Guitar Rig

Many places I go to lead worship, people come up to me and ask: "How do you get those sounds from you guitar and how do you get that acoustic sound at the same time"? In guy terms that mean: "What's under the hood". I, myself, have asked those questions of many artists and worship leaders. In the last two years my main guitar system has undergone some changes. But, before I explain what I use, let me share a little something with you.

I believe that God wants to use and is using these wonderful instruments of sound to bring the sound of heaven to earth. We are to "Praise Him" with every type of instrument (Psalm 150). That is why I love using these "gadgets". My prayer is for the church to get creative, move in freedom and use these instruments of sound to "Praise Him, you servants of the Lord, you who minister in the house of the Lord, in the courts of our God" (Psalm 135:1-2).

So, for those who have asked, here's a break down of my guitar rig. It is really nothing spectacular, but I hope it helps you.

First, I start with a Martin D-1 Acoustic Guitar equipped with a RMC Acoustic Gold Pickup System (sounds like a recipe huh?). This pickup system is the same used by Godin Guitars to track guitar midi devises. I have been using this pickup for over a year and have found that it is the best tracking pickup for Midi Guitars on the market. The ìMidi Mishapsî have all but stopped (well, every once in awhile my fingers mess up and youíll hear one) using the RMC Pickup System.

The Martin is then connected to an RMC PolyDrive II Box. This box gives the ability to split the natural acoustic sound from the midi sound an some extra control over the units. The PolyDrive II is then connected to a Roland US-20 splitter (this is an A-B box for Roland GK Guitar products). From the US-20 (side A), the line runs to a Roland VG-8 Guitar Processor. This unit uses advanced modeling technology to emulate the most famous guitars and amplifiers in music history. Also, connected the B side of the US-20 is a Roland GR-30 Guitar Synthesizer. The GR-30 is what makes all those great pad sounds, choirs, strings, etc (The VG-8 has a few also). I then run the Acoustic guitar signal from the PolyDrive box through a DOD SR430 Equalizer and an Alesis MidiVerb II.

With this type of setup, I can have the acoustic sound on its own, another type of guitar from the VG-8 (a Strat, Tele, etc.) and a synth pad all at the same time. This gives some wonderful flexibility and allows you to layer sounds if you so desire. Plus, if you are playing or leading worship on your own, it really gives a "Full" sound.

All of this then runs to a Behringer 1604-A mixer. I run the guitar into one channel, the VG-8 into two channels, and the GR-30 into two more channels. The mixer outputs then run to the main sound board. The Behringer mixer also has a unique advantage over some other mixers. The mixer allows you to plug in a mono or stereo mix from the monitor system and have it only come through the earphones and not the main outputs. This allows you to listen to the monitor mix and your guitar rig and just feed the house system with your guitar stuff. Great huh?

You may ask, "Why a mixer"? First, as stated above the monitoring helps. Second, many times I have found that small churches have very limited space on there sound board, meaning, very few extra channels. If you were to run this rig without the line mixer, you would need at least 4 including your Mic line (5 if you use a drum machine and don't run stereo on the GR-30 and VG-8!) channels on the sound board. With the mixer, you can pre-mix your sound the way you want it and run one line to the church sound board. This makes it easy for you, yet it drives sound guys nuts!

I also use, when no drummer is available, an Alesis SR-16 Drum Machine. I have used this Drum Machine since Alesis made it (some 11-12 years ago). This module is the most versatile on the market. It is the only one I know of that has a "fill" pedal. It gives realistic drum fills when needed and wanted. I also run this to the Behringer 1604-A, unless the sound person has an extra channel. Check one out—it is a great little unit!

I hope this helps and gives you your own idea for you guitar system—remember, it is ALL to Praise our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May God inhabit our praise! (Psalm 22:3)