Fishman Onboard aura User manual

User’s Guide
User’s Guide
Fishman Onboard Aura™
www.fishman.com www.martinguitar.com
®

Welcome
Thank you for making Fishman a part of your acoustic experience.
It is our goal to provide you with the finest acoustic amplification
products available: high-quality, professional-grade musicians’ tools
that empower you to sound your very best. We are confident that
the sound you can achieve with the Onboard Aura will enhance
and inspire your music making.
Overview
The Onboard Aura bridges the gap between the beauty of pure
studio sound and the convenience of plugging in. With the Onboard
Aura, you’ll discover unexpectedly realistic acoustic guitar sound
from a pickup, with tone quality you thought you could only hear
from a top-shelf microphone in an ideal studio environment.
The Fishman Onboard Aura system uses powerful Acoustic
Sound Image algorithms prepared especially for this instrument
to seamlessly adjust the “view” of the pickup so the pickup sees
the guitar in the same way a microphone does, with all the subtle
acoustic nuances intact.
Although the Onboard Aura is technologically advanced, we offer
it to you with a refreshingly organic approach. When you plug in,
you’ll feel and hear the true acoustic, unamplified sound of your
guitar, only louder.
With the OnboardAura, we create totally custom Acoustic Sound
Images especially for the guitar you have before you, so you can
be assured that your plugged-in tone will precisely match your
Onboard Aura™
1

instrument’s unamplified voice. We use a variety of top-shelf
microphones to create the Acoustic Sound Images, with six
different variations to choose from.
Three bands of useful EQ, a convenient onboard tuner (with mute),
afeedback fighting phase switch, plus an automatic anti-feedback
circuit round out the Onboard Aura’s features.
What does it do?
The Onboard Aura is the next step in the evolution of blending
technology, pioneered by Fishman over a decade ago. With a
traditional onboard blending system, the proven utility of a pickup
is combined with the realism that only a microphone can add. The
Onboard Aura takes the blender concept a giant leap forward by
eliminating the microphone from the equation and replacing it with
six sophisticated Acoustic Sound Images created for your guitar
in a professional recording studio environment.
Is it modeling?
Acoustic Sound Imaging and modeling share similar goals: to turn
“acoustic-electric” into “acoustic.” But when you look at the sound
and science of Sound Imaging, you’ll see why we make the
distinction between it and modeling products.
Listen to the sound of the Onboard Aura, and you’ll hear uncolored
acoustic guitar with a heightened realism that is beyond the scope
of modeling preamps.
The reason for this is that unlike modelers that use a one-size-fits-all
approach, the advanced algorithms in Sound Imaging form an
exclusive partnership with your guitar.Acoustic Sound Imaging is
acollaboration between your instrument and the digital realm,
where modeling is more like a one-sided conversation.
User’s Guide
2

Quick Start
Set the controls as shown:
1. Check Play/Edit Switch
Be sure the Play/Edit switch is set to “Play.”
2. Plug In
Connect the Onboard Aura into your amplifier or PA with a 1/4
inch instrument cable.
3. Tune Up
Press the Tuner button. The output will mute when the tuner is
engaged. Toexit, press the Tuner button again.
4. Select
Increase the volume to a comfortable level, and use the Image
Select knob to browse through the Acoustic Sound Images.
Refer to the Acoustic Sound Image Reference Chart online
to identify the microphone (and placement) associated with
each Sound Image.
http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/reinforcements/userguides.html
5. Blend
Move the Blend slider to mix in some pickup signal with the Sound
Image.
3
Onboard Aura™
Image Select: #1
Volume: Seven o’clock
Blend: Set to “Aura”
Bass, Mid, Treble: Centered (at detent)
Anti-Feedback: Off
Play/Edit: Set to “Play”

User’s Guide
6. Phase (master)
Put the Phase switch in the position that sounds most pleasing.
If feedback occurs, change the position of the switch.
7. Shape Your Tone
Set the Play/Edit switch to Play, adjust the Bass, Mid and Treble
sliders to shape the pickup sound to your liking.
Go Deeper
EDIT •Programmable Tone for Acoustic Sound Images
•Set the Blend slider to Aura.
•Move the Play/Edit switch to Edit and select a Sound Image.
•Adjust the Bass, Mid and Treble sliders to taste.
•To save, move the switch back to Play. When you switch to Play, you
freeze the tone settings for the last selected Sound Image(s). When
you returnto Edit, your bass, mid and treble settings for the Sound
Image(s) will not change until you move the respective sliders.
Anti-Feedback
•Move the Anti-Feedback switch left to the On position and push
the Measurebutton once.
•The letter “F” in the tuner display will flash. Turnup the volume
until you reach the threshold of feedback. The automatic filter will
identify and eliminate the offending frequency.
Relative Phase (pickup)
•Fine-tune the sound by changing the phase of the pickup relative
to the Sound Image you’ve selected.
•Center the Blend slider and move the Play/Edit switch to Edit.
4

