Suggestions for combining another pickup with an M1 Active?

[MisterH]

I've been gigging with the M1a for about three months on my J200 and frankly the sound I want is still not there. I run it straight into a vocal PA and my band is a five piece 60's country group. For lack of a better description it reminds me of the early Ovation guitars: boxy, plinky and not very convincing as an acoustic. Before I dump it and move on to something else I was wondering if perhaps it could be blended with another piezo or internal mic? Any suggestions?

Many thanks in advance!

[Caleb_Elling]

Hey Mister H,
The M1A is pretty difficult to pair with other pickups since it is already an active pickup. It is possible to add an additional source, but would likely require the addition of another jack in the guitar, or at least a 4-conductor jack and some pretty complex wiring. It's not an easy undertaking either way.

As far as the tone of the M1A goes, it is a magnetic pickup, and magnetic pickups (by nature) are pretty mid heavy and have the potential to sound pretty boxy.The M1A has a smoother sound than other acoustic magnetic pickups (to my ears), but it is still a magnetic pickup.

Are you using any EQ for your M1A?

I've found that I like the M1A the most with an EQ cut around 400Hz, and another around 1.5kHz to 2.5kHz.

[MisterH]

Hey Mister H,

Are you using any EQ for your M1A?

I've found that I like the M1A the most with an EQ cut around 400Hz, and another around 1.5kHz to 2.5kHz.

Thanks for replying. I have one of those Yamaha "box" PA's with the three band parametric - non-sweepable- EQ controls) but I have cut the mids a little and I guess it's not precise enough to improve things. So apparently you're saying I should try a different product because mating it to something like the Lyric or Anthem is too much trouble.

[Caleb_Elling]

The M1A is usable, but it may take some more precise EQ to get the most natural tone out of it, which is really the case with any pickup. Even the Anthem and the Lyric will usually benefit from some precise EQ'ing.

In my honest opinion, the Anthem and the Lyric tend to have a more natural tone to begin with (compared to magnetic pickups). I love the way that the Anthem SL sounds in my main guitar, but I still use a little bit of EQ from time to time.

[MisterH]

The M1A is usable, but it may take some more precise EQ to get the most natural tone out of it, which is really the case with any pickup. Even the Anthem and the Lyric will usually benefit from some precise EQ'ing.

In my honest opinion, the Anthem and the Lyric tend to have a more natural tone to begin with (compared to magnetic pickups). I love the way that the Anthem SL sounds in my main guitar, but I still use a little bit of EQ from time to time.

You think adding the Para DI would make a significant difference?

Thanks!

[Caleb_Elling]

If you can precisely dial out some of those frequencies mentioned above, that should get you a lot closer to a natural sound on the M1A. Since the Para DI does have a sweepable mid EQ and Notch, it's definitely a great way to start dialing in your sound.

People have used the M1A and Para DI together with great results for quite some time now.

[MisterH]

If you can precisely dial out some of those frequencies mentioned above, that should get you a lot closer to a natural sound on the M1A. Since the Para DI does have a sweepable mid EQ and Notch, it's definitely a great way to start dialing in your sound.

People have used the M1A and Para DI together with great results for quite some time now.

I appreciate the advice Caleb.