I bought a pick-up in october, for fiddle. Its an Audio-technica AT8532, and when i tried it in the shop, had a very nice sound. However since then i've had no end of problems with the smaller 3 pin plug, with crackles, and no sound at all. I put it back to the shop to be fixed, and they said they "rewired it" but the problem is still there. I spoke to another fiddle player who uses one and she said they all come from the manufacturer with this fault (can this be so?), and something in the smaller 3 pin connector needed "tightening up". I dont really know what she means, and neither did she because someone else did it for her. I know Fiddlers bid have just started using these microphones and apparently several other fiddlers are using them. Could anyone shed any light on this problem. You can imagine it is frustrating as i need to use it regularly for gigs and it has to be reliable.
Thanks very much
Mike
I have pick-up problems too. Usually it has to do with my wedding ring, but I think I haven't mastered any good pick-up lines. Anyone have some good ideas I can try?
Try keeping your tongue in when you talk to her, and don't dribble. On first meeting, do not offer her anthing stronger than a drink. When you make a date, turn up for it. Keep talking about her, who she is, what she does etc, make like you're genuinely interested. Oh, and stop looking at her hooters all the time.
Mike, I would insist on another pickup, and test it thoroughly in the shop. I don't think it's possible to re-wire something that size see(http://www.fullcompass.com/Products/pages/SKU--10113/), at least not by the shop.
A sales rep from Fullcompass advised that I use Shure Beta 98 instead of the audio technica. I have also heard that Crown makes a good mic. My brother has used a Crown to good effect.
Blimey, what a price! £300? Well, maybe it does sound good....but you could get an entire electric fiddle for another £95 - see http://www.sonicviolins.co.uk/....and it's got a sound demo.
i have an accusound omni directional mic and it is fabulous. 100% reliable, hardly any feedback probs, and the sound you get is amazing. www.accusound.com and they deliver very fast. pretty expensive (about £250 - 300) but worth every penny. i have a bridge electric fiddle as well which is the best electric fiddle i have found and the accusound on my acoustic blows it away for authenticity of sound. i would definately return that mic, get your money back and get another kind. there is no way things should come from the manufacturer with faults like that. totally useless if you turn up to a gig and it doesn't work. good luck.
It doesnt change the sound of the fiddle, it's very delicate.
It may look like a rubber band, but in fact it a stripe, and fasten under the fiddle. So this one can be removed. The other possibility is to buy a bridge for fiddle with instaled pickup. But you probably wont be able to install or remove it by yourself, you'll need a luthier to do that.
And to be frank, every pickup will change the sound of your fiddle. They will always need a equalizer. That's why I've alway though that the best are good mics.
Any way, none of the instruments wont play right without a good sound man deeling with the console. And after 4 years I can say that it's very hard to find a good one
cheers
For live PA I would recommend to use the electrostatic bridge pick-up. Does mute the violin only a very little bit ans is great for no feedback and a great natural sound. Not so cheap, but many profs use it. And it's swiss made so rock-solid http://www.schertler.com/
Thanks for all the help. I've been trying out the shure beta 98 also, but i prefer the sound that the audio technica achieves, however the shure hasn't caused any problems! I guess i'll have to get them to order another one!
I've found the microphones to have too much feedback and recently switched to a pickup. I got one that attaches to the bridge and love the sound of it (its a Barcus Berry) however it does mute the sound abit. Of course not 2 weeks later came across a friend who had the same type of pickup but attached so much easier. It's call a Fishman (its the one that slides into the slot on the bridge itself (minus the muting) I've seen them on e-bay for about 125 usd but you'd have to have a pre-amp as well to boost the sound.
Good Luck
I've been using a Barcus Berry pickup for the past 25 years - great natural sound, very reliable - the version I use is the small 'T'-shaped pickup that attaches to the bridge - they also make one built into the bridge - see: http://www.barcusberry.com/products/subcat.asp?ncatid=46&nsubcatid=282
I certainly wouldn't persevere with one that breaks up - test it thoroughly in the shop - even bring in your own amp etc so you can hear it on your own system
Pick-up problems
Pick-up problems
I bought a pick-up in october, for fiddle. Its an Audio-technica AT8532, and when i tried it in the shop, had a very nice sound. However since then i've had no end of problems with the smaller 3 pin plug, with crackles, and no sound at all. I put it back to the shop to be fixed, and they said they "rewired it" but the problem is still there. I spoke to another fiddle player who uses one and she said they all come from the manufacturer with this fault (can this be so?), and something in the smaller 3 pin connector needed "tightening up". I dont really know what she means, and neither did she because someone else did it for her. I know Fiddlers bid have just started using these microphones and apparently several other fiddlers are using them. Could anyone shed any light on this problem. You can imagine it is frustrating as i need to use it regularly for gigs and it has to be reliable.
Thanks very much
Mike
# Posted on December 22nd 2004 by Mike.Vass
Re: Pick-up problems
I have pick-up problems too. Usually it has to do with my wedding ring, but I think I haven't mastered any good pick-up lines. Anyone have some good ideas I can try?