Onboard Aura™
•Push the Tuner button to toggle between positive pickup polarity
(above pitch arrow in tuner) and negative pickup polarity (below
pitch arrow in tuner) until you find the setting that sounds best to you.
•To exit this parameter, move the Play/Edit switch to Play.
Setup
Battery Compartment
Pull the small tab at the top of the Onboard Aura toward you. The
body of the preamp will swing out, revealing the battery compartment.
Observe the polarity marks on the battery clip, and install a fresh 9V
alkaline battery accordingly.
Trim Control and VU Meter
•Asmall circular potentiometer is located on the underside of the
preamp just below the battery compartment. Use this control in
conjunction with the VU meter to set a clean and quiet input level.
•Toturn on the VU meter, press the Tuner button as you plug in
the guitar. The above/below pitch LEDs (two arrows and a circle)
will now display the input level of the preamp.
•Play the instrument strongly and watch the LED display. Use a
small flathead screwdriver to raise or lower the trim control so
that the top LED (below pitch arrow) lights only occasionally
with forceful playing.
•Toexit the VU meter,push the tuner button.
Endpin Jack
When you plug into the endpin jack, the OnboardAura switches on.
Toconserve the battery, remove the instrument cable from the endpin
jack when the system is not being used. As with any audio device, it is
5

agood idea to turn down your amp or mixer input before you insert or
remove a plug at the endpin jack. Doing so will protect your speakers
(and your ears) from loud pops.
Sleep Mode
When the Onboard Aura is plugged in and you don’t play for 30
seconds, the electronics will go into “sleep” mode to conserve the
battery. As soon as you start to play again, the unit will wake up and
return to its normal operating mode. Note that when the Onboard Aura
is sleeping, it still consumes some power, so we advise you to unplug
the system when you take an extended break.
Power Up
The LEDs in the tuner display flash briefly when you first plug into the
endpin jack, indicating that the power is on. Some ask, “Why is there
no conventional pilot light that stays on when I plug in?” Wefind that
asteadily lit LED devours too many precious hours of battery life.
Instead, we have the LEDs flash at startup, and this extends the useful
life of the battery. If you need visual confirmation that the power is on,
move the Play/Edit switch to Edit and the (#) LED will flash.
Low Battery Indicator
When the “B” LED in the tuner array flashes once every three
seconds, you have approximately 1.5 hours before the battery is
exhausted. Change it at the next opportunity. When the “B” light
starts flashing every half a second, the battery is practically spent
and should be changed immediately.When the tuner is switched on,
the low battery indicator will function only when no signal is present.
User’s Guide
6

Controls
Image Select
Your Onboard Aura is factory loaded with six Sound Images that were
created especially for your instrument. Each Sound Image corresponds
to a different microphone type and position. Refer to the included
Acoustic Sound Image Reference Chart to identify the microphone
associated with each Sound Image.
Volume
For the cleanest noise-free sound, set the volume as high as possible
without causing your amp or mixer to distort.
Tuner
Plug an instrument cable into the endpin jack, move the Play/Edit
switch to Play, then depress the tuner button to turn the circuit on
and off.
This digital chromatic tuner accommodates all standard and alternate
tunings. For your convenience, the tuner button also acts as a
mute switch.
Note that the tuner is calibrated to A = 440.
7
Onboard Aura™

8
User’s Guide
Tuner Display
Blend
Use the Blend slider to set the balance between the pickup and the
Acoustic Sound Image. Lower the slider to emphasize the pickup.
Move it up to hear more Acoustic Sound Image. Set the Blend slider
to the center detent for an even balance of both.
Tone Controls
The Bass, Mid and Treble controls can be set independently for both
the pickup and the Sound Images.
Flashes when the note is below
pitch.Also denotes negative
polarity when the pickup phase
parameter is engaged.
Lights up when
note is in tune.
Flashes when the note is
above pitch.
Lights up when tuner is on.
Lights up when the
note is raised 1/2 step.
Flashes when
Anti-Feedback
filter is ready
to measure
feedback.
Flashes when
battery is low.
A B C D E F G #
p
q
•
•

