Fiddle microphones

Subject: Fiddle microphones
From: GUEST,Ragman
Date: 09 Jan 11 - 08:00 AM

I am considering re-newing my fiddle contact microphone which I use for playing in a ceilidh band,(mainly to alleviate stage feedback).
Does anybody have any favourite mics they use for a similar purpose. I have been looking at the AKG 411, has anyone any experience of this mic? if so what do you think?

Subject: RE: Fiddle microphones
From: GUEST,Peter (guest)
Date: 09 Jan 11 - 09:12 AM

Have you looked at 'The Band' pickup: http://www.headwayelectronics.com/acoustic_pickups_violin.htm

Subject: RE: Fiddle microphones
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 09 Jan 11 - 11:36 AM

Bought one of the earlier versions several years ago. Sounded OK - more like a mic than a pickup - but haven't used it recently. Don't forget you'll need one of their adaptors to be able to plug it into anything. From memory the mic itself comes with a non-standard connector. I got fed up with the plastic belt-pack box and bought the XLR phantom adaptor which was much better but came with a different non-standard connector so had to change both the one on the mic and the one on the adapter.

An alternative would be one of these - http://www.dpamicrophones.com/en/products.aspx?c=Item&category=118&item=24346 - I bought one last year - sound great but it depends how critical its for you to achieve a ridiculously high volume. Your sound level will be considerably higher than a stand mic and the other advantage is that you can't move away from it.

Subject: RE: Fiddle microphones
From: Lady Nancy
Date: 09 Jan 11 - 03:01 PM

Can't do blue clicky things, but look at www.riml.biz. It's a neat little wired mike that sits in the waist holes of the fiddle with a mike that sits over the F hole. Lovely soft fit, easy to put on and take off, does no damage to the fiddle and I've had mine about 5 years and it is BRILL and really admired by others. Plus it will adjust to fit any fiddle very easily....

LN

Subject: RE: Fiddle microphones
From: Leadfingers
Date: 09 Jan 11 - 03:31 PM

Microsoft aint bad either ! Used it just about everything BUT fidddle !

Subject: RE: Fiddle microphones
From: skarpi
Date: 09 Jan 11 - 03:39 PM

we use the Band pickups sounds great :O)
all the best Skarpi Iceland

Subject: RE: Fiddle microphones
From: bruceCMR
Date: 09 Jan 11 - 04:38 PM

Microsoft???

Don't you mean Microvox?

http://www.microvox.co.uk/

I've got one of their accordion mics - it's very good.

Only downside is that the PSUs are battery powered, and only have unbalanced outputs. However, Orchid Electronics make a compatible PSU which has a balanced output, and is phantom powered.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Fiddle microphones
From: alex s
Date: 09 Jan 11 - 04:41 PM

Fiddle Pro from Read Instruments - great

Subject: RE: Fiddle microphones
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 09 Jan 11 - 05:53 PM

Personally, I don't think the Microvox systems are comparable with either the AKG or the DPA mics. From what I've seen of them, Microvox simply stick cheap 3rd party capsules in plastic sleeves. Both AKG and DPA design and make their own. Yes, they are more expensive but you can hear the difference - or you could if you could find a Microvox pickup you could hear above everything else.

Their website claims that ".....this is a microphone not a transducer" which demonstrates exactly how much they know about the subject. A transducer simply converts one form of energy; e.g. vibrations, into another; e.g. an electrical signal. A microphone is a transducer as is a piezoelectric capsule as is a lightbulb!

Do you want something of a professional standard - I suspect you do. The only real solution is to try them and see what you think. I have and this is what I think!

Subject: RE: Fiddle microphones
From: s&r
Date: 09 Jan 11 - 06:06 PM

Little fishman transducer tucked in the bridge wings does it all for me.

Stu

Subject: RE: Fiddle microphones
From: Leadfingers
Date: 09 Jan 11 - 07:21 PM

Thanks Bruce ! My only excuse is that I had just done an Update on the Laptop !