I just bought a violin for celtic music and I need a pickup
I know nothing about this as I am (was) a classical violinist.
Does anybody know about the new tech inside the bridge?
And what do I acutally need from A to Z
Thanks a billion
I use an LR Baggs violin bridge pickup and I am very happy with it. I had a luthier install it which he did for free since I purchased it from him. I got the one that terminates in a 1/4" jack that I plug my cable directly into. They also sell a non-terminated version. I am planning to get a preamp from them as well but haven't managed it yet financially. http://www.lrbaggs.com/html/products/pickups_violin.shtml
I liked this solution because it's not permanent. If I want to remove it, I just need to put the old bridge back on and take off the carpenter jack.
I used to use an Audio-Technica ATM35 clip mic but was never happy with it. We could never get a handle of the feedback problem no matter what we tried. I was never anywhere in the mix (with guitar, mandolin, accordian, bodhran and vocals) and I had wind noise in outdoor festival settings even with the little wind guard thingie on it.
For sound the Headway Band is excellent. Swan neck or clip on microphones can give good sound but have feedback issues. Transducers have a problem in that different notes are produced by different parts of the violin, so it's hard to get a nice balanced sound. The "Band" gets round this by wrapping around the body of the violin, but the downside is looks.
The other important thing is to have something that is removable, or invisible, when not in use. A permanent pickup on a fiddle looks pretentious and ugly, IMHO.
L.R. Baggs is what I use, I have the pick up, quarter inch jack and the L.R. Baggs Para-accoustic DI. I have actually had the same pick up on my fiddle for over 10 years without a single problem. I upgrded to a better pre-amp.
I haven't heard any other that sounds better (I am sure not everyone will agree, but this is my opinion) but, a pre-amp is a must because the pick-up is passive (no battery/power source) and you don't want to have the soundman pushing the gain way up just to get a sound. With any pick-up though it is important to consider that a well balanced fiddle will sound much better than one that is heavy on the bass or treble side.
Hope you find what you're looking for!
Anyone know what Eliza Carthy uses ? She had a system with mini-mike on goose-neck, that just clipped on to the chin-rest/shoulder-rest, with a socket for the lead. Sounded immaculate, though there was no noise to overcome whilst playing in Waterson-Carthy, whereas some gigs for us lesser mortals can require higher amplification and cause feedback problems.
PS; If it's not a silly question, Gertrude, if you've only just got into celtic music, whatever are you doing needing a pickup ? If I might be so bold, you're either damn good and/or fast at picking things up, or you're really not going to be doing the music justice yet. I'm sure there are some older threads on this forum about moving from classical to trad music, whicjh I would recommend reading before investing in a pickup.
I use an L R Baggs bridge pickup too. I pre-amp through a Yamaha guitar foot pedal using the Roland Jazz Chorus emulator and get a really excellent, clean violin sound. I have tried a number of alternatives over past years but find that nothing comes close to the Baggs bridge.
Hi Pete
I have plaid classical violin for 15 years (practicing 6h/day) but my heart has always been for celtic music and when I made the switch after couple sessions with friends I was hired in a band and boy what a joy. I am looking into adding more ornements to my playing and I do need a pickup or a mic that is not going to distord the sound or emplify the sound of the bow on the strings. I have read all the postings and really it seems that theAT Pro34x mic or the LR baggs prickup are the 2 choices. Decision, decision....
Looks like an interesting microphone JD, but wouldn't you need two if you wanted to get a balanced sound? It looks like it's positioned over one F hole.
Yes, it's positioned over one F hole, but it gives a very nice sound. Much more true to the fiddle than any of the piezo-electric pickups. Far less invasive on the fiddle too. It ends in an XLR microphone connector, but you can get an adapter to convert between XLR and ordinary jack plug. I picked up an adapter in Maplin for 8 quid.
