I was thinking about getting a shure 98 clip on mic for our fiddle player. I read through the previous posts on this topic and didn't see much mentioned about it. Just wondering if you guys had any thoughts. Especially concerning feedback issues with it being a condenscer. The cardioid should be fine since I can't imagine a scenario in which we would side wash. And we've got a backup shure 58 (dynamic) mic in case things would go wrong. We tend to play pretty rowdy pubs that get loud, loud, loud.
Anyway, it looks expensive and really pretty! any thoughts on it?
As to condenser vs dynamic, it’s true that condensers can be a little more feedback-prone, but they sound considerably better for most instruments. Some dynamics don’t sound any better than a good pickup (which is far less likely to feed back).
You can limit the feedback risk considerably by being careful where you allow the mic to point and by using an in-line switch to mute the mic when you’re not playing.
You also need to understand the polar patterns of different mics. A cardioid or supercardioid mic listens at the front and somewhat less at the sides. A hypercardioid mic is more tightly aimed toward the front, but still picks up some at the sides. It also picks up in a very narrow pattern at the *rear*, a fact that you have to consider when deciding how to attach it to the fiddle.
I am concerned that Shure as a brand name is overpriced. I am going to try a wireless, with only a belt clip. I have not found an accoustic pick up that is not piezo, which actually squeezes the sound to transmit it. I did forget my fiddle with the pick up and showed up with my straight accoustic and the sound man got me a mic with a telescopic mic stand. The sound was extemely authenic and if you had the occurence of feedback, which we did one time, you merely adjust the telescopic stand. With a condensor mic., it continues to pick up the sound, crisp and clean, but a slight move up or down, or to the left or right and viola (did I just say viola) no feedback. But just before christmas a group of classical musicians put together a tradition improve tour and they used the new hanging mics for instruments, given a certain radius, of which I have now idean it may be, and you get the same crisp clear sound, so I am tempted or just confused on which one to purchase. I intend to be creative and get a horn or some other instrument mike, no more pick ups and modify it with one of the chinrests I have in my collection so that is will fit on the side just like a chin rest. I have seen Ashley McIsaac use something that looks like this but cannot find them marketed. Now if you have money to spare Tims Violins in the U.K. makes fully accoustic violins with an internal mic, in fact, Alasdair Fraser plays one of his instruments. if you are not from the states you would have to convert his price in GBP and convert it to USD. When I did that, and if I did it right, (I am math disabled I sure) it looks like the best of both worlds would cost about 4000 USD. But even the Marcus Berry pick ups or the dual piezo per string, (i.e. each string is mounted on a bridge with a piezo pickup on each side, require a modeler to smooth out the sound and make is crisp and clean are too heavy, and solid, which means you loss a great deal of sustain and authencity of your fiddle's sound when you mount it. I have almost purchase one of the first two each day for the past week, but back out waiting for more works of wisdom. So this is not meant to lecture or tudor, but to let you know I have been fighting with a decision just as you. I have seen the greats you the modifed mic in concert but have yet to find somebody that retails them. Hope this either helps or just consoles, as they say misery love company
Shure 98H/c for a fiddle?
Shure 98H/c for a fiddle?
Hello all,
I was thinking about getting a shure 98 clip on mic for our fiddle player. I read through the previous posts on this topic and didn't see much mentioned about it. Just wondering if you guys had any thoughts. Especially concerning feedback issues with it being a condenscer. The cardioid should be fine since I can't imagine a scenario in which we would side wash. And we've got a backup shure 58 (dynamic) mic in case things would go wrong. We tend to play pretty rowdy pubs that get loud, loud, loud.
Anyway, it looks expensive and really pretty! any thoughts on it?
cheers,
John
# Posted on February 2nd 2006 by macjhiv
Re: Shure 98H/c for a fiddle?
I've seen this one recommended several times:
http://www.appliedmic.com/details.asp?ID=2
As to condenser vs dynamic, it’s true that condensers can be a little more feedback-prone, but they sound considerably better for most instruments. Some dynamics don’t sound any better than a good pickup (which is far less likely to feed back).
You can limit the feedback risk considerably by being careful where you allow the mic to point and by using an in-line switch to mute the mic when you’re not playing.
You also need to understand the polar patterns of different mics. A cardioid or supercardioid mic listens at the front and somewhat less at the sides. A hypercardioid mic is more tightly aimed toward the front, but still picks up some at the sides. It also picks up in a very narrow pattern at the *rear*, a fact that you have to consider when deciding how to attach it to the fiddle.
# Posted on February 2nd 2006 by Bob himself
Re: Shure 98H/c for a fiddle?
I am concerned that Shure as a brand name is overpriced. I am going to try a wireless, with only a belt clip. I have not found an accoustic pick up that is not piezo, which actually squeezes the sound to transmit it. I did forget my fiddle with the pick up and showed up with my straight accoustic and the sound man got me a mic with a telescopic mic stand. The sound was extemely authenic and if you had the occurence of feedback, which we did one time, you merely adjust the telescopic stand. With a condensor mic., it continues to pick up the sound, crisp and clean, but a slight move up or down, or to the left or right and viola (did I just say viola) no feedback. But just before christmas a group of classical musicians put together a tradition improve tour and they used the new hanging mics for instruments, given a certain radius, of which I have now idean it may be, and you get the same crisp clear sound, so I am tempted or just confused on which one to purchase. I intend to be creative and get a horn or some other instrument mike, no more pick ups and modify it with one of the chinrests I have in my collection so that is will fit on the side just like a chin rest. I have seen Ashley McIsaac use something that looks like this but cannot find them marketed. Now if you have money to spare Tims Violins in the U.K. makes fully accoustic violins with an internal mic, in fact, Alasdair Fraser plays one of his instruments. if you are not from the states you would have to convert his price in GBP and convert it to USD. When I did that, and if I did it right, (I am math disabled I sure) it looks like the best of both worlds would cost about 4000 USD. But even the Marcus Berry pick ups or the dual piezo per string, (i.e. each string is mounted on a bridge with a piezo pickup on each side, require a modeler to smooth out the sound and make is crisp and clean are too heavy, and solid, which means you loss a great deal of sustain and authencity of your fiddle's sound when you mount it. I have almost purchase one of the first two each day for the past week, but back out waiting for more works of wisdom. So this is not meant to lecture or tudor, but to let you know I have been fighting with a decision just as you. I have seen the greats you the modifed mic in concert but have yet to find somebody that retails them. Hope this either helps or just consoles, as they say misery love company
# Posted on February 7th 2006 by texross