www.fishman.com
USER GUIDE
AURA
®
SPECTRUM
DI
Welcome
Thank you for making Fishman a part of your acoustic experience. We are proud to offer you the fi nest acoustic amplifi cation products available; high-quality professional-grade tools to empower you to sound your very best. We are confi dent Aura Spectrum DI will both enhance and inspire your music making.
Quick Start
Power – Install a fresh 9V battery (not included) or connect a Fishman power adaptor.
Set the controls – Volume at minimum and all other controls as shown below.
Plug in – Use standard ¼-inch and XLR shielded instrument cables.
Tune up – Step on the tuner footswitch to tune with the output muted.
Set trim – Play hard and adjust the input trim (on the right side) so the
clip/batt LED fl ashes only occasionally.
Select an Image – Raise the volume and audition Images with the
select knob. Move the Image Bank slider to choose the set of Images that best match the instrument you’re playing. (see pages 6 thru 13)
Blend to taste – Turn left for more pickup and right for more Image.
Kill feedback – If feedback starts, change the position of the phase switch. For advanced feedback handling, check out the section detailing the automatic feedback fi lters on page 24.
2 3
What is Aura?
Aura Acoustic Imaging Technology uses digital algorithms developed in
Fishman’s audio laboratories to restore a studio-miked sound to an acoustic instrument. To achieve this, we record instruments using worldclass microphones and techniques to capture an “Image” of the natural sound that your acoustic instrument emits when miked in a professional studio. This Image, when recorded direct or played through an amp, mixer or PA, blends with your instrument’s pickup to produce an incredibly accurate recreation of the original recording.
Aura Acoustic Imaging processors sound best when used with Fishman undersaddle pickups and magnetic soundhole pickups. When we record each instrument, we use our Acoustic Matrix undersaddle pickup. So, when you play through an Aura processor, you’ll get the best results using our Acoustic Matrix pickup. We do not recommend soundboard-mounted pickups, bridge-plate pickups, multi-sensor pickups or microphones for
Aura products since they include unnecessary resonances that can interfere with the Aura processing.
Choosing an Image
To get the most realistic tone from Aura Acoustic Imaging, you should always match your Images with the instrument type you’re playing. For example, choose dreadnought Images when plugging in a dreadnought body style guitar; choose mandolin Images if you’re playing a mandolin.
Don’t hope to derive a mandolin sound from a dreadnought or try to turn your orchestra body style guitar into a 12-string. If you are not sure which body type your guitar falls into, we suggest you audition several Images from each bank and let your ears decide. See the following pages to help match your instrument with the best Aura Image.
4
Aura Custom Shop
For the ultimate in Aura Imaging, be sure to check out the Aura Custom
Shop at fi shman.com. For a modest fee, you send us your instrument and we’ll create a set of Images using our best microphones, custom recorded for you.
Aura Image Gallery
The Aura Image Gallery software manages a vast library of Images created from an ever-expanding list of instruments, and provides tools to search and store sets of Images. Browse the Image Library to fi nd your instrument, then drag and drop an Image into an Image Set for download into Aura Spectrum.
Making Connections
Playing live
For the best sound reproduction when performing live, connect your Aura
Spectrum to an acoustic instrument amp, a PA system, a powered monitor or other full-range system. The balanced XLR D.I. output eliminates an outboard D.I. and features an automatic ground lift when you use the
1/4” output, providing a high quality, noise free signal.
Going direct
For direct recording, there is no better solution than using Aura
Spectrum’s balanced XLR D.I. or 1/4” output. In fact, an acoustic track recorded with just a pickup can be re-recorded using Aura to restore the miked sound.
5
About the Image Banks
Dreadnought
Use this bank of Images with all varieties of the classic deep-body dreadnought.
