Instrument mics

Subject: Instrument mics
From: GUEST,Michael
Date: 13 Jun 09 - 10:48 AM

Hello

just wondering if anyone has experience with the microvox instrument mic. I have a mandolin, octive mandolin, and 12 striing guitar all without pickups and am looking for something that I could transfer between instruments. At present I use a shure sm57 when I play any of these instruments but would like to be set free from the mic stand!

Any ideas welcome

Thanks

Michael

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Jun 09 - 11:06 AM

I have used Microvox on Guitar , mandolin and banjo without any problems ! The Ideal solution for a Multi Intrunental player with limited Inputs for Amplified work !

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: Bernard
Date: 13 Jun 09 - 03:49 PM

I get excellent results from my MicroVox accordion mic kit... I use it with a Sennheiser UHF radio system so I can walk about!

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: GUEST,iancarterb
Date: 14 Jun 09 - 01:51 AM

Michael - I use an AKG condenser mic on a teeny weeny gooseneck with a glorified alligator clip for a mount on the mandolin, and of course a condenser mic does need phantom power. I mount the clip on a Tone-Gard, which I use when I actually want the mandolin to be heard. Because it's mounted to the instrument, it follows me around perfectly, no matter the motion on a stage. Because it's not a cheap mag pickup you won't need to crank the bass up to ten or the treble down to zero at or before the power amp for the mandolin or mandola not to sound tinny. Sorry I'm not near enough to it to get the model number, but the AKG website will show it. I recommend the Tone-Gard as well- their website will show it. Good product and support.
Carter Bannnerman

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 14 Jun 09 - 09:06 AM

My Microvox microphone works very well on a variety of guitars and mandolins including a metal resonator which would be very difficult to amplify otherwise. Swapping over from one to another is dead easy using Velcro which is the only addition needed to the instruments. This can be removed if it ever needs to be with no damage to the instrument.

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: Bernard
Date: 14 Jun 09 - 01:56 PM

Nobody (including me!) seems to have mentioned that MicroVox are condensers, and come with a battery pack/pre-amp. My accordion kit came with Velcro pads.

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: theleveller
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 03:20 AM

Just a point to watch - I bought a Microvox for my Fylde cittern but as it has a small soundholes, the mic is very close to the strings and I sometimes knock it when playing, so not the ideal solution for me.

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: treewind
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 03:27 AM

It might not be necessary for it to be over the soundhole - have you tried it in a position where it doesn't get knocked?

Anahata

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: s&r
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 03:44 AM

Just a point - the battery pack isn't a pre-amp. Just a power source.

Stu

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: GUEST,Michael
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 06:09 AM

Thanks for the advice.

Leveller - My Octive is a fylde so the soundhole size could be an issue for me as well.

Michael

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: Leadfingers
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 07:30 AM

Microvox do a Guitar etc microphone on a flexible gooseneck , so it SHOULD be easy to set it pointing at the sound hole but clear of the plectrum / fingers

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: GUEST,HughM
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 08:05 AM

I find it necessary to supplement the velcro with insulating tape to stop the things from falling off my concertina. Not all the microphones have the same senstivity, so I had to buy four and select the two most alike for the right and left sides of the instrument.

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: theleveller
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 08:12 AM

"It might not be necessary for it to be over the soundhole - have you tried it in a position where it doesn't get knocked?"

Good point. I'm not sure - I bought it secondhand on ebay so it didn't come with instructions.

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: theleveller
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 08:23 AM

I found the instructions here:

http://www.microvox.demon.co.uk/instructions.pdf

I have also emailed them to ask if the pickup needs to overhang the soundhole and I'll post the reply.

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: s&r
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 11:47 AM

As with any microphone best placement is a matter of taste and experimentation. My choice is to avoid the sound hole - I find the results are muddy and boomy. Put some earphones into your amp and try different positions while you play.

Stu

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: theleveller
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 12:26 PM

Thanks Stu, I'll do that.

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: Leadfingers
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 12:30 PM

Th original Microvox velcroed to the top of the guitar , FLAT and pointing actoss the sound hole .

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: SteveMansfield
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 01:39 PM

If you do go down the Microvox route - and I've had many years of excellent trouble-free results on a variety of wind instruments and concertina, and heartily recommend them - spend the extra money on buying the 'full-size' PSU rather than the mini PSU.

The full-size one has a volume knob, which is very useful for
(a) helping the mixer out a bit with some level control, and
(b) you can turn yourself down for swapping the mics to another instrument, or just for private offline tuning-checking between numbers. The mini PSU has no such knobbage!

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: Bernard
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 05:03 PM

Stu - the accordion version does have a pre-amp - a basic passive mini-mixer for the multiple microphones. It is built into the treble side microphone housing, along with the battery.

Maybe modern usage seems to imply that a 'pre-amp' involves active circuitry, but a volume pot can technically be described as a pre-amp... something that is placed between the amplifier and the transducer, offering some sort of control.

Okay, I've finished being pedantic... for now!

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: s&r
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 07:02 PM

The term pre-amp I think would be understood by most people to give some gain. There is no active circuitry. I wish there were.

A volume pot is just that.

There is a pre=amp of course in the electret mic capsule.

Stu

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: theleveller
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 04:54 AM

I just got this response from Alan Hughes at Microvox, which clarifies the problem with positioning the M400 over the soundhole:

"The M400 really needs to face into the sound hole. If it is mounted over the body of the instrument it will act like a PZM microphone and be more susceptible to feedback. I suggest that you exchange it for an M500 which you can mount as far from the strings as you like within reason.
Just send the M400 back and we'll swap it for an M500."

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 08:10 AM

Seems that microvox take care of customers then?

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: Bernard
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 09:46 AM

The term 'active pre-amp' is more correctly (though not exclusively) used to mean one with gain. A 'passive pre-amp' doesn't have gain (and there are some on the 'net going for hundreds of pounds!). The term 'pre-amp' could easily mean either...

Yes, MicroVox look after their customers. If you place an order, they even chase it up to check you received it okay.

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: s&r
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 01:47 PM

Well, just to differ - a "passive preamp" doesn't generally have gain, and the hysterics of the hi-fi market don't justify any naming.

The "passive" in "passive preamp" is necessary to separate the meaning from the more usual (and historically and logically IMO) preamp meaning one with current or voltage gain.

regards

Stu.

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 02:28 PM

its good to hear about companies that actually do customer service.

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: Bernard
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 03:16 PM

'Well, just to differ - a "passive preamp" doesn't generally have gain' - erm, I thought I already said that!!

Time to call a truce...

;o)

Subject: RE: Instrument mics
From: Tootler
Date: 08 Jul 12 - 06:47 AM

Like the OP, I am looking for a pickup, for ukuleles in my case, that I can easily transfer between instruments.

Microvox instrument mics seem the best solution. I thought the M500 mounted just behind the bridge seemed the best bet but would like opinions.