What is the primary function of the Jerry Douglas Aura pedal?

The pedal uses digital imaging technology to make a resophonic guitar's pickup sound like it is being recorded by a high-end studio microphone. It provides 16 different microphone emulations to enhance the tone of the instrument.

Can I use this pedal with a standard acoustic guitar?

While it will function, the 16 images are specifically designed for the frequency response and resonant characteristics of resophonic guitars. For a standard acoustic guitar, other Fishman Aura models would be more appropriate.

What do the 16 images represent?

The 16 images represent different professional studio microphones and placements used to record Jerry Douglas's own resophonic guitars. Users can cycle through these to find the best match for their specific instrument.

How does the Blend control work?

The Blend control mixes the processed 'Image' signal with the dry 'Pickup' signal. This allows you to retain the note definition of your pickup while adding the natural resonance and air of the microphone emulation.

Is this pedal suitable for live performance?

Yes, it is specifically built for live use to give players a studio-quality sound without the feedback issues associated with using a physical microphone on stage. Its rugged housing and simple controls make it ideal for the stage.

Does the pedal include any effects like delay or reverb?

No, this is a dedicated acoustic imaging pedal. If you require additional effects, you would need to pair it with other pedals such as the Boss DD-3T for delay or a Behringer UC200 for chorus.

What is the typical price for this unit?

The pedal is typically priced around £566. This reflects its status as a professional-grade signature piece of equipment with specialized DSP technology.

Do I need a specific pickup to use this pedal?

While it works best with Fishman pickups, it can be used with most undersaddle or bridge-mounted resophonic pickups. The pedal is designed to process a clean, direct signal from the instrument.

Who is Jerry Douglas?

Jerry Douglas is a world-renowned American resophonic guitar and lap steel player. He has won multiple Grammy awards and is widely considered the master of the dobro, lending his name and tonal expertise to this signature pedal.

Is the pedal difficult to set up?

No, it is very straightforward. You plug your guitar into the input, the output into your amp or PA, and then use the Image Select and Blend knobs to find your desired sound.

Can this pedal solve feedback issues?

By allowing you to get a microphone-like sound through a direct line, it eliminates the need for an external microphone which is often the primary source of feedback in acoustic performances.

How does it compare to a standard DI box?

A standard DI box simply balances your signal for a PA system. This pedal actively changes the tone using digital signal processing to emulate the sound of an acoustic instrument in a room with a microphone.

Gear article

Fishman Jerry Douglas Signature Aura Imaging Pedal

The Fishman Jerry Douglas Signature Aura Imaging Pedal is a specialized acoustic processing unit designed to replicate the studio-quality microphone tones of multi-Grammy award winner Jerry Douglas. Specifically engineered for resophonic guitars, it utilises Fishman’s proprietary Aura Acoustic Imaging technology to blend a direct pickup signal with 16 high-definition microphone models.

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Overview

The Fishman Jerry Douglas Signature Aura Imaging Pedal is a high-end sound sculpting tool aimed at resophonic guitarists seeking to capture a microphone-quality sound in live or recording environments. Traditional resophonic guitars often present challenges when amplified via pickups, as standard piezos can lack the complex harmonic depth of the instrument's cone. This pedal addresses those issues by applying digital 'images' that restore the acoustic character typically captured by high-end studio microphones.

Core Features and Operation

The pedal is designed with a streamlined interface for ease of use during performances. It features three primary control dials:

Volume: Dictates the overall output level of the pedal.
Blend: Allows the user to mix the dry input source (the pickup signal) with the Aura Image, enabling a balance between punchy directness and airy resonance.
Image Select: A rotary switch to navigate between 16 distinct microphone models.

These 16 presets emulate various world-class microphones, offering a spectrum of tones that can be tailored to the specific resonator being used or the desired acoustic environment.

Sound Character

The primary sonic goal of the Jerry Douglas Signature pedal is to eliminate the 'quack' and compressed nature of electronic pickups. By using Jerry Douglas’s personal collection of microphone setups as the baseline, the pedal delivers a rich, three-dimensional tone. The character ranges from tight, focused cardioid patterns to more open, ambient captures, providing the warmth and woodiness inherent to a high-quality dobro.

Suitability and Applications

This pedal is specifically suited for professional and semi-professional bluegrass, Americana, and country musicians who play resophonic guitars. While many multi-effect pedals like the Fender Hammertone Flanger or Boss DD-3T offer general modulation and delay, this Fishman unit is a dedicated utility for core tone restoration. It is an essential tool for players who find that standard PA systems or amplifiers fail to capture the authentic acoustic nuance of their instrument.

Market Position and Alternatives

Priced at approximately £566, the Jerry Douglas Signature Aura is a premium specialist device. Unlike general-purpose utility pedals such as the Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor or the Digitech Whammy Ricochet, which focus on dynamic processing or pitch shifting, this pedal is focused entirely on acoustic imaging. While other Aura pedals exist for standard acoustic guitars, this model is unique for its specific tuning toward the resonance and frequency response of the resonator cone.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary function of the Jerry Douglas Aura pedal?: The pedal uses digital imaging technology to make a resophonic guitar's pickup sound like it is being recorded by a high-end studio microphone. It provides 16 different microphone emulations to enhance the tone of the instrument.
Can I use this pedal with a standard acoustic guitar?: While it will function, the 16 images are specifically designed for the frequency response and resonant characteristics of resophonic guitars. For a standard acoustic guitar, other Fishman Aura models would be more appropriate.
What do the 16 images represent?: The 16 images represent different professional studio microphones and placements used to record Jerry Douglas's own resophonic guitars. Users can cycle through these to find the best match for their specific instrument.
How does the Blend control work?: The Blend control mixes the processed 'Image' signal with the dry 'Pickup' signal. This allows you to retain the note definition of your pickup while adding the natural resonance and air of the microphone emulation.
Is this pedal suitable for live performance?: Yes, it is specifically built for live use to give players a studio-quality sound without the feedback issues associated with using a physical microphone on stage. Its rugged housing and simple controls make it ideal for the stage.
Does the pedal include any effects like delay or reverb?: No, this is a dedicated acoustic imaging pedal. If you require additional effects, you would need to pair it with other pedals such as the Boss DD-3T for delay or a Behringer UC200 for chorus.
What is the typical price for this unit?: The pedal is typically priced around £566. This reflects its status as a professional-grade signature piece of equipment with specialized DSP technology.
Do I need a specific pickup to use this pedal?: While it works best with Fishman pickups, it can be used with most undersaddle or bridge-mounted resophonic pickups. The pedal is designed to process a clean, direct signal from the instrument.
Who is Jerry Douglas?: Jerry Douglas is a world-renowned American resophonic guitar and lap steel player. He has won multiple Grammy awards and is widely considered the master of the dobro, lending his name and tonal expertise to this signature pedal.
Is the pedal difficult to set up?: No, it is very straightforward. You plug your guitar into the input, the output into your amp or PA, and then use the Image Select and Blend knobs to find your desired sound.
Can this pedal solve feedback issues?: By allowing you to get a microphone-like sound through a direct line, it eliminates the need for an external microphone which is often the primary source of feedback in acoustic performances.
How does it compare to a standard DI box?: A standard DI box simply balances your signal for a PA system. This pedal actively changes the tone using digital signal processing to emulate the sound of an acoustic instrument in a room with a microphone.