Lyric with Para EQ a good combination?

[SnixMusic]

Hello.

I am fresh to LR Baggs products, but after a long journey searching for a good acoustic guitar amplification, I stumbled upon the Lyric. I used K&K (couldn't get the balance right), UST's (always a crappy idea) and a multitude of soundholes. Of which the Schertler MAG 6, with it's little condensor mic, worked best. But magnetic issues with string materials forced me to abandon that system also. My favorite strings are Aluminium Bronze strings from Ernie Ball. Doesn't work well with magnetic pups.
Long story short; now I installed the Lyric. Behind the bridgepins, because the K&K transducers are still located on the spot between the soundhole and the pins. Couldn't get them out. It sounds pretty good, but needs some eq-ing. I was thinking of a Para DI. Is that a good choice in combination with the Lyric? Anyone uses that? Or are there better idea's?

Thanks for reading,

Jeroen
Holland.

[Rodney_UK]

Hi Jeroen,

I use the Lyric and Para DI. I prefer the sound of the Lyric to other types of pickup systems that I have used in the past. There are a few problematic frequencies with the Lyric when trying to play live at higher volumes.

The Para DI is ok. It boosts my signal but it is not powerful enough with regards to tone shaping for me.
I'm not sure what the Session or Venue DI are like because I still use the Para. However, I do have other EQs in my processing chain.

Are you playing as part of a group or as a solo performer?

Regards

Rodney

[SnixMusic]

Hi Jeroen,

I use the Lyric and Para DI. I prefer the sound of the Lyric to other types of pickup systems that I have used in the past. There are a few problematic frequencies with the Lyric when trying to play live at higher volumes.

The Para DI is ok. It boosts my signal but it is not powerful enough with regards to tone shaping for me.
I'm not sure what the Session or Venue DI are like because I still use the Para. However, I do have other EQs in my processing chain.

Are you playing as part of a group or as a solo performer?

Regards

Rodney

Hi Rodney.

Thanks for replying. I play solo or with a singer.
I found out that when I reverse the phase on my Fishman amp, it sounds fuller and nicer. Which is peculiar...
Should a MXR eq (10 band) work fine? Is is made for electrics, but I have used overdrives too :-)

Jeroen.

[Rodney_UK]

Hi Jeroen,

I use the MXR 10 band on my pedal board. It is useful but the bands could be better suited to the Lyric. It's also 18v so can be awkward to power.

I usually set up my eq pedals to give me the following:


Cut bass up to 70hz. I get rid of the rumble and can push the guitar to higher volumes if this area is cut.

Keep a narrow/mid peak at 100hz.

Cut steeply after this. My Lyric feeds back a lot around 125hz.

When singing I like to make room for the vocals so I cut with a wide band around 250-400hz. This area also cleans up the boxy sound of the Lyric.

I usually cut narrowly around the 800hz to thicken the sound up a bit.

Presence is cut around 3khz with a wide band. I have my Lyric adjusted with the internal screw next to the volume wheel so all of the presence and treble is rolled off.

Treble at 10khz is adjusted to taste.

It depends on taste of course, so this is just an example of what I do.

Phase is a funny thing. I usually reverse the phase on the guitar. This puts it in opposition to the mic signal which also picks up the guitar. If both signals are in the same phase then that would fatten the sound up, but watch out for feedback at higher volumes.

I see you live in the Netherlands. I spent sometime working there for a few years from Noordwijk an Zee. Nice place. People were friendly and welcoming.

Regards

Rodney

[SnixMusic]

That's a very helpful answer there. Thanks a lot, man.
Funny you lived here for a while. Noordwijk is a nice place by the sea. I am from Rotterdam. Less than an hour drive.

Back to subject. I also own the Acoustimax from BBE. Thought it didn't match with the lyric, but that was before I discovered the phase reverse solution. Haven't tried it again yet.
Where do you put the para in the chain?
Thanks again for your input, Rodney.

[Rodney_UK]

You could put the para after compression and other eq pedals but before modulation pedals. However as long as you put it after a compressor it will be fine.

Compressor pedals have the effect of undoing eq adjustments, which is why compressors tend to go first.

Regards

Rodney

[SnixMusic]

I never use compressors. Only a delay and a reverb and a looper. I could put these in the fx loop of the para, I guess.

[MathewLevy]

I'm having a hell of a time EQing my Lyric, currently just for home practice into a T-Rex Soulmate Acoustic, preceded by an EQ2 fully programable 10 band, actually 20 bands if I send channel 1 into channel 2 in series. I'm totally overwhelmed and under skilled. If anyone is an EQ expert and wants to do a session with me over zoom, I'd gladly accept. I have a good condenser mic for zoom so it might actually work. Trying to optimize the warmth, get good tight lows from my jumbo Breedlove and smooth out those twangy highs, especially around the b string and generally. And more than several uglies . Takers? PM me.

[Caleb_Elling]

I'm having a hell of a time EQing my Lyric, currently just for home practice into a T-Rex Soulmate Acoustic, preceded by an EQ2 fully programable 10 band, actually 20 bands if I send channel 1 into channel 2 in series. I'm totally overwhelmed and under skilled. If anyone is an EQ expert and wants to do a session with me over zoom, I'd gladly accept. I have a good condenser mic for zoom so it might actually work. Trying to optimize the warmth, get good tight lows from my jumbo Breedlove and smooth out those twangy highs, especially around the b string and generally. And more than several uglies . Takers? PM me.

Hey Matthew,
What guitar is your Lyric installed in? And, is there anything specifically about the tone that you're trying to fix? If you want to send me a sound sample at [email protected], I'd be happy to take a listen and see what I can offer.