Double Bass New Ischell Mic, Gear Junkie Review Coming

[rickwolff]

Thanks to Fisher Ischell the Gear Junkie is returning from retirement. I love it when people who make an already good product keep looking for ways to make it even better, and that is what Fisher appears to have done.

I just saw a note on Facebook about the new mic so immediately read up on it and ordered one. I'm not sure how long it will take to get here from France but as soon as it arrives I will put it through its paces.

Here is a link to my earlier review of the first X-Jac mic from Ischell back in 2018:

Ischell XJack direct to Zoom recorder - Audio Sample

Not only is there a new mic available but the mounting system has been improved to make it less challenging with 'free-handing' the putty. Not a huge deal, perhaps, but visually and aesthetically better (and who wouldn't appreciate that?)

Thanks, Fisher. I didn't even realize it but I've been suffering from Gear-review withdrawal.

Stay tuned.

 

[Earl]

Do you have a link? I don't see anything new on the website.

 

[Sean Riddle]

Gosh darn. I've been using the C1 exclusively since gigs returned on my new McLagan 5 string bass. It's been giving me the most usable amplified sound that sounds almost microphonic ever. I'll be really interested in hearing your thoughts on it. I might get it post-holiday season.

 

[rickwolff]

Do you have a link? I don't see anything new on the website.

You can find the characteristics of the new mics on this page : Technical specifications of microphones - ISCHELL
I think you would need this model : Contact microphone X48C1 Original, C2 and C3 ISCHELL

 

[rickwolff]

Here's another recording with the original X-Jac.

Ischell Mic plus Genzler/Gollihur Acoustic Array Pro - Live Sound Nirvana

 

[DoubleMIDI]

I would be interested in a comparison of the Ischell, AKG C 411 and the Ehrlund EAP, just in case someone has all of them and could record them on the same instrument.
Ideally one after the other at the same position or at their best position at once (if possible).

 

[ablumley]

Stoked to hear some samples of how the new Ischell contact mic sounds as compared to the old one!

The X48-C(1?) has been my main "pickup" for the last few years until this summer when I put a new ribbon and a beefed up transformer into my old Troll microphone. The Ischell C1 can sound amazing in the room through an amp but I find it to be quite harsh and pickup-like when hearing or recording it directly.

@rickwolff - it would be greatly appreciated if you could include some kind of comparison of the direct sounds of the new and old Ischell mics if/when you get around to doing a shootout...

 

[Ric Vice]

I would be interested in a comparison of the Ischell, AKG C 411 and the Ehrlund EAP, just in case someone has all of them and could record them on the same instrument. Ideally one after the other at the same position or at their best position at once (if possible).

That would be great, Rick’s certainly got that kind of commitment. I certainly do not. It takes a great deal of time and patience to do those kind of comparisons. So if he does, we should all be very appreciative of Rick’s effort and labor. It’s a big ask, IMHO. Since the EAP is essentially a piezo, masquerading as a contact microphone (a contact piezo?) it requires either the Ehrlund Preamp or something similar to boost the signal. As I recall, the Ischell has the X Jack, which is also some kind of preamp. Just my take however.

 

[rickwolff]

I would be interested in a comparison of the Ischell, AKG C 411 and the Ehrlund EAP, just in case someone has all of them and could record them on the same instrument.
Ideally one after the other at the same position or at their best position at once (if possible).

I would be interested in that, too. However, I have never had or tried the Eharlund EAP (Ric Vice's favorite). I used to have an AKG C 411. John Chambliss was kind enough to send me his C 411 recently when I was interested in re-trying it and I was surprised at how good it sounded. I no longer have it so I won't be able to do a 'side-by-side' comparison.

 

[rickwolff]

I came across this old video I had made with the Ischell X-jac I used to have and mounting it on my BSX Allegro (which I also used to have - if I had kept all the gear I have bought and tried I wouldn't have room to get into the house.)



