Fishman AURA SPECTRUM DI User Manual page 3

What is Aura?
Aura Acoustic Imaging Technology uses digital algorithms developed in
Fishman's audio laboratories to restore a studio-miked sound to an
acoustic instrument. To achieve this, we record instruments using world-
class microphones and techniques to capture an "Image" of the natural
sound that your acoustic instrument emits when miked in a professional
studio. This Image, when recorded direct or played through an amp,
mixer or PA, blends with your instrument's pickup to produce an incred-
ibly accurate recreation of the original recording.
Aura Acoustic Imaging processors sound best when used with Fishman
undersaddle pickups and magnetic soundhole pickups. When we record
each instrument, we use our Acoustic Matrix undersaddle pickup. So,
when you play through an Aura processor, you'll get the best results using
our Acoustic Matrix pickup. We do not recommend soundboard-mounted
pickups, bridge-plate pickups, multi-sensor pickups or microphones for
Aura products since they include unnecessary resonances that can inter-
fere with the Aura processing.
Choosing an Image
To get the most realistic tone from Aura Acoustic Imaging, you should
always match your Images with the instrument type you're playing. For
example, choose dreadnought Images when plugging in a dreadnought
body style guitar; choose mandolin Images if you're playing a mandolin.
Don't hope to derive a mandolin sound from a dreadnought or try to turn
your orchestra body style guitar into a 12-string. If you are not sure which
body type your guitar falls into, we suggest you audition several Images
from each bank and let your ears decide. See the following pages to help
match your instrument with the best Aura Image.
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Aura Custom Shop
For the ultimate in Aura Imaging, be sure to check out the Aura Custom
Shop at fi shman.com. For a modest fee, you send us your instrument and
we'll create a set of Images using our best microphones, custom
recorded for you.
Aura Image Gallery
The Aura Image Gallery software manages a vast library of Images
created from an ever-expanding list of instruments, and provides tools to
search and store sets of Images. Browse the Image Library to fi nd your
instrument, then drag and drop an Image into an Image Set for download
into Aura Spectrum.
Making Connections
Playing live
For the best sound reproduction when performing live, connect your Aura
Spectrum to an acoustic instrument amp, a PA system, a powered moni-
tor or other full-range system. The balanced XLR D.I. output eliminates
an outboard D.I. and features an automatic ground lift when you use the
1/4" output, providing a high quality, noise free signal.
Going direct
For direct recording, there is no better solution than using Aura
Spectrum's balanced XLR D.I. or 1/4" output. In fact, an acoustic track
recorded with just a pickup can be re-recorded using Aura to restore the
miked sound.
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