9
10
11
6
7
8
Image # Top Wood Back and Sides
1 Spruce Rosewood
2 Spruce Mahogany
3
4
5
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood
Mahogany
12
13
14
15
16
Spruce
Spruce
Rosewood
Rosewood
Composite Composite
Spruce
Spruce
Rosewood
Mahogany
Microphone Type
DPA ® 4011
Soundelux
Soundelux ® E47
Neumann ® KM84
Schoeps
Schoeps ® CMC64
Shure ® KSM141
Neumann
Neumann ® M147
Schoeps ® CMC64
AKG
DPA
®
Neumann
Neumann
®
Shure
® CMC64
C414
4011
Neumann
®
®
®
®
®
® E47
M147
U87
U87
M147
SM57
Fishman Transducers, Inc. is not affi liated with any of the forementioned companies or their respective trademarks, registered trademarks, product models or copyrights.
6
Jumbo
Use these Images with large, deep-body instruments with slim waists and wide lower bouts
(usually over 16”).
Image # Top Wood Back and Sides
1
2
3
Cedar
Spruce
Spruce
Rosewood
Maple
Maple
7
8
12
13
14
9
10
11
15
16
4
5
6
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Cedar
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Cedar
Spruce
Spruce
Maple
Maple
Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood
Maple
Rosewood
Rosewood
Maple
Rosewood
Maple
Koa
Microphone Type
Shure ® SM57
AKG ® C414
DPA ® 4011
Schoeps ® CMC64
Schoeps ® CMC64
DPA ® 4011
Neumann ® U87
Shure ® SM57
DPA ® 4011
Soundelux ® E47
Neumann ® U87
Neumann ® KM84
Shure ® SM57
Neumann ® U87
Neumann ® U87
Schoeps ® CMC64
Fishman Transducers, Inc. is not affi liated with any of the forementioned companies or their respective trademarks, registered trademarks, product models or copyrights.
7
About the Image Banks (continued)
Concert
Use the Concert Images with small-body, short-scale instruments with thin waists, like 0, 00 and L-00 styles; typically fi nger-picking guitars as well as parlor and travel instruments.
13
14
15
16
10
11
12
Image # Top Wood Back and Sides
1
2
3
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Rosewood
Rosewood
Maple
7
8
9
4
5
6
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Rosewood
Mahogany Mahogany
Rosewood
Koa
Rosewood
Mahogany Mahogany
Mahogany Mahogany
Mahogany Mahogany
Spruce Maple
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood
Koa
Microphone Type
Schoeps ® CMC64
Schoeps ® CMC64
Neumann ® M147
Shure ® SM57
DPA ® 4011
Neumann ® M147
Neumann ® U87
DPA ® 4011
Neumann ® M147
Soundelux ® E47
DPA ® 4011
Schoeps ® CMC64
Neumann ® M147
Neumann ® M147
Schoeps ® CMC64
Schoeps ® CMC64
Fishman Transducers, Inc. is not affi liated with any of the forementioned companies or their respective trademarks, registered trademarks, product models or copyrights.
8
Orchestra
For guitars larger than concert but smaller than dreadnought, the Orchestra Images work well with
OM & 000 styles as well as auditorium and other narrow-waist mid-size, medium-depth instruments.
Image # Top Wood Back and Sides
1 Spruce Rosewood
2
3
Spruce
Spruce
Rosewood
Mahogany
13
14
15
10
11
12
16
7
8
9
4
5
6
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Mahogany
Mahogany
Rosewood
Mahogany
Rosewood
Mahogany
Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood
Mahogany
Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood
Microphone Type
Soundelux ® E47
Neumann ® M147
Schoeps ® CMC64
Neumann ® M147
Soundelux ® E47
Neumann ® KM84
Soundelux ® E47
Soundelux ® E47
DPA ® 4011
Soundelux ® E47
Shure ® Beta 58A ®
Schoeps ® CMC64
Neumann ® M147
Neumann ® KM84
Schoeps ® CMC64
Schoeps ® CMC64
Fishman Transducers, Inc. is not affi liated with any of the forementioned companies or their respective trademarks, registered trademarks, product models or copyrights.
9
About the Image Banks (continued)
Nylon
Use with all medium-depth classical and thin-body acoustic-electric nylon-string guitars.
Note: Use only an undersaddle pickup with the
Nylon pedal.
