L.R. Baggs Para Acoustic D.I.

Overview

I purchased the L.R. Baggs Para Acoustic DI to make my $200 acoustic guitar sound like an $2000 acoustic guitar in live sound applications, and it gets the job done. I choose this particular unit based on multiple recommendations over the years from friends and fellow musicians, and I was glad I finally did. For the price, it's difficult to beat the versatility, stability, and overall sound of this DI/Preamp combo. It's a very simple box to use, but the parameters are incredibly adjustable for different environments--including controls for EQ, gain, phase inversion, and frequency attenuation. All in all, it's a small box, with a huge sound.

My Experience

I bought my DI used on the Internet for a considerably lower cost than its retail of $169, which even then is a great price for the quality of this unit. I own an Alvarez RD8 (less than $200) acoustic guitar that has a piezo under-saddle pickup I installed myself (the piezo pickup came from an $120 acoustic guitar!) On its own, my plugged-in guitar sounds dead, projects bass frequencies too heavily, and will tend to feedback very often. But when I plug my Alvarez into the L.R. Baggs DI, I can tweak the cheap piezo pickup to a sound that contends with high-end guitars from Martin, Taylor, and the like.

This kind of power is made possible because the DI is equipped with a world class 5-Band EQ, far exceeding the limitations of a simple 3-Band EQ of Bass, Mid, and Treble. The L.R. Baggs DI includes controls for Bass, Low-Mid, High-Mid, Presence, and Treble. Instantly, I can take the overly-heavy bass and mid-range feedback out of the equation, boost the presence for extra clarity, and adjust the overall gain accordingly so the signal of my guitar is free from distortion. The phase inversion also seems like a useful 'emergency' tool, but I have not needed it yet in my own experience.

Now, bear in mind that I personally use this DI too make a cheap guitar sound great, but that doesn't mean this product is only for cheap guitars. I've known other musicians who will pair this DI box with $3,000 Taylor guitars, or even $500-1000 brands like Seagull, Takamine, and Breedlove. Every guitar comes with a different build, style, and set of electronics, and nearly all of them have their own setbacks when it comes to plugging the guitar into a sound system. That's where a versatile DI/Preamp like the L.R. Baggs comes in handy, whether its used to improve overall sound quality, or simply resolve the multitude of issues related to live sound.

A Few Frustrations

Like anything else, the L.R. Baggs is not perfect, particularly in the area of design.

From what I understand, this DI box has been around for over a decade, and it shows in the design choices made by L.R. Baggs. For example, unlike common stomp boxes of the 21st century, the Para Acoustic DI cannot be powered by a 9V AC adaptor. The only two options for power are a 9V battery or 48V phantom power routed from the unit it's plugged into (I personally hate using batteries). Luckily, nearly all live sound/studio environments have phantom power available, but I'm waiting for some circumstance in the future when it is not and I'm fresh out of batteries…I pray that day never comes.

The other frustration I have with the box is the XLR output placement. For some reason, L.R. Baggs made the odd decision to place an XLR output on top of the unit, where it is very prone to moving around and ultimately wearing down the output faster. You might think an updated version where the output is ergonomically placed on the side would be in order, but the box has remained the same for years. Strangely enough, there is also a balanced TRS output, and it is conveniently located on the side. You can't win them all, I guess.

Bottom-Line

For less than $200, you can give your cheap acoustic electric guitar a professional sound, or give your expensive acoustic electric guitar some added versatility. In my years of using the L.R. Baggs DI, I would say the cost is well worth the outcome, no matter what you use it for.

(Originally written by Mediterran81/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Analog preamp

5-band EQ (low, sweepable feedback filter, sweepable mid, presence, high)

FX loop, XLR output, volume control, phase inverter

Powered with a 9-volt battery or 48-volt phantom power (via XLR)

DI box with effect pedal volume level.

UTILIZATION

Very simple configuration requiring some audio knowledge. This DI box makes EQing very easy! It's a wonderfully effective tool!

Watch out for the GAIN control. It allows me to boost the sound of my electro-acoustic guitar or to boost the sound of a pickup with low output level.

It changes the sound of my electro-acoustic guitar into a rich and present one, even jazzy (sweeping the mids).

When I play at very loud volumes (100 watt Marshalls amps almost fully turned up) during rehearsals we have awful feedback problems. Solution: I turn the Notch control fully up. Then I turn the sweep knob until I find the feedback frequency (between G and B), then I turn down the Notch control until the feedback disappears! And you can trust me, it does disappear. For live gigs, this tool is a must have. Unless you'd rather spend more money on a feedback killer!

