Fishman Aura

I bought this thinking it can actually do what it says. Plug it in and it gives you that true acoustic sound! No chance. I play a Jumbo Body Guild and there where no sound images for that guitar. So I played around for over 5 hours with hundreds of sound images downloaded off the Fishman website. The one sound, which sounded the best, was when I accidently hit the BYPASS button and heard my acoustic direct with no help from the Aura.

If you want a processed tone that sounds like you're playing in a wind tunnel, then look no further! In fact, I called Fishman thinking I was doing something wrong since the Aura has been around for a few years. The tech said if you spend hours recording and editing sounds you MAY find something you like. If not you can return it back to Guitar Center. WOW. Honest advice! If you own a studio (like I do) and think this will be the 'quick setup' -end all be all- acoustic guitar imager, you are wrong. Anyone who comes in with an acoustic guitar will need to spend hours trying to dial in to a good sound. I got this unit for the budget concious recording artist who want to Plug in and play. Sought of what the AURA says it can do to achieve that good sound!

Returned it after 2 days.

Excellent support and Honest techs too! I'd still consider buying Fishman products only because of their support!

I play instrumental music. When you record instrumental music (i.e. Satriani, Vai, Johnson) you really need to have that excellent sound. The guitar does not take the back seat so it really has to be a quality tone. If you have any idea what an acoustic guitar should sound like, this product will not get it for you!

I've been looking at the other opinions and thought I'd weigh in on the Fishman Aura. I have had mine for about 4 weeks and have gigged with it and spent enough hours at home tweaking the controls to pretty much "get it".

No it's not easy out of the box to use. I struggled with the manual and still found initially the results were dissappointing. The download process is not intuitive. And once you've downloaded the sound files there is no onboard feedback that verifies what you've actually done. I don't get the compression controls or understand how the phase actually does anything.

But once I chilled out and took the time to read the manual and work with the controls it started to come easy. I like the way the pickup side and the aura side are separately equalized. The play/edit is pretty simple. The tuner and feedback "search/kill" are not all that easy to use at first. Also my units LED's don't light up unless I crank up the input and then strum hard. I don't know if thats the unit or my playing because I do get the effect anyway.

My main criticism is that Fishman ought to have a small screen readout that gives you more information that gives you a quick look at all of the settings as well as the soundfile characteristics. If its not onboard then it would be nice to at least be able to get the feedback on a laptop via USB.

But eventually once you "get it" it does seem to get easier.

I play a new Martin H28, Gibson J-45, older Gibson J45/50 and a Yiari Alvarez 12 string. I play them both through my Fishman Loudbox and through the P.A. Mixer system when I gig at open mics (don't know what model but looks expensive).

I don't get any noise at all. The effects are very strong. At home I can hear the difference immediately and it's astounding. Once you get the settings down you can hit the off/on footswitch and compare the difference. The best way to describe it is that when it is on it sounds like I am playing in my bathroom with the sound bouncing off the ceramic tiles or in a stairwell of a tall building. The sound is full and open. Once you get the settings right you won't go back to being without it. A simple trick I use to test any guitar or effect is to hit the high E at the 12 and 14 fret and hear how it rings out. You want that note to carry and sustain like you're inside a bell. The Aura delivers that note true to form. Likewise I will hit the lower strings on the 7th fret and get a sense of how rich the sound is at that location. It should vibrate your body and you should get a response in your diaphram. The Aura gives you a full sound. there as well. Finally when playing arpeggios and chords I like a full sound that is not overly jangly. The Aura delivers there as well. I have not seen or heard anything else that comes close.

At live venues its a little different and it's a little harder for me to guage. I play in a round robin open mic situation with some other pretty discerning pickers. Since I'm behind the sound system I can only hear what bounces off the wall. But the audience response is outstanding. The first time I used the Aura I could see the audience, mostly guitar players, stop what they were doing and listen in amazement. I can hear enough to know its good but I won't know for sure until I get a wireless jack and walk around and see how it sounds. But the audience feedback is unequivocal.