9
10
11
6
7
8
Image # Top Wood Back and Sides
1 Cedar Rosewood
2 Spruce Cypress
3
4
5
Spruce
Cedar
Spruce
Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Cedar
Spruce
Cedar
Cypress
Rosewood
Mahogany
Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood
12
13
14
15
16
Cedar
Cedar
Spruce
Cedar
Spruce
Rosewood
Rosewood
Cypress
Rosewood
Cypress
Microphone Type
Schoeps ® CMC64
Soundelux ® E47
Soundelux ® E47
Neumann ® M147
DPA ® 4011
AKG ® C1000S
Soundelux ® E47
Neumann ® M147
Soundelux ® E47
Neumann ® M147
AKG ® C414
DPA ® 4011
Shure ® KSM141
DPA ® 4011
Neumann ® M147
Neumann ® M147
Fishman Transducers, Inc. is not affi liated with any of the forementioned companies or their respective trademarks, registered trademarks, product models or copyrights.
10
12 String
These are typically jumbo or dreadnought size instruments. The heavier bracing for 12 string guitars creates a unique sound and has its own
Aura Image bank
13
14
15
10
11
12
16
Image # Top Wood Back and Sides
1
2
3
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Rosewood
Maple
Rosewood
7
8
9
4
5
6
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood
Mahogany Mahogany
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Rosewood
Mahogany
Mahogany
Rosewood
Maple
Rosewood
Koa
Microphone Type
Soundelux ® E47
AKG ® C414
Soundelux ® E47
Neumann ® KM84
Soundelux ® E47
DPA ® 4011
Shure ® KSM141
Neumann ® M147
Schoeps ® CMC64
Schoeps ® CMC64
Shure ® SM57
Neumann ® U87
Neumann ® U87
Soundelux ® E47
Shure ® SM57
Schoeps ® CMC64
Fishman Transducers, Inc. is not affi liated with any of the forementioned companies or their respective trademarks, registered trademarks, product models or copyrights.
11
About the Image Banks (continued)
Bluegrass
This bank offers a sampling of fi ddle, mandolin, and resophonic Images.
9
10
11
6
7
8
Image # Instrument
1 Fiddle
2 Fiddle
3
4
5
Fiddle
Fiddle
Fiddle
Mandolin
Mandolin
Mandolin
Back and Sides
Maple
Maple
Maple
Maple
Maple
Maple
Maple
Maple
Mandolin
Mandolin
Maple
Maple
Resophonic Finland Birch
12
13
14
15
16
Resophonic Finland Birch
Resophonic Finland Birch
Resophonic Finland Birch
Resophonic Finland Birch
Resophonic Finland Birch
Microphone Type
Neumann ® U87
Soundelux ® E47
RCA ® Ribbon
Royer ® R-121
Neumann ® KM54
Neumann ® U87
Neumann ® KM84
Neumann ® U87
Neumann ® M147
DPA ® 4011
Schoeps ® CMC64
Shure ® SM57
Neumann ® KM84
Neumann ® U87
Neumann ® M147
Groove Tubes ® Velo8 ®
Fishman Transducers, Inc. is not affi liated with any of the forementioned companies or their respective trademarks, registered trademarks, product models or copyrights.
12
User Images
This bank ships with a diverse variety of guitars randomly selected from our Aura Image Gallery. You can overwrite any of the 16 locations with
Images you download from the Aura Image Gallery software. See page 26 for more details on downloading Images.
9
10
11
6
7
8
Image # Top Wood Back and Sides
1 Spruce Rosewood
2 Spruce Rosewood
3
4
5
Composite
Spruce
Spruce
Composite
Mahogany
Rosewood
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Spruce
Mahogany
Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood
Rosewood
12
13
14
15
16
Spruce Rosewood
Mahogany Mahogany
Spruce Rosewood
Spruce
Spruce
Rosewood
Sapele
Microphone Type
Shure ® SM57
Schoeps ® CMC64
Soundelux ® E47
Neumann ® KM84
Soundelux ® E47
DPA ® 4011
Neumann ® U87
Soundelux ® E47
Schoeps ® CMC64
Neumann ® U87
Neumann ® M147
DPA ® 4011
Neumann ® U87
Neumann ® M147
AKG ® C414
Schoeps ® CMC64
Fishman Transducers, Inc. is not affi liated with any of the forementioned companies or their respective trademarks, registered trademarks, product models or copyrights.
