This had been the most helpful live mandolin tutorial on the internet. I started with a k&k then got a myers mic with clamp...but then signal was off for my effects, realized I needed both signals to get the sound I want with effects and feedback 🙏♥️
Since this video was done, Impulse Response (IR) technology has really improved. I loaded an IR of a Gibson F5 onto a Nux Optima Air. Sounds great and the Optima has reverb, Eq, and is a direct box with XLR out.
Definitely the most useful tutorial on live mando setup. I’m struggling with this right now in my Celtic band as I get swallowed up by the guitar and the bass while playing into a mic on a stand. We turn the levels up enough to hear and then we get feedback. Ugh. Been seriously looking at the DPA 4099 but you hit me out of the blue with the idea of blending it with piezo transducers through a preamp. Genius. Love your work, brother! PS- where can I find the rest of that concert with the orchestra?? Döden sounded incredible!!
Your setup sounds incredible, I really like your blending preamp and microphone. I run a K&K alone into a Red-Eye twin with adequate results. I might try the blending in the future. Great video!
Greetings Magnus. Great demo. For live performances I'm currently using the K&K Twin also, but running into a FireEye-RedEye pre-amplifier. The RedEye gives a very pure sound and allows rolling off the higher frequencies to obtain the sound I prefer.
I run the same setup George. I prefer just playing into a microphone but this set up is so easy, especially with venues that aren't used to acoustic instruments.
Thanks for the excellent video. My mandolin was built with similar microphone mix: a McIntyre piezo, and an Armstrong magnetic. From there I use a Tonebone PZ-pre acoustic preamp which provides impedance matching for the two different types of mics and allows mixing and some EQ but no reverb. I like the resulting mixes. But overall I too still prefer a full acoustic mandolin, and when recording in studio the acoustic mandolin plays to a Blue Spark microphone. To record I was using an iRig Pro interface going to an iPhone with Garageband, but now I prefer the easier physical controls available on a Tascam DP-03SD Portastudio. Bob Washington State, USA
We appreciate this Magnus. Amplifying a mandolin takes careful consideration to get the sounds for the individual. I can see where the K&K would be good for Bluegrass and chop and in a close band mix eliminated any feedback or crossover. Adding the mic makes all the difference to be able to tune and blend. I will have to rethink methods. Mind you the make of the mandolin will also make a difference. The sweet brighter sound of your Phoenix mandolin would require a difference set up compared to an f style with a deeper woodier sound. On a different note - I have made one change to my A style mandolin. The adjustable bridge is an area where I'm confused. Once set, I have never had to adjust the bridge over many years of playing. Yes, I keep to a specific range of string gauge. Look at any acoustic guitar, other than some hollow bodies, classical mandolins and guitars, typically have a solid bridge. The adjustable mandolin bridge puts all that string tension on a piece of wood which even with internal support must flex under playing conditions. Then all the vibrations travel down two thin posts into the lower part of the bridge which sits on the sound board. For an experiment I fitted a piece of bone to fill the gap between the two bridge pieces. An immediate increase in sustain, projection, and tonality especially on the E and A strings well up the neck. This also kept the two strings more in tune with heavier strumming as the solid bridge eliminated any deflection. I have since had a luthier make a solid bridge from ebony with a bone saddle. That seemed to tighten the sound and give a better balance across the strings. Just a suggestion.
That´s realy cool with the solid bridge! I think Weber had a slution like that as an option for my octave mandolin. I´m right now trying the Straight Up strings that is supposed to make the string tension better. Another thing I know, but in the same subject. We keep on tweaking! Don´t we? :-)
@@MandolinSecrets Yes we do and that's what makes it interesting. The fact that those new strings are made to deal with this matter tells me I wasn't crazy trying the "wedge" idea. If you have a piece of wood or bone, might be interesting to compare with the new strings?
I used the DPA 4099 microphone and clamp for the first time last week. I also have a tone guard. The violin clamp worked OK, but I was constantly concerned that I might bump it and knock it off. I am considering experimenting with the DPA saxophone / music stand clip ( clamp to the tone guard).
