Behringer says: Boost the volume and shape the sound of any instrument, or switch to turbo mode when playing solos. You can boost up piezo pickups to match regular amplifier inputs.
My comments: I have found the Behringer PB100 Pre Amp Booster most useful for MP3 computer recording of; piezo equipped electro-acoustic guitar that does not have an onboard pre amp, electric guitar and bass, matching low impedance microphone to high impedance input and for general enhancement of tone quality of just about anything I choose to connect it to and it is also useful as a foot switch for lead/rhythm guitar. Operational noise is barely noticeable. The PB100 also works as a personal monitor amplifier using my 8 ohm Walkman style headphones. It does however make an audio "squelch" when input jack is connected so ensure equipment gain is set low, to prevent damage to circuitry and/or speakers, prior to this procedure. It is true that the PB100 is mounted in a plastic box and may be fragile compared to other makes in a metal case but this is hardly a problem because it is priced at £13·50 (at the time of writing this review on 24 January 2006 here in UK) so it would not be too painful to purchase a replacement in the unlikely event of damage. The Behringer PB100 is a subtle but useful effect that I treasure for its simple versatility and excellent value. A quality guitar effects unit at a competitive price.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Ovation Applause AE28 electro-acoustic guitar - Review
Ovation says: Applause AE28-4 shallow bowl natural roundback electro acoustic guitar features USA-manufactured Lyrachord round-back and Ovation pre-amp and transducer pick-up to create the Ovation sound. The Ovation Applause shallow bowl roundback guitars project a warm clean acoustic guitar tone when played unplugged. When plugged in, the Ovation pre-amp and transducer pickup combine to give superb control over the guitar sound while the natural acoustic guitar tones and dynamics are faithfully reproduced. In addition, the Ovation Applause shallow bowl round-back design and the pre-amp and pickup reduce feedback and boom when playing live on stage and the shallow bowl body is easy to play.
My comments: An easy to play action with a shallow bowl body makes this guitar popular with my students and pretty much everywhere I take it. The slim body reduces acoustic bass response but enables comfortable playing similar to a Strat. The "preamp" is a passive treble and volume attenuator just adequate for casual playing or direct input to a tuner but with the advantage that there is no battery to expire. A Behringer PB100 as reviewed above will match the feeble output of the AE28 to an amplifier for superior results. The design of the bridge obviates the need for bridge pins. It would appear that this guitar whilst popular in USA is being withdrawn from the UK market. This is posssibly due to the conservative taste of most guitarists in UK where the unconventional AE28 styling may be admired but rarely purchased. Buy now before they become a sought after collectors' item! ;) I have used the AE28 for gigging, teaching, recording and socialising. When I use an amplifier for the AE28 it is invariably the PA system available with whatever group I happen to be employed by at the time. I use no effects apart from the Behringer PB100 and any onboard reverb supplied with the PA system. I was at one time sorely tempted to trade in my trusty AE28 for a model with onboard active preamp but thanks to the Behringer PB100 I now own a winning combination! ;)
RECOMMENDED
TABs:
Happy And You Know It
Meatball
Hear my MP3 recordings via:
Free guitar tips + tabs
Lithium - Rock 'n' Roll
MP3 Web Journal
Enjoy your music and best wishes,
Bob Houlston #==(o )
p.s. I use this page for adding more options to the site so do bookmark this URL and visit often.
My comments: I have found the Behringer PB100 Pre Amp Booster most useful for MP3 computer recording of; piezo equipped electro-acoustic guitar that does not have an onboard pre amp, electric guitar and bass, matching low impedance microphone to high impedance input and for general enhancement of tone quality of just about anything I choose to connect it to and it is also useful as a foot switch for lead/rhythm guitar. Operational noise is barely noticeable. The PB100 also works as a personal monitor amplifier using my 8 ohm Walkman style headphones. It does however make an audio "squelch" when input jack is connected so ensure equipment gain is set low, to prevent damage to circuitry and/or speakers, prior to this procedure. It is true that the PB100 is mounted in a plastic box and may be fragile compared to other makes in a metal case but this is hardly a problem because it is priced at £13·50 (at the time of writing this review on 24 January 2006 here in UK) so it would not be too painful to purchase a replacement in the unlikely event of damage. The Behringer PB100 is a subtle but useful effect that I treasure for its simple versatility and excellent value. A quality guitar effects unit at a competitive price.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Ovation Applause AE28 electro-acoustic guitar - Review
Ovation says: Applause AE28-4 shallow bowl natural roundback electro acoustic guitar features USA-manufactured Lyrachord round-back and Ovation pre-amp and transducer pick-up to create the Ovation sound. The Ovation Applause shallow bowl roundback guitars project a warm clean acoustic guitar tone when played unplugged. When plugged in, the Ovation pre-amp and transducer pickup combine to give superb control over the guitar sound while the natural acoustic guitar tones and dynamics are faithfully reproduced. In addition, the Ovation Applause shallow bowl round-back design and the pre-amp and pickup reduce feedback and boom when playing live on stage and the shallow bowl body is easy to play.
My comments: An easy to play action with a shallow bowl body makes this guitar popular with my students and pretty much everywhere I take it. The slim body reduces acoustic bass response but enables comfortable playing similar to a Strat. The "preamp" is a passive treble and volume attenuator just adequate for casual playing or direct input to a tuner but with the advantage that there is no battery to expire. A Behringer PB100 as reviewed above will match the feeble output of the AE28 to an amplifier for superior results. The design of the bridge obviates the need for bridge pins. It would appear that this guitar whilst popular in USA is being withdrawn from the UK market. This is posssibly due to the conservative taste of most guitarists in UK where the unconventional AE28 styling may be admired but rarely purchased. Buy now before they become a sought after collectors' item! ;) I have used the AE28 for gigging, teaching, recording and socialising. When I use an amplifier for the AE28 it is invariably the PA system available with whatever group I happen to be employed by at the time. I use no effects apart from the Behringer PB100 and any onboard reverb supplied with the PA system. I was at one time sorely tempted to trade in my trusty AE28 for a model with onboard active preamp but thanks to the Behringer PB100 I now own a winning combination! ;)
RECOMMENDED
TABs:
Happy And You Know It
Meatball
Hear my MP3 recordings via:
Free guitar tips + tabs
Lithium - Rock 'n' Roll
MP3 Web Journal
Enjoy your music and best wishes,
Bob Houlston #==(o )
p.s. I use this page for adding more options to the site so do bookmark this URL and visit often.