When the volume of the other guitarist of my band is higher than mine I either increase my pickup volume or the DI volume (not the gain).

When I bought the DI box I tested it by recording the pickup directly into my sound card. Afterwards I connected the DI box and compared the results. Damned! What a huge difference!

Moreover this DI box produces no noise whatsoever.

I was used to hear some noise when I increased the gain of my amp or aneffect pedal (even expensive tube amps and overdrive pedals)! I don't know how LR Baggs designed this DI box but even with full gain it produces absolutely no noise except in two cases:

1- If you use bad cables like YELLOW CABLES

2- If you're guitar pickup has a miserable quality.

And it's normal, the DI box can't do anything about it because it only amplifies the input signal.

Before you start crying because you think it doesn't work, check your cables and your pickup.

I also used this DI box with an electric guitar and a dynamic mic. That's versatility!!

To get an accurate sound I recommend you Monster or Cordial Pro Line cables.

Here are my settings for an acoustic sound:

Low: 12 o'clock

Notch: 7 o'clock - B

Mid : 9 o'clock - 1.2

Pres: 3 o'clock

Treble: 12 o'clock

Volume: 1 o'clock (but it can be less when I increase the volume of my guitar's pickup).

Gain: 9 o'clock.

When I want my clean sound to be louder than the other guitarist I set gain to 3 o'clock and Mid to 11 o'clock.

I connected a compressor pedal in the FX loop to boost my solo parts or to play power chords (for heavy metal riffs with an acoustic guitar).

I will soon add a link to some sound samples!

Otherwise, you can also get in touch with me and I'll send them to you!

Musicians ought to help each other

For recording applications this unit can give you a great stereo sound using both outputs. Normal output connected to the amp and XLR output to the mixer.

This DI box doesn't like low-quality batteries! It likes Duracel batteries or 48-volt phantom power.

Don't expect this DI box to magically change your sound.

It allows you to get the best out of your guitar and to polish your sound, but not to color it.

A last remark: when you increase the Gain setting, you'll notice a sort of tube feel. But without sound coloration! It's magic.

SOUND QUALITY

This DI box enhances the sound of my pickup 200%.

The preamp sounds 100% transparent.

I'll soon upload a video! It will be clearer!

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for one month!

I like everything about this product! It's the (virtually) perfect DI box!

I only miss an external PSU, like an effects pedal. But I guess I know why it is so!

I also don't like the fact that the FX loop is stereo! It's difficult to find the right insert (Y) cable.

Yes I tested lots of similar products! Until now this one is the best!

The value for money is very good.

I think I will need a second DI box for my vocal mic and once I have the money, I'll buy a second Para DI.

Dj seen below.

USE

Simple, easy, very explicit manual

SOUND QUALITY

Tonn very transparency of the machine.

The eq is very effective and provides good scratch to give its full potential. Of course, you have to use a eq for not doing anything. But the result is.
My piezo equipped Guild D-TAR sounds better, warmer, accuracy of all.

I think that has not saved a piezo mediocre. It takes good stuff to be effective.

NOTICE GLOBAL

I acousticDI Tech21, the MAGICSTOMP acoustic, I had the Acoustimax BBE, the AD8 boss, I pass by various conventional DI.

There's no wiggle in my case, the LR baggs is before the 4 ddies acoustics.

No modlisations, no sim Pramp lamp. Just the right components that facilitate the work of the sound engineer. Be careful not to overdo it when even to give him the leeway depending on the location, the group etc etc.

In short, although happy with this product. I would not have believed it to be so good!

Think guitar electro-Ac ... pure ... Analog Casing mtal, US-made (by hand) ... a strong smell (except may be the small plastic knobs on which should not jogging)

NB: works with the asset or liability with a rotary knob selection

UTILIZATION

Config clear ... yes
easy shipping rsultat net ds you tickle the four
succinct manual ... but the ear is not working ..!

SOUND QUALITY

Yes ... I branch a Seagull S6 anniversary in Saddle rises in Lr Baggs (logic), an Ibanez Benson style or bass during a shot ... ... and phantom pouic plug ... restitution chalheureuse Fidler and grain of each instrument ... good headroom ... well, no!

OVERALL OPINION

6 months of use and no complaints about the quality of this little wonder
... I think the pramp Taylor, etc., but the price!
Here is excellent, especially if you Achte to the US (Elderly kind )
Even with shipping ... 2X cheaper than in France !!!!!!!!!!!!
Indispensable, both in studio and scne, choice I do it again