LR Baggs is known for quality acoustic gear, and the Para DI is a great showcase of what the brand is all about. What sets the LR Baggs Para DI apart is its versatile 5 band EQ with tunable notch filter and midrange bands. These extra controls allow for extensive tone shaping that you won't usually get from a preamp.

The five band EQ knobs all have big ranges. This allows for subtle adjustments to fix venue related sound issues. While bigger changes can substantially shape the overall sound. The tune knobs let you zero in on problematic frequencies and boost or lower them down as needed. These tone shaping controls can let you tweak for a fuller sound in case you're playing solo or with a small group. Those who play with bands can utilize the Para DI to go for a more mid-focused cutting tone.

It lets you do all this in a very intuitive manner without having to dive into complex menus and buttons. Note that absolute beginners may not immediately understand how the EQ and notch filter knobs work. But it doesn't take much to figure it out, especially if they get help from experienced musicians.

The LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI can run on a 9V battery

At the core of these nifty tone shaping options are is a transparent sounding preamp. With it, you retain much of the original voicing of your guitar when you tweak the EQ controls. This transparency caused some first-time users to encounter feedback issues. Thankfully, you can reduce feedback easily by adjusting the notch filter and phase inversion.

Note that while it works great with acoustic-electric guitars, the Para DI is also quite popular among violinists. It is also used by musicians who play other pickup-equipped acoustic instruments. Other practical features include feedback control via phase inversion. It has the option to power the unit via a 9V battery or via phantom power.

Its compact form factor and straightforward design make the PARA DI preamp viable for floor or desk setups. Speaking of compact, the knobs are quite small, which makes real-time tweaking during performances a bit of a challenge. So it is recommended to get the tweaking done before performing, so you won't have to reach for the small knobs as you perform. Another limitation of the Para DI is the lack of footswitch control.

If you're a multi-instrumentalist that plays various acoustic instruments this is for you. But you have to be willing to put some time in fine-tuning your EQ and notch filters.

Specifications

• Profile: Single Pedal (No Footswitch)
• Controls: Volume, Low, Notch, Mid, Pres, Treble, Notch Variation, Mid Variation
• Input: 1 x 1/4"
• Output: 1 x 1/4", 1 x XLR (DI Out)
• Powered By:48V Phantom Power, 9V Battery
• Dimensions: 1.9" x 3.6" x 5.6"
• Weight: 0.9 lbs.

Radial continues to do well in the preamp market thanks to their high quality pro audio products. The Tonebone PZ-Pre is their best rated preamp for acoustic instruments. Packed with features and functions that are usually limited to studio quality rack preamps.

It has expanded tone shaping options, and versatile input/output, while retaining Radial's acclaimed high-fidelity preamp and DI. And this ability to morph the sound of your acoustic guitar however you want to is really what the PZ-Pre is all about. The Low EQ knob is paired with multiple Low-cut modes that give you precision control over the lower frequencies. Mid controls include a freq knob. If that's not enough, the unit has a notch knob with multiple Notch Q modes.

Another nifty feature of the PZ-Pre is the included boost footswitch and boost level knob. This lets you boost the signal for emphasizing certain parts, and do so hands-free. Thankfully, it does not color the sound as much as regular boost effects, retaining the sonic flavor of your instrument.

Piezo buffer switch for passive pickups

Speaking of coloration, the preamp has that high-definition sound quality that you'd expect from Radial. So even if you set everything mid-way, you're always getting a transparent guitar sound. And it doesn't stop at just one preamp, the PZ-Pre has two preamps with dedicated footswitch control. It also has pre and post EQ, allowing for precise control over your sound for both the FOH and your monitor. There's also a "piezo buffer" switch on the side for better compatibility with passive pickups.

And I'm not the only one who is impressed, it has a long list of satisfied owners, including big-name artist endorsers like James Taylor, Jerry Douglas, Keb Mo, and many more.

Given all these features and controls, the Tonebone PZ-Pre is quite bulky and heavy. So if you're looking for something simple and compact, you may want to consider smaller units like the Fishman Aura Spectrum, which also has DI box functionality.

Note that this is the newer facelifted version of the PZ-Pre, which carries over the Loop On feature that was introduced a while back.

If you're looking for a powerful transparent Acoustic DI Box solution for your acoustic guitar or other acoustic instruments, then the Radial Tonebone PZ-Pre is definitely worth checking out.

Specifications

• Profile: Multi-Switch Pedal
• Controls: Boost, Low, Freq, Mid, High, Notch, Level-B, Level-A, Polarity, Footswitch, Notch Q, Low Cut, 3 x Footswitches (Mute, Boost, Toggle)
• Input: 2 x 1/4", 1 x 1/4" (Return)
• Output: 1 x 1/4" (Amp), 1 x 1/4" (Send), 2 x XLR (Pre/Post EQ), 1/4" Tuner
• Powered By: 15V Power Supply (Included)
• Dimensions: 2" x 8" x 4.25"
• Weight: 2.7 lbs.