REVIEW: d:vote™ 4099 Condenser Microphone for Cello
I found the best clip on microphone for cello for a live performance. I've had my loop station(s) for a while now, but still haven't been able to create the desired sound with my various piezo pickups (read my review about Headway's The Band).
So I decided to invest in a d:vote™ 4099 Condenser Microphone for Cello. First impressions? W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L!
PROS
- The biggest plus point is the sound. The sound is beautifully natural and doesn't need EQ. You can hear the instrument breathe which reduces the chance that you need to add reverb, which is an advantage over contact microphones/piezo transducer pickups (because they usually only capture the scratchy sound of the bridge).
CONS
- The cable. I cannot afford a digital wireless system (yet, or don't deserve one) so I need to use the cable. There is one very thin cable which leads to a belt clip, for saxophone players or mobile players or to the DI but it is so thin and delicate.
- You still need to find phantom power somewhere so you can't just plug it in a PA or bass amp. You'll need a pre-amp or DI.
- It is a bit fiddly to attach it and bend the goose neck to the right spot. Again, it feels so delicate that it might break if you're not careful.
- Takes time to find the right placement, and in the wrong spot can cause feedback.
I found one B-stock which is around 40 EU cheaper than a new one which is great, and don't see any differences. Price: 399.00 EUR from http://www.thomann.de/
See the official DPA website here: https://www.dpamicrophones.com
--- UPDATE 15 APRIL 2018 ---
I performed live with the DPA microphone with Paul Freeman for NH Radio. See the video below to hear how beautiful it sounds!
REVIEW: BOSS RC-300 loop station (used with cello)
PROS
- Has so many more features than the RC-20XL
- In-built effects like reverb
- 3 separate tracks to overdub on per song
- You can set the speed very accurately e.g. 122.4 bpm
- 99 slots to save songs/pre-sets
Where to buy a good cello in Amsterdam
Finding a good cello in Amsterdam is not easy. Finding a good cello anywhere is not easy. And Amsterdam is not really known for its long classical music history. But I found the needle in the haystack!
I needed a cello temporarily to hire last year so I searched high and low for a real cello specialist, and not a chain manufacturer selling straight-from-the-factory-in-China-cellos. Then I found it. Muziekatelier Amsterdam located in North East Amsterdam run by a lovely Dutch cellist named Ascon van der Westen.
The atelier has cellos ranging from student models from €600 to mid-range to beautiful antique 1900′s French, Italian, and German cellos even up to €24,000 (ouch!). Bows, cases, accessories and smaller members of the string family are also available.
The photos below are of the gorgeous beauty I called mine for some time. It has performed with me with Imogen Heap and also has a few cameo appearances on YouTube here and here.
Oh, and they also sell double basses!
Muziekatelier Amsterdam
Ascon van der Westen
Stromarkt 37
1012 SW Amsterdam
tel. 06-15126536
---UPDATE 19 APRIL 2018: Ascon as moved his Atelier to a new location outside Amsterdam---
Muziekatelier N'Holland
Ascon van der Westen
Rechtestraat 45
1483 BB De Rijp
tel. 06-15126536
strijkinstrumenten@hotmail.com
REVIEW: BOSS ME-50 (used for cello)
It has taken me a few years to get going, first an appropriate amplifying system, next a BOSS RC-20 Loop Station and finally, I’m happy to announce I now have an effects pedal, BOSS ME-50 given to me by my favourite Dingo Bird! It’s not easy being a cellist in modern times.
I don’t have so much to ‘review’ yet, since I’m still learning (and I don’t have an amp yet… hahaha so I just listen through headphones, not exactly the desired sound for a crunch distortion. But here are my impressions so far:
- This works great for cello, even though it’s a guitar pedal
- It has an in-built tuner, now I’ll feel so cool to tune my cello between songs on stage (what ever happened to tuning by ear?)
- Reverb options are Room, Hall, Spring or Mod – necessary for a cellist to have reverb!
- Favourite modulation setting so far is harmonist - automatically tunes a specified interval e.g. major 3rd above every note played
- Delay function is neat with tap function or 2 sec memory – still need time to work out its best uses
- Overdrive/Distortion are probably the least effects I will use, have no idea what a Ibanez TS-808 TUBESCREAMER or FUZZFACE are supposed to sound like.
- Sturdy design
- There are knobs for each effect section – and no menus to scroll through
- Easy to turn on and off effects with the 3 foot-switches
- The big black pedal on the side can be used for volume or one of 6 expression options such as +1 octave/ -1 octave (very fun, now I can finally be that jazz double bassist I’ve always dreamed of being)
So far I can say for a cellist it's only good for reverb, delay and live as a pre-amp or volume. More on this soon. Perhaps a video demo if you’re lucky… or yet another version of Bird’s Lament? hahaha…
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