Hi Gertrude I also use an LR Baggs pickup along with various other pickup systems on other fiddles I have and have found that it gives a reasonable sound but does pickup some bow noise and I find this hard to filter out on the desk as the bow noise is in the same frequency as part of the wanted sound. I would say the LR Baggs is a good live option if you can tolerate this and most of the bow noise is lost when playing with other musicians anyway. You will need a buffer amp with any piezo pickup regardless of what the manufacturers say. Hope this helps
Good luck
Mikea
there is a relatively new electromagnetic humbucker for violin, viola, cello and doublebass. It has no contact to vibrating parts of the instrument, so it doesn't alter the sound. Installation should be done by a luthier. Once done, you can remove it easily (three screws) whenever you want. Lots of soundfiles and pics here:
I use it on my fine acoustic, my acoustic viola, a semiacoustic (with onboard preamp) and a solidbody (with onboard preamp). These days I'm planning a surfrock project for young bowed string players at the school where I'm working. Sound samples (all with the humbucker through a Fender Blues Junior tube amp) here:
Pick up and Bow noise.
Using a Fishman pickup in the bridge “slots” I’ve always had a lot of bow noise, not just the sound of the bow traversing the strings, but worse, a distinct “plop” when the bow changes direction. This is pretty annoying, especially on fast tunes with lots of bow direction changes, like having a mad boron player on your shoulder. Good news is I’ve fixed it. I bought a cheap electric tuner a while ago, the sort that clamps onto any where on the instrument to pick up vibrations. This one is a pick up with lead and quarter inch jack and a separate tuner box. I clipped the pickup onto the bridge and fed it to the preamp and it gives really good result. Theres no “Tuff ..tuff .. tuff” bow direction change noise, and the tone is nice and warm. I always felt the fishman was a bit strident but I suffered a bit from the kings new clothes sysndrome, it was supposed to be good so . . The fishman cost me £70, this tuner was about a tenner (admittedly I went all the way to china for it).
This thread may be old for me to gain any response... but here goes...
I owned a Fishman pickup. My pet hate with this pickup is the noise of the bow being amplified. It never gave a true representation of the violin's acoustic sound. Sadly I lost this pick up... and am in the market for a new one...
I find that the LR Baggs pickup looks too similar to my ex -Fishman, and for that matter the clamp on Barcus Berry, which one would think would therefore produce a similar sound. The Rebo sounds marginally nicer than these, going by the sound samples, but still isn't brilliant as it still sounds scratchy, would like to demo one though to confirm this.
I must admit, the RIM mic's Fiddle Pro looks very tempting, up until you see the price... $299 US? and the fact that the size of the clamp is fixed! What if I decide/require another Violin? Not exactly interchangeable if they are custom made... But then again, it apparently produces a true representation of the violin's sound...
I think I'm sold on it....wonder if they ship to Australia...
Ledd.
PS. I have seen another mic style pickup on eBay, it attached to the shoulder rest. Looks like a nice setup too, wireless kit included, if I recall correctly.
Thanks to all who've contributed to this informative thread..
I've recently purchased a DPA 4061 Mini condenser mic which is a dream to play with in acoustic environments, however, the problem with feedback is ever lasting.. I tried to use a Feedback controller but it still doesn't help the problem.
i Wonder would buying a DPA Preamp help the feed back problem?
I'm considering purchasing the LR Baggs pick up, but could someone please inform me if it can be bought and fitted anywhere in Ireland? I have a festival in Cork to play at the wkend and i'm in need of help fast! Is it easy to fit the new bridge or should it be done professionally? What sort of pre-amp is needed to use with it?
i'd really appreciate help from someone on the forum!Looks like there a few users of this pick-up which makes me think it would be a wise purchase! Thanks
I'm seriously considering buying one, but won't if it pick's up any bow noise or doesn't sound very warm. What do you think to it?
At present I'm using a PZM microphone taken off the base plate and strapped to my violin, stuck on a strip of leather and it sounds lovely, at least as good if not slightly better than the microvox (which I borrowed from a friend to test). The only problem is it's prone to feedback in certain venues!! If I had the LR Baggs fitted I could combine the 2 signals together, (mic and pick up) but then I'd probably need 2 pre amps also!!
