I did some digging and found this story. Although it’s sad, it paints a nice picture of who Ken Donnell is. I think this merits mention to the Cafe’ family.
https://www.actionnewsnow.com/conten...575059001.html
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I did some digging and found this story. Although it’s sad, it paints a nice picture of who Ken Donnell is. I think this merits mention to the Cafe’ family.
https://www.actionnewsnow.com/conten...575059001.html
Thanks so much for the update. It's great to know he's ok and in good health. I'm going to share this on the other page.
Billy
Today I ordered a Myers mic. I had a nice conversation with Greg Myers who inspired me to take the leap. I'll give a report once I've given it a try.
https://www.myerspickups.com
Billy
I use this one and im very satisfied: https://whatgear.com/p/shure-ksm137
I also have a KM 137 and indeed like it very much. I have hearing issues that make it impossible to use when I'm playing solo. I have tinnitus in a high frequency range that is about 95 db all the time. That means I can't hear high freq. feedback when I use this mic. When I'm playing with Alexis we can dial it out because she hears it just fine.
What I'm hoping for with the Myers mic is that it won't be so sensitive. Previously with the MiniFlex it never had feedback problems. BUT it was mounted inside the mandolin which is probably why.
I have the Radius in my Weber Fern through a LR Baggs para acoustic pre amp. The Radius is mounted inside the mandolin with an endpin jack. I use it a lot because the mandolin has the best action but the sound is only so-so. I play through the Bose L1, model 2.
MandoMatt-do you think the Tonedexter would be an improvement over the para?
For many years I used the K&K In my Collings F5. After adding the ToneDexter it sounded incredible close to a miced mandolin - and I'm very critical about that, compared it to Schoeps and vintage Neumann microphones.
I experienced exactly the same with my bandmate's Lebeda F5. He opted for a Baggs Radius which I installed. The Baggs can add some unpleasing low mids whoof, and again the Tonedexter did his magic on that combo.
Bob, have your used the new firmware update(2.06)? It is even better than before, I highly recommend the update. It gives you complete control of the feedback filtering layer, improves the mic image, and decreased the “learning session “ time. I use a single in ear monitor (a quad driver 64Ears custom) and at balanced volume, the acoustic ear (open)sounds the SAME as the “pick up/monitor” ear(transparently natural).
I know that some of the members doubt the superiority of this Radius-ToneDexter combo, but I swear by it! And by swear, I mean full love, not cussing!:mandosmiley::grin:
Matt and Bob, I'm intrigued.
But I have a very low level intuitive sense for those things electro-tech so the "learning curve and set up" is a kinda deal killer. I also have a very short tech-attention span. AND a verry short fuse!! For example, I got the Myers mic 4 days ago and still haven't tried it yet.
What I really love is the least amount of fuss, ie set-it-and-forget-it.
Billy, I totally understand. All my bandmates would never go my route and want to keep it simple. So a good clip-on mic is a great solution, no doubt. Let us know how you like your Myers-amplified sound. Believe it or not, I'm intrigued as well. The Myers looks like a great option.
This is a bit of relevant self-promotion, so just ignore me if you don't care.
I live in India where most of the options listed here could cost 1.5x to 2x their listed price due to import costs and other markup.
I play the mandolin and viola, and with costs being what they are, I decided to build my own noise-rejecting phantom-powered piezo microphone unit (sound clips here). Primarily for the viola, but it worked out so well that I made it again for my mandolin, and am now trying to sell them.
I've tested my piezo mic/preamp unit on mandolin, violin, viola, steel and nylon guitar, kalimba (!), cello, and bass.
The piezo mic itself is attached to the instrument, and you can use that with any other piezoelectric preamp if you like. (Mine is permanently mounted inside my instrument)
But for best results, you would use it with my preamp and stereo cable.
It's been specifically made to work as a matched unit; my preamp will not work with any other piezo transducers.
As for comparison to commercial offerings:
AKG C411 - I played an amplified orchestra gig on viola, where everyone else was given an AKG C411 condenser capsule stuck to their instrument. I feel justified in saying mine sounded just as good, if not better (obviously on stage I couldn't hear the main PA sound, but when testing on the monitors it sounded pretty comparable to my ears).
Fishman V200 - I compared sounds with a violinist friend who paid about $200 for his Fishman - but you still need to buy a preamp in addition, or it sounds almost as bad as a cheap piezo disc.
I was fooling around with the Myers mic (incorrectly called a pickup) and am very impressed with the accuracy and how realistic it sounds.
I bought the Feather clear and could not get it mounted well at all. After looking further on their web site I spotted the "The Grip/Clamp Micro Gooseneck" that uses an adjustable carpenters clamp which will be perfect. It is the same type clamp that holds the armrest on the mandolin.
I spoke with Greg Myers and he is going to send me one. He is passionate about his products and does everything possible to make things right.
Billy