13
Left Side Panel Right Side Panel
Output
Use a standard ¼-inch instrument cable to connect the output to your amplifi er, mixer or effects devices. You can also connect this output to an unbalanced input on a recording system.
Connecting a guitar cable here will also lift the ground on the XLR D.I. output, preventing unwanted ground loops.
FX Loop
This tip/ring/sleeve connection allows you to insert external devices, such as the Fishman AFX Acoustic Effects, between Aura Spectrum’s blended signal and the main outputs. Any pedals you connect here will appear at the 1/4” and XLR D.I. outputs. The overall output level will still be affected by Aura Spectrum’s volume control.
9VDC
Power may be supplied by either a 9V battery (battery compartment underneath the pedal) or the Fishman 910-R (for 110V).
14
Trim
Raise or lower the trim to optimize the input level for your pickup. Play hard and adjust trim so clip/batt fl ashes occasionally. Some pickup systems may not cause the light to fl ash at all and other onboard preamps may require you to turn their output down to achieve an optimum level.
Phase
Use the phase switch to improve bass response at low volume and suppress feedback at high volume. Move the phase switch and leave it in the position most pleasing to your ear.
USB
After installing Aura Image Gallery software, connect your computer here.
Input
Plug in your guitar here with a standard ¼-inch instrument cable. If you have a passive undersaddle pickup (no battery onboard), always plug into the Aura Imaging Pedal fi rst, even if you use a pedal tuner.
Insert a plug into the input jack, and the Aura Imaging Pedal powers up.
To conserve the battery, remove the plug from the input when not in use.
15
Top Side Panel
XLR D.I. Output
Connect a standard microphone cable here to feed recording equipment or a sound reinforcement mixing console. When the 1/4” output is also connected, this D.I. output’s ground is automatically lifted to prevent any unwanted ground loops.
16 17
Front Panel Controls
Volume
The volume control affects the overall output level coming from both the 1/4” and the XLR D.I outputs. For the cleanest signal, set the volume as high as possible without clipping the next device in the signal chain.
If you hear distortion and the clip/batt light is not fl ashing, reduce the
volume.
18
Select
The select knob allows you to choose among the 16 Images available for each of the eight different Image Banks. Move the select slider to choose a bank of Images that best match the style of instrument you’re playing, then select through the 16 Images to fi nd the ones that sound best. Try all 16 within each bank and adjust the blend knob to obtain more or less character.
Blend
Position the blend knob straight-up at 12 o’clock and you’ll hear a 50/50 mix of Image and pickup. Turn the blend all the way right for just Image; all the way left for just pickup.
Most performers blend in some pickup with the Image for clarity and defi nition.
Suggestions more pickup more
Image
• For live performance try backing off the Image by setting blend to about 10 or 11 o’clock or about 65% pickup. You won’t need too much Image blended in to achieve a great live sound. If feedback occurs, fl ip the phase switch.
• For recording, try blending in more Image for a realistic acoustic sound. Set the blend to taste. Again, you’ll often get good results with a little bit of pickup blended in with the Image for clarity and defi nition.
19
Front Panel Controls (cont’d)
Pickup EQ: Low, Mid, High
As a default, the low, mid, and high tone controls affect the sound of the pickup signal only, allowing you to further refi ne the sound of your instrument without excessive alterations to the chosen Image.
A Global EQ mode may also be selected, applying the same EQ settings to both the pickup and Image path simultaneously.
Compressor
The compressor control adjusts several settings within a sophisticated automatic leveling circuit. more dynamics less dynamic
As you turn this knob clockwise, your overall playing dynamics become increasingly limited, making softer notes louder and controlling loud spikes in your playing. This can be helpful in performances where you desire a more even level to your playing. At its maximum setting, there may be some overall increase in the output level.