I'm not sure if I might be better trying 'The Band' from Headway as that has good reviews and is supposed to sound very warm without bow noise. I'd appreciate any comments from people with experience of these pick ups as it's an expensive game to keep trying different ones out.
A couple of years ago I purchased the C-ducer B1000/3 at over £100 which was faulty from new. I had it repaired, but it was terribly prone to feedback and ripped all the varnish off my old violin!! (So won't be using that again!)
I'd really appreciate any comments, as this is an ongoing saga and I have a few gigs before christmas in fairly large venues.
hi tried every pickup made and ended up with one from ebay called single paddel violin pickup for 16 pound they do a double one for 18 which u can split and have a spare no feedback and loads volume
Pickup for violin
Pickup for violin
I just bought a violin for celtic music and I need a pickup
I know nothing about this as I am (was) a classical violinist.
Does anybody know about the new tech inside the bridge?
And what do I acutally need from A to Z
Thanks a billion
# Posted on July 11th 2006 by amilia
Re: Pickup for violin
There's been a good bit of talk about this topic in previous discussion threads. The "Search" feature should turn up plenty of information.
# Posted on July 11th 2006 by Bob himself
Re: Pickup for violin
I use an LR Baggs violin bridge pickup and I am very happy with it. I had a luthier install it which he did for free since I purchased it from him. I got the one that terminates in a 1/4" jack that I plug my cable directly into. They also sell a non-terminated version. I am planning to get a preamp from them as well but haven't managed it yet financially. http://www.lrbaggs.com/html/products/pickups_violin.shtml
I liked this solution because it's not permanent. If I want to remove it, I just need to put the old bridge back on and take off the carpenter jack.
I used to use an Audio-Technica ATM35 clip mic but was never happy with it. We could never get a handle of the feedback problem no matter what we tried. I was never anywhere in the mix (with guitar, mandolin, accordian, bodhran and vocals) and I had wind noise in outdoor festival settings even with the little wind guard thingie on it.
Good luck!
# Posted on July 11th 2006 by FiddleMama
Re: Pickup for violin
A to Z?
Ans = P + P ..... You will need a pickup and a preamp
Solution = S .... Sonic Violins total system integrated into your instrument.
As used by Dave Swarbrick and many others .....
See Links page or www.sonicviolins.co.uk
# Posted on July 11th 2006 by Titch {=/=}===++
Re: Pickup for violin
For sound the Headway Band is excellent. Swan neck or clip on microphones can give good sound but have feedback issues. Transducers have a problem in that different notes are produced by different parts of the violin, so it's hard to get a nice balanced sound. The "Band" gets round this by wrapping around the body of the violin, but the downside is looks.
The other important thing is to have something that is removable, or invisible, when not in use. A permanent pickup on a fiddle looks pretentious and ugly, IMHO.
# Posted on July 11th 2006 by TomB-R
Re: Pickup for violin
L.R. Baggs is what I use, I have the pick up, quarter inch jack and the L.R. Baggs Para-accoustic DI. I have actually had the same pick up on my fiddle for over 10 years without a single problem. I upgrded to a better pre-amp.
I haven't heard any other that sounds better (I am sure not everyone will agree, but this is my opinion) but, a pre-amp is a must because the pick-up is passive (no battery/power source) and you don't want to have the soundman pushing the gain way up just to get a sound. With any pick-up though it is important to consider that a well balanced fiddle will sound much better than one that is heavy on the bass or treble side.
Hope you find what you're looking for!
# Posted on July 11th 2006 by anastasiadesroches
Re: Pickup for violin
Anyone know what Eliza Carthy uses ? She had a system with mini-mike on goose-neck, that just clipped on to the chin-rest/shoulder-rest, with a socket for the lead. Sounded immaculate, though there was no noise to overcome whilst playing in Waterson-Carthy, whereas some gigs for us lesser mortals can require higher amplification and cause feedback problems.
