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henrywillard

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Everything posted by henrywillard

  1. I tried using an SM57 last week during a rehearsal as I am temporarily without a pickup, and I would not recommend it. Low gain level before feedback, even with a lot of tinkering to try and get it under control. Poor tone quality, and just not loud enough. I unplugged it after one song, switched to a Rode NT5 and had far better results!
  2. Check out this documentary video of one of my favourite bands, Blind Pilot, who have done a couple of 'Bicyle Tours' down the west coast of the States, with their instruments (including a double bass) hitched onto the back of their bikes. [url="http://vimeo.com/2975715"]http://vimeo.com/2975715[/url] Their bassist Luke made a trailer for his upright bass to hitch onto the back of his bicycle. He talks about it and they shown a few clips of the manufacturing process from approximately 3mins 30 seconds.
  3. [color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]As the title suggests, I am considering selling my DPA to part-fund a Wilson.[/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]I have scoured this forum, other forums, and various websites for reviews, and understand that different pickups and amplification systems produce different results depending on the bass itself, the other equipment, the venue etc, but talking in generics, I was hoping for some further advice, help, and recommendations before I go ahead and make the switch from the DPA to the Wilson. [/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]Contrary to so many good reviews of the DPA 4099B that ultimately persuaded me to get one in the first place, I have really struggled with it in the six months I've been using it.[/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]Despite experimenting with a multitude of positions and distances from the top of my bass, experimenting with all different input, gain, output, and master levels, in the end I struggle to get enough volume, even with my ART Tube MP V3 preamp. The mic just seems to pick up everything else around it, resulting in a muddy sound that feeds back at ease.[/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]I have used it on both small and medium-large stages (good size coffee shops, to 500 capacity theatres), and in situations where I've had the other band members less than a metre away from me, crammed on stage, as well as gigs where I've sometimes been 8 metres or so from the guitarist - Still however, I seem to get poor results.[/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]I currently use a Westbury bass with my DPA going into an ART Tube MP V3, then always to FOH. I have also experimented with both in-ear monitoring, and floor monitors.[/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]I mainly play country and folk, with hints of folk rock every now and again which is a bit louder in volume. Nothing too crazy loud though.[/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]The past couple of months I have been working with a very well renowned sound engineer in my area of England, and he is shocked by the DPA's performance. We have spent a lot of time together experimenting with the DPA, often before gigs on an empty stage (although we understand things do change slightly when all the other musicians are on stage). We've been desperately trying to get the best out of the DPA, but he has really struggled.[/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]Has anyone else experienced anything like this with the DPA, and/or are there any recommendations, tips, or words of advice anyone can give?[/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]My bridge doesn't have adjusters, so although I've read good things about the Full Circle, I'm not sure about switching to one of these.[/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]I have read mixed reviews about the Wilson, but it sounds like the way to go if decent volume without feedback is required, although I have read contradicting reviews re its sound. Some say it sounds real and acoustic, whilst others say it sounds very 'electric'?[/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]I guess the only way to really find out is to bite the bullet, purchase one, get it installed, and see how it sounds. As with anything to do with our beautiful instruments though, as we all know, that becomes a mighty expensive experiment![/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]Any help or experience would be greatly appreciated![/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]Many thanks [/font][/color]
  4. Hi all. I am looking for a pedal tuner that I can connect within my current set up of my DPA 4099 (old style), going into an ART Tube MP V3 for 48v phantom power, which I then usually send straight to the desk. On rare occasions I will go through my Schertler Unico amp. Within my current set-up, it is all XLR cables, however I cannot find any pedal tuners with XLR inputs and outputs, only 1/4" jack. Does anyone know of any pedal tuners with XLR in and outputs? If so, where would the tuner go within the chain? In between the DPA and the ART, or between the ART and the desk? I was considering something like the Korg Pitchblack, and using XLR to 1/4" jack cables, but am worried using these type of cables would mean a significant loss of sound quality? Thoughts?? I did find the Zoom A3, which is mainly an FX pedal for acoustic guitar, and noticed it has an Upright Bass setting on it, as well as a built-in tuner and XLR inputs and outputs. Has anyone got experience of using a Zoom A3 within their set-up? Do you know if it would it work within my current set-up? Only thing is it is £150, which is a lot of money for just a pedal tuner, which is probably the only function I would purchase it for. If there isn't a pedal tuner with XLR in and outputs on the market, is there such a product as a channel switcher with XLR and 1/4" jack inputs, where I could run my existing set-up through Channel A, and when I want to tune up, hit a foot switch to switch to Channel B, and have something like the Korg pitchblack running through Channel B? Is there such a product that could do this? Would such a set-up even work?? Apologies for so many questions! Any help and as much detail/links to product examples as possible would be extremely appreciated!! I am a bit of a novice when it comes to pickups/amplification set-up's etc! Thank you! Henry
  5. I have owned a Westbury for a few years now, and absolutely love it. They are indeed made by the Eastman company, and distributed in the UK by The Sound Post Ltd, who I must say are an absolutely fantastic company. I got my Westbury in a violin body, and over the past couple of years have favoured Obligato strings on it. I did have some work done to the bass by Malcolm Healey who was at his shop in Sutton at the time. He set it up beautifully for me to my specifications for just over £100 I think it was, and I have since gigged my Westbury all over the UK, from Brighton to Edinburgh. It was the first bass I played that I truly felt comfortable and at one with. Personally, I have to feel a connection with a bass, and all the time my Westbury is sounding as good as it is at present, and is serving me well both in the studio and on the road, I will be in no rush to replace her. So for me, in short, I highly recommend them!
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