodAmp? Can you compare and contrast this versus a DI?

[@divineprinciplesofrelaxtio4441]

I like #1 the Fishman Platinum & #3 the Radial Pro

[@infinger2006]

Would your recommendations change any of you use pedals? I use verb and delay with a volume pedal. I play live very often. My pickup is an LR Baggs Anthem. I almost bought a Radial J45 the other day. Currently I play through a small acoustic Amp that receives a clean and dirty signal that is mic'd Thanks! And great show. Love your content.

[@jerrynelson2723]

Tough selection, but my favs are 5, 6 and 2 in that order.

[@mintonmiller]

Sturgile Simpson's voice sounds A LOT like Waylon Jennings in the sixties when he was getting started.. very cool. The Alison Krauss/ Robert Plant selection has that JJ Cale vibe to it. I will have to check them out.

[@guybross1200]

Tony , I think 2 & 5 for me.

[@JasminBellavance_Music]

In your opinion would you rather have a piezo with a top of the line DI (like the LR Baggs in your demo) or a top of the line pickup like the Anthem with a regular JDI for exemple?

[@thomasnowicki5844]

The L.R. Baggs Voiceprint is head and shoulders above the rest! The Tonedexter was impressive too, but looks confusing and is more expensive. Mesa also makes a pretty good DI, matter of fact, I think Tony reviewed it.

[@Figshame]

I have two DIs: a Behringer 'Ultra-DI' and an Art 'ARTcessories Dual XDirect' and would love to know what you think about them.

[@ardenstevens2466]

have you ever sampled the Acoustic Fly Rig by Tech21? I chose that one for the features. I hadn't heard of several that you used here.

[@ReganNachhiringRai]

i liked #5

[@2505674809]

after listening to this two times in my ATC SCM 100 studio monitors....I like nr. 3 best😱

[@TonyLake920]

I’m new to the show but was wondering if you have ever demonstrated alverez guitars I currently own a Gibson les Paul and a Takimine gd93ce both of which I have bought used but have recently been looking at a Alverez MD60BG and was curious as to your opinion

[@gillyOO7]

Tony have you ever covered the guitar geek quest for the Willies trigger sounding guitar?

[@Gele_Rodrigo]

i have a takamine with a ct 4 dx preamp. which DI would be the best for me?

[@jeffcarroll7917]

2, then 5

[@markstrain8989]

awright awright awright, awesome show. forgot the Beatles (music in movies), that's hilarious 😂.

[@douglasfan2]

#5 is a really nice sound! #4 is the following. Grace Alix is good but I like Felix more!

[@sarahbrzezniak373]

Tony, I liked #2 followed by #5 rbpipesman

[@Tbone1952]

6 is my choice

[@SisterRay100]

My favourite was #4 and the second was #3.

[@cph630]

I liked 5 best, sounded most natural.

[@murlyn2]

LR Baggs was my pick on the blind test

[@DesimoneAmps]

I'm using Fishman Aura Spectrum DI and I didn't heard a better one yet . Sample it please!

[@eljosevillasenor]

QUESTION: if I have a Boss VE which is a vocal harmonizer and effect pedal for guitar, do i still need a DI? it has both xrl output for vocal and a jack for guitar? it also has 40v phantom and a booster. Need answer for a live performance

[@Beto_garza10]

#5 and #2 were my favorite.

[@Mike-rx3qf]

I agree...the sound had a much more natural acoustic sound

[@ellisbutler8057]

I’d like to see the Fishman Aura Spectrum DI compared with the LR Baggs DI you just picked as a winner.

[@leftwrite]

Punch Brothers all used Grace Audio on their last big tour - it was the FELiX2 coming in at $1095. Chris Eldridge raves about it.

[@814Taylor]

I liked the DI #5 best and #3 came in second for me

[@markanthonyfebbo8602]

Do you think the LR Baggs acoustic voiceprint would mesh well with K&K Pure Mini on a Gibson J-200 and Martin 000-15SM?

[@omarortega5964]

The # 2, 3 & 5.

[@tomi210210210]

2 and 5. Those sound the most natural to me.

[@douglasholtzinger2073]

2 is the best sounding for me

[@fernieboy6195]

2 and 5 to my ears they sound like microphones but if I have to chose one would be LR bags 🙌

[@Vargic87]

3 and 5 - but 5 is a little better. And then i hear the LRB its 5. Nice video

[@deansoto8377]

5 was my favorite, but I hate having to use my phone, because technology changes too quick. My second favorite is 2.

[@amannan469]

Love these blind tests! I chose #3 & #5 as they both had a "cleaner" sound. Did these 2 lack bass or were the others just bass heavy? Thanks for the comparisons.

[@GUITARSandBBQ]

I agree with #5 and #3 were my favorite

[@linds6609]

Same 3 and 5

[@Quinn37]

5 was clearly the winner. The others sounded similar to one another. I wish it had a boost though.

[@ericolsen67vw]

They all sound great. Think its the guitar

[@markstrain8989]

Hockey Fights Cancer jersey? Can you tell us about it? Awesome color.

[@natcoman]

I use a Tech 21 Sansamp Acoustic DI. Not around much anymore, but it sounds great imo.

[@josephwalsh5287]

I like 3 cause u get nice low and high tone levels

[@staleyexplores]

Of course I like the most expensive ones 2 and 5, well except the most expensive one

[@64cousins]

I liked number 2

[@16112071]

Hi, I thought taste test #1. I thought it clear and sharp ( and considering it was supporting a bridge pick up). If I recall #1 was a fishman DI

[@SundaeDrives]

Surprised to not see the Baggs Venue on the list.

[@nielfischer5995]

Grace Audio, Alix. Could you demo/opine the Mesa Rosette?

[@kevinbrianjohnsonmusic]

Which Ear Trumpet is that? Looking to buy one but not sure which. Looking like the Delphia or whatever it's called...lol

[@stratjed]

Grace Billy strings is hands down the king at this moment and that's what he's using .

[@jamiescott1080]

Looking for a DI that will help with sustain when playing hill country blues with right hand percussion in strings (think rl burnside / John Martyn may you never, the easy blues)