Well, as I mentioned above, I have ordered the new-improved Ischell C3 microphone from Ischell and it should be here in the next couple of days. I've got three things I'd like to try the Ischell on when it gets here:

1. I want to blend the Ischell with my Xlson Chuck Israels mic for Live use. The 'Chuck' is quite incredible But I have to turn down the treble on my amp so I don't get high-frequency feedback. When I record with it that's not an issue as I use the 'PRE-EQ' DI from my Genzler Acoustic Pro to the recorder and I get all the full-range sound with no feedback. When I'm going through the speaker I'm hoping I can add in some additional 'Highs' from the Ischell. In my video above I mention that I had boosted the high frequency on my amp for the Ischell when I had it on my BSX EUB. The info on the 'New C3 mic' says it has a slight bump in the high frequency, AND since it's a contact mic I should be able to avoid the high-freq feedback. I had talked with Peter Axelson some time back and he had suggested blending the 'Chuck' with a piezo to add some additional Highs. However, a piezo just doesn't sound like a mic so I'm hoping the new Ischell will blend beautifully with the Chuck. I'll know one way or the other by this time next week.

2. I'm also interested in trying the Ischell on my 'second' bass, an Eastman VB305. That bass works well with the KNA bridge-wing pickup, but, again, that's not as realistic-sounding as a mic. I'm hoping I might get a good result with the Ischell on that bass.

3. Finally, with the video above as encouragement I'm hoping I Might be able to get a usable sound out of my Palatino EUB with the Ischell. That, however, is somewhat doubtful as that bass doesn't have open f holes like the BSX and even though I think the body is at least partially hollow, it's not as loud or as resonant as either the BSX or the Eminence (which I also USED to have).

That's probably asking a lot, but in the end, if I get a great blended sound on my Gemunder by blending the Xlson mic and the Ischell mic I will be a happy camper.

I will make some video clips next week to show how it works out.

 

[Ric Vice]

Ever the Optimist, I have to applaud your enthusiasm Rick. Good Luck

All the best

Ric Vice

 

[rickwolff]

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED

I received the new Ischell and have done some initial testing.

For the sound quality, I'm going to be comparing it to my Chuck Israels Mic with some A/B tests through my 2 channel Genzler Acoustic Pro. That's going to be a tough act to follow since the 'Chuck' sounds so great. Initial indications are that the Ischell is going to play in the same ballpark of quality sound - we'll have to listen to the A/B tests to draw any conclusions.

As with pretty much all mics, it is obvious placement makes a big difference in the sound. I had initially placed it about an inch away from the soundpost and 'G' bridge foot toward the f-hole. It sounded good there but then I moved it to right above the sound post. It sounds richer and fuller there - I even had to cut a little bass on the amp (I have the Ischell set flat rather than use either of the low-cut positions on the jack housing). Speaking of the low-cut settings they are easier to get to as they are exposed on the outside of the housing. On the old model, you had to open up the 1/4 inch jack and the jumpers were inside.

Several things I can tell you already that I like about this system:

1. It can stay on the bass all the time. It doesn't require any additional clamp or boom.

2. The model I bought has the optional 9v power which supplies phantom power to the mic. That along with the XLR to 1/4 converter I bought with it means I can plug straight into any 1/4 bass amp input. It sounds good through my MAS 16 that I drive with my BAM200 head.

3. The new mounting system is a big improvement. The mic is housed in a small black disk that has a groove around the underside where you put the putty. It's easy to install (and easy to move to try different locations) and you don't see any exposed putty. Much better looking.Ischell has many different models with different features so you can find one that best fits your particular needs/wishes.

4. I will do a real test to determine this, but it appears there is Little to No Bleed, which makes sense since even though this is a mic, it is in an air-tight seal on the bass.

My initial impressions are that this is a high-quality bass mic at a reasonable 'mid-level' price. I'll know a lot more after I put it through its paces and I will then post some videos so you can decide for yourself if this is something that you would like. I'm guessing that for a number of you the answer to that will be 'Yes'. but, as always, YMMV, and each bass is different. I am also looking forward to trying it on my 'second bass'

 

[Kristian]

Following! I just put on my old model and went to a BB rehearsal. Sounds great! Can’t wait to hear more about this new improved model!

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Is this pickup a contact mic like the Ehrlund EAP?

