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  • Advice needed: Can I use my effects processor as a DI Box?

Hi all

I play mostly electric but have an acoustic song to do. I understand I need a DI box if my acoustic is to go into the PA. I have a Line6 PodXT Live with some fancy electronics.

If I plug my acoustic into it and find a decent setting, does this remove the need for a DI box? Or should I still use one?

If I still need a DI, should it go between guitar and the PodXT or between PodXT and the PA desk?

Thanks very much for your advice.
    What pickup is on your acoustic? Is it active or passive?
      It is a Fishman Prefix Premium SOB. It uses a 9V battery so I assume it is active, but I could be wrong.

      I have tried to find a user guide. The one I could find did not mention anything about DI boxes.
        That should work OK. If you want to use effects and don't have a DI box then you need to pasop for true bypass pedals. When you kick one of those in the impedence will change and volume will be noticeably affected.

        A DI/pre-amp designed for guitar is still worth considering if you have the budget. Even a modest one like the Baggs Gig-Pro can help to produce a more natural, slightly warmer sound if you're using a UST.

        I should think the Pod will work, but whilst I don't perform live very often I have decided that simpler is better. Just plug it in. With a decent pickup like a Baggs or a Fishman a bit of eq and maybe a touch of reverb on the desk will give you a decent sound.
          Of course you're going to test it all out ahead of the actual gig ?
            I would agree that, if you dont want to use the effects of the Pod, you would be better running it straight into the house system.
            A di box is ideal, but not essential. I would probably skip it if it were me and just one song.
              Yes, you can use a POD as a DI. Just turn off amp and speaker sims (or use the valve preamp sim for those pods that don't allow you to bypass the amp). Effects to taste.

              I used a Boss GT-PRO as my acoustic/piezo processor/DI for years and currently use a TC G-System (with a Fishman Aura in the loop to add some body/mic convolution).
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