9
Onboard Aura™
Bass
Aboost here will add depth and weight to the sound.
Mid
This control affects how well the instrument blends in or stands
out in the mix. If you areplaying at loud volumes, cut the Mids to
achieve a more natural amplified tone.
Treble
Aboost here will help add sparkle and presence to your sound.
Conversely, cutting Treble will mellow and darken your amplified
tone.
Pickup Tone
When you move the Play/Edit switch to Play, the three tone controls
will affect only the pickup signal. Much of your useful equalization
will be performed on the pickup in Play mode.
Note that when you switch to Edit, you freeze the tone settings for the
pickup signal. When you return to Play, your previous bass, mid and
treble settings for the pickup will not change until you move the
respective sliders.
Sound Image Tone
Set the Blend slider to Aura, then move the Play/Edit switch to Edit
and select a Sound Image. The three tone controls will now only
affect the selected Sound Image. Adjust the Bass, Mid and Treble
sliders to taste. Note that a little EQ heregoes a long way.

10
User’s Guide
To save these settings, move the Play/Edit switch back to Play or
move the Image Select knob to another position. Note that when
you switch to Play, you freeze the tone settings for the last selected
Sound Image(s). When you return to Edit, your Bass, Mid and Treble
settings for the Sound Image(s) will not change until you move the
respective sliders.
Phase and Anti-Feedback
These controls work hand in hand to suppress acoustic feedback.
When set properly, you can play your instrument as loud as you like,
feedback-free.
Phase (global)
This switch inverts the phase at the Onboard Aura's output and acts
on both the pickup and the selected Acoustic Sound Image. Push the
Phase switch in and out several times until you find the position that
sounds best and subdues feedback.
Relative Phase (Pickup Phase)
To change the character of your blended sound, you may wish
to invert the phase of the pickup relative to the Sound Image(s).
There is no "best" position for relative phase, and where you set
it is a matter of personal taste.
1.Center the Blend slider and switch to Edit.
2.Push the Tuner button to toggle between positive pickup polarity
(above pitch arrow in tuner) and negative pickup polarity (below
pitch arrow in tuner) until you find the setting that sounds best.
3.To exit this parameter, move the Play/Edit switch to Play.
You may program a different relative pickup phase setting for each of
the six Sound Images. Select a different Sound Image and repeat the
above procedure.

9
Onboard Aura™
Anti-Feedback
The Onboard Aura is equipped with an automatic search and
destroy anti-feedback filter.
1.Move the Anti-Feedback switch left to the On position and push
the measure button once. The letter “F” in the tuner display will
flash.
2.Turn up the volume until you reach the threshold of feedback.
The automatic filter will identify and eliminate the offending
frequency. The Anti-Feedback circuit will remember this offending
frequency (even when you turn the circuit off/on) until you push
the Measure button again.
The Anti-Feedback featureis a global parameter and will apply to
both the pickup and all of the six Sound Images. The default anti-
feedback frequency is 100 Hz, or about G# on the low E string.
Play/Edit Switch
When the switch is in “Play” position, the Onboard Aura is in normal
operating mode and the tone controls affect only the pickup signal.
In Edit mode the Sound Image tone controls may be programmed,
and relative phase parameters can be accessed. See Sound Image
Tone and Relative Phase (pickup).

User’s Guide
Electrical Specifications
Typical in-use current consumption @ 9VDC: 13.5mA
Typical 9V alkaline battery life (in-use): 37 hrs.
Typical sleep mode
current consumption @ 9VDC: 6.5mA
Typical 9V alkaline battery life (sleep mode): 77 hrs.
Nominal output impedance: 1kΩ
Recommended load impedance: 10k and up
Adjustable gain range: -5dB to +7dB
Maximum output level (onset of clipping): +3.8 dBV
Baseline noise (A-weighted, tone controls flat)
Pickup signal path: -82 dBV:
Digital image signal path: -77 dBV
Dynamic Range: 85.8 dB
(Referenced to onset of clipping, A-weighted)
Frequency response: 40Hz – 20 kHz
(Tone controls flat, -3dB relative to 1kHz, 100kΩload)
Bass control: Frequency Boost and Cut Range
40 Hz 12 dB
100 Hz 9dB
Midrange control: Frequency Boost and Cut Range
1kHz 12 dB
Treble control: Frequency Boost and Cut Range
10 kHz 10 dB
15 kHz 12 dB
Anti-Feedback:
Cut depth: 13.5 dB
Bandwidth: 0.25 Octave
(-3dB relative to nominal gain)
Default center Frequency: 100Hz
(prior to calibration)
Global phase switch: In position: (+) positive polarity
Out position: (-) inverse polarity
All specifications subject to change without notice.

