Description
IMPORTANT NOTES
1. INTENDED FOR USE WITH ACOUSTIC GUITARS: Our acoustic IR’s are intended to be used with acoustic guitars. They are not meant to make an electric guitar sound like an acoustic guitar.
2. CROSS PLATFORM: These .WAV impulse responses can be used in any hardware or application that supports IR’s, including products by Line 6,, Kemper, Axe-FX, etc.
3. EXPERIMENT: We’ve included multiple options in this IR pack (more details below). The best idea is just to start experimenting with your guitar and find the IR or combinations of IR’s that sound the best. See the ‘Which IR’s To Choose’ section below for more information.
THE GUITAR
These IR’s were created using a Martin CEO-7 acoustic guitar. The CEO-7 is a unique design, featuring a 00 slope shoulder body style which gives it a naturally warm and mid-focussed tone. This is one of the biggest small-bodied acoustics we’ve played, though, and one of our absolute favorites.
WHAT DO ACOUSTIC IR’s DO?
Our acoustic impulse responses are meant to make the direct output of an acoustic guitar fitted with a pickup system sound more like a mic’d acoustic guitar. To do this, we’ve made detailed recordings of the CEO-7 and then matched direct the output of various different acoustic guitars to it.
You can use these IR’s with any hardware or software application that accepts WAV IR files. This includes all the HX Line 6 hardware, Fractal, Kemper, Iridium, and countless software apps and plugins.
THE MICROPHONES
To create this IR pack we used a variety of microphones. We’ve used a Telefunken TF51, Telefunken TF47, a pair of Telefunken M260 small diaphragm condensers, an Earthworks SR25, and a Universal Audio Sphere DLX to create classic microphone emulations.
In the file names you’ll see microphone codes. Here is what they mean:
- TF51 – Telefunken TF51
- TF47 – Telefunken TF47
- M260 ST Pair – this is both Telefunken M260’s in an X/Y configuration but delivered in a single IR
- M260 X – this is just the ‘X’ position M260
- M260 Y – just the ‘Y’ position M260 (use the X and Y IR’s in a stereo setup to emulate a stereo X/Y mic’ing technique – it sounds fantastic)
- C12 – AKG C12 (emulated with the Sphere DLX)
- M49 – Neumann M49 (emulated with the Sphere DLX)
- C37 – Sony C37 (emulated with the Sphere DLX)
- SR25 – Earthworks SR25
- R121 – Royer 121 (ribbon mic)
- M160 – Beyer M160 (ribbon mid)
Each of these mics (and mic emulations) will give you a different flavor. Some are extremely accurate (the Earthworks is legendary for their accurate mics, and the SR25 sounds fantastic), some are warm and vintage (try the Neumann and Telefunken options), and others are clear and bright. Try different mic options with your guitar to see what sounds best.
ACOUSTIC PICKUP OPTIONS
There are many different acoustic pickups options out there, and we have given you multiple options to accommodate a wide range of guitars. Here is what you get:
- EXP: The “EXP’ option is for Taylor guitars with Taylor’s Expression System electronics. These were made with a Taylor 414ce fitted with an Expression System 2 pickup system. If you have a Taylor with an ES pickup, these IR’s will be perfectly suited for it.
- SB1: The ‘SB’ options denote pickup microphones that are attached to the bottom of the sound board on an acoustic guitar. These include the mic portion of the LR Baggs Anthem, the K&K Pure Western transducer pickups, etc. For the ‘SB1’ options, we used the full microphone setting of the LR Baggs Anthem pickup installed in Brian’s Martin D-35. These are the darker of the two SB options.
- SB2: For this setting, we used the full microphone setting of the LR Baggs Anthem pickup installed in the McPherson Camrielle. These are the brighter than the SB1 options.
- SB3: For this setting, we used the full microphone setting of the LR Baggs Anthem pickup installed in an Orangewood Sierra (OM/000 style guitar).
- Pz1: If your guitar is equipped with an under saddle piezo, try the ‘Pz’ options. Pz1 was created with just the LR Baggs Element piezo mix of the Anthem system in the Martin D-35
- Pz2: This was created with an Orangewood Brooklyn Live, equipped with a Fishman Flex EQ piezo system
- Pz3: This option was created with a Takamine FD-360sc from the late ’90’s, equipped with a Takamine AD-1 piezo system. This is a higher-end piezo pickup/preamp.
- KK: This option was created using a K&K Pure Mini pickup (installed in a Gibson Hummingbird)
- HF: This option was created using a LR Baggs HiFi transducer system in a Martin CEO-7
- HFD: This option was created using an LR Baggs HiFi Duet system (mixed to the Silo mic) in a Martin CEO-7
INCLUDED DOWNLOADS
The IR’s are available in WAV formate in four different sample rates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, and 96 kHz (all at 24 bit) at 500ms. This ensures these IR’s are compatible with a wide variety of hardware and software options.
If your hardware or application does not require a specific sample rate, use the 48k options.
walton.brian (verified owner) –
As with all Acoustic IRs – results are heavily dependent on first how close your pickup system matches the pickup system use during the process and 2nd how close the guitar itself matches your guitar. My primary guitar is a Taylor 814 with an Fishman Matrix. The Pz2 is the best match for it out of the set, but isn’t perfect. The Fishman Matrix system was arguably used in more high end guitars than any other single pickup system, I wish Signal Theory would add one of these to the line up. (google “most used acoustic guitar pickup in high end guitars of all time” to prove my data point). These captures sound very good. The Telefunken TF51 is a good balance and warmth I’m looking for in a capture. Knocking off 1 star for not utilizing the most widely used pickup system of all time as one of the many options in the pack. Obviously you can’t expect to have every pickup system on the market – but the most popular one should probably be a starting point. (Tonex users – you can load Acoustic IRs like a Cab and turn off the Amp and if you have a TONEX cab, can load an IR direct in the cab, computer users Melda MConvolution is a low latency high quality free loader option within a DAW)
adam r. (verified owner) –
I’ve been playing around with IRs for years now. I’ve owned a Tone Dexter, a Hotone, and a NUX Optima and a simple IR loader — all with IRs from reputable and kinda sketchy sources. I’ve even made my own. While there are plenty of good J45 and Hummingbird models, there’s not as much on smaller body Gibsons. I am incredibly fortunate to own a Gibson LG2 with a K&K that sounds amazing acoustically (well balanced and woody), but NONE of the smaller body IRs come close. I decided to give the CEO7 a shot. My friend has this guitar and it’s a similar shape and structure. Holy Moses. This sounds incredible. The Telefunken 47 and 51 sounds are resonant and warm and very harmonically pleasing. Plus, I’ve had fewer feedback issues…maybe because these aren’t super hyped? I’m a little torn that it’s not the actual guitar model, but that’s just my hang up. These are built to enhance and, if it sounds great, then it IS great. In the end, it does this incredible guitar justice. Best $20 I’ve spent in a long time. Thank you!
Simon Philip (verified owner) –
I am exploring these IR’s with my Big Baby Taylor. I recently installed a K&K pure mini pickup, and I was missing just that extra quality to the sound when going through my Helix. These IR’s makes that difference. I am very pleased with how they interact with my guitar and pickup and I cannot imagine going without them in an amplified setting. Thank you so much for these! They are worth every penny.
Now I’,m curious about the acoustic patch, but that will have to wait for now.. 🙂
Jay (verified owner) –
Excellent acoustic IR’s. When I loop with my acoustic and listen to the playback, it’s sounding great, almost like a mic but without any of the hassle. Thanks!