Amplifying a mandolin

Subject: RE: Amplifying a mandolin
From: GUEST,RAy
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 05:41 AM

Forget SM57's and get one of these - http://www.dpamicrophones.com/en/products.aspx?c=Item&category=118&item=24346 - (assuming you have access to phantom power) they sound great and stay a constant distance from your instrument.
Ray

Subject: RE: Amplifying a mandolin
From: mandotim
Date: 13 Sep 10 - 03:04 AM

DPA mics are good, but expensive, and don't fit on my Rigel which has radiused sides. If knocked while playing almost any mandolin, they fall off. Staying a constant distance from my instrument was what I was trying to avoid, using distance from the mic as a volume control. Also; the Beta57A is a very different beast from an SM57.

Subject: RE: Amplifying a mandolin
From: GUEST,Whistle Stop
Date: 13 Sep 10 - 08:31 AM

I just dropped by the Mudcat to see if there are any interesting threads; saw this one about amplifying a mandolin, and figured it would be worth reading. Was surprised to find out that I started the thread back in my Mudcat-cruising days.

I still haven't found the perfect solution to my decade-old dilemma, but thankfully I mostly play in lower-volume settings these days, and using an outboard mic (a Shure SM-81 in my case) is less problematic than it used to be.

Thanks again for all your valuable input over the years.

Subject: RE: Amplifying a mandolin
From: Mooh
Date: 13 Sep 10 - 08:57 AM

For several years now I've used a Shatten Design soundboard transducer, into a preamp or mini mixer, into the PA, with prayers for decent monitors. Sometimes, and it's rare, I get to add a condenser mic, in which case I run them both through the mini mixer which sits beside me so that I can balance the outputs.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Amplifying a mandolin
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 13 Sep 10 - 01:15 PM

1. That's a particular problem with Rigels, mandotim - I used to have difficuty keeping a carpenter jack on an old Ibanez where the top and bottom tapered towards the side.

2. There's now't wrong with an SM81; one of their better small diaphragm condensers.

Subject: RE: Amplifying a mandolin
From: GUEST,Adrian D.
Date: 14 Jul 11 - 11:18 AM

I have heard that one of the best amps out there for any string instrument is the AAD Cub by Phil Jones. Its very small and quite lood too. You can find them on the web all that is said about it is good. I am sure it would be a great mando amp.

Subject: RE: Amplifying a mandolin
From: Willie-O
Date: 14 Jul 11 - 05:48 PM

I have never really been happy with a pickup sound on an acoustic mandolin--although Richard is right, you can run it through a bunch of effects, have a lot of fun and make very cool sounds. (The late Willie P Bennett had a mando setup like this with Fred Eaglesmith, it worked in that context!) I have gone that route...but...

A year or two ago I invested $200 in a Shure SM-137 condenser mike, and it has just made my amplified life a whole lot easier. (There are two settings; you set it to the less sensitive one for live performance). Would recommend that item to anyone who doesn't like pickups, or doesn't like messing around with cables. I play it in noisy pubs, no FB issues.

Another keeper is my Peavey Ecoustic 112 amp--great sound really with full EQ on each channel. I can run the SM137 through it if I don't have a full PA. I see there's a newer generation of Ecoustics, the 208 has 2 8-inch speakers in a more compact package, which I would like to try out, but at about half the price, it lacks the professional features of the 112--doesn't even have direct outs.

All in all, the SM137 is the best piece of sound gear I've picked up since the Ecoustic (about ten years ago).

W-O
Whatever works!

Subject: RE: Amplifying a mandolin
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 15 Jul 11 - 04:37 AM

I use AKG Perception 150 condenser mics for mandolin and guitar - like W-O I run them with the 10db roll-off for live gigs, but full-sensitivity for recording. Great little mics, small and a great sound. Maybe wouldn't work very well in a loud electric band, but excellent for unplugged, PA-amplified, work.

Subject: RE: Amplifying a mandolin
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 09:34 AM

Colin J......age old problem.......the best I have found. Home made stick on made from a doorbell.    run thru a small base amp that has a presence control(very important...this presence control, takes away the harsh sound) I mike the amp and run the sound thru the PA. This gives me the best , most natural sound.    The most vol.   and a monitor so I can hear myself.