PS; If it's not a silly question, Gertrude, if you've only just got into celtic music, whatever are you doing needing a pickup ? If I might be so bold, you're either damn good and/or fast at picking things up, or you're really not going to be doing the music justice yet. I'm sure there are some older threads on this forum about moving from classical to trad music, whicjh I would recommend reading before investing in a pickup.
# Posted on July 12th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Pickup for violin
I use an L R Baggs bridge pickup too. I pre-amp through a Yamaha guitar foot pedal using the Roland Jazz Chorus emulator and get a really excellent, clean violin sound. I have tried a number of alternatives over past years but find that nothing comes close to the Baggs bridge.
# Posted on July 12th 2006 by acetrace
Re: Pickup for violin
Hi Pete
I have plaid classical violin for 15 years (practicing 6h/day) but my heart has always been for celtic music and when I made the switch after couple sessions with friends I was hired in a band and boy what a joy. I am looking into adding more ornements to my playing and I do need a pickup or a mic that is not going to distord the sound or emplify the sound of the bow on the strings. I have read all the postings and really it seems that theAT Pro34x mic or the LR baggs prickup are the 2 choices. Decision, decision....
# Posted on July 12th 2006 by amilia
Re: Pickup for violin
I use this fiddle microphone:
http://www.riml.biz/
Best I've ever used. Quick and easy to put on and take off, and gives a very true sound from the instrument.
JD
# Posted on July 12th 2006 by tradshark
Re: Pickup for violin
Ok, Gertie, I apologise.
Good luck.
# Posted on July 12th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Pickup for violin
Looks like an interesting microphone JD, but wouldn't you need two if you wanted to get a balanced sound? It looks like it's positioned over one F hole.
# Posted on July 12th 2006 by anastasiadesroches
Re: Pickup for violin
Hi Anna,
Yes, it's positioned over one F hole, but it gives a very nice sound. Much more true to the fiddle than any of the piezo-electric pickups. Far less invasive on the fiddle too. It ends in an XLR microphone connector, but you can get an adapter to convert between XLR and ordinary jack plug. I picked up an adapter in Maplin for 8 quid.
JD
# Posted on July 13th 2006 by tradshark
Re: Pickup for violin
Hi Gertrude I also use an LR Baggs pickup along with various other pickup systems on other fiddles I have and have found that it gives a reasonable sound but does pickup some bow noise and I find this hard to filter out on the desk as the bow noise is in the same frequency as part of the wanted sound. I would say the LR Baggs is a good live option if you can tolerate this and most of the bow noise is lost when playing with other musicians anyway. You will need a buffer amp with any piezo pickup regardless of what the manufacturers say. Hope this helps
Good luck
Mikea
# Posted on July 13th 2006 by Mikea
Re: Pickup for violin
there is a relatively new electromagnetic humbucker for violin, viola, cello and doublebass. It has no contact to vibrating parts of the instrument, so it doesn't alter the sound. Installation should be done by a luthier. Once done, you can remove it easily (three screws) whenever you want. Lots of soundfiles and pics here:
http://www.uli-boesking.de/rebo/
I use it on my fine acoustic, my acoustic viola, a semiacoustic (with onboard preamp) and a solidbody (with onboard preamp). These days I'm planning a surfrock project for young bowed string players at the school where I'm working. Sound samples (all with the humbucker through a Fender Blues Junior tube amp) here:
http://www.uli-boesking.de/surfinbela/sound.htm
# Posted on January 7th 2007 by UlisesDos
Re: Pickup for violin
Pick up and Bow noise.
Using a Fishman pickup in the bridge “slots” I’ve always had a lot of bow noise, not just the sound of the bow traversing the strings, but worse, a distinct “plop” when the bow changes direction. This is pretty annoying, especially on fast tunes with lots of bow direction changes, like having a mad boron player on your shoulder. Good news is I’ve fixed it. I bought a cheap electric tuner a while ago, the sort that clamps onto any where on the instrument to pick up vibrations. This one is a pick up with lead and quarter inch jack and a separate tuner box. I clipped the pickup onto the bridge and fed it to the preamp and it gives really good result. Theres no “Tuff ..tuff .. tuff” bow direction change noise, and the tone is nice and warm. I always felt the fishman was a bit strident but I suffered a bit from the kings new clothes sysndrome, it was supposed to be good so . . The fishman cost me £70, this tuner was about a tenner (admittedly I went all the way to china for it).
