Karl Becker from Kijabe, Kenya, AFRICA
Subject:
Pure Acoustic Tone
Quality:
Virtually indestructible with easy control interfaces.
Sound:
Limitless control to both enhance and limit sound from your acoustic instrument. Able to isolate and reduce or eliminate feedback tones. Has a gain and a master volume for expanded control over input levels.
Reliability:
As stated before, it's built for abuse (but you'll want to baby it).
Overall:
The Para DI is an outstanding quality product, built like an armored car, with extreme versatility.
Playability and Feel:
Provides infinite versatility to your acoustic tone - makes an acoustic sound acoustic through any PA or amp system.
Tone:
Outstanding control over tone.
Finish:
Nice matte textured brown - subtle and satisfying.
Action:
Perfect. Very intuitive interface.
Do you own this product?:
Yes
Date submitted:
2 February 2011
Ken Allen from Holland Patent, NY
Subject:
The Para Acoustic DI is a direct box plus dynamite preamp for acoustic electric instruments.
Quality:
This unit should last for years. Battery life is extended greatly if you unplug the instrument cable between uses. Otherwise, the battery draws down faster.
Sound:
The tone is incredibly variable with the seven parts to set up. You can taylor the sound to suit your ears in short order, and have easily at hand volume control for pickups with no on-board controls.
Reliability:
This preamp has a heavy duty metal case, and the controls work well, though the knobs are small. Bigger knobs would mean a larger unit to tote around, so I can deal with that. My earlier model still works great, so I can say with confidence that this DI/preamp holds up well.
Overall:
I have owned an earlier version of this preamp, but the addition of the "GAIN" feature puts it over the top. The older model was perfect for a passive pickup, but it was too hot for an active preamp pickup. This newer model works equally well either way.
Playability and Feel:
Knobs work well, and inputs, outputs and switches are sure to the touch and solid.
Tone:
It can be really hot with an active pickup, but just adjust the "Gain" to suit, and it mellows right out so you have lots of volume control. You can get almost any tone you want from this preamp. My Gibson J-45 sounds great though this box, balanced and the notch filter does a decent job of feedback control.
Finish:
The crinkle finish is quite professional looking and seems to last.
Action:
Insert a 9-volt battery, plug in an instrument, and start sound shaping.
Do you own this product?:
I own 2 of these and one earlier model.
Date submitted:
July 2, 2009