I use a microvox swan neck mic and a microvox preamp which i got through hobgoblins in britian, for about 79 pounds stirling. It is a great mic which sits on the tail piece of the fiddle with a bit of velcro and the sounds is fantastic. You hardly get any feedback as well due to it being a tiny unidirectional microphone. You will find it in the shops web catalogue under mics and amps. http://www.hobgoblin.com/index.php
Both of the fiddlers in my ceilidh band use the microvox swan neck mics mentioned above. Both mics go through one microvox preamp/power supply. Sound through PA isn't at all bad for so little money. can't say what they'd be like in really loud situations or with monitors though. One of the fiddlers also plays recorder, which is picked up by the fiddle mic whilst fiddle rests on her lap during recorderplaying. we got ours direct from Microvox , who also made up some custom leads for us - nice people to deal with.
Basically Gabe the power supply or preamp is needed to power the unidirectional microphone, the power that comes from the mixing desk is enough to blow a mic that small, (that is as far as i have gone to understand it, so am happy for someone to correct me on that!) the microvox preamp is a box 100mm x 200mm x 50 mm, and can hook onto your belt.
I run the swan neck mic through the preamp, there is a guitar lead going from the preamp to a DI and then that goes straight to the mixing desk...pretty simple really!!! I have used it in a few different gigs, one in a seven peice line up that was quite loud...and it handled it really well.
cheers
Spot on tombo - and the really good bit as far as I'm concerned is that you can power and amplify two mics through the one preamp, as the preamp has two input sockets. Balance is by an internal adjustment, and best left to both inputs at full as it is easier and quicker to adjust the individual volumes by careful tweaking of the mic/f-hole distance. The preamp has an on/off switch which is also an output level control. Can be belt worn, or for two fiddlers, hung on music stand, mic stand or w.h.y. for easy reach.
Here's another vote for the Fiddlepro (Read Instrument Microphones). For quality of sound and ease of attachment and usage I reckon there's nothing like it for that kind of money (about a hundred and fifty quid). There's also no need for a separate power supply - It runs from a 3volt coin cell battery or phantom power from the mixing desk. Just plug the XLR mike socket in, clip the mike on (there's a really clever little spring mount that fits in the C-bout on the bass side) and away you go. No silly bits of velcro or things to stick on the bridge, in fact there's no modification of any kind required on your best fiddle. I believe some reviewers have criticized the quality of the mike itself, and I've never had to use it in really big, loud venues, but for ordinary gigging, it's the best way I've ever had of amplifying the fiddle.The sound is really natural - just like your fiddle only louder, and that's what we're all after.
I've got the Audio Technica ATM 35- had it about 7 years now and I love it. It has a very natural sound. It is a condenser mike, and very sensitive, so sometimes there are feedback issues, but otherwise, it's great.
It isn't cheap- $225 US when I bought it, and possibly $350 now, but that has come out to less than $50 a year.
It's got a gooseneck and clips onto the chin rest.
It's an industry standard mic for broadcasting because it is so good and so discreet. Good for live or studio. more expensive than other mics mentioned here (460euros) but IMO worth it.
Having tried many methods from very cheap to moderately expensive, my current and very successful pickup is the
SHURE-PG 81,($100 US). As stated earlier, it requires
an amp equipped for "phantom power". I have a "boom arm"
mike stand, and with the bridge about 6" under the mike,
it cuts through splendidly. By moving back about 10-16" away, it provides hearable fill without stepping on the
other players' solo lines.
saw your video. Nice work, Keep it up!
Hals und beinbruck !!!!
Miking a fiddle
Miking a fiddle
Hello!
Does anyone know the best way to mic a fiddle? What, roughly, does one of those mics you attach to the fiddle cost? Will I need a preamp?
I'm hoping there's an option that won't break the bank.
Thanks in advance.
Gabe
# Posted on May 23rd 2007 by Munichg
Re: Miking a fiddle
I have one of these:
http://riml.biz/
I think it's great. Used it in a few amped gigs. Reproduces the fiddle's natural tone very nicely. And very handy to clip on and off.
# Posted on May 23rd 2007 by tradshark
Re: Miking a fiddle
I use a microvox swan neck mic and a microvox preamp which i got through hobgoblins in britian, for about 79 pounds stirling. It is a great mic which sits on the tail piece of the fiddle with a bit of velcro and the sounds is fantastic. You hardly get any feedback as well due to it being a tiny unidirectional microphone. You will find it in the shops web catalogue under mics and amps.
http://www.hobgoblin.com/index.php
# Posted on May 23rd 2007 by tombo
Re: Miking a fiddle
Both of the fiddlers in my ceilidh band use the microvox swan neck mics mentioned above. Both mics go through one microvox preamp/power supply. Sound through PA isn't at all bad for so little money. can't say what they'd be like in really loud situations or with monitors though. One of the fiddlers also plays recorder, which is picked up by the fiddle mic whilst fiddle rests on her lap during recorderplaying. we got ours direct from Microvox , who also made up some custom leads for us - nice people to deal with.
