D-TAR Mama Bear recording test

scotty_b · #1 August 5th, 2006

Hey
I was wondering if a few of you may be able to indulge me and consider these recordings. Three are various settings of the Mama Bear pre amp, and one is the straight pickup sound from the Taylor. My guitar is equipped with the expression system.
I did not change the volume nor add anything to the mix other than a few different settings on the Mama Bear, or dropping it out on one. I am not really sure of which input type to select with this unit, so I tried a few in this.
To be honest, I am not sure - though it is almost 3 am here, and I played very softly so as not to annoy anyone.
The reviews on the net are all very impressive, and the video on the Mama Bear with John Jorgenson sounds great. The Australian importer has given this to me for a week to see what I think.
All opinions and comparisons on the 4 recordings would be really appreciated.
Thanks very much

allthumbs · #2 August 5th, 2006

They all sound good. The 3rd one seemed a touch too bright on the top end compared to the others. I am assuming that #4 was without the pre-amp. The first 2 were awesome. Clear, warm tones. That is a keep in my opinion.

macmoondoggie · #3 August 5th, 2006

I think you would be happy keeping it. I don't use one, but it is highly regarded.

Jim · #4 August 5th, 2006

Hey Scotty,

For some reason I liked #2 best - very warm and nice sounds.

I'd say that's a keeper as well!

Jim

737blues · #5 August 6th, 2006

On my system number two sounded a liitle thin. Number one would be my choice but obviously, there will be lots of inconsistencies because its going to sound different on each individuals system. Love to hear it for real but certainly sounds good to me.

John Burr · #6 August 6th, 2006

I liked the 2nd and 3rd myself but the first was great too, I think it must have been a dread model of some kind. The third had a nice edge to it that would maybe work better on a different piece of music, not treble on my stuff but a sharp attack. For that particular music I liked the second one best but any of the first three are great. I really noticed the 4th one the most, it really seemed to be missing something over the others so I think it was probably the one with MB on bypass.

Several of the local solo entertainers use the Mama bear all the time and all of them use different settings on different songs. They all sound great and all of them are also using the Bose PAS for gigging so I don't think it's a coincidence. If you can afford it you should definitely keep it. I use a Zoom A2 myself and like it a lot but the sounds, while better than just my Takamine UST, are not really as authentic as the Mama Bear. You get what you pay for though, the Zoom is 1/3 the price but it's an acceptable product.

Try it out with your amp or PA and see how you like the live sound. I think that's where it really shines. For recording you might be better served by spending the money on a great mic and preamp but if you're also going to be playing out the MB is the Bomb and it really does put back some of what the UST misses...

BSR

PS, Nice playing, I listened twice...

scotty_b · #7 August 6th, 2006

Thank you for your responses.
To shed a little more light, the 3rd take is the MB in bypass mode - so straight pickup.
I emailed the D-TAR website, and was told that the MB was not really suitable with the Taylor ES system. It is a combination of two concepts and presents too much information for the MB apparently.
I selected a Grand Auditorium model for the guitar, and adjusted the pickup selector for the three takes with MB.
I shall record the Maton and my resonator with this soon to see how it responds to those guitars.
John, I am looking for something more in the live stakes on the resonator more than anything. It could really do with some 'beefing up'. The Maton AP5 pickup is quite reasonable for what it is. Not quite up there with the Taylor, but still quite good. I have a Rode K2 valve mic, and a Rode NT3 that I use for recording. I also have a Mindprint and Focusrite preamp for the studio.

cshude · #8 August 6th, 2006

Nice playing, Scotty, as always. I think it is a tough call between the first 2, with the first 1 taking it by a nose- it has the fullest sound (I'm listening on mixing cans) for a solo bit like you play here. I would say #2 if it was in a mix with other tracks.

scotty_b · #9 August 6th, 2006

Hey Chris
I think I like the 1st one too for solo guitar. There are so many variables and I just ran through a couple. Might try and get the other two recorded tomorrow so I can make a comparison with those. If I wish to keep it I have to let the warehouse know by next Friday.
Thanks for the feedback

joe_strummer · #10 August 6th, 2006

Nice one Scotty, 1st one for me, some neat playing, well done