The ambition for this project is to get a complete list of all the different violin pickup/microphone systems on the market in a way that it’s easy to compare them. The most important thing we want to compare is the sound quality of these products, and that’s what makes this project so unique. In addition to this convenient comparison table I will review every device as well. In order to do this comparison in a good manner it’s very important to keep the conditions as similar as possible for all the different systems. So we came up with these rules which we try to apply as much as possible:

-Same violin for every pickup/microphone we test

The violin is an “Ole Bull” guaneri del gesu copy, price about €1500,- We chose this violin because it sounds good for it’s price and its in a very common price range. Also we don’t want to harm an expensive violin which can be the case with some of the pickups. Later on I will test some of the better pickups and microphones that wont harm the violin on a very good violin.

-Same violinist.

Jelle van Tongeren.

Yes, thats me. In case you’re interested in my music, you can visit my website: www.jellevantongeren.nl

-Same songs

    scale and broken chords in G covering 3 octaves mp3

    solo piece by jelle van tongeren mp3

    Swing tune, with backing track over P.A.system to judge bleed, feedback, etc. In this case I’ll use an AER bingo (compact 60 predecessor) amplifier for the violin via DI out send to the PA system. video

-Using the same room.

-Using the same recording device.

Audio interface with instrument and microphone inputs connected to a computer with

cubase. The scale, triads and solo piece will be recorded directly from the pickup or microphone system into the audio interface

For the swing tune with backing track we record the “whole band” using a camera

-Leveling the signal.

This is because we tend to think that louder is better.

-Some microphone reference recordings to compare it to the acoustic sound.

In case we need to break these rules, we will inform you about this. We try to make the comparison as fair as possible, but we cant control all: I know that i cant play a piece multiple times exactly the same, also I cant control the climate and there are probably more things that i cant control which can possibly change the sound.

An other aspect I’m aware of tis that there is a whole chain of things that have their effect on the sound: player:violin:bow:strings:preamp:effects:amp:room acoustics, and more! So in the future I want to test preamps equalizers, reverbs, delays and amplifiers as well. Also some electric violins will be added to the list. Also reviews and comparison of amplification for other stringed instruments is something we wish to add in the future.

If you want your products tested/reviewed please contact me at reviews@amplifiedstrings.com