Fishman Aura Jerry Douglas Signature Series User manual

USER GUIDE
JERRY DOUGLAS SIGNATURE SERIES
AURA®IMAGING PEDAL

2
Quick start
Power – Install a 9V alkaline or lithium battery (not included).
Set the controls – Volume at minimum, select at #1 and blend at
its mid-point.
Plug in – Use standard ¼-inch shielded instrument cables. Place any other
pedals after the Aura.
Set trim – Play hard and adjust input trim (right side) so clip/batt LED flashes
occasionally.
Select an Image – Raise the volume and audition the 16 Images with the
select knob.
Blend to taste – turn left for more pickup and right for more Image.
Kill feedback – If feedback starts, change the position of the phase switch.
Bypass – Step on the footswitch to alternate between blended Image sound
and dry pickup (default setting).
Mute – To alternate between blended Image sound and mute, hold the
footswitch down until the LED flashes. Repeat to return to bypass.

3
®
ACOUSTIC IMAGING

4
About this pedal
Larry Fishman developed the Signature Series Aura Pedal with a world-class
team of professionals, including musician Jerry Douglas, recording studio engi-
neer Bil VornDick, and reknowned resonator builder Paul Beard, to bring you the
most realistic amplified tone available. Night after night, or any time you record,
this pedal lets you reproduce the tone that can only be created by such trade
masters.
In order to fully realize the benefits of this pedal, we recommend using the
Nashville Series resophonic pickup to amplify your resonator guitar. For the best
sound reproduction, connect your Aura Imaging Pedal to an acoustic instrument
amp, a PA system, a powered monitor or other full-range system.
A word from Jerry Douglas
“After all these years of fighting microphones and feeling tied to one square foot
of stage floor, I really believe we have the answer to every acoustic instrumental-
ist’s dreams: a realistic sounding system that empowers the voice of our favorite
instruments.”

5
A word from Paul Beard
“In the world of resophonic guitar amplification, we finally have resolution! The
Fishman Nashville Series resophonic pickup is the result of new technology and
innovative design. Use this pickup when playing with the Aura Imaging Pedal,
select a microphone Image and turn it up. This new resonator pickup and Aura
will make your microphone obsolete.”
A word from Bil VornDick
“We used Class A discreet mic preamps with vintage and artistically chosen
microphones to create these Aura Images. The studio sounds that they conjure
are accurate sonic representations of the instrument. I enjoyed working with
Larry Fishman, the master who has invented this incredible technology, to create
these Images. The calls and emails I have received, from everyday musicians to
those that are household names, state their praise for the Aura and how it has
helped their instrument whether in concert, a Grand Ole Opry broadcast, or a
small night club. These Images were recorded with the benefit of over 25 years of
studio experience recording Jerry, and I have taken extreme care to help secure
precise Images for your performances. I sincerely hope that you will enjoy using
Aura.”

6
Images
Image Microphone Type Distance
1 Neumann U67 Large diaphragm tube condensor 12”
2 Neumann U67 Large diaphragm tube condensor 18”
3 RCA 77 Poly-directional ribbon 12”
4 RCA 77 Poly-directional ribbon 12”
(Instrument drop tuned to CAFCAF)
5 Neumann M149 Large diaphragm tube condensor 18”
6 Neumann M149 Large diaphragm tube condensor 12”
7 Crowley Tripp El Diablo Figure 8 ribbon 12”
8 Shure SM81 Uni-directional small condensor 12”

7
Image Microphone Type Distance
9 Royer R-121 Figure 8 Ribbon 12”
(Instrument drop tuned to CAFCAF)
10 Neumann U47 Lg. diaphragm cardioid tube condensor 12”
11 Neumann FET 47 Cardioid FET Lg. diaphragm condensor 12”
12 Neumann FET 47 Cardioid FET Lg. diaphragm condensor 12”
(Instrument drop tuned to CAFCAF)
13 Crowley Tripp Soundstage Figure 8 Ribbon 12”
14 Neumann KM84 Small diaphragm cardioid condensor 12”
15 Shure KSM 32 Side-address cardioid condensor 9”
16 Shure SM-57 Cardioid dynamic 12”
Fishman Transducers, Inc. is not affiliated with any of the forementioned companies,

8
Using effects
When using your Aura Imaging Pedal with other effects devices, place the Aura
Imaging Pedal first in the chain after your guitar.
®
ACOUSTIC IMAGING

9
If you have a pedal tuner, place it before the Aura Imaging Pedal.
®
ACOUSTIC IMAGING

10
Left side panel
Output
Use a standard ¼-inch instrument cable to connect the output to your
amplifier, mixer or effects devices. You can also connect this output to an
unbalanced input on a recording system.
9vdc
See Power section.

