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Double Bass Double bass pickup and mics comparison

#21
Yeah, I think the video characterized the Ehrlund in a way that is in-line with my expereience. Highs, nasal, a little boxy tho microphonic. I like the deep lows with some even definition that I get out of the DPA. It sounds similar to the 98A to me from the video but maybe the same if not the 98A barely nudging it for the win.

We should remember though that this is a bass-only test and that bleed is often a big factor when it comes to mic usage and why piezo's may always be a bit more practical. The 98A is still a cardiod so likely subject to a fair amount of bleed. Application is critical.
 
#22
Huy Nguyen said:
Yeah, I think the video characterized the Ehrlund in a way that is in-line with my expereience. Highs, nasal, a little boxy tho microphonic. I like the deep lows with some even definition that I get out of the DPA. It sounds similar to the 98A to me from the video but maybe the same if not the 98A barely nudging it for the win.

We should remember though that this is a bass-only test and that bleed is often a big factor when it comes to mic usage and why piezo's may always be a bit more practical. The 98A is still a cardiod so likely subject to a fair amount of bleed. Application is critical.
Click to expand...


hdidddy: My primary method of amplification is the ATM 350. I have used it outside, small stages inside and large stages inside and never had a problem with bleed. Maybe I have been lucky...or maybe it's because I don't have to play with a loud drummer! Sometimes because of convenience I will use (after trying several other well-known pickups) my Schatten RB-1 pickup through an LR Baggs Paracoustic preamp. It's the next best thing to a mic I have found. It does not sound like a good mic but it still sounds like I am playing a double bass and not a slab.
 
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#23
Mandobassman said:
I know this has been covered a bit (mostly by me), and I know there are quite a few non-believers, but I have been using the Radio Shack tie clip mic for the past three years with tremendous success. Sound is wonderful, I have the mic placed inside the F hole, and I never have feedback. I tried to use it between the bridge posts facing the top but I got very little gain and had to turn the volume up so much that I did get feedback. I get a deep, punchy sound that is always as loud as I need it to be. And, I have the amp two feet directly behind me and I never get feedback. I get compliments from other musicians all the time about how natural the sound is.
Click to expand...
Any pics of that? Using a preamp?
 
#26
The Radio Shack unit is inexpensive enough to easily keep a spare in the bag in the case of failure. My only reservation about that unit is the true dependability. It isn't like there is much quality control put into the manufacturing of those...they couldn't cost much more than a quarter to mass produce. That isn't a bad thing. But potential equipment failure on the bandstand is. The Radio Shack Mic will fail, much sooner than the more expensive mics. The upside, in the case that you dig the performance quality, that it is much easier to replace (or carry a spare) than an Ehrlund, Audio Technica, DPA, ect.

Oh, was the Radio Shack mic featured in the shootout...I don't recall seeing it there. Neither was the Underwood or The Realist or the BP 100, ect.
 
#27
I have played for the last 2 years or so with a DPA mic and A Full Circle PU. Depending on the venue, the crowd noise and the level of the band, I blend the the two for what I hear as the best sound on that particular night. In a smaller venue where I'm playing in a drummer less duo, The DPA may be all I need or maybe just a bit of Full Circle will be blended in. In a very large, loud setting where the drummer might be less than subtle, I may favor the Full Circle and try to add a touch of the DPA. The EA Doubler is also part of my rig. It has phantom power as well as 2 channels which makes things real easy. When all is said and done, I try very hard to not rely on micing and/or amplification for my core sound. Hopefully that comes from my hands.
 
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#28
martinc said:
Surprisingly bad to me in this test are the Ehrlund, Realist, Lifeline and Shadow.
With this information from the video and the posts on this website, I'd say buying a mic or pickup should be lot easier. But the big unknown is how each of our own basses will react to the same mics/pickups.
Click to expand...

If you look at the giant balls of putty used to mount the Ehrlund to his instrument, it's no mystery to me why the Ehrlund sounds that way. While I realize the EAP doesn't work for everyone, mounting the pickup as he's
done, is going to affect it's sound reproduction.

Ric
 
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#29
It's not only the Ehrlunds putty, also the position is untypical, the AKG contact mic position is even worse. He is comparing apples with peas with the contact mics placing them differently and at rather bad positions.

I'm rather sure the BassBalsereit was not turned for best sound, it's sound is also rather untypical in the test.

Putting too many mics in one place close together might influence the others, but probably less than a badly tuned pickup.

I have seen that comparison months ago and found it very questionable. The tester didn't own the Ehrlund and Shadow NFX so he borrowed them and I guess he didn't had much experience finding a good place for the Ehrlund of how the putty might influence the sound. And on many basses the Shadow NFX sounds better with only the bass foot foil connected to the battery adapter.
 
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#31
martinc said:
hdidddy: My primary method of amplification is the ATM 350. I have used it outside, small stages inside and large stages inside and never had a problem with bleed. Maybe I have been lucky...or maybe it's because I don't have to play with a loud drummer! Sometimes because of convenience I will use (after trying several other well-known pickups) my Schatten RB-1 pickup through an LR Baggs Paracoustic preamp. It's the next best thing to a mic I have found. It does not sound like a good mic but it still sounds like I am playing a double bass and not a slab.
Click to expand...
Hi Martin.
Are you still using the ATM350 for primary amplification duty?
Where do you mount it, if I may ask?

Thanks!
François
 
#32
Francois Blais said:
Hi Martin.
Are you still using the ATM350 for primary amplification duty?
Where do you mount it, if I may ask?

Thanks!
François
Click to expand...

Francois: I have not played much in the past year because of health (cancer) problems. I'm good now and played a couple of shows recently. On a tent show I used my Schatten pickup/LR Baggs Paracoustic DI into the board. On the other, (indoors) I used a house big ribbon dynamic mic that was already set up for the bass on a floor stand.
I expect to be able to use my ATM350 in some upcoming shows. One thing I have learned is that the stage setup and the room (or outside) sometimes requires a pickup rather than a mic. But if you want a mic for everything, you can't go wrong with the ATM350. Unless you want to spend double or triple its cost for a boutique mic.
I mount the ATM350 with the clip on the outside edge of the treble side F hole.....and the mic pointing down about 2 inches below the treble side bridge foot. I have tried it in other places, but that location seems to be the most responsive.
377.jpg
 
#38
Man, all of these pickups sound so cruddy. I’ve found that piezos are awesome for mic blending and in small rooms / concerts where the acoustic sound of the bass will also be present. Soloed they always sound nasal, but they put in those frequencies required for live acoustic performance.

@martinc I’m so glad you’re on the mend and playing again. As a fellow string junkie (who used to own an Erbele ply!) your posts have always been awesome and helpful!
 
#39
HateyMcAmp said:
Man, all of these pickups sound so cruddy. I’ve found that piezos are awesome for mic blending and in small rooms / concerts where the acoustic sound of the bass will also be present. Soloed they always sound nasal, but they put in those frequencies required for live acoustic performance.

@martinc I’m so glad you’re on the mend and playing again. As a fellow string junkie (who used to own an Erbele ply!) your posts have always been awesome and helpful!
Click to expand...

Hatey: Thanks!
 

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