The Fishman AFX Pro EQ Mini is a mini acoustic preamp and EQ pedal voiced specifically for acoustic instruments. Fishman describes it as offering "quality preamplification and critical equalization voiced specifically for acoustic instruments," with a five-band EQ and an analog preamp that provides up to 20dB of gain and impedance matching for most passive, active and magnetic acoustic instruments1. The circuit is based on the Fishman Platinum series of instrument preamps, the full-size line that includes the Fishman Platinum Pro EQ1.
Fishman lists the pedal at a list price of $129.951.
What it does for an acoustic player
The pedal combines two jobs that acoustic players usually need together: preamplification and tone shaping. The analog preamp section provides up to 20dB of gain and impedance matching, so it can drive a passive under-saddle pickup, an active system or a magnetic soundhole pickup into a mixer, PA or amplifier1. On top of that sits a five-band EQ voiced for acoustic instruments, which Fishman breaks down as a sweepable Low Cut plus four bands of tone control covering bass, mids, treble and brilliance1.
The digital side handles the EQ processing, with 24-bit A/D and D/A conversion and 32-bit signal processing, while the analog signal path is rated at 100dB dynamic range, -100dB signal-to-noise, 10M Ohm input impedance and 1k Ohm output impedance1.
The controls
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Trim | Sets the preamp level for the best sound with the lowest noise; start at minimum and turn up until the LED flashes orange, then back off until the flashing stops4 |
| Low Cut | Sweepable filter that fine-tunes very low frequencies, to reduce or enhance thumps and subs1 |
| Bass, Mids, Treble, Brilliance | Four bands of acoustic tone control1 |
| Level | Adjusts the overall output of the pedal4 |
| Audio Path switch | Chooses the audio path on which the effect is processed1 |
| Footswitch | On/off, or assignable to mute; hold to toggle output polarity (phase)1 |
The Trim procedure is worth following as a habit: Fishman recommends setting the preamp level with the Trim knob to achieve the best sound with the lowest noise, starting at minimum and raising it until the LED flashes orange, then backing down until the flashing stops4.
Fishman also publishes suggested EQ settings for common playing situations on its tone page for the pedal3:
- Strummer: a good overall setting for strumming an acoustic guitar
- Cut through the mix: helps you be heard in loud band situations
- Fingerstyle: adds fullness to the bass and definition to the treble
- Mid Cut: helps scoop out harsh or bright midrange
Phase invert for low-frequency feedback
Holding the footswitch toggles the output polarity, often referred to as phase. Fishman explains that signal polarity "changes the pickups relationship to the sound coming from the amplifier," and that inverting phase can reduce feedback; at low volume it can also improve the intensity of the low frequencies you hear5. This is aimed at the low-frequency howl that acoustic instruments pick up from a PA or monitor. Fishman's guidance is practical: try flipping phase while playing and leave it in the position that sounds or feels most natural5.
Footswitch modes: bypass or mute
The footswitch can be set to bypass or to mute the audio instead. To change modes, hold the footswitch while applying power, and the LED will flash to indicate the mode has changed1. GuitarPlayer's review lists the footswitch as "assignable as on/off or audio mute"6, which makes the pedal usable as a tuning mute between songs.
Power
The pedal runs on 9V external power only, sold separately; there is no battery option1. Fishman specifies a current draw of 53mA typical, and recommends its 910-R (120VAC) or 910-U (230VAC) adapter to ensure the published specs. Alternatively, any suitable filtered and regulated supply with a 5.5mm OD, 2.1mm ID barrel connector, center negative, will work1.
No battery option: the AFX Pro EQ Mini requires 9V external power at all times, and the adapter is sold separately1.
What reviewers said
GuitarPlayer reviewed the pedal as part of a roundup of Fishman's AFX mini acoustic pedals. The reviewer's summary verdict on the Pro EQ Mini was6:
"AFX PRO EQ MINI: Very practical for sculpting awesome acoustic tones easily"
The same review notes the pedal is built in China6.
Where it sits in the Fishman AFX line
The AFX Pro EQ Mini is one of a family of Fishman acoustic effects pedals that includes the Pocket Blender, EchoBack, Broken Record, BlueChorus, AcoustiVerb, AcoustiComp and the full-size Pro EQ5. Fishman positions the AFX mini pedals as a way to optimize acoustic guitar tone, including while recording7. For players comparing types, it belongs with preamp pedals and the broader category of acoustic pedals.
Videos
Fishman Music
Derek Paul Guitar
Guitar Interactive Magazine
Questions
Does the Fishman AFX Pro EQ Mini take a battery?
No. The pedal requires 9V external power, sold separately. Fishman specifies its 910-R (120VAC) or 910-U (230VAC) adapter, or a suitable filtered and regulated 5.5mm OD, 2.1mm ID barrel connector with center negative, to meet the published specs.
Is the Fishman Pro EQ Mini true bypass?
Yes. Fishman lists true bypass with a buffered bypass option. The Audio Path switch lets you choose the audio path on which the effect is processed, so you can run it buffered when a buffered path suits your signal chain better.
Can the AFX Pro EQ Mini be used as a mute switch?
Yes. The footswitch is assignable as on/off or audio mute. Hold the footswitch while applying power and the LED will flash to indicate the mode has changed, switching between bypass and mute behavior.
Does the Fishman Pro EQ Mini work with magnetic soundhole pickups?
Yes. Fishman states the analog preamp provides up to 20dB of gain and impedance matching for most passive, active and magnetic acoustic instruments, which covers magnetic soundhole pickups along with under-saddle and other common pickup types.
Is the Fishman AFX Pro EQ Mini analog or digital?
It is a hybrid. The preamp is analog, providing up to 20dB of gain, while the digital signal path uses 24-bit A/D and D/A conversion and 32-bit signal processing. The analog path is rated at 100dB dynamic range and -100dB signal-to-noise.
Sources (7)
- AFX Pro EQ Mini Acoustic GUITAR Preamp & EQ Pedal, Fishman
- Fishman AFX Pedals True Bypass, Fishman
- Fishman AFX Pro EQ Mini Tone, Fishman
- Fishman AFX Pedals Pro EQ Mini Pedal Levels, Fishman
- Fishman AFX Pro EQ Mini Phase Invert, Fishman
- Fishman AFX Mini Acoustic Pro EQ Mini, Broken Record, AcoustiVerb and Pocket Blender Effects Pedal Reviews, GuitarPlayer, 2023-08-18
- Expand Your Creativity with Acoustic Effects Pedals, Fishman
