Just experimenting with amplification (again!). I've been happy with an AKG C411 stick-on mic, played through a Headway EDB1 preamp. I got the chance to try a DPA 4099V clip-on microphone, and was blown away by the sound; it sounded exactly like my F5, only louder, with excellent feedback rejection for a condenser mic. The price was a little daunting for the degree of improvement over the AKG, so I let it lie. I was shopping at Thomann (a large German online music equipment retailer) when I came across their Ovid system of clip-on condenser mics. It's basically one mic, plus lots of optional attachment clips for various instruments. It was cheap enough to give it a try, so I ordered the full outfit, with all the clips, thinking I could use it as a standby for sound engineering gigs. I paid £136. ($216). Link is here; http://www.thomann.de/gb/the_tbone_o...73576eedb8c604
I tried it out on mandolin and guitar yesterday, played straight into a Fishman Loudbox Artist acoustic amp, with no effects and flat EQ; it's not a DPA 4099, but it's frighteningly close, and better than my AKG C411 by miles. I then tried it with the Headway preamp into a PA, and...wow. Again, flat EQ, but the small boost to the signal meant that the full nuances of the F5 came out.
NFI, but this looks like a really good deal if you are looking for a mic to use on stage. Placement on the instrument is important, and I found I had to reverse the clamp arm on the violin clip to get the depth needed for an F5 body near the scroll; easily done, it's just a single small bolt. Placed correctly there is little handling noise, but pick selection is important, as the mic is sensitive enough to catch pick clicks and scratches. I'm going to gig it this weekend, and see how it goes.
Tim
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