20
Global vs. Pickup EQ
When shipped from our factory, the low, mid, and high tone controls are set to affect the sound of the pickup signal only. This is referred to as Pickup EQ mode. However, a Global EQ mode may also be selected which applies the same EQ settings to both the pickup and Image signals simultaneously (or “globally”).
When you power on Aura Spectrum, watch the tuner display for a “P” or a “G” indicating the currently selected mode.
To select Global EQ mode:
1. Hold the tuner button while Powering on.
2. The display fl ashes a “P” indicating that the unit is currently in
Pickup EQ mode.
3. Press the anti-feedback button once and the display now fl ashes a “G” indicating Global EQ mode is now selected.
4. Press the tuner button to select Global EQ and resume powering on to normal playing mode.
To return to Pickup EQ mode:
1. Hold the tuner button while Powering on.
2. The display fl ashes a “G” indicating that the unit is currently in
Global EQ mode.
3. Press the anti-feedback button once and the display now fl ashes a “P” indicating Pickup EQ mode is now selected.
4. Press tuner button to select Pickup EQ and resume powering on to normal playing mode.
21
Front Panel Controls (cont’d)
Tuner Footswitch
Step on the tuner footswitch to enable the digital chromatic tuner. You’ll know it’s active when the white Aura LED goes dark and the tuning fork in the center display is lit red. As a default, Aura Spectrum’s output is muted allowing you to tune silently.
To tune, play a note lightly and watch the display. The note name will be indicated as a single letter and a small # sign will be lit whenever the displayed note is raised one half step. The note being sharp, fl at, or in-tune will be displayed using the fi ve multi-colored LEDs in the tuner window and below the tuning note. When there is no audio input, or you’re not playing, a “–” will appear in the display.
This digital chromatic tuner accommodates all standard and alternate tunings and is calibrated to A = 440.
an ‘E’ played very flat an ‘A#’ played in-tune a ‘B’ played slightly sharp
Tuner Option
When shipped from the factory, the audio output is muted when the tuner is engaged.
Alternately, you have the option to use the tuner without muting your output. To choose this option, hold the footswitch down until the Aura LED fl ashes. Repeat to return to the factory state.
Bypass mode
Aura Spectrum allows you completely bypass the Image, EQ, and Compressor processing. To enter bypass mode, press both the anti-feed-
back and tuner switches together. The white Aura LED will alternate slowly with the tuner LED to indicate bypass mode is active. To exit bypass mode, press both foot switches again.
With bypass active, all controls including the tuner are functional, however you will not hear any of the changes until you exit bypass.
22 23
Front Panel Controls (cont’d)
Anti-Feedback Footswitch
Use this search-and-destroy anti-feedback fi lter in addition to the phase switch to control feedback during a performance. Aura Spectrum’s automatic anti-feedback fi lter can apply up to three separate notch fi lters, which are essentially very precise tone controls that reduce only a small piece of the audio band. When activated, the fi lter determines where the offending resonances are and only reduces the frequencies on which they are centered.
While the anti-feedback control is very effective, it’s best if you spend some time while setting up before a performance and catch any issues before you begin to play. With some practice, you’ll fi nd you can also use it to “fi x” any resonant notes that may stand out in a particular venue.
Using the automatic anti-feedback control:
1. Press and hold anti-feedback footswitch for 2 seconds. The tuner display will fl ash a “ 1 ” to indicate it is searching for the fi rst feedback.
2. Turn up your volume , then either dampen the strings while tapping the body or play the troublesome note until the feedback begins. The fi lter will automatically identify and eliminate the feedback. The “ 1 ” in the display will light solid as will the “ A-F ” indicator.
3. At this point, you may continue to turn up your volume as in step 2 to catch up to two more problematic resonances. Each is indicated via a fl ashing “ 2 ” or “ 3 ” during the search, turning to solid lit numerals when the resonance has been identifi ed.
4. You may tap the anti-feedback footswitch at any time to cancel the search. The circuit will hold the offending frequenc(ies) in memory until you repeat the process again.
