Does anyone have any experiences with the Microvox Swan Neck mic for fiddles? I've been playing Irish and klezmer for about 15 years and recently found myself drafted as a band members for my synagogue's children's services. It's good fun but a bit loud in there, and we've been talking about getting a mic for my fiddle so the whole room can hear it.
I don't have a lot of cash to drop and have absolutely no experience with the technical/amplified side of things, so I'd like something that's as non-faffy and straightforward as possible. I've heard mics are better quality than the kind of pickup that senses vibrations, and the Microvox is in a good price range for me (less than £100 for the mic and the "pre-amp" which I'm guessing is the power supply?). Does anyone have experience with it? How did it sound, and was it easy to set up?
Very easy to use. Good sound for the money. No modification of instrument needed, unless you count a small piece of sticky backed Velcro on the tailpiece. Prone to feedback in loud bands or near monitor/main speakers. Used two of them (through same preamp/power supply) for years in village halls etc for drumkit-less folk band with no problems.
Keith
I have had success with a Microvox flute mic which I tuck under the tailpiece and fasten with the velcro straps. It can be moved to one side or the other if you want to take advantage of the difference in the frequencies coming from the f-holes. I had a friend make a little pre-amp with a volume control and a phono-plug socket; but you can buy them easily enough. http://www.eaglemusicshop.com/details1.asp?ProductID=290&name=microvox-min-swan-neck-microfone.htm
The problem is, as described above, the propensity for feedback, or howlround as the BBC call it, if you are too near the PA or foldback speakers.
You just have to be aware of where the speakers are, and to check beforehand what are the safe levels you can turn your amplification up to without causing any problems. Many people are unaware of the importance of correct speaker placement with relation to microphone usage of any kind. This importance of this will also be increased if the space you are playing in is live, echoey, or resonant in any way.
I'm sure I saw Eliza Carthy using what appeared to be what you are describing at a Waterson-Carthy concert a couple of years ago. With a sound engineer at the mixing desk there were no problems.
Microvox Swan Neck mic for fiddle?
Microvox Swan Neck mic for fiddle?
Does anyone have any experiences with the Microvox Swan Neck mic for fiddles? I've been playing Irish and klezmer for about 15 years and recently found myself drafted as a band members for my synagogue's children's services. It's good fun but a bit loud in there, and we've been talking about getting a mic for my fiddle so the whole room can hear it.
I don't have a lot of cash to drop and have absolutely no experience with the technical/amplified side of things, so I'd like something that's as non-faffy and straightforward as possible. I've heard mics are better quality than the kind of pickup that senses vibrations, and the Microvox is in a good price range for me (less than £100 for the mic and the "pre-amp" which I'm guessing is the power supply?). Does anyone have experience with it? How did it sound, and was it easy to set up?
# Posted on January 4th 2011 by Kerry NW
Re: Microvox Swan Neck mic for fiddle?
They're very easy to set up, but the most common problem people encounter is with feedback. They're notorious for it, in fact.
# Posted on January 4th 2011 by Dragut Reis
Re: Microvox Swan Neck mic for fiddle?
Very easy to use. Good sound for the money. No modification of instrument needed, unless you count a small piece of sticky backed Velcro on the tailpiece. Prone to feedback in loud bands or near monitor/main speakers. Used two of them (through same preamp/power supply) for years in village halls etc for drumkit-less folk band with no problems.
Keith
# Posted on January 4th 2011 by ocarolan
Re: Microvox Swan Neck mic for fiddle?
I have had success with a Microvox flute mic which I tuck under the tailpiece and fasten with the velcro straps. It can be moved to one side or the other if you want to take advantage of the difference in the frequencies coming from the f-holes. I had a friend make a little pre-amp with a volume control and a phono-plug socket; but you can buy them easily enough.
http://www.eaglemusicshop.com/details1.asp?ProductID=290&name=microvox-min-swan-neck-microfone.htm
# Posted on January 4th 2011 by gam
Re: Microvox Swan Neck mic for fiddle?
The problem is, as described above, the propensity for feedback, or howlround as the BBC call it, if you are too near the PA or foldback speakers.
You just have to be aware of where the speakers are, and to check beforehand what are the safe levels you can turn your amplification up to without causing any problems. Many people are unaware of the importance of correct speaker placement with relation to microphone usage of any kind. This importance of this will also be increased if the space you are playing in is live, echoey, or resonant in any way.
# Posted on January 4th 2011 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Microvox Swan Neck mic for fiddle?
I'm sure I saw Eliza Carthy using what appeared to be what you are describing at a Waterson-Carthy concert a couple of years ago. With a sound engineer at the mixing desk there were no problems.
# Posted on January 5th 2011 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Microvox Swan Neck mic for fiddle?
Mine will feedback outdoors through a 6w battery amp, unless extreme care is taken and the volume kept down! Nice sound, but I don't use it often now.
# Posted on January 5th 2011 by TomB-R