Venue DI
User’s Guide

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing our Venue D.I. This is the first all-discrete acoustic guitar preamp to combine a transformer-coupled D.I. output for maximum isolation, an EQ specifically tuned for acoustic guitars, a variable boost control to compliment your playing styles and a chromatic digital tuner to help you stay in tune.

We trust that you are going to enjoy and come to understand the full capability of this new preamp as you use it. We have also included in this manual some tips on how to get the most out of this product.

Getting Started

1. Insert a 9-volt battery or plug in a 9-volt DC power supply (not provided).
   NOTE: The preamp cannot be phantom powered through the D.I.

2. Plug your guitar into the INPUT of the Venue D.I. (upper right hand side of the box) and a cable to either the 1/4”OUTPUT (upper left hand side) or the XLR output located on the back panel of the unit.

3. Adjust the gain knob to the appropriate level using the clip meter.

4. Plug the output cable into your amp or PA and experiment with the features. To learn more about the specifics of the Venue D.I., continue on with this manual.

A. Bass Control
The bass control is a 12dB boost/cut centered at a frequency of 90Hz.

B. Low Midrange Controls
This adjustment is split into two knobs: level and frequency. The two knobs are vertically adjacent to each other; the level knob is the upper one and frequency is directly below it. Set the frequency knob to a particular frequency (100Hz-500Hz) then either boost or cut that frequency using the level knob.

C. Hi Midrange Controls
The high midrange controls function the same as the low midrange controls except that they cover the frequency range of 500Hz to 2.5kHz.

D. Presence
The presence control is a 12dB boost/cut centered at 3kHz.

E. Treble
The treble control is a 12dB boost/cut centered at 10kHz.

F. Notch
The Venue D.I. incorporates our proprietary Garrett Null anti-feedback notch filter. Sonically it is virtually invisible and it can be used to sweep the primary feedback range of an acoustic guitar (60Hz - 320Hz) to cut out a frequency that is causing feedback or ringing. This control can also be disabled and taken out of the signal path by turning the dial all the way to the counter-clockwise position past the “click.”

How to use the Notch Filter
First plug your guitar into an amp or PA through the Venue D.I. and turn the volume up to the point where it begins to feed back or where a particular note rings out louder than the others. Then, allow the guitar to feedback a little as you slowly turn the notch knob from left to right. When the knob reaches the position of the problem frequency the feedback will suddenly stop.

G. Clip Meter
The Clip meter gives you a visual tool to help set the appropriate amount of gain for your instrument. The ideal headroom is achieved when the yellow LED is lit consistently and the red LED blinks occasionally while playing at your loudest level.

H. Gain
This feature is one of the most important keys to achieving optimum sound quality and signal-to-noise ratio. Too little gain will adversely effect your tone and could create additional noise. Too much gain will overdrive the input of the preamp causing distortion. Use the clip meter to set the appropriate gain.

How to Determine the Ideal Gain Setting
Begin with the gain knob on the Venue D.I. in the counter-clockwise position. Turn the knob clockwise as you strum the guitar until the red LED at the top of the clip meter barely begins to flash at the loudest playing level. If the red LED comes on strong continuously while you play, you will most likely hear some distortion coming from the guitar signal. The meter is located in the signal path just after the EQ and just before the FX loop. You will need to reset your gain for the optimum level if you change the EQ settings.

I. Phase
Press this button to invert the polarity of the signal. Usually one phase will sound best and be least likely to feed back. We recommend trying both phases each time you set up as it will often change from gig to gig. When the button is in the out position, the outputs will be in phase with the input signal. The phase relationship of your guitar top to the monitors or speakers will change approximately every 4 feet that you move relative to these speakers so you must set this control according to where you will be standing as you play.

J. Battery Check
This feature will give you the ability to find out how much battery life is left in the tank so you’re not caught by surprise in the middle of a gig. To check your battery, push the button labeled “batt chk” located directly below the clip meter. A full battery will light up all four LED’s. When only the yellow and red lights are lit you have about 4 hours of normal playing time remaining before you will run out of power. If only the red light is illuminated, replace the battery immediately. The battery check will work even when there is not a cord plugged in.

