Countryman mic for fiddle

[tourtelot]

I actually use Countryman mics on strings, although I use the B6 model. What I use to mount them, however, is a wonderful rubber mount made by DPA. It attaches behind the bridge and puts my, albeit omni, mic in a perfect position to pick up the sound of the instrument without being in the way of the player.

I bought mine at B&H but any DPA reseller will be able to get them.

DPA Microphones Microphone Holder Stringed Instruments MHS6001

D.

[nnajar]

Yeah the better in that application for feedback

[piper]

The DPA holder looks like it would be a good choice. I'm going to order one right now.

Why would an omni be better at feedback? The stage monitors are pretty loud.

[nnajar]

Originally Posted by piper

The DPA holder looks like it would be a good choice. I'm going to order one right now.

Why would an omni be better at feedback? The stage monitors are pretty loud.

At that close no

[fifthcircle]

I would tend to disagree... While an Omni will definitely sound a whole lot better, you will have bigger bleed issues and will need more gain (with a less directional mic) to be heard. Feedback won't be your friend.

The only DPA mic I'd place on a loud stage for a fiddle is a 4099 aimed right over the f hole on the e string side.

--Ben

[Foldedpath]

Originally Posted by fifthcircle

The only DPA mic I'd place on a loud stage for a fiddle is a 4099 aimed right over the f hole on the e string side.

Same here, I've had very good success with a 4099 on fiddle, mounted on the G string side (to avoid breath noise). The 4099 has a weird min-shotgun design that's more resistant to feedback than most other mics of this type.

The DPA 4099 series also has, by far, the best mounting system for fiddles and other acoustic instruments. Not cheap, but worth it.

That said, if the OP's wife is playing in a Rock band on a very loud stage, then even the best clip-on mics will have trouble with feedback. That's really a job for a solidbody electric violin like a Zeta (or whatever the modern equivalent is).

[piper]

Originally Posted by Foldedpath

That said, if the OP's wife is playing in a Rock band on a very loud stage, then even the best clip-on mics will have trouble with feedback. That's really a job for a solidbody electric violin like a Zeta (or whatever the modern equivalent is).

She really doesn't want to go that direction.

I'm curious about Jimmy De Martini's setup. He plays an acoustic fiddle in the Zac Brown Band. We went to a show and it was very loud, yet somehow he was able to even play in front of the mains.

[Rolo 46]

Dave Swarbrick had a pick up on his fiddle in the 60s Brit Folk revival
He went deaf quicker than most Rock Guitarists!

[ssaudio]

1) Omni, most natural, but most prone to feedback
2) Card, slightly less natural, but way better for feedback
3) Bridge pickup. Way less natural (but for amplified pop/rock is perfectly OK), but brilliant for fighting feedback.

I recommend you buy a DPA 4099 and it's violin mounting system - also install an under bridge system (Fishman V-200). You can then get a mix between the mic and the DI - I've never had a problem with this system, even with the fussiest of players - and that includes my wife

[philper]

The Kronos Quartet uses Countryman Isomax omnis attached to the neck side of the bridges with 3M foam doublestick tape. This seems to work very well--sounds great in the house.

philp

[fifthcircle]

Originally Posted by piper

She really doesn't want to go that direction.

I'm curious about Jimmy De Martini's setup. He plays an acoustic fiddle in the Zac Brown Band. We went to a show and it was very loud, yet somehow he was able to even play in front of the mains.

Most groups on very loud stages use one of two mics- the DPA 4099 or the AT Pro 35. In addition, they'll also have a pickup on their instrument- usually picking up from under the bridge. A good DI with a good pickup is almost impervious to feedback. Add a bit of the mic and you'll get a more realistic sound.

The Kronos Quartet uses Countryman Isomax omnis attached to the neck side of the bridges with 3M foam doublestick tape. This seems to work very well--sounds great in the house.

philp

They do, but Kronos is a very different situation than a rock stage. 1. They also use microphones (Neumann KM150) on goosenecks under the instruments attached to either small mic stands or their music stand. 2. The levels a MUCH lower than a rock show. 3. They use in-ear monitoring on stage so the stage volume is *very* low.

--Ben

[piper]

I think she has a gig this weekend, so I'll report back how things turn out.

[DannyL]

Countryman makes a clip that can be attached to the tailpiece of the violin, though it was built for saxophones. If you wish to use the hypercardioid, position the mic above and slightly behind the bridge oriented towards the sound post. You should secure the mic by wrapping a small bit of tape about 1/8' from the grommet. This will allow the cable to act as a shock mount. I built custom clips using a large rubber clip to grab the tail piece and a piece of 12 gauge solid electrical wire (I used the black insulated wire) with an aligator clip soldered to the end. The other end was attached to the grip part. When completed it looked and acted like a miniature gooseneck.I used these on fiddles, flutes, uilleann pipes, banjos, mandolins and guitars, as well as saxes, trumpets and even a trombone.
Regards;
Danny

[rmx16]

Originally Posted by fifthcircle

I would tend to disagree... While an Omni will definitely sound a whole lot better, you will have bigger bleed issues and will need more gain (with a less directional mic) to be heard. Feedback won't be your friend.

The only DPA mic I'd place on a loud stage for a fiddle is a 4099 aimed right over the f hole on the e string side.

--Ben

[philper]

Originally Posted by fifthcircle

Most groups on very loud stages use one of two mics- the DPA 4099 or the AT Pro 35. In addition, they'll also have a pickup on their instrument- usually picking up from under the bridge. A good DI with a good pickup is almost impervious to feedback. Add a bit of the mic and you'll get a more realistic sound.



They do, but Kronos is a very different situation than a rock stage. 1. They also use microphones (Neumann KM150) on goosenecks under the instruments attached to either small mic stands or their music stand. 2. The levels a MUCH lower than a rock show. 3. They use in-ear monitoring on stage so the stage volume is *very* low.

--Ben

They are less loud, but on occasion, pretty darn loud, depending on the piece. Scott tells me that he sometimes blends the KMs in but in bad situations maybe not, esp if the playback track is very busy. The in-ear moni thing they use is really an "on-ear"--just a single-eared open air headphone with an ear clip. It doesn't seal up well at all compared to real in-ears, so balancing its level is pretty critical. It seems to get used for clicks and playback more than hearing each other.

philp