Simuanalog

[Hink]

Kiwburger "EMG pickups are low-z - so you could actually use the mixer if you had EMG's."

YEah I must say when I had a guitar that came equipped with Emg's they sounded best when going direct, than any of my other guitars, with passive pups

much less signal loss over long runs too..I agree with Kiwi on gates though...in the 80's everyone said "get a gate"...but often them damn things would just slam shut on my squeals...

[Kingston]

Kiwburger "EMG pickups are low-z - so you could actually use the mixer if you had EMG's."

YEah I must say when I had a guitar that came equipped with Emg's they sounded best when going direct, than any of my other guitars, with passive pups

much less signal loss over long runs too..

It's still a trade off. They won't *play* the same. One can get used to it, but the sound isn't the same either.

If at all possible: passive pickups -> DI box (or preamp DI input) -> preamp -> DAW

Amp sim plugins are tuned to expect a signal like that, and will play as intended that way.

[AndrewSimon]

Of course not all gates are created equal.
Some can do wonders with their gradual delayed "soft closing".
I use the one that is inside Kjaerhus GAC-1, it's one amazing gate (and a whole lot more)

[Killvehicle]

Kiwburger "EMG pickups are low-z - so you could actually use the mixer if you had EMG's."

YEah I must say when I had a guitar that came equipped with Emg's they sounded best when going direct, than any of my other guitars, with passive pups

much less signal loss over long runs too..

It's still a trade off. They won't *play* the same. One can get used to it, but the sound isn't the same either.

If at all possible: passive pickups -> DI box (or preamp DI input) -> preamp -> DAW

Amp sim plugins are tuned to expect a signal like that, and will play as intended that way.

I have a fairly high end DI, and its just not the case, Its not the volume or noise per se, its the actual sound is more realistic with the Actives,, I dont know why technically, but I know the Emgs were by far the easiest to get to sound right, but thank god I dont use sims and I really never worry about it!! BUt when I demo'ed all of these sims, only the EMG's were getting ME the sound I would expect, without me EQ'ing in a lot of highs and mids,, and I have 6 guitars and some are very bright with real amps, but not direct with a sim,,

ANd I guess I should have added, I cant stand how Emg;s sound thru my rig,, I got rid of that guitar quick,, BUT They were the answer for direct anyhow,, I actually miss them becasue now there are so many sims, that when I demo all of these I have to starting hitting the EQ right away..

[Lunch Money]

All kinds of players with GREAT tone have used active pickups. They're not sterile like they're made out to be.

Greg

[Kingston]

All kinds of players with GREAT tone have used active pickups.

Sure sure, but knowing a healthy dose of the sound of that lot, I can only say "not my cup of tea".

[Newbie Brad]

They can even make a problem guitar sound good.

[Hink]

Kiwburger "EMG pickups are low-z - so you could actually use the mixer if you had EMG's."

YEah I must say when I had a guitar that came equipped with Emg's they sounded best when going direct, than any of my other guitars, with passive pups

much less signal loss over long runs too..

It's still a trade off. They won't *play* the same. One can get used to it, but the sound isn't the same either.

If at all possible: passive pickups -> DI box (or preamp DI input) -> preamp -> DAW

Amp sim plugins are tuned to expect a signal like that, and will play as intended that way.

sorry dude, passive only loses sound, active adds sound...albeit that's an overly simplified explanation...but you're not trading anything off with going with a lower impedance signal to begin with, add in the powered active signal to compared to the attenuated passive signal that goes only in a negative direction and trust me, yeah they sound different....with active the best part of your sound still makes it to the amp, with passive after about five feet them pesky aliens are the only ones that hear it...

[Lunch Money]

All kinds of players with GREAT tone have used active pickups.

Sure sure, but knowing a healthy dose of the sound of that lot, I can only say "not my cup of tea".

Not sure who "that lot" is, but I'm not thinking of the Zakk Wyldes of the world, that's for sure.

Greg

[Hink]

All kinds of players with GREAT tone have used active pickups.

Sure sure, but knowing a healthy dose of the sound of that lot, I can only say "not my cup of tea".

which is quite common, in fact usually I am the only one defending active pick-ups...so you're not alone...

[Hink]

All kinds of players with GREAT tone have used active pickups.

Sure sure, but knowing a healthy dose of the sound of that lot, I can only say "not my cup of tea".

Not sure who "that lot" is, but I'm not thinking of the Zakk Wyldes of the world, that's for sure.

Greg

how about the DGs of the world

[Kingston]

sorry dude, passive only loses sound, active adds sound...albeit that's an overly simplified explanation...but you're not trading anything off with going with a lower impedance signal to begin with

But that *exactly* the tradeoff with playability. the lossy passive pick up sound is what I, and possibly 90% of all electric guitarists, expect and want. It loses high frequencies, has indeed less dynamics, is prone to noise problems, but that's part of the instruments sound and playability. The difference here is like building an acoustic guitar out of fiberglass or using carbon-composites. It's no longer the same instrument.

[Hink]

btw just for laughs...I started this by poking fun at a friend about outdated pick-ups...the only thing is, the EMG81 in my favorite guitar is at least 20 years old

[Killvehicle]

sorry dude, passive only loses sound, active adds sound...albeit that's an overly simplified explanation...but you're not trading anything off with going with a lower impedance signal to begin with

But that *exactly* the tradeoff with playability. the lossy passive pick up sound is what I, and possibly 90% of all electric guitarists, expect and want. It loses high frequencies, has indeed less dynamics, is prone to noise problems, but that's part of the instruments sound and playability. The difference here is like building an acoustic guitar out of fiberglass or using carbon-composites. It's no longer the same instrument.

Yes I AGREE!! Discussion over, if we agree then there is no other possibility,, I was just stating how the EMG's worked well for the DI,, Otherwise I agree 100% with the above statement..

[Kingston]

btw just for laughs...I started this by poking fun at a friend about outdated pick-ups...the only thing is, the EMG81 in my favorite guitar is at least 20 years old

It's still 30 years younger than the passive pickup tech we generally use.