Dennis Marshall The Acoustic Preamp DI

It is a preamp / DI that is interposed between the guitar (or micro) and the amp or mixer.

Jack input / 2 outputs, one for monitors jack or the XLR console each with an independent volume.

There is no volume control input, this may seem a miss, but in reality, I believe that it is rather an advantage because there is more to manage this setting, as I did with ' other DI.

The box includes:

Control for bass (100Hz)
Control for acute (10kHz)
Parametric Eq ruthlessly efficient (150Hz/3Khz)

A control called "Heat" that can control the amount of signal sent to the 12AX7 (this is how I explain it, but it's probably a bit more complicated). Finally when this control operates one feels a greater effect of the lamp in the sound. According to Dennis Marshall is the most important element of the case.

There is also a multi-purpose 16 presets with beautiful reverb. it is controlled by a switch and two pots, one for the volume effect and a second variable geometry depending on the selected effect (eg the speed of chorus or delay by the prog selected). The set is available from super intuitive.

Effects list: 9 reverb (room, hall, plate, nonlinear) 3 chorus, one with room reverb, flanger and three delays.

Caution quality of these effects is truly remarkable. According to Dennis, the effect signal is digital but it is first sent through the 12AX7 for the "color" analog way.



UTILIZATION

The configuration is bone simple.

The manual is provided in PDF (to load on the site).

There are two videos available on the manufacturer's website: 1 or Dennis Marshall explains how the settings and test "direct console" with several types of guitars.

That said the manual is almost useless for we know how to use a parametric effect. all is very intuitive.

The sound is obtained with a very simple, you put the knobs in the neutral position, branch, was the sound right away, even before touching anything. (I mean a great sound).


SOUNDS

The sound is especially dedicated to acoustic and archtop guitars, but I tested with a bass and brass, with a great result.

The settings are extremely efficient, very thin. The resulting sound can be highly crystalline (or even aggressive if you will, the most beautiful velvety)

What amazes me most is the ability of the housing to provide a sound that sounds "natural" when it is a piezo or electret which produces the signal.

I prefer the sound of my Archtops is simply an airy sound with low mids slightly widened to promote its acoustics. But with fairly low without neglecting their presence.

It breathes!


The reverbs are very easy to measure (volume and amount of reverb). They are very beautiful. I still looked a little assays on the "hall" type because I was a little aggressive on the nylon during the first use.



OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a month now.

Frankly I got a sound as ever (although I still tried super DI in the past).

Special feature: a straw no breath, no noise, great sound but still very malleable sound. The sound palette that you can get is really wide. And above all, what ease of use, I plug in at home, I do my sound .... and I found the same thing in concert.

You will make friends with the sound engineers and sound engineers (magic recipe: good scratch + DI = good = good sound balance in 2 minutes = smiling = comfort soundman).

This preamp / di still little known really deserves a visit. Handmade by Dennis Marshall himself in are small workshop, one feels the work of passionate after 40 years of career behind the amps.

The value for money is great for me although the case is quite expensive (around 450 euros), but it also manages some great effects. For simplicity and efficiency against which: A guitar, case, and rolls .... with great sound.

Note: The "lock" power function is only available on the UK version because the European adapter eliminates the possibility.


Only downside for me: ergonomic control parametric eq is really placed very close to the jack and controls after case and not on top. But if the case is elevates the problem fades.
Finally I bought a small tray set on the desk or a microphone stand and is comfortable.

For me: 9,5 / 10 given the small flat.

You tell me I'm exaggerating, I no longer plans to do without, addiction.