I listen to a lot of acoustic music. I suppose I most like, for example, the way Jackson Browne sounds on his new acoustic CD. Or something like Clarence White or Tony Rice with that rich "Martin Sound". I sweated blood to raise the money for my Martin HD28 and wanted to get what it could deliver. With the active matrix you almost get there...but not quite. With the Aura you do. Or at least close enough that I am happy.

I can't say just yet. I've had no problems yet. It looks sturdy. I gig with it without fear. I do pack my trusty Boss Chorus just in case I get somewhere and something doesn't "feel right". But so far no problems.

When I had trouble with the learning curve I e-mailed Fishman with an irate tirade. I got an immediate response and offers to do anything I wanted to make me happy. I chilled right out and I can't ask for much more than that for a compamy.

I am a purist. I dont want to change the sound of the guitar. I just want to get the most out of it. And the Aura seems to delivery.

I play a lot of fast flatpicking ala Doc Watson/Tony Rice type stuff. Also I do a lot of John Fahey and Jimmy Page "Led Zepplin III" 12 string open tuning riffs I learned more than 30 years ago. I'm in awe of John McLauglin and have been heavily influenced by that kind of picking.

I got the Aura to support that style of playing. Now I won't play live without it and if lost I would immediately replace it.

I read some of the other reviews. I will agree it may not equal a good mic recording studio system. But for the primary purpose of playing live and opening up the guitar I know of nothing (and I have every gadget known to man from Boss to Roland to Line6)that comes close to delivering the best acoustic guitar sound.

I wouldn't call it easy to use or learn. It took me about 90 minutes to figure out that patch edits are saved automatically. The manual is not very heavy. I'm not looking forward to learning the more complicated features. However, when you get your presets done and find good level settings, you're good to go. The notch filter is super easy to use, one touch for automatic, if that doesn't get it you hold the button down till the led blinks and wait for it to find frequencies. It worked pretty well for me until I got to really high volume levels with a PA. We might be able to attribute those kinds of feedback problems to the pickup or acoustics in general rather than the preamp. Other preamps on this guitar tended to exhibit the same problem.

No battery power. Drawback

One of the problems with evaluating acoustic preamps is that I always hear the sound of the guitar before the preamp sound. So, after about two hours I started editing the patches by making recordings. I have a Gibson CL 35 DC (auditorium size, cutaway, really full sounding guitar) with a custom Baggs I beam/saddle installation that I designed to be super-responsive to treble frequencies. My first results produced a muddy sound which I attributed to an old battery in the instrument preamp. Changing the battery improved the recorded tone.

One of the problems with evaluating acoustic preamps is that I always hear the sound of the guitar before the preamp sound. So, after about two hours I started editing the patches by making recordings. I have a Gibson CL 35 DC (auditorium size, cutaway, really full sounding guitar) with a custom Baggs I beam/saddle installation that I designed to be super-responsive to treble frequencies. I recorded direct into a computer with a Layla soundcard using cool edit pro and standard windows drivers. My first results produced a muddy sound which I attributed to an old battery in the instrument preamp. Changing the battery improved the recorded tone.

We have the aura's preamp tone and then the modeling tone to evaluate. Preamp tone by itself is not bad, warmer than the Baggs DI and less spiky at the top end. Fishman claims that what the aura does is not modelling, but I disagree. The results come from an algorhythm, processing is digital, so I say it is modelling. You can adjust the blend of modeling to straight preamp to your taste, and you can eq each separately. That's a good idea.

I achieved the most natural results by using 100% modelled signal, no eq adjustment on the preamp signall, raising the treble and midrange on the modelling eq.

How good does it sound? After a couple of days I was able to get sounds out of it that I thought actually sounded like the guitar itself. So, in terms of digital products I think it represents a breakthrough, especially compared to products like the POD that just can't simulate the power tube high end accurately.

That's what I would say it sounds like. It sounds like the frequency response of an acoustic put through a good fender amp. The "air" factor that you hear from an acoustic, and those kind of overtones, was not 100%. More like 80. Some of my friends think the new Taylor systems nail acoustic tone, I think one of these might put you in the same class. Kind of expensive for a preamp, particularly because it doesn't have any effects. I think it would have been pretty easy and cheap to put a chorus and delay in there too.

