The LR Baggs Align Series Session is a preamp pedal for players who amplify an acoustic guitar. LR Baggs describes it as bringing "studio quality saturation and multi-band compression to your pedalboard": the saturation side adds warmth, dimension and harmonics, while the compression evens out the amplified signal1. The pedal is part of the Align Series, LR Baggs's line of pedals built for acoustic players, alongside the Equalizer23.
What makes the Session different from a typical compressor pedal is how its compression is designed. Instead of one compressor acting on the whole signal, LR Baggs uses "three narrow bands of compression that target certain problematic frequencies", which the company says works like a dynamic EQ1. MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen described the result as "smooth and silky compression that keeps the sound consistently solid and prevents any spiky frequencies from getting too prominent"4.
The controls
The Session is a two-knob pedal, which is a large part of its appeal for players who want tone shaping without a row of controls4.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volume | Sets the output level1 |
| Saturation | Single knob that adds warmth, giving the sound more body4 |
| Compression | Single knob that ushers in natural compression responsive to how you play4 |
| Engage footswitch | Selects the affected signal or true bypass1 |
Curwen found the compression especially easy to use: because it is multiband, "you have different amounts applied to the low, mid and high frequencies rather than a blanket effect", and he called the pedal "a no-brainer to use with just a single knob"4. The saturation works the same way, one knob from clean to warm.
The pedal also carries a built-in preamp, which LR Baggs lists as shared with the Align Equalizer, so it can drive a long cable run or a DI from the pedalboard1.
Part of the Align Series
The Session is one of the pedals in the Align Series, LR Baggs's line of processing pedals for acoustic guitar. The line later grew with the addition of the Align Series Delay and Chorus, with the Delay available in February 2019 at $179 each5.
The series was designed with a specific player in mind: it was "created specifically for acoustic musicians"3. The line has been described as LR Baggs's "award-winning Align Series"6. Every pedal in the line shares the same enclosure design, covered by U.S. Patent D918,2931.
For players comparing the Session with the standalone LR Baggs Session DI, the Align Session brings studio quality saturation and multi-band compression to your pedalboard, with an engage footswitch for affected signal or true bypass and a position on the pedalboard or floor1.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's Trevor Curwen reviewed the Session pedal and was positive about both of its effects. On compression he wrote4:
"Effective yet transparent compression. Easy to use."
Trevor Curwen, MusicRadar4
His overall verdict was equally direct:
"Enhancement for your electro-acoustic guitar - once you've turned this on you won't want to turn it off4."
Trevor Curwen, MusicRadar4
His one criticism was the price, listed simply as "Pricey"4.
The pedal also got early attention on That Pedal Show, where Dan and Mick demoed the newly released Align Series pedals in September 2018. On the Session's compression, they remarked:
"the dynamic in it is pretty staggering it yeah it's really nice"
Dan and Mick, That Pedal Show7
The video walks through the Session, Equalizer and Reverb as a complete acoustic signal chain, including the Reverb's active DI output for going straight to the PA7.
Videos
Baggs | LR Baggs | Obsessive Audio Innovation
Guitar IQ - Play Smarter
Clever Little Rodents
Questions
Does the Align Session run on a 9V battery?
Yes. LR Baggs lists the power options as a 9V battery or 9V DC powering, so it works on a pedalboard power supply or on its own battery. The box includes the pedal and a user's guide.
Is the Align Session true bypass?
Yes. The pedal has an engage footswitch that selects either the affected signal or true bypass, so with the effect off the signal passes through without active circuitry in the path.
Can the Align Session be used on electric guitar or bass?
LR Baggs lists the Session's instrument compatibility as Any, so it is not restricted to acoustic guitar. It was designed for acoustic musicians, and its compression targets frequencies that are problematic in amplified acoustic signals.
How much does the LR Baggs Session pedal cost?
The list price on LR Baggs's product page is $199.00. When the Align Series launched at NAMM 2018 the four original pedals were announced at $179 or $159 each, so the current price is higher than the launch figure.
Sources (7)
- Align Series Session by LR Baggs, LR Baggs
- L.R. Baggs Unveils New Chorus & Delay Align Pedals, Premier Guitar, 2019-01-03
- Hear the New LR Baggs Align Series Chorus and Delay Pedals in Action, Guitar World, 2019-02-04
- LR Baggs Align Series Session Pedal review, MusicRadar, 2018-07-02
- NAMM 2019: LR Baggs adds two pedals to its Align Series, Guitar.com, 2019-01-07
- LR Baggs Adds to Award-Winning Align Series with Chorus and Delay Pedals, MusicPlayers.com, 2019-01-18
- Better Plugged-In Acoustic Guitar#2: LR Baggs Align & T-Rex SoulMate Acoustic, That Pedal Show (YouTube), 2018-09-28
