Aura Spectrum vs Aura Jerry Douglas????

[Doug Anderson]

I just got a great deal on a used Gretsch square neck dobro with the new Fishman Nashville Pickup.

I'm thinking about geting an Aura Spectrum or Aura Jerry Douglas. I'm leaning toward the Spectrum because I could use it with my guitar and ukulele with Piezo pickups. Also, I'd be interested in seeing if I could get the spectrum to make my SX2 sound more like a dobro.

Do you think the Spectrum sounds close to as good as the Jerry Douglas Aura model for a dobro.

Is either model more likely to make my lap steel sound more like a dobro?

Do both models instrease the volume of of the output out of my amp since the Fishman Nashville Pickup is a passive one?

I welcome any other thoughts!

Thank you! Doug

[Howard Parker]

First,

Your amp is your amp and has a finite amount of power/output and no preamp is going to increase it.

Nothing is going to make your steel sound like a dobro. The Aura images will certainly alter the characteristics of the steel. You may/may not be satisfied with the result.

The dobro images in the JD Aura/Spectrum are different. FWIW, the JD Aura is favored by the vast majority of dobro players. Not to say that there's anything wrong with the Spectrum images. They are just different.

If you intend to play multiple instruments then the Spectrum (or a competitor like ToneX) is your best bet. Strictly playing dobro? The JD Aura is preferred.

YMMV

h

[Chuck Wilson]

Very well said Howard.

I was just speaking today with someone about tone, preamps, effects and amps and consistent tone.

I reminded them if you only had a guitar and Amp and dialed it all in perfectly at soundcheck in the empty hall, by the time it filled with people you would sound oh so different.

All of these effects can get you partly there but you always have to tweak it to get that really "that's me" sound. Whether in the studio or live. And every players style and picking techniques will make the device sound different too.

But that is what makes it all fun. Tweaking things for the moment at hand!

I have found the presets on most units only 10 to 40% usable. But by tweaking these to your sound and adapting/
saving it to over a few various gigs you then have something useful. And always have a good eq in your signal chain to find the sweet spot.

You can always buy the unit from a store with 30 day exchange.

Play on!

[Steven Wilson]

I have both products. I bought the JD Aura first and was disappointed that I couldn't really hear the difference in the different mic settings, and it seemed like I was prone to feedback when I occasionally had an opportunity to play at volume on-stage. I bought the Spectrum then and have found it to be more versatile. It has some extra feedback control and a tuner. If I had it to do over, I would consider the Fishman Platinum pro which is cheaper, has a possibly more precise tuner, and a boost button. All of these are readily available on the used market. I think they are all designed for acoustic instruments rather than lapsteel.

[Howard Parker]

and it seemed like I was prone to feedback when I occasionally had an opportunity to play at volume on-stage.

I've seen that issue with JD Aura's shipped with the trim control (unit's side) turned down. It's a useless control as the best performance is always with the trim maxed.

At any rate., I've gigged with the unit at "stupid" volumes (ear protection required) with zero issues. I also have a Fishman Platinum Pro EQ/DI in the chain (mainly for routing flexibility) along with various & sundry effects.

The rig has been rock solid for way more than a decade.

ymmv

hp

[K Maul]

I have been dealing with Dobro amplification since about 1976 and I’ve come up with a lot of different things over the years. The Fishman system is by far the best that I have found. I have both the Spectrum and the JD pedal. I’ve gotten good sound out of both things. I tend to run it at 60% image and 40% pick up for the least amount of feedback problems. I never run it at full image like many people seem to do. The Spectrum is more versatile, the Dobro sounds are different, but I don’t find it to be a huge problem. A good preamp is essential to have with the JD pedal. I have used the Fire eye Red Eye, and the Fishman Platinum Plus. I’m currently using the Fishman Tone D-EQ. I always run it direct into the PA system and put it in the monitors. I never use an amp with it. Correct that they will never make a lap steel sound like a dobro, bro’.

[Steve Lipsey]

I have both.
Spectrum more versatile, good "grab 'n go"...it is a preamp also...XLR, feedback suppression, tuner, etc.
JD Aura more lifelike, it can make anything sound like a dobro (I've tried). Different "microphones" are basically just increasing treble as you go up the range...JD says he uses higher numbers when he needs to cut through, the treble helps. Needs DI also, plus tuner, etc.

[Jonathan Scherer]

For resonator, I use the Auro JD with a Fishman Tone Deq, usually go straight to the mixer from the Tone Deq when playing with a big band, or to an amp for house parties.

I run the Aura at 100% blend. I do notice a difference in all the mic samples but tend to use the same, #13 currently is my fave.

Lots of players like the Spectrum too. Reso Hangout has some discussions about them

https://www.resohangout.com/archive/38672

https://www.resohangout.com/pages/searc ... more:forum