Using a dobro, mandolin and acoustic live

[Geege]

Hey all,

I'm a complete rookie on this site and to playing live. I'm playing a mandolin, a squareneck dobro and an acoustic live. Right now I'm using a Shure 57 straight into the PA. Can I run this mic into a Direct box before the PA to get a louder signal? In the near future I'll be getting a transducer for the mandolin , thinking about a fishman humbucker for the acoustic and still looking for a pickup for the dobro. Should I be looking at active or passive pickups/boxes, as I said I'm new to this.

Any suggestions or opinions welcome!

Geege

[Barnabas]

"I'm using a Shure 57 straight into the PA. Can I run this mic into a Direct box before the PA to get a louder signal?"

No. Ask the sound guy to turn you up louder.


Pickups are great especially if you are playing clubs and small rooms. You will be able to get your instruments louder in the PA system than if you were using a microphone.

[Geege]

Thanx

[Lunatic]

Geege,

If you're on stage... how do you know your level is low in the audience? Do you actually need it louder int he monitors? I'm not picking on you. I just want to better understand the situation.

Pickups, or in hole mics, are the way to go. Pickups are, probably, the most common. Try and get a good one that will do your instrument some justice. Some of the pickups sound like poo.

Do you have a local acoustic music group in your area? That's be a good place to go, ask questions, etc.

[Al Rogers]

An SM57 is a good mic. If you want something with higher output you could try a condenser mic. Rode, Audio-Technica, Shure, etc. all offer inexpensive condenser mics for stage use. Because of the extended frequency response you'll have to be careful with your placement to avoid feedback. It's always a good idea to try a few mics before you buy one. Or buy from a dealer with a fair return policy.

On board pickups are convenient but there is nothing available that sounds as natural as a good microphone. Since you're playing multiple instruments it would be simpler to have one good mic than to deal with 3 different pickup systems.

Direct boxes are primarily impedance matching devices. If you don't understand about impedance, you could do some reading. Matching impedances correctly is the key to getting good sound out of your PA system.

If you just want to get more output from your SM57 check out the Røde D-Power. It's a tiny preamp that goes between your mic and the cord. You need phantom power to make it work. If your mixer doesn't have great mic pres (it probably doesn't) then the D-Power will surprise you. Your mic will sound a lot better.

[doorknocker]

I've been really happy with the dobro sound I get with a clip-on Audio-Technica condensor mic. I had a McIntire dobro pickup before that lasted about 2 minutes, it sounded like SERIOUS ass, a total joke!

I have heard good things about the Fishman Aura pedal for acoustic guitar. A friend of mine and fellow piezo-hater uses one with his Gibson acoustic and I was surprised at the sound he got in a band context. There's a Jerry Douglas Signature Aura pedal for dobro available now as well and I think it's worth checking out.

As for mandolin, I once had a really good sounding cheap no-name mandolin and installed a violin pickup (can't remember the brand) that was placed inside the bridge by drilling a small hole. The sound was really great and 100% feedback resistant, so I'd probably go for that unless you're using a vintage Gibson F-5 or something.......