Tech: melodeon pick ups

Subject: Tech: melodeon pick ups
From: GUEST,stevethesqueeze
Date: 29 Apr 07 - 03:06 PM

Hi folks

can anyone tell me where I can get internal microphones fitted to my melodeon here in the UK? I'm in south wales. stevethesqueeze

Subject: RE: Tech: melodeon pick ups
From: Jim Lad
Date: 29 Apr 07 - 05:58 PM

There was a thread about that, a month or so ago. Maybe try looking back.

Subject: RE: Tech: melodeon pick ups
From: treewind
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 07:20 AM

Microvox do external mics that attach by velcro pads. They sound much better than an internal mic (if you mean one actually inside the bellows).

Getting an internal mic to sound right is a black art. I got it to work by pure luck in my Hohner pokerwork with the capsule from a long-dead 1960's Grundig tape recorder, but when that broke, everything I tried replacing it with sounded utterly horrible.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Tech: melodeon pick ups
From: GUEST,Martin Ellison
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 07:27 AM

I picked up my melodeon in a seedy bar in Preston - we've been together ever since although I can no longer live of its' immoral earnings.

Subject: RE: Tech: melodeon pick ups
From: Greg B
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 08:25 AM

Martin! Good to see you here. (For those of you this side of
the pond who might not know, Martin is one of the best there
is or ever was when it comes to the two-row English melodeon.)

Steve, I concur with the comment about Microvox being fantastic and
internal microphones not sounding great. It's nearly impossible to
get balanced volume with an internal mic, keep the action noise
within reason, etc., just due to the geometry of the instruments.

On the other hand, the combination of a Microvox treble bar and
bass button works a treat, and is rapidly portable from one box
to the next. I hook mine up to an inexpensive wireless transmitter
via a stubby cable, and never even notice the two ciggy-pack size
units on my belt, and have no hook-up cables to keep track of.

The Microvox is pricey, but with the money you save not having
a repairman tear into your squeezebox, you'll easily make up
the difference. Perfect balance, just sounds like the instrument
itself sounds, no action noise to speak of--- just right!

Subject: RE: Tech: melodeon pick ups
From: stevethesqueeze
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 11:01 AM

Firstly thanks everyone.

I have been trying the microvox for some time but I have real problems with volume levels, I just can't get any volume out through the ampo and speakers. Ive tried a pre amp and that makes no difference. On the other hand my lilly has factory fitted internal mikes from castagnari and is great. I saw previous threads about the microvox and others seem to have problems as well. Not being too technical I cant seem to find a way forward with the microvox. any advice, as always, is welcome.

Subject: RE: Tech: melodeon pick ups
From: treewind
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 11:36 AM

No volume?
I suspect your kit is misconnected or broken.
The output levels from a Microvox mic through the Microvox battery box are much higher than a standard dynamic mic on a stand. You really shouldn't be having trouble like that.

They do die of old age sometimes. One of Mary's concertina mics did that last year.

Contact Alan Hughes at Microvox - he's usually very helpful.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Tech: melodeon pick ups
From: s&r
Date: 30 Apr 07 - 11:37 AM

Always seems strange to me that Microvox don't use a preamp. The power unit is pricey for a battery connector

Stu