D-TAR Solstice Preamp/Blender

I think the real question should be, how long does it take to figure out that to get good acoustic sound for live setting, you need to go out in true stereo. Once you've figured that out, the Solstice, a couple of good pickups and a decent guitar does the rest...with ease!

Otherwise, you got two in, one or two out, a few EQ knobs and phase switches. Exactly what you need and what very few units offer.

Also saves you the trouble of a Y-connector. Just insert a stereo cable into Channel 1 and it'll split the signal for you.

Lastly, if you have passive soundhole pickups with low output like the Baggs M-1, you'll have to crank the gain pretty much all the way up to get a good signal.

The EQ's could be better, but then again, if you've actually shopped around for a unit like this, you know you could live without a killer EQ section. In any case, your FOH should take care of that depending on the room you're playing in.

I run this thing flat on both channels. No complaints here.

Sound is quite transparent. Was a little worried as I'd prefer to see the words "Class-A" next to any DI unit but my ears can't tell the difference. I have yet to test it against a Radial or a Baggs Para DI.

The real magic comes out when you send two seperate channels out to the board and have each pickup panned to each side. The sound is huge!

Something YOU CANNOT DO with most other mixer/preamp/di units.
The Baggs offers the MixPro which will send a blended signal mono out...which still sorta stinks in my opinion.

Lastly, in case you missed it in the Ease Of Use section, if you have passive soundhole pickups with low output like the Baggs M-1, you'll have to crank the gain pretty much all the way up to get a good signal.

Haven't and won't use it as a mic pre so couldn't tell ya what it sounds like. Great reviews on it though.

I take care of my gear.
Bottom line.

Whether it's an antique guitar or my rugged bass amp, take care of it.

If it blows out, well...that's another story.

There is a huge lack of reviews on this product and for the first time in my life, I bought something on a hunch. I had no choice cuz it's the only unit that could accomplish this task (under $1500!!)

Long story short, go on the D-Tar site forum page. Post up a question, concern, comment or anything for that matter and Rick Turner himself will respond within a few hours at most!

His dedication alone has sold me on this unit. I highly recommend it...and I don't recommend much.

If you just want a DI with EQ, go home.
If you're going mono, go home.
If you know what stereo means to the listener, you've come to the right place.

Holy grail? No such thing.
A pretty darn good compromise, I certainly think so.

At least for now.

This is a new half rack instrument preamp/blender from Duncan Turner Acoustic Research. it is suitable for a wide variety of instrument pick-up applications including piezo and magnetic and microphone sources. It is equally at ease handling Acoustic instruments, Vocals, bass guitar and other electronic instruments that demand clean un- colored headroom. The Solstice features both 1/4 inch and XLR inputs on each of its two channels. There are seperate volume controls for each of the 1/4 and the XLR inputs, giving you a total of four inputs. Each channel has a three band eq shared by the 1/4 and XLR inputs. Another feature allows you to us a dual source pickup system (stereo) using a 1/4 TRS cable in to either channel that splits the two pickup sources to the seperate channels. Also include on the front panel are seperate phantom power(15v) and 20db pads for each XLR input, individual channel phase switchs, and clip indicator lights. Also on the front panel is a mute switch with indicator light, a power indicator light, an effects loop mix knob, and a Master volume know that only effects the 1/4 inch output. The back panel features seperate XLR outputs for each channel, seperate effects inserts for each channel, a global effects loop (mono), a remote footswitch jack for the mute switch, A tuner out,
a 1/4 output(controlled by the front panel master volume, and a master XLR output (not effected by the front panel master volume). The Solstice is very easy to use with one of the better more intelligently written manuals I have read, that includes a great appendixe of of notes about impedance, eq use, phase and feedback, and a glossary of amplification terms.

I have been using the Solstice with a wide variety of instruments including a Jeff Traugott built acoustic guitar with DTAR Timbreline pickup. A Renaissance RS-6 acoustic electric by Rick Turner. A Rick Turner fretless electroline bass. A Carlos Pina Flamenco with an RMC system, A Ben Harber model Lap steel with prototype dimarzio magnetic pickups built by Bill Asher, a Flatiron navy style mandolin with an old barcus berry and fishman preamp. I've also used the Solstice as a mini 4 channel mono PA running a vocal mike, a Pod for electric guitar, a drum machine and an acoustic guitar all at once. I run it into a mackie power amp and speakers, or a mackie powered speaker and it souns great. In all applications it sounds great, very clean and transparent with plenty of headroom

I have had it for about 4 months now and had no problems so far. I will be optimistic and give a high mark, as I have had nothing but good service from the folks at Duncan or Rick Turner for that matter, the collaborative partners in DTAR. They seem very committed to developing a line of well built, great sounding, and affordable products for acoustic instruments

Again, I give high marks in this regard. Both the people at Duncan and Rick Turner are great to deal with. It sometimes takes them a couple of days to respond, but this has never bothered me, as I know how work can stack up in the music manufacturering world.n

I am a journeyman musician who plays a wide variety of styles with a wide variety of electric and acoustic instruments. I use everything from vintage amps to modeling amps, to guitar synths, to acoustic and electric guitars, lapsteels, mandolin, bass, etc. I had been looking for a good, flexable acoustic instrument preamp/blender. I had looked at raven labs and pendulum products, and decided to go with the DTAR Solstice, as it seemed to have more features and better sound at a more affordable price than the comparable raven labs and pendulum products. Not that I'm knocking those products, its just that the Solstice had features and flexability rivaling their $1000 dollar units, for about half the price. The added bonus for me is the ability to use it as a mini pa mixer for duo and solo gigs, relieving me of the need to bring my mackie mixer to the gig. it has become an indespensable live tool as well as a handy recording tool been I need a couple of extra clean sounding mic pre amps. I would replace it in a heart beat if lost or stolen. Just a great piece of gear.