 

[Ric Vice]

Uriah Bass,
As I understand it, the Ischell is a electret condenser microphone, while the Ehrlund is a piezo film pickup. They both mount on the body with putty. Just my take.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

The Ischell has more in common with the AKG C411 (electret nicht capsule) than the Ehrlund EAP (piezo film membrane). The difference is that the Ischell is open towards the top and needs to be sealed airtight against the top to avoid feedback, whereas the C411 is inside an airtight closed case and doesn’t need to be sealed against the top, just needs some putty to stick at the top.

Personally I doubt that the bending at the top in the sealed cavity of the Ischell has any noticeable influence on the sound. It could easily be checked by closing the hole with some putty around the hole that holds a stiff disk airtight over the hole and then apply the pickup to the top with putty.
Since I have an Ehrlund EAP, an AKG C411 and a MSP (ceramic piezo disc), and am really happy with the AKG C411, I don’t need one more contact mic, so I cannot test that.

 

[rickwolff]

The Ischell has more in common with the AKG C411 (electret nicht capsule) than the Ehrlund EAP (piezo film membrane). The difference is that the Ischell is open towards the top and needs to be sealed airtight against the top to avoid feedback, whereas the C411 is inside an airtight closed case and doesn’t need to be sealed against the top, just needs some putty to stick at the top.

Personally I doubt that the bending at the top in the sealed cavity of the Ischell has any noticeable influence on the sound. It could easily be checked by closing the hole with some putty around the hole that holds a stiff disk airtight over the hole and then apply the pickup to the top with putty.
Since I have an Ehrlund EAP, an AKG C411 and a MSP (ceramic piezo disc), and am really happy with the AKG C411, I don’t need one more contact mic, so I cannot test that.

I also recently tested the AKG C411 which @John Chambliss was kind enough to send me and I thought it sounded really good. I wish I still had one here I could do an AB test with the Ischell. ( I used to own a 411 but I ended up giving it to my piano player friend to use on the grand piano - it worked quite well for that as well),

 

[rickwolff]

SFIRST TEST OF THE ISCHEL X48C A/B test with the Xlson Chuck Israels Mic

And OOPS - in the video I say it's the first test of the Xlson mic - I should have said Ischell (sorry Fisher).

I ran both mics straight into my Zoom Q8 recorder. No pre-amps, no EQ, nothing. The Ischell Mic was set FLAT with no bass cut engaged.

One interesting note on 'Bleed'. The Xlson mic is designed to minimize bleed and, in fact, does a very good job of that (It sits so close to the top plate that the sound of the bass is generally going to be a good bit louder than other sounds in the room. HOWEVER, listen to the beginning of each of the microphone recordings. You'll hear my voice faintly saying 'let the fun begin' on the Xlson clip. On the Ischell clip it is all but unnoticable.

Again, this first 'test' is with no adjustments or EQ, I will try some with EQ adjustments later - and probably one with the Ischell bass-cut engaged.

Video with Ischell, Xlson, and onboard mics all together:


The Ischell X48C:



The Xlson:

 

[Ric Vice]

Rick,
Well, the Xlson wins, but the new Ischell has a very useable and detailed timbre. On louder gigs, It's likely that the Ischell would more practical.
Like the Ehrlund it's got that hybrid tone quality that's halfway between a microphone and a piezo pickup.

 

[rickwolff]

Rick,
Well, the Xlson wins, but the new Ischell has a very useable and detailed timbre. On louder gigs, It's likely that the Ischell would more practical.
Like the Ehrlund it's got that hybrid tone quality that's halfway between a microphone and a piezo pickup.

Based on those two clips I completely agree with you. I had assumed from the start that the Xlson being a true 'air mic' would be hard to match for sound quality. But, as you say, the Ischell is very useable and, I think, pleasant. However, like the Ehrlund, I am finding that placement makes a BIG difference. I don't think I have yet found the best placement (and therefore the best sound) on my bass, but I will try a number of things to try and find the optimum placement and sound that I can get with the Ischell.

Since I'm already starting with a 'pretty good sound' with the Ischell, if I can improve that quite a bit I think it would be great. The conveniences of the Ischell (leaving it on the bass, no additional clamp or boom required, the ability to run it into a bass amp that doesn't have phantom power) all make it rather compelling.