RetroTeleRod
Poster Extraordinaire
Anyone have experience with one? What are your thoughts?
School me on the Boss AD-2 Acoustic Preamp
- Thread starter RetroTeleRod
- Start date
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I see live acoustic acts every week as part of my duties in a house band gig; never seen one in use, but I'm not sure that means anything.
Here's some Boss propaganda, with a spokesperson that might be more agreeable to watch than anything I could present.
Might be able to find some used versions on Reverb, no?
Here's some Boss propaganda, with a spokesperson that might be more agreeable to watch than anything I could present.
Might be able to find some used versions on Reverb, no?
RetroTeleRod
Poster Extraordinaire
If I decide I can't live without one that would be my best option.
telel6s
Friend of Leo's
Firstly, I haven't used the BOSS AD-2 or ever seen/heard one live. That BOSS video posted above does very little to sell the pedal to me -- there was more talking than playing and no A/B differences or twiddling with dials to hear the range of the ambiance or resonance effects. That said, as long as it's a BOSS and not the acoustic simulator I'd guess that it does it's job well.
However, it also seems very limited in functionality. I didn't read the manual to see if it has balanced or unbalanced output, but it's obviously not XLR. There is no tone control (either single knob or TMB). No level control for either input gain or output. For the same price you can currently get the Pigtronix Bob Weir acoustic preamp, although that does not have reverb and has some features that a lot of people don't need.
For just $30 you can get the Behringer ADI21 preamp. Again, no reverb but you could add that on separately with the money you saved. I got mine used for $20 it does a great job with several different acoustic instruments. The Blend knob adds in a simulated tube pre-amp which does a good job of lessening piezo quack. Probably similar to the Resonance on the BOSS AD-2.
Final thought is to go up to the $150-$180 range where you'll find some DI/Preamps with more functionality like XLR balanced output, phase switch, ground lift, sweepable mid control, etc. One that I want to research a bit more is the NUX Stageman Acoustic.
None of this is to say the AD-2 doesn't do a good job. But it seems a bit limited and I'd look at other options before deciding that the AD-2 does everything I need. For pure amateur/beginner I'd go with the Behringer and some inexpensive reverb/delay pedal. For semi-pro where you're plugging into different systems and locations all the time I'd probably be looking in the $250+ range for one do-it-all and do-it-well acoustic preamp. The BOSS seems to sit in a weird mid-spot. It might be great for someone who is going to plug into the same system week in and week out like at a worship service or similar.
However, it also seems very limited in functionality. I didn't read the manual to see if it has balanced or unbalanced output, but it's obviously not XLR. There is no tone control (either single knob or TMB). No level control for either input gain or output. For the same price you can currently get the Pigtronix Bob Weir acoustic preamp, although that does not have reverb and has some features that a lot of people don't need.
For just $30 you can get the Behringer ADI21 preamp. Again, no reverb but you could add that on separately with the money you saved. I got mine used for $20 it does a great job with several different acoustic instruments. The Blend knob adds in a simulated tube pre-amp which does a good job of lessening piezo quack. Probably similar to the Resonance on the BOSS AD-2.
Final thought is to go up to the $150-$180 range where you'll find some DI/Preamps with more functionality like XLR balanced output, phase switch, ground lift, sweepable mid control, etc. One that I want to research a bit more is the NUX Stageman Acoustic.
None of this is to say the AD-2 doesn't do a good job. But it seems a bit limited and I'd look at other options before deciding that the AD-2 does everything I need. For pure amateur/beginner I'd go with the Behringer and some inexpensive reverb/delay pedal. For semi-pro where you're plugging into different systems and locations all the time I'd probably be looking in the $250+ range for one do-it-all and do-it-well acoustic preamp. The BOSS seems to sit in a weird mid-spot. It might be great for someone who is going to plug into the same system week in and week out like at a worship service or similar.
RetroTeleRod
Poster Extraordinaire
bluesholyman
Friend of Leo's
I don't do acoustic much but I have had one of the Fishman Aura pedals - great sound.
I am not the biggest fan of boss pedals overall, so usually not my first choice, except maybe the acoustic simulator - that one there could be a winner....
Anyway, if it does what you want/need, its a good pedal.
I am not the biggest fan of boss pedals overall, so usually not my first choice, except maybe the acoustic simulator - that one there could be a winner....
Anyway, if it does what you want/need, its a good pedal.
I have one. FWIW, I'm the first person that has chimed in so far that actually has played the pedal.
It is a simple pedal with a bit of reverb, a notch filter, and a resonance knob which adds bass.
I did try it with a steel string with a piezo. With minimal knob fiddling I thought it made it sound a little less harsh and more like a mic'd guitar than plugging in direct. Not a drastic change.
I actually purchased it not for that, but as an experiment to make an electric guitar sound like a Bachata guitar which is an acoustic with a humbucker running through the acoustic preamp. It didn't achieve the sound I was hoping for, so it's currently listed for sale.
It is a simple pedal with a bit of reverb, a notch filter, and a resonance knob which adds bass.
I did try it with a steel string with a piezo. With minimal knob fiddling I thought it made it sound a little less harsh and more like a mic'd guitar than plugging in direct. Not a drastic change.
I actually purchased it not for that, but as an experiment to make an electric guitar sound like a Bachata guitar which is an acoustic with a humbucker running through the acoustic preamp. It didn't achieve the sound I was hoping for, so it's currently listed for sale.
RetroTeleRod
Poster Extraordinaire
Thanks for sharing your experience.