11
Right side panel
Input
Plug in your guitar here with a standard ¼-inch instrument cable. If you have
a passive undersaddle pickup (no battery onboard), always plug into the Aura
Imaging Pedal first, even if you use a pedal tuner.
Tr i m
Raise or lower the trim to optimize the input level for your pickup. Play hard and
adjust trim so clip/batt LED flashes occasionally. Use your thumb or a pick to
turn the trim control.

12
Control set
Phase switch
Use the phase switch to improve bass response at low volume or to control
feedback at high volume. Play your guitar and toggle the phase switch back
and forth until you achieve the desired result.
Volume
For the cleanest signal, set the volume as high as possible without clipping
the next device in the signal chain. If you hear distortion and the clip/batt light
is not flashing, reduce the volume.

13
Select
The 16 Images you can choose with the select knob are hand picked for your
type of guitar. Try all 16 and pick the ones that compliment your playing style
and sound good in the room. For example, dark/deep sounding Images may
add impact to a solo performance. Brighter/lighter Images may compliment an
ensemble. There are no rules; try them all and decide which works best for you.
Blend
Position the blend knob straight-up at 12 o’clock and you’ll hear a 50/50 mix of
Aura + pickup. Turn the blend all the way right for just Image; all the way left
for just pickup. Most performers blend in some pickup with the Image for clarity
and definition.

14
Blend (continued)
Suggestions
• To find a good mix of Image and pickup, turn the blend knob to
about 8 o’clock, then step on the footswitch. Compare the Image/
pickup mix to the dry pickup signal. Slowly move blend clockwise
and then switch between the two until you are happy with the
Image/pickup blend.
• For live performance try backing off the Image by setting blend to
about 10 or 11 o’clock or about 65% pickup. You won’t need too much
Image blended in to achieve a great live sound. If feedback occurs, flip
the phase switch.
• For recording, try blending in more Image for a realistic acoustic tone.
Set the blend to taste. Again, you’ll often get good results with a little
bit of pickup blended in with the Image for clarity and definition.

15
Footswitch
Step on the footswitch to bypass the Aura effect. When you stomp, you’ll hear
the dramatic difference between the Image blend and the dry pickup. When
the light above the footswitch is on, the Image is active. Note when the effect is
bypassed, your guitar signal remains buffered. Also, if the blend knob is set to
7 o’clock, you will hear no difference between active and bypass states.
Mute (optional mode)
You may set up the footswitch to alternate between the Image blend and muted
output. To enable the mute option, hold the footswitch down until the LED
flashes. Repeat to return to bypass.

16
Power
Power may be supplied by either a 9V battery (battery compartment under
pedal)or an approved 9V adapter. Insert a plug into the input jack, and the Aura
Imaging Pedal powers up. To conserve the battery, remove the plug from the
input when not in use.
For AC power, use the Fishman 910-R (for 110V)or other suitable 9V adapter. The
adapter must be filtered, regulated and rated for at least 200mA. It should also
accept AC power appropriate for your country. Power Plug requirements: 5.5mm
O.D., 2mm I.D., tip=negative.

17
Battery replacement
The clip/batt indicator will light steadily when it is time to change the battery.
Open the battery door underneath the pedal and install a fresh 9V alkaline or
lithium battery. When the clip/batt LED comes on you have approximately one
hour of remaining battery life.
clip | batt

18
Specifications
Digital signal path:
A/D, D/A conversion: 24-bit
Signal processing: 32-bit
Power supply: 9V alkaline battery or 9VDC adapter
Typical in-use current consumption: 18mA
Typical 9V alkaline battery life: 27 hours
9V adapter: Fishman 910-R (for 110V)
or suitable filtered and regulated,
200mA type, tip=negative
Input impedance: 10M Ohm
Nominal output impedance: 3.5k Ohm
Input trim gain range: -10dB to +2dB
Maximum output level (onset of clipping): +2.4dBV
Baseline noise: -92dBV (A-weighted)
Dynamic range: 94dB (A-weighted)
Phase switch: Left position=non-inverting
All specifications subject to change without notice.

19

www.fishman.com
513-300-146 Rev A 6-07