So, really good tone, very competitive, no effects, no batteries, high price.

Don't know.

Don't Know

Great product, but Fishman should admit they have produced a modeller, put some effects on it, and batteries power.

First of all, let me say I love this system. I did a lenghty reivew of it on the Acoustic Guitar Magazine forum. Here is the link: http://www.acousticguitar.com/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=019699#000000

Once you spend a little time with this system you'll be rewarded with awesome tone. The manual is done very nicely and is easy to use.

I'm gonna give a nine because there is a learning curve. But once you get past the initial stage its real easy to use.

I have never beeen satisfied with the live tone of my acoustic guitars. The piezo quack is so unrealstic compared to the unplugged tone of my guitars. I bought the Aura for its live tone and I'm very pleased with its performance. I'm going to give a nine because no attempt to amplify an acoustic will ever be perfect.

I've gigged regularly with Aura since November and I've never been let down yet.

I found Fishman to be very responsive. They have a web site devoted to the Aura. They update the site at the minimum on a weekly basis. Further, I even had Joe B of Fishman thank me for my review the Acoustic Guitar Magazine Forum. Afterwords we exchanged Emails.

The Aura is a very useful tool and a good buy.

The manual is well written, although sometimes redundant. The part about the different phase settings is confusing and gives the impression that there are 4 different settings that can change from venue to venue. Actually, you set the pickup phase setting to the particular guitar you are using and forget it. The universal phase may change from venue to venue. I don't know why they set the stock sound image blend to 75% aura (setting 6) when they recommend setting the blend to 67% pickup and 33% Aura for live use (setting 3). When you just plug in and go to a stock patch there is too much sound image for live performing (for my taste). It is definitely something you want to tweak and fine tune at home before you go out and gig with it

I won't go into detail. If you are interested, go to the acoustic guitar magazines forum, go to guitar talk, then to gear and read "Rainsong's Aura review" it's quite comprehensive and lengthy.
The only part of the Aura that I'm not that impressed with is the compression, I use little to none. Maybe I just don't like comression! It is less noisy than my Baggs PADI and that says a lot!

Looks solid enough. Only had it for 2 months. Don't drop it and it should work for years. I still keep my Baggs PADI as backup, you can't be too carefull. Belt and suspenders I always say!

I can't say enough about Joe B., Fishman and customer support. It's hard to find this kind of service in Mom & Pop shops, let alone a company the size of Fishman. I sent my rainsong off to have a custom image made and they were great!

Playing in an acoustic duo w/ an acoustic bass plyer/singer.
Other gear: see my review in AG magazine
If it were lost, yes I'd get another
WHile I can't quite say it will replace High end studio mics or it sounds "exactly like my guitar only louder" when amplified. It makes my guitar sound better than anything else out there I've heard
(again, read my review).
One thing I wish it had was an effects loop, although I mainly used effects to cover up quack. I have found with the Aura that the reverb on my mixer is all I need now, But it would be nice to be able to put a cheap Zoom 504 or something for "occasional" cheesy 12 string/chorus type sounds in a loop so it wouldn't be as noisy.

Fav feature (s): It's ability to eliminate all quack, the "seek & destry" feedback killing feature. Different foot operated patches for diff guitars, volume, playing style etc.
READ MY REVIEW ON AG MAG FORUM FOR MORE COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS!!!

Takes a bit of work -- but it's worth it! Definitely have to READ THE MANUAL! You have to match the Sound Image with you guitar and pickup --

This is where the Aura shines! I downloaded the Sound Images from the Fishman site. If you set it up right, this device sounds fantastic! I use it with a Gibson J-100 Xtra with a Fishman Matrix II and it sounds like my guitar, just louder! I use it with a Trace Elliot 100R for a stage monitor and plug that into our PA.

Only had it a week, but it looks sturdy.

