Fishman Aura Imaging Pedal - a review

David Polich · Post by **David Polich** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 2:08 pm

I just picked up the Fishman Aura Imaging Pedal and have checked it out. Thought I'd post this review for anyone who might be interested.

I bought the Aura "box" last year, and have used it on several recordings. The only thing I never liked about it was the high-end "hash" noise it puts out.

So when I read the latest Sound On Sound review saying that the Aura Pedals are less noisy and offer improved resolution (24 bit now), I went and got one.

Here's the deal - the pedal does sound better than the Aura "box". The improved audio resolution is definitely apparent. The noise from the pedal is still there, but it is more in the area of 60-180 hz, and not near as much in the 1.8khz to 2.8khz range which is the range the Aura box produces. This translates to less interference with the actual sound of the acoustic guitar. Overall, the pedal produces about 2/3 the noise the box produces. The S/N ratio is greatly improved so the noise from the unit is even less of a factor because you don't have to boost your input trim as much.

Results were even better when I plugged the output of the Aura pedal into a direct box (the pedal only has one quarter-inch unbalanced out) and then inserted a noise gate on my mixer board channel. I set the noise gate's threshold to -26, attack to 12ms, hold to 50ms and decay to 4.5s. This worked very well - well enough that I'd prefer using the pedal over a good mic in a poor sounding room, or a cheap mic in a good sounding room.
Obviously the ideal is a great mic and mic pre in a great sounding room.
That's always my preferred method, but sometimes I can't record with a mic - like on days when my neighbors decide to crank up the mariachi music or mow their lawns or start up on a remodeling project or tree-trimming job.

The Aura pedal has 16 preset "images". There's no way of telling what they are, you have to select them one at a time until you come up with one that matches your particular guitar the best. I recommend setting the "blend" knob all the way to the right for auditioning the images. Fishman sells four versions of this pedal - I have a Taylor 110E, and the "Dreadnought" pedal was the one I selected.

Live the pedal would be just the thing to use - much better than just running the pickups straight into a console.

The pedal's audio resolution and S/N ratio is so much of an improvement over the original Aura box that I'm hoping Fishman will update the Aura box. I'm guessing we'll see a "next generation" Aura box at NAMM.

monkey man · Post by **monkey man** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 5:24 am

Thank you for that, David.

I've had my eye on the Aura's development for a few years (since the first SOS review).
It's a question of Line6's next gen acoustics vs something like this, and budget considerations will play a huge role in determining the outcome.

Updates such as yours are invaluable; thank you again.

wvandyck · Post by **wvandyck** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 9:47 am

Dave,
Thanks for the review.

Has anyone used one of these devices with piezos on a solid body guitar like Godin LGX-SA, Brian Moore or similar? Yep, a mic picks up the pleasing sum of multiple points of resonance on an acoustic guitar. (I have a fine acoustic and a large/small condenser set).

But as one who records 99.99999% direct injection for various reasons, including the common sources of outdoor ambience nicely summarized in the beginning of this thread

, anything that "naturalizes" the piezo sound is of interest to me. And perhaps legions of solid body players with installed piezos.

wvandyck · Post by **wvandyck** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 11:55 am

After reading the SOS review, I think that what I'm asking for is not reasonable.

Wouldn't be the first time.

The whole business of matching a pedal with a particular type of guitar, then finding suitable presets seems challenging even with a compatible guitar & pedal.

Shoot.

David Polich · Post by **David Polich** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:40 am

All I can say is try the Aura pedal out. If you put the blend to 100% "wet" you'll hear just the pedal's sound, which is what you want anyway. For my guitar, it didn't take long to find a preset that worked - number 10, in my case.

A noise gate is a must when using the pedal and recording direct. Don't gate the recorded track with a plug-in "after the fact", it won't sound as good.

Hearing is believing - Sam Ash and Guitar Center stores will let you return the pedal if you don't like it -