P
LUGGING
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Due to the nature of passive pickups such as the SBT, the type of cable you use and the input you plug into
will affect the quality of your sound.
Instrument Cable
Cable lengths over 10 feet (before preamp) will cause audible high frequency loss. Use a high quality, low
capacitance shielded cable. This will ensure minimal tone coloration and hum. Using fully shielded metal plugs
will also help eliminate hum.
Kinds of Audio Inputs
Because of the lack of standardization for high impedance audio inputs, special attention should be paid to
what you are plugging into. The SBT will sound best when plugged directly into an input with a 10 M
Ω
impedance; the full frequency response of the instrument is reproduced. The SBT can also be plugged into
inputs as low as 1 M
Ω
with adequate results; the bass frequencies will be slightly rolled off.
Preamps
We strongly recommend using a 10 M
Ω
, impedance matching, buffered preamp in conjunction with the
pickup. A matching preamp will:
1. Realize the full frequency response potential of the pickup.
2. Permit long cable runs (after the preamp) without signal deterioration.
3. Allow precise volume and tone shaping with dedicated EQ.
4. Ensure compatibility with virtually any instrument level audio input available.
Fishman Transducers manufactures a complete line of compatible preamps, all with 10 M
W
W
inputs:
POWERJACK - Miniature Endpin Preamp
MODEL GII & BII - Outboard Acoustic Instrument Preamp
AGP-2 - Onboard Instrument Preamp
PRO-EQ II - 4 Band Outboard Acoustic Instrument Preamp
PRO-EQ PLATINUM - Outboard Acoustic Instrument Preamp / EQ / D.I.
DUAL PARAMETRIC D.I. - Fully Parametric Two Band Preamp / D.I.
ACOUSTIC / BASS BLENDER - 2 Channel Pickup / Mic Preamp
POCKET BLENDER - 2 Channel Pickup/Mic Preamp
Musical Instrument Amplifiers
Most musical instrument amplifiers (at least 1 M
Ω
input impedance) will yield useable results. Many acoustic
instrument amplifiers have a 10 M
Ω
Piezo input, and will match the pickup.
Direct Boxes
You can plug the SBT into an "active" direct box (1 - 10 M
Ω
input) with very good results. Using a passive
direct box will sound weak and thin.
PA / Recording Consoles
Professional PA and recording consoles have a much lower input impedance than what is acceptable for the
SBT; you will need an impedance matching preamp. Plugging a passive piezo pickup into a mixer without an
impedance matching preamp will sound harsh and thin.
I n s t a l l a t i o n G u i d e
I n s t a l l a t i o n G u i d e