# Posted on May 23rd 2007 by ocarolan
Re: Miking a fiddle
And what's the story with a power supply? How does that work?
# Posted on May 23rd 2007 by Munichg
Re: Miking a fiddle
Microvox
http://www.microvox.demon.co.uk/
http://www.microvox.demon.co.uk/products.htm
Two to choose from now ~
http://www.microvox.demon.co.uk/violpage.htm
# Posted on May 23rd 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Miking a fiddle
Amplify Your Violin ~ a short article
http://music.calarts.edu/~chung/gear/vioamp1.html
We favoured condenser mikes, but none were what you could call 'inexpensive'...
http://www.fishman.com/
http://www.countryman.com/
http://www.audio-technica.com/
# Posted on May 23rd 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Miking a fiddle
Basically Gabe the power supply or preamp is needed to power the unidirectional microphone, the power that comes from the mixing desk is enough to blow a mic that small, (that is as far as i have gone to understand it, so am happy for someone to correct me on that!) the microvox preamp is a box 100mm x 200mm x 50 mm, and can hook onto your belt.
I run the swan neck mic through the preamp, there is a guitar lead going from the preamp to a DI and then that goes straight to the mixing desk...pretty simple really!!! I have used it in a few different gigs, one in a seven peice line up that was quite loud...and it handled it really well.
cheers
# Posted on May 23rd 2007 by tombo
Re: Miking a fiddle
Spot on tombo - and the really good bit as far as I'm concerned is that you can power and amplify two mics through the one preamp, as the preamp has two input sockets. Balance is by an internal adjustment, and best left to both inputs at full as it is easier and quicker to adjust the individual volumes by careful tweaking of the mic/f-hole distance. The preamp has an on/off switch which is also an output level control. Can be belt worn, or for two fiddlers, hung on music stand, mic stand or w.h.y. for easy reach.
# Posted on May 23rd 2007 by ocarolan
Re: Miking a fiddle
Here's another vote for the Fiddlepro (Read Instrument Microphones). For quality of sound and ease of attachment and usage I reckon there's nothing like it for that kind of money (about a hundred and fifty quid). There's also no need for a separate power supply - It runs from a 3volt coin cell battery or phantom power from the mixing desk. Just plug the XLR mike socket in, clip the mike on (there's a really clever little spring mount that fits in the C-bout on the bass side) and away you go. No silly bits of velcro or things to stick on the bridge, in fact there's no modification of any kind required on your best fiddle. I believe some reviewers have criticized the quality of the mike itself, and I've never had to use it in really big, loud venues, but for ordinary gigging, it's the best way I've ever had of amplifying the fiddle.The sound is really natural - just like your fiddle only louder, and that's what we're all after.
# Posted on May 23rd 2007 by Bazfaz
Fiddlepro = http://riml.biz/
# Posted on May 23rd 2007 by ceolachan
Re: Miking a fiddle
I've got the Audio Technica ATM 35- had it about 7 years now and I love it. It has a very natural sound. It is a condenser mike, and very sensitive, so sometimes there are feedback issues, but otherwise, it's great.
It isn't cheap- $225 US when I bought it, and possibly $350 now, but that has come out to less than $50 a year.
It's got a gooseneck and clips onto the chin rest.
Sharon
# Posted on May 23rd 2007 by azfiddle
Re: Miking a fiddle
I've found nothing to match the DPA4060.
It's an industry standard mic for broadcasting because it is so good and so discreet. Good for live or studio. more expensive than other mics mentioned here (460euros) but IMO worth it.
# Posted on May 25th 2007 by LivingTrad
Re: Miking a fiddle
Having tried many methods from very cheap to moderately expensive, my current and very successful pickup is the
SHURE-PG 81,($100 US). As stated earlier, it requires
an amp equipped for "phantom power". I have a "boom arm"
mike stand, and with the bridge about 6" under the mike,
it cuts through splendidly. By moving back about 10-16" away, it provides hearable fill without stepping on the
other players' solo lines.
saw your video. Nice work, Keep it up!
Hals und beinbruck !!!!
# Posted on May 27th 2007 by hauke