User’s Guide
DC-AURA
Image Microphone Type Position
#1 Neumann M147 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#2 DPA 4011 Sm. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#3 Schoeps CMT 156 Sm. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#4 Soundelux E47 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Far
#5 Neumann M147 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Far
#6 Earthworks QTC 30 Omni Condenser Close
DC-16RE AURA
Image Microphone Type Position
#1 Neumann M147 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#2 DPA 4011 Sm. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#3 Schoeps CMT 156 Sm. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#4 Soundelux E47 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Far
#5 Neumann M147 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Far
#6 Earthworks QTC 30 Omni Condenser Close
DC-16RGTE AURA
Image Microphone Type Position
#1 Shure Beta 58A Dynamic Close
#2 DPA 4011 Sm. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#3 Shure KSM-141 Sm. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#4 Neumann M147 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#5 Soundeluxe E47 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Far
#6 Schoeps MK4G (Pair) Sm. Diaphragm Condenser X/Y Close
All specifications subject to change without notice.

User’s Guide
OMC-AURA
Image Microphone Type Position
#1 Neumann M147 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#2 Shure Beta 58A Dynamic Close
#3 Soundelux E47 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#4 Soundeluxe E47 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Far
#5 DPA 4011 Sm. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#6 Earthworks QTC 30 Omni Condenser Far
OMC-16RE AURA
Image Microphone Type Position
#1 Neumann M147 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#2 Shure Beta 58A Dynamic Close
#3 Soundelux E47 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#4 Soundeluxe E47 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Far
#5 DPA 4011 Sm. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#6 Earthworks QTC 30 Omni Condenser Far
OOOC-16RGTE AURA
Image Microphone Type Position
#1 Shure Beta 58A Dynamic Close
#2 DPA 4011 Sm. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#3 Neumann KM 184 Sm. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#4 Soundeluxe E47 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#5 Neumann M147 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Far
#6 Shure KSM 141 (Pair) Sm. Diaphragm Condenser X/Y Close
All specifications subject to change without notice.

User’s Guide
JC-16RE Aura
Image Microphone Type Position
#1 Soundeluxe E47 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Far
#2 Neumann M147 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Far
#3 Shure SM57 Dynamic Far
#4 Schoeps CMC 64 Sm. Diaphragm Condenser Far
#5 Earthworks QTC 30 Sm. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#6 Schoeps CMC 64(Pair)Sm. Diaphragm Condenser X/Y Close
JC-16ME Aura
Image Microphone Type Position
#1 Soundeluxe E47 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Far
#2 Neumann M147 Lg. Diaphragm Condenser Far
#3 Shure SM57 Dynamic Close
#4 DPA 4011 Sm. Diaphragm Condenser Far
#5 Schoeps CMC 64 Sm. Diaphragm Condenser Close
#6 Earthworks QTC 30 Omni Condenser Close
All specifications subject to change without notice.

www.fishman.com www.martinguitar.com
®
All specifications subject to change without notice. 17L09 0512-14
Restore EQ/Relative Phase Defaults
If you’d like to quickly restore the default EQ and Relative Phase
settings for all six Acoustic Sound Images, follow the procedure below.
Once reset, Bass, Mid and Treble (for all six Sound Images) revert to
zero cut/boost, and Relative Phase settings return to their default state.
To Restore Defaults:
1. Unplug the guitar and move all the tone sliders to the
center-detent position.
2. Press and hold the Tuner and Measure buttons simultaneously.
3. Plug in the guitar.Continue to hold the Tuner/Measure buttons
for three seconds after you plug in.
4. Release the Tuner/Measure buttons then unplug the guitar to com-
plete the procedure. Plug in again and the defaults will be restored.
Note: Be sure to unplug the guitar to complete the reset
procedure. If the guitar is left plugged-in after you release the
Tuner/Measure buttons, the Onboard Aura will produce no
sound, and one or moreof the Tuner LEDs will light up.
Onboard Aura™