[LAU] OT: Guitar level- Mic or Line?

[Peter Hartmann]

I recommend one the these preamps from k&k for high Z:


http://www.kksound.com/preamp97.html

I use one for my piezio pickup on my upright bass and I LOVE it.   I
have also used it in the studio with electric bass.

Peter



On Tue, May 27, 2008 at 3:01 PM, Simon Williams
<simon at systemparadox.co.uk> wrote:
> Hello.
>
> I often run the PA system for my CU at uni. So far we've been using
> jack-jack leads to connect guitars to the desk. However, my Dad has
> recently started using jack-XLR leads at my home church and says that
> it's much better.
>
> After a very long conversation and lots of googling (which incidentally
> provides no info at all on the subject), I'm now completely confused.
>
> Are guitars mic or line or what?
>
> The rationale for using jack-XLR leads and connecting to the mic input
> on the desk is that guitars have mics in them so they are mic level.
> Apparently the battery unit in the guitar doesn't make it line level,
> but I'm not convinced.
>
> The other thing I don't understand is that if that is the case, why do
> people use DI boxes? A DI box takes a high impedance (line level - I
> think) input and converts it to low impedance output (mic level). If the
> guitar is mic level already then what's the point?
>
> Please, could someone shed some light on this because I'm now very confused.
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Simon
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