Fishman has it together. They have a Website dedicated to the AURA with instructional videos, manuals, and Sound Images. The Sound Images are an essentioal part of getting the best out of this device. I used a Midi cable from my computer to the Aura in order to transfer the upgrades. You MUST do this to get the most out of AURA. It's easy and the downloads are free!

The Aura is quite easy to setup. The manual and the switch/indicators are generally intuitive. The compressor/lead channel is not intuitive to this user. Both the "C" and "L" levels just seetm to make the unit louder to my ears. It does not allow the user to "copy" settings into another bank, which would be a welcome improvement. Uploading image files is a breeze, using a MIDI interface. Obviously, USB would be preferred.

If copying from one bank to another was supported, I'd have given it a 9+. Lack of USB doesn't make the unit harder to use, just more expensive to operate.

I gig with a Martin SWOM and a Martin 000-28EC. Both guitars have Fishman Matrix Natural USTs. My unit was noisy initially (see service review below). It is quite acceptably quiet now. I usually plug into a Yamaha EMx 660 powered mixer. I run the SWOM with a POD 2.0 in front of the Aura. I run the EC straight into the Aura.

When I first got the Aura, I was only moderately immpressed with its performance. I futzed around with most of the built-in image files with limited satisfaction. Late last year (2004), I got an email form Fishman offering to let me prototype their Custom Image Program. I took them up on the offer and sent my EC up to their factory. They turned it around in less than two weeks from end-to-end during the Christmas rush. The guitar came back to me just as it had left -- in perfect condition. I recieved the image files via email a few days after the guitar came back. I uploaded them immediately and was extreemly pleased with the results. The EC now sounds GREAT with the Aura. Before, it had only sounded so-so. Now it sounds better than unplugged! It is inspirational.

One of the images was a bit darker than the preferred EC version, so I tried that one with the SWOM. It was darn good as well. Once I plugged into my Pod's tube preamp with Chorus 1 selected, the SWOM was killer. The is a huge sound that works extreemly well for contemporary Christian worship music (which is what I play every week).

My Aura was one of the first ones to ship, and not long after I started using it, the power supply quit. I replaced it with a Boss pedal power supply. Then I got a SKB pedal board that will drive the Aura as well as my Strat's pedals. After about 9 months of use, my Aura totally quit working. I sent it back to Fishman and they replaced the logic board with a newer version. For whatever reason, the unit is quieter now also. Its been running about 4 months now since it was repaired and I have had no other glitches. I would not gig without a backup for any PA/Guitar device -- nothing special against the Aura. I carry a Platimum ProEQ in my bag as a fall-back choice.

Customer support is very good. Numerous emails have been answered promptly and suggestions have been very helpful. The above mentioned beta test offer came unsolicited. If a replacement power supply had been offerd instead of a recommended replacement (that I had to buy), I'd give Fishman a 10.

I play original material, EC, U2 etc. and contemporary Christian worship music. I played from age 12 to 20, quit for many years and picked it up again at age 40 (thanks to my wife). I've been playing about seven years this time around. I have three Martins (SWOM, EC and a 000-15), a 2002 Am. Std. Stratocaster, a '65 RI Twin Reverb.

I would replace the Aura with a new one if if "took legs". I love the sound I'm getting out of the PA now with both instruments. I have not tried the 000-15 with it yet. I don't like the fact that you cannot copy settings from one bank to another (which would help with "tweaking").

The Aura is fairly large and heavy, and looks to be made of quality materials. It wuold be more convenient in a smaller form-factor. I do like the way I sound with it, so I guess that means it helps me make music.

My only beef is that its made to work with online patches, but it doesn't have a USB port. You have to find a MIDI-to-USB patch cable, which is NOT cheap.

Otherwise, easy to use.

10 years eperience. I use an Ovation CS257-QT into the Fishman (sometimes a RP-20 processor) and either into the board, into a BadCat Black Cat Reverb 1x12" combo for getting a slightly broken-up semi-acoustic tube sound, or into a Roland JC120 combo when just messing around at home.

