DiMarzio has always made magnetic soundhole pickups designed to stand alone with no processing. But they've always known that adding an active circuit designed to work with a specific pickup could go even further in creating a natural, open sound. They started with The Angel and developed The Angel Active in cooperation with Shadow Electronics. The electronics are mounted on an acoustic endpin jack, and include a volume control that attaches to the rim of the soundhole. The Angel can still be used as a passive pickup by attaching a standard guitar cable (included) instead of going to the endpin jack.