NOTE: When using a DC Power Supply, the battery check circuit will show the level of the DC Power Supply. To check the battery level, first remove the DC Power Supply from the DC Input on the Venue D.I.

K. Tuner
A 1/4”cable must be plugged into the input in order for the tuner to function. To engage the tuner press the Mute/Tune footswitch. This will simultaneously activate the tuner and mute all outputs. If the Mute/Tune is engaged but you are not tuning or playing, the tuner will automatically shut down after 1 minute to save power. However, the mute will remain engaged. After the tuner has timed out and shut itself off, you will need to deactivate and then re-activate the tuner by pressing the footswitch twice in order for the tuner to turn back on.

L. Volume
The master volume, located in the upper right of the control panel, will be used to set the level of the sound coming out of the 1/4” output ONLY. It will not effect the transformer coupled D.I. Output, which is pre-set at line level. This will allow you to adjust the level to your amplifier without changing the level to the PA system. However, both the D.I. and 1/4” output will mute when the mute/tune is engaged.

Footswitches

M. Mute/Tune
Use the switch to engage or disengage the mute/tune feature. See the “Tuner” section above for more details on the tuner.

N. Boost (0-9dB)
The Boost feature allows you to boost your volume level for a solo or to compensate for changes in playing style. We’ve provided a boost level-adjustment on the back panel to give you the ability to pre-set your desired amount of boost.

NOTE: The boost feature on this unit comes after the clip meter in the signal path, so it will not show up on the clip meter when it is engaged. Therefore, it is VERY IMPORTANT to set the sound system to allow for the maximum boost that you have chosen.

Bottom

Battery Drawer
Lift the tab on the door to gain access to the battery compartment. Any standard 9V battery should work. Be sure to maintain the correct polarity by matching the plus (+) sign on the base of the compartment to the plus (+) sign on the battery, which is the smaller of the two contact points.

Rear and Side Panels

A. Input
The 1/4” input, located on the upper right side of the unit, is an unbalanced (mono) all discrete input with a 10 megaohm impedance. It can be used with almost any passive or active pickup or pickup system. Plugging into the input will turn the system on, therefore unplugging will turn the system off. Before unplugging from the Venue D.I. be sure to mute the sound system or amplifier, or a loud pop will occur.

B. EFX Send
Connect a standard 1/4” mono cable from this jack to the input of an effects pedal or rack device.

C. EFX Return
Connect the return of the output of an effects pedal or rack device to interrupt the signal and complete the series effect loop.

D. Boost Level
This allows you to set the level of boost you desire when the boost footswitch is activated. You have a variable range of 0dB to 9dB of boost available.

E. D.I. Output ( Transformer Coupled)
The D.I. output is a common way to connect directly into the microphone input on a mixing desk with a standard microphone cable. This output is transformer-coupled for maximum isolation from noise and ground loop hum. The signal level is set at 0dBu and will work into a 600-Ohm or higher input impedance, so you will have plenty of signal strength to send down long cables.

Note: The XLR output is not effected by the volume control but is effected by all other controls.

F. Ground Lift & Transformer-Coupling
The transformer-coupled D.I provides full isolation through the D.I. output when the switch is in the “lift” position to help defeat ground loops that can occur when more than one connection is made to the D.I.

G. 1/4” Output
The 1/4” output, located on the upper left side of the unit, is an unbalanced line level output. You can plug into any amp or device that has a 1/4” input. This output level is set by the volume control.

H. D.C. Input
The D.C. power input is designed for a standard 2mm plug commonly used with effects pedals and “floor-box” products. Most “wall-wart” or multi-power devices designed for musical products may be used. The voltage must be greater than 7.5VDC and less than 12VDC. However, you can use any amperage that is 100mA or greater.

IMPORTANT: Polarity of power supply must match polarity marked on back of Venue: Tip (-), Ring (+).

Limited Warranty

L.R. Baggs warrants to the using purchaser that this product shall be free of defects in workmanship and materials under normal and proper use for a period of one year. If you experience problems with this product, please contact your dealer.

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