Press Releases

There are new products and, once in a great while, entirely new product categories. The Fishman Aura™, a successful marriage of original thinking with the latest in digital technology, charts a radically new direction in product development for acoustic guitarists.

So what is the Aura? Literally defined as an "Acoustic Imaging Blender," this new product is really the key to a bigger story about finding new ways to maximize the impact, projection and coverage of an acoustic guitar, even in the most extreme high-volume live performance situations.

Asked what drove Fishman to create the Aura in a special partnership with noted digital innovator Akai Professional, Larry Fishman said, “For over 20 years, we’ve been committed to helping acoustic musicians sound their best both live and recorded—two very different environments. A recording studio setting affords players the luxury of classic acoustic instruments, world-class condenser microphones, and an optimal recording environment, things that are simply not practical or possible to take with you to the gig or on tour. The technology in the new Fishman Aura changes all of that.”

The Aura incorporates Akai’s breakthrough Acoustic Spectrum Transform (AST) technology and history of innovation in digital sampling to perfectly capture the player's entire system: the special tonal characteristics of the guitar, position of the instrument relative to the microphone, the microphone characteristics, and makes it available in a high-volume live performance setting via Fishman's patented Blending technology.

The player matches their individual sound and setup to one of the exceptionally realistic built-in Sound Images in the Aura. The device's Sound Images are actually sophisticated algorithms that transform the pickup signal into that of a microphone placed in front of a guitar or other stringed instrument. This algorithm seamlessly adjusts the pickup's phase and frequency response to match the instrument and microphone in the Sound Image template.

Blending that with the direct signal, the performer ends up with a bigger, louder, clearer acoustic sound, with the impact and presence to stand out in high-volume performance situations. All of the artist's and instrument's individual nuances are faithfully preserved, no matter how extreme the volume level. Tonally, this represents an optimum solution because as, Fishman puts it, " "Everyone loves the sound of a well miked acoustic guitar. The transparency of a fine microphone positioned precisely at the elusive 'sweet spot' in front of a guitar is a beautiful thing. Over the years, we have endeavored to capture these qualities with our pickup systems, with varying degrees of success. But with just a pickup, we could never capture the same sound quality as a top-shelf studio microphone setup. That is, until now."

Harvey Reid, the multi-talented acoustic instrumentalist and pioneer in the development of the popular partial capo technique, who helped Fishman to develop their Acoustic Blender amplification system, is an early adopter of the Aura. As he comments, "I was actually thrilled with the sound of the Aura system--not just pleased--and it is, in my opinion, the first quantum jump forward in acoustic instrument amplification in nearly 20 years."

Before using the Aura, Harvey's signal chain was a complex nest of cables and analog devices. Now Harvey feels he can safely retire his trusted rig in exchange for the simplicity and exceptional sound the Aura delivers. "I can now replace my whole set-up with this one Aura." Harvey's already put this notion to the test by using it on two large gigs this October and plans to use it on his upcoming show dates exclusively.

For Larry Fishman, a longtime champion of the acoustic instrument, the Aura is something of a mission as well, “Acoustic players are finding it increasingly difficult to find products that put them first," he stated. "In recent years, most new products from the big manufacturers have been offshoots of designs originally created for electric guitarists. At Fishman, the acoustic player comes first. And the Aura puts an exclamation mark on that statement.”

The new Aura™ Acoustic Imaging Blender will be shipping in January 2004. For more about Aura and other Fishman products, please visit Booth 4258 at Winter NAMM.

About Fishman
About Fishman Widely recognized as the premier designer and manufacturer of acoustic amplification products, Fishman products are found in the hands of most of the world’s top acoustic performers. Founder Larry Fishman’s innovative and unique approach to engineering and building amplification products for almost 30 years has led to the granting of over thirty patents. Today Fishman products are sold both to original equipment manufacturers and to the music-playing public through a worldwide network of musical instrument dealers and international distributors.

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