The Ovation was bought from a catalog years ago before I had too much experience with acoustic guitars, and I just never managed to get rid of it...it's pretty (gorgeous redburst finish over quilted maple), so my wife won't let me sell it. Anyway, you all know that Ovations sound more like a strat than an acoustic, and I wanted a rich, mellow sound (like a Larivee or Takemina rosewood drednought) that could be recorded without having to buy a Larivee, mic, mic-preamp, and PA.

Well, with a set of heavy bronze strings on the Ovation, and the Fishman, I was ready to roll. Well, first off, goodbye to 90% of the quack. After DLing an Ovation Legend patch, I had a good sound going live through a PA, and a really warm and rich semi-acoustic sound through a tube amp.

Does it sound like a Larive with a tube mic? Not at all. Does it sound far more usable than the guitar itself sounds either plugged or unplugged? Yes.

Sits on the floor 90% of the time in my carpeted music room. Will hold up in that environment for centuries, I'm sure.

If I gigged it every night or used it heavily, I'd be able to say more.

Overall, for my purposes it took my crappy sounding guitar and made it sound much fuller and richer, and elimentated most of the hideous peizo quack. A good buy for $120.

Easy to set-up and use. After registration,aoustic images are easily downloaded from Fishman's Aura site and transfered via computer to the unit. Stage and studio setup is simple.

Sonics are far below pro standards.

It will never get enough time on anyone's pedal board to know how reliable it is.

Fishman should be commended for the ambitous plans and amazing support of this product. That is what made me buy it without auditioning it first(something I will rarely do).

I trust first impressions, and referrals from trusted sources, but as this was a new product, I bought one without auditioning it.I gave this thing a fair try live, more than once, summer of '04. Been messing around in the studio with it, and felt compelled to write this review.
The Fishman Aura is another pedal that will collect dust in storage until I sell it or give it away(but I only give away premium stuff to my friends, so it'll be a no reserve e-bay item shortly).

I have 34+ years as a recording and touring professional.

My first major gripe about this unit was to find when I open the box that there was no power supply for it. Unless you live in USA you don't get one. Which is pretty piss poor considering this unit can't be powered by batteries and is double the price that it is in the USA. I don't think I've heard of any other manufacturer supplying a product that can't be switch on when you buy it. It's like buying a new car then being told that now you have to go out and buy some wheels for it. So I had shell out another #20 for a Boss power supply before I could turn the thing on. Not very impressed! The manual is fine although a little long winded and repetitious. The controls are staight foward and easy to use.

I bought it because I do 2-3 acoustic gigs a week in pubs and clubs. I'm using a Maton CW80 fitted with a fishman rare earth pickup through a small PA with JLB Eons. With this unit it's not like adding an effect to your sound. You have to find a Sound Image that is similar to your guitar's shape and the pickup you are using and blend it with the sound of your guitar. So it's not like having lots of different guitar sounds at your disposal as you would with a Variaxe, this thing enhances the sound of your own guitar. So as expected, of the 16 presets that came with the unit 15 sounded like shit and one sounded ok. There's a whole series of patches with great memorable names like moo184011reh that you can down load from fishmanaura.com which brings me to gripe number two. You have to go out and buy a usb to midi lead to access these patches. So I shelled out another #44 and got one, and to be fair it worked just fine I easily downloaded some patches which were marginly better sounding than the factory presets. The sounds are ok to good, it helps if you use the built in compressor, but the guitar still sounds like it has a pickup - not miked up, but certainly better than the pickup alone. The built in tuner is useful and the feedback controller works quite well.

The pedal seems well built. I'd gig with out a backup.

Never dealt with them. But the company seems very geared to US buyers, you can only have a sound image created for your own instrument in the US, and if they can't get it together to sort out a power supply for unit outside of the US, it doesn't bode well if something goes wrong with it.

I bought this unit for live use, I play James Taylor to Jazz to Blues and it does the job, just. If it were lost or stolen I'd buy something else. I had a Alphex Acoustic Xciter before this and in lots of ways it was better and cost a third of the price.