# Posted on December 22nd 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: Pick-up problems
Try keeping your tongue in when you talk to her, and don't dribble. On first meeting, do not offer her anthing stronger than a drink. When you make a date, turn up for it. Keep talking about her, who she is, what she does etc, make like you're genuinely interested. Oh, and stop looking at her hooters all the time.
Jim
# Posted on December 22nd 2004 by Worldfiddler
Re: Pick-up problems
Mike, I would insist on another pickup, and test it thoroughly in the shop. I don't think it's possible to re-wire something that size see(http://www.fullcompass.com/Products/pages/SKU--10113/), at least not by the shop.
Jim
# Posted on December 22nd 2004 by Worldfiddler
Re: Pick-up problems
A sales rep from Fullcompass advised that I use Shure Beta 98 instead of the audio technica. I have also heard that Crown makes a good mic. My brother has used a Crown to good effect.
# Posted on December 22nd 2004 by Jode
Re: Pick-up problems
Cheers Jim... *wink*
# Posted on December 22nd 2004 by Phantom Button
Re: Pick-up problems
http://www.headwayelectronics.com/acoustic_pickups_violin.htm
here you can see nice one. I've seen it, my friend has tried out, and he uses it, sounds nice.
Cheers
# Posted on December 23rd 2004 by padre
Re: Pick-up problems
Padre. Really? It looks like a horrible thing to do to a fiddle. Does it put pressure on the instrument or dampen the natural acoustics?
# Posted on December 23rd 2004 by Jode
Re: Pick-up problems
Blimey, what a price! £300? Well, maybe it does sound good....but you could get an entire electric fiddle for another £95 - see http://www.sonicviolins.co.uk/....and it's got a sound demo.
Jim
# Posted on December 23rd 2004 by Worldfiddler
Re: Pick-up problems
i have an accusound omni directional mic and it is fabulous. 100% reliable, hardly any feedback probs, and the sound you get is amazing. www.accusound.com and they deliver very fast. pretty expensive (about £250 - 300) but worth every penny. i have a bridge electric fiddle as well which is the best electric fiddle i have found and the accusound on my acoustic blows it away for authenticity of sound. i would definately return that mic, get your money back and get another kind. there is no way things should come from the manufacturer with faults like that. totally useless if you turn up to a gig and it doesn't work. good luck.
# Posted on December 23rd 2004 by Fi
Re: Pick-up problems
It doesnt change the sound of the fiddle, it's very delicate.
It may look like a rubber band, but in fact it a stripe, and fasten under the fiddle. So this one can be removed. The other possibility is to buy a bridge for fiddle with instaled pickup. But you probably wont be able to install or remove it by yourself, you'll need a luthier to do that.
And to be frank, every pickup will change the sound of your fiddle. They will always need a equalizer. That's why I've alway though that the best are good mics.
Any way, none of the instruments wont play right without a good sound man deeling with the console. And after 4 years I can say that it's very hard to find a good one
cheers
# Posted on December 23rd 2004 by padre
Re: Pick-up problems
For live PA I would recommend to use the electrostatic bridge pick-up. Does mute the violin only a very little bit ans is great for no feedback and a great natural sound. Not so cheap, but many profs use it. And it's swiss made so rock-solid
http://www.schertler.com/
Urs
# Posted on December 23rd 2004 by swisspiper
Re: Pick-up problems
Thanks for all the help. I've been trying out the shure beta 98 also, but i prefer the sound that the audio technica achieves, however the shure hasn't caused any problems! I guess i'll have to get them to order another one!
# Posted on December 23rd 2004 by Mike.Vass
Re: Pick-up problems
I've found the microphones to have too much feedback and recently switched to a pickup. I got one that attaches to the bridge and love the sound of it (its a Barcus Berry) however it does mute the sound abit. Of course not 2 weeks later came across a friend who had the same type of pickup but attached so much easier. It's call a Fishman (its the one that slides into the slot on the bridge itself (minus the muting) I've seen them on e-bay for about 125 usd but you'd have to have a pre-amp as well to boost the sound.
Good Luck
# Posted on December 23rd 2004 by fiddlefamily
Re: Pick-up problems
I've had this recommended to me thought I've not tried it myself.
http://www.riml.biz/
# Posted on December 23rd 2004 by Caraaz
Re: Pick-up problems
I have to say, the fishman sounds terrible compared to any microphone pick-up i've tried, even a 20quid cheapy i've had since i was kid.
# Posted on December 23rd 2004 by Mike.Vass
Re: Pick-up problems
I've been using a Barcus Berry pickup for the past 25 years - great natural sound, very reliable - the version I use is the small 'T'-shaped pickup that attaches to the bridge - they also make one built into the bridge - see: http://www.barcusberry.com/products/subcat.asp?ncatid=46&nsubcatid=282
I certainly wouldn't persevere with one that breaks up - test it thoroughly in the shop - even bring in your own amp etc so you can hear it on your own system
Cheers
Jerry
# Posted on January 4th 2005 by ijerry