If you have an electro-acoustic guitar, it will
probably have a standard guitar jack socket. You can not directly connect
this to a mixer as the signal levels will not be matched and it will sound
pretty awful.
You need to go via a direct injection box. You plug
the guitar in to this and then use the DI boxes XLR output socket to connect
to the mixer using a balanced XLR cable.
DI boxes are pretty inexpensive.
What Type of DI box do we need?
There are 2 basic types, Active and Passive. Active
are powered by a 9v
battery.
We would always recommend active DI boxes as these
allow you to boost or cut the balanced signal and cost the same amount of
money. We would also recommend that you get one with a
'ground lift' switch which can be useful if you get mains hum (see
Avoiding
mains hum).
Click here to view our range of DI boxes.
Using a Microphone
This is really only an option if you are playing as
a solo artist or in a duo. For best performance, use a dynamic cardioid type
microphone.
Click here to view our full range of
wired and wireless microphones.
Microphone placement
Sound
Distance from
guitar
Position
Comment
Bassy
8 inch from sound hole (below)
45 degrees to guitar
Good starting position
Very bassy
3 inches from sound hole (below)
45 degrees to guitar
Good isolation
Woody, warm, mellow
4 to 8 inches from bridge (below)
30 degrees to guitar
Reduces pick and string noise
Natural, well balanced, slightly
bright
6 inches from the bridge (above)
30 degrees to guitar
Less pickup of ambient sound and
leakage
Natural, well balanced
Miniature microphone
clipped on outside of sound hole
Good isolation and freedom of
movement
Bassy, less string noise
Miniature microphone
clipped on inside of sound hole
Reduces feedback
Send us your comments
If you have any comments on this section or would like to add something to
it, please email us!
battery. 
