Tech: Fiddle Transducers

Subject: Tech: Fiddle Transducers
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 02:52 PM

Looking to fit transducers to three of my fiddles (Black Sea / Violin / Crwth) so looking for ideas, experiences & advice. Apart from makes & types of transducers (has anyone made anything of the piezos you can buy for pennies in Maplins?), I'm also looking at possible pre-amps & EQs so anything there most welcome too.

Complete novice on this one, so I eagerly await your expertise!

Subject: RE: Tech: Fiddle Transducers
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 03:37 PM

I am not learned on the topic by the sum of my experience so far is that you need to spend about £200 for a passable violin transducer.

The last time I tried to get a sound out of a £60 violin transducer I finished up with +24Db at 60 Hz and 120 Hz, full low mid-sweep boost, 24 db cut at about 450 Hz plus mahusive reverb and chorus and 24 DB cut of everything above 6k and it was beginning to sound less like a cat being murdered.

Subject: RE: Tech: Fiddle Transducers
From: Will Fly
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 03:49 PM

The fiddler in our ceilidh outfit uses a B-Band pickup which wraps around the instrument, under the strings and velcros together on the back. It's quite effective but - like all these things - much depends on the amp for the quality of sound.

Subject: RE: Tech: Fiddle Transducers
From: Stewart
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 05:22 PM

I use a Schertler DYN pickup. It consists of a small dynamic mic, which is mounted to the surface of the instrument by a ring of putty - it is quickly applied and removed, and can be used with a variety of acoustic instruments. It has an XLR connector that can be plugged into any microphone input and requires no preamp or battery. It's a little pricey - $495 - but can be used with many different instruments.

It has true microphone-like sound, without any feedback, and requires little if any EQ adjustment or gain from the board. Much better sound than any piezo transducer and no permanent mount.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Tech: Fiddle Transducers
From: Leadfingers
Date: 02 Mar 11 - 06:54 PM

Microvox are worth a look ! I know they were looking at a mic fitted into the bridge of a violin a few years ago ! And they ARE quality mics !

Subject: RE: Tech: Fiddle Transducers
From: AKS
Date: 03 Mar 11 - 07:22 AM

The AKG C411 PP is hard to pass by when it comes to the 'easy to use/sound quality/price*' ratio...

* 105,- € at Thomann.de

AKS

ps and forget piezos

Subject: RE: Tech: Fiddle Transducers
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 08 Mar 11 - 06:34 PM

Thanks all. I'm impressed with the Pick-Up the World polymer film pick-up that came ready fitted to my wife's new banjo (Deering). From their website they do a wide range for everying from fiddles to harmoniums to dulcimers but... does anyone do them in the UK?

Subject: RE: Tech: Fiddle Transducers
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 08 Mar 11 - 06:36 PM

Worth a look: http://www.pick-uptheworld.com/pickups.html