You may also turn the fi lter on or off at any time by tapping the footswitch. When enabled, the “ A-F ” lights to indicate the fi lters are active and the number of fi lters being applied will be briefl y displayed.
24
About Phase and Anti-Feedback
There are two features provided to help control acoustic feedback, the
phase switch and the anti-feedback control.
Feedback usually occurs in the lowest octaves of your instrument. The natural resonances which produce an instrument’s tone also react with amplifi ed sound. The louder an instrument is amplifi ed, the more it will interact. Feedback occurs when a note on the instrument resonates in sync with the amplifi ed sound, reinforcing and building to a sustained howl.
The phase switch fl ips the polarity of your instrument signal from positive to negative, changing its relationship to the sound coming from the amplifi er. One phase setting usually provides better resistance to feedback than the other and will vary depending on the instrument and playing environment. Another approach to determining optimal phase is the selection which sounds or feels most natural when playing.
The phase switch also affects the signal polarity to the balanced XLR
D.I. and 1/4 inch outputs, synchronizing the amplifi er with other sound systems in use.
In certain playing environments the phase switch may not have an audible impact.
The anti-feedback control is an automatic variable frequency notch fi lter designed to subdue a resonant peak on the instrument which is prone to feedback. Check out page 24 for more exact details of its operation.
25
Downloading Images
The Aura Image Gallery software manages a vast library of Images created from an ever-expanding list of instruments, and provides tools to search and store sets of Images.
If you can’t fi nd your exact instrument in the list, use the built-in Image
Wizard to fi nd the closest match. For example, if one of our hundreds of
Images doesn’t match your instrument exactly, you can still fi nd a great sounding Image by matching similar tone woods and body styles. Experiment with these tools, and use your ears to determine what sounds best for your playing or musical style.
To access this library of additional instrument Images, install the Aura Image Gallery on your computer. Then, gently remove the USB cover from the right side of the unit and connect the included USB cable to the side of the preamp and your computer. Create a new Image Set and load your
Images into Aura Spectrum
Be sure to install the Aura Image Gallery software prior to connecting
Aura Spectrum for the fi rst time.
Battery Replacement
The clip/batt indicator will light steadily when it is time to change the battery. Open the battery door underneath the pedal and install a fresh
9V alkaline or lithium battery. When the clip/batt LED comes on you have approximately one hour of remaining battery life.
USB mini jack
26 27
Signal Flow
The illustration below shows the audio signal as it fl ows through Aura
Spectrum. Note: When Global EQ mode is selected, the tone controls also affect the Image signal as indicated by * (see pages 20 & 21).
input trim clip | batt phase compressor
* blend compressor Image select low mid high
“insert style” effects loop tip = send fx loop ring = return
XLR ground is lifted when 1/4” output is is connected output volume
28
Specifi cations
Input impedance:
Input trim gain range:
10M Ohm
-10dB to +2dB
Nominal Output impedance: 3.5k Ohm
Maximum Output level (onset of clipping): +3dBV
Digital signal path:
A/D, D/A conversion:
Signal processing:
Baseline noise:
Dynamic range:
Power supply:
Typical in-use current consumption:
Typical 9V battery life:
9V adapter:
Tone Controls:
Low (bass) control:
High (treble) control:
Anti-Feedback Notch Filter (3 notches):
24-bit
32-bit
-97dBV (A-weighted)
100dB (A-weighted)
9V battery or 9VDC adapter
25mA
20 hours using alkaline battery
40 hours using lithium battery)
Fishman 910-R (for 110V) or suitable fi ltered and regulated,
200mA type, tip = negative
±12dB @ 70Hz
±12dB @ 1kHz
±12dB @ 6.5kHz
100Hz Default Frequency
50Hz to 750Hz Search Range
0.25 Octave bandwidth
Phase switch: Forward position = non-inverting
All specifi cations subject to change without notice
29
www.fi shman.com
Fishman and Fishman Transducers are trademarks or tradenames of Fishman Transducers Inc. 513-300-159 Rev A, 8-09