# Posted on March 12th 2007 by Rupert
Re: Pickup for violin
This thread may be old for me to gain any response... but here goes...
I owned a Fishman pickup. My pet hate with this pickup is the noise of the bow being amplified. It never gave a true representation of the violin's acoustic sound. Sadly I lost this pick up... and am in the market for a new one...
I find that the LR Baggs pickup looks too similar to my ex -Fishman, and for that matter the clamp on Barcus Berry, which one would think would therefore produce a similar sound. The Rebo sounds marginally nicer than these, going by the sound samples, but still isn't brilliant as it still sounds scratchy, would like to demo one though to confirm this.
I must admit, the RIM mic's Fiddle Pro looks very tempting, up until you see the price... $299 US? and the fact that the size of the clamp is fixed! What if I decide/require another Violin? Not exactly interchangeable if they are custom made... But then again, it apparently produces a true representation of the violin's sound...
I think I'm sold on it....wonder if they ship to Australia...
Ledd.
PS. I have seen another mic style pickup on eBay, it attached to the shoulder rest. Looks like a nice setup too, wireless kit included, if I recall correctly.
# Posted on April 25th 2007 by Leddivah
Re: Pickup for violin
Hi There,
Thanks to all who've contributed to this informative thread..
I've recently purchased a DPA 4061 Mini condenser mic which is a dream to play with in acoustic environments, however, the problem with feedback is ever lasting.. I tried to use a Feedback controller but it still doesn't help the problem.
i Wonder would buying a DPA Preamp help the feed back problem?
I'm considering purchasing the LR Baggs pick up, but could someone please inform me if it can be bought and fitted anywhere in Ireland? I have a festival in Cork to play at the wkend and i'm in need of help fast! Is it easy to fit the new bridge or should it be done professionally? What sort of pre-amp is needed to use with it?
i'd really appreciate help from someone on the forum!Looks like there a few users of this pick-up which makes me think it would be a wise purchase! Thanks
# Posted on July 27th 2009 by lynchsc
Re: Pickup for violin
Hello
Did you buy the LR Baggs in the end?
I'm seriously considering buying one, but won't if it pick's up any bow noise or doesn't sound very warm. What do you think to it?
At present I'm using a PZM microphone taken off the base plate and strapped to my violin, stuck on a strip of leather and it sounds lovely, at least as good if not slightly better than the microvox (which I borrowed from a friend to test). The only problem is it's prone to feedback in certain venues!! If I had the LR Baggs fitted I could combine the 2 signals together, (mic and pick up) but then I'd probably need 2 pre amps also!!
I'm not sure if I might be better trying 'The Band' from Headway as that has good reviews and is supposed to sound very warm without bow noise. I'd appreciate any comments from people with experience of these pick ups as it's an expensive game to keep trying different ones out.
A couple of years ago I purchased the C-ducer B1000/3 at over £100 which was faulty from new. I had it repaired, but it was terribly prone to feedback and ripped all the varnish off my old violin!! (So won't be using that again!)
I'd really appreciate any comments, as this is an ongoing saga and I have a few gigs before christmas in fairly large venues.
Many thanks
Wendy B : )
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by WENDYEB
Re: Pickup for violin
hi tried every pickup made and ended up with one from ebay called single paddel violin pickup for 16 pound they do a double one for 18 which u can split and have a spare no feedback and loads volume
# Posted on May 17th 2011 by carolinederry
Re: Pickup for violin
No matter what kind of pickup you have, it will sound better if you run it through a tube pre-amp. Something like this works well:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/150665-REG/ART_TUBE_PAC_Tube_PAC_Preamplifier_Compressor.html
# Posted on May 17th 2011 by green whistler