BETTER SOUND AND VOLUME? REALIST OR SCHERTLER?

[pao_bass]

guys, can I have your opinions on this? which transducer works better and has the edge in terms of sound quality? and volume output from the amplifier?

[PB+J]

Which Schertler are you talking about--the dyn-b or the stat-b?

I have a realist and a Dyn-B. The Dyn-b sounds way more like my bass, and it works really well until the volume gets really high. The realist sounds less like my bass, but it's a very effective sound in the mix

[pao_bass]

It is the Dyn-b. so it sounds more natural? I'm wondering if the $565 retail price includes a preamp already? thanks for your opinion!

[PB+J]

To my ears, the Dyn-B sounds MUCH more natural. It sounds much more like a microphone (which is what it is) and more like the acoustic sound of your bass. I'm happier with the Dyn-B than any pickup I've ever used.

This page http://www.thedoublebassworkshop.com...kup_sounds.htm Has some sound samples


There's a good argument to be made for the realist though. I mean, once you're amped, it's not really the sound of your bass anymore, it's the sounnd of the amp. It's hard to explain. The realist is less natural sounding, but there are times when I think it sits better in the mix. But I'm not going back to the realist.

The Dyn-B is damn pricey. That price does NOT include the Schertler preamp. But you don't need their preamp--all you need is an adaptor like this one, a Shure a95uf


Then you can go straight into your amp rig.

I managed to find one for less than that price--I think I paid $420

[JazznFunk]

Originally Posted by PB+J

There's a good argument to be made for the realist though. I mean, once you're amped, it's not really the sound of your bass anymore, it's the sounnd of the amp. It's hard to explain. The realist is less natural sounding, but there are times when I think it sits better in the mix. But I'm not going back to the realist.

For what it's worth, of the piezos that I have experience with, the Realist is the most natural sounding. I've also had very good luck with it sans pre-amp. YMMV, of course. It's all about getting what comes out of your amp as close as possible to what comes out of the bass naturally. I've noticed that the Realist also tends to pick up other noise (drums, etc) around the bass as well at times, which I feel is a good thing because it shows that you are getting sound from a wide area with the pickup, not just from one spot like a wing-mounted pickup. Also, in recording sessions the engineers have switched back and forth between a mic signal and a direct signal from the Realist and commented on how little variation there is in terms of overall sound. My feeling was that the sound of the bass that we love comes from the big, resonating chamber of the body... The Realist picks that sound up right from the top.

As for volume, I play at a moderate volume in my jazz trios, and a bit louder with the folk/blues/jazz singer/songwriter group I work with... Not once have I had a problem with feedback.

The Realist tends to get poo-pooed a bit on here by some, but it works really well with the right bass and the right approach.

[vier-personen]

An alternative to the Schertler would be the AKG C411 contact microphone. I don´t know what the price is in the USA, but I got it for 100€. But you need phantom power, so a preamp, a small mixer....
The sound is phantastic, very natural.

[T-Bal]

Originally Posted by vier-personen

An alternative to the Schertler would be the AKG C411 contact microphone. I don´t know what the price is in the USA, but I got it for 100€. But you need phantom power, so a preamp, a small mixer....
The sound is phantastic, very natural.

This is intriguing. Yet another piece of gear to consider, but anyone else tried one? With a Focus head, you could use the phantom power (38volts) and not need a preamp. It says it works on anywhere from 9 to 52 volts. Vier, have you compared this (AKG) to the Dyn-B?

EDIT: List is 187USD

[wiro]

Allready some time I'm watching the devellopments in upright pu's. Now I use the Realist and connect this one straight into my Focus series III head. No need for an additional pre-amp any more. But I'm not satisfied with the sound: It sounds to much like an EUB, not as an acoustic one. It lacks the tight deep end and the sparkling highs.
Much better are the Schertlers. Never tried one, but heard from sound-samples. Then some-one told me he sold his Schertler and bought the Vector. According to his opinion much better.
Then I heard the Clevinger, a new kind of system, and this one I ordered just from what they say about it. Cannot tell you how it sounds yet but it can fall into my mailbox any day now.....

My main message to you is: Take your time before you deside.

[Robert]

Originally Posted by T-Bal

This is intriguing. Yet another piece of gear to consider, but anyone else tried one? With a Focus head, you could use the phantom power (38volts) and not need a preamp. It says it works on anywhere from 9 to 52 volts. Vier, have you compared this (AKG) to the Dyn-B?

EDIT: List is 187USD

I am using the C411 right now as my only pickup when gigging. The sound is very natural (depending on the bass and placement on the top of course) and very feedback resistent. The only downside is a bit weak low frequency response (at least in my setup: C411 -> Dedicated Mic Preamp w/ Phantom Power-> Fishman Platinum Bass EQ -> Effect Return in SWR Baby Blue II. This can be solved by simply blending a little bit of piezo/acoustic mic into the mix).

I got my C411 used for 40 euros. Highly recommended both in terms of price and sound.

I've tried Underwood, Bass Max and the AMTS25B but the C411 is always what I end up using due to its ease of use/installation, sound quality and feedback.

I play jazz in average sound level settings. If I was to play in low sound level settings I would probably go with the AMT mic instead.

[bribass]

Originally Posted by Robert

I am using the C411 right now as my only pickup when gigging. The sound is very natural (depending on the bass and placement on the top of course) and very feedback resistent. The only downside is a bit weak low frequency response (at least in my setup: C411 -> Dedicated Mic Preamp w/ Phantom Power-> Fishman Platinum Bass EQ -> Effect Return in SWR Baby Blue II. This can be solved by simply blending a little bit of piezo/acoustic mic into the mix).

I got my C411 used for 40 euros. Highly recommended both in terms of price and sound.

I've tried Underwood, Bass Max and the AMTS25B but the C411 is always what I end up using due to its ease of use/installation, sound quality and feedback.

I play jazz in average sound level settings. If I was to play in low sound level settings I would probably go with the AMT mic instead.

What company make this C411?

thanks, BG

[bassist14]

the c411 is from AKG i think

[PB+J]

the c411 will require phantom power, so you'd have to use a preamp that supplied phantom power--or do they make a little power unit to go with it?

[bassist14]

yes they do.
you can find it here:
www.akg-acoustics.com
the B 29 L has a built in volume-control