Hi Magnus. Thanks for your fantastic videos! Another mandolinist recommended using a digital mixer in order to be able to tweak certain frequencies more precisely. So I use a Mackie DL1608, where I have set up channels for the mandolin, my cittern and my guitar. I mostly play concerts in churches and here a microphone is difficult to control, and I only need a little amplification in such venues. I also use the K&K Twin, but no mics.
That’s a good idea! My cello friend in Nordic, Anders Löfberg, does the same with his sound card. Digital control is very precise. Thanks Uffe, glad you like the videos!
He can run the soundcard without a computer, so that’s how he does it live. Using a premade preset for all his tweakings. It’s a Motu Ultra Lite. Works very well for him! :-)
You sound great Magnus. I use an LR Baggs radial-m mandolin pick-up through a Para DI. Works for me :-) I’m playing an Eastman 815, which after years of playing seems to be breaking in. Must confess I am dreaming of upgrading my mandolin one day!
I'm about to begin using an Apex 165 for mandolin. I used to use this mike for tenor sax in my earlier classic rock band days. I'm hoping it works out okay.
But how do you setup the dpa 4099 volume/gainwise? , when I use it with my mandolin it tends to feedback too easily, without getting the volume that I need and want
I am trying to copy this setup. I have the DPA clip and fin it hard to clamp on the mandolin with the tone-guard on. Do you have any suggestions for this? Does the clip go on top or under the tone-guard?
This had been the most helpful live mandolin tutorial on the internet. I started with a k&k then got a myers mic with clamp...but then signal was off for my effects, realized I needed both signals to get the sound I want with effects and feedback 🙏♥️
Since this video was done, Impulse Response (IR) technology has really improved. I loaded an IR of a Gibson F5 onto a Nux Optima Air. Sounds great and the Optima has reverb, Eq, and is a direct box with XLR out.
thanks Magnus for the rundown. I run through a K&K twin as well through a Radial Tonebone PZ and also mic'd with a EAR Trumpet Labs Edwina condenser.
Thanks! That sounds like a similar set up. I have friends using the Radial Tonebone PZ. Greetings from Sweden!
Definitely the most useful tutorial on live mando setup. I’m struggling with this right now in my Celtic band as I get swallowed up by the guitar and the bass while playing into a mic on a stand. We turn the levels up enough to hear and then we get feedback. Ugh. Been seriously looking at the DPA 4099 but you hit me out of the blue with the idea of blending it with piezo transducers through a preamp. Genius. Love your work, brother!
PS- where can I find the rest of that concert with the orchestra?? Döden sounded incredible!!
Your setup sounds incredible, I really like your blending preamp and microphone. I run a K&K alone into a Red-Eye twin with adequate results. I might try the blending in the future. Great video!
Thanks Brad! It seems like a lot of mandolin players are using the Red-Eye. Cheers!
Greetings Magnus. Great demo. For live performances I'm currently using the K&K Twin also, but running into a FireEye-RedEye pre-amplifier. The RedEye gives a very pure sound and allows rolling off the higher frequencies to obtain the sound I prefer.
Thanks! That´s a pedal I didn´t know about. I´m having a quick look at it now, and it seemsto be filled with good functions.
I run the same setup George. I prefer just playing into a microphone but this set up is so easy, especially with venues that aren't used to acoustic instruments.
Thanks for the excellent video.
My mandolin was built with similar microphone mix: a McIntyre piezo, and an Armstrong magnetic. From there I use a Tonebone PZ-pre acoustic preamp which provides impedance matching for the two different types of mics and allows mixing and some EQ but no reverb.
I like the resulting mixes. But overall I too still prefer a full acoustic mandolin, and when recording in studio the acoustic mandolin plays to a Blue Spark microphone.
To record I was using an iRig Pro interface going to an iPhone with Garageband, but now I prefer the easier physical controls available on a Tascam DP-03SD Portastudio.
Bob
Washington State, USA
Thanks Bob! Do you play a Phoenix Jazz?
I have the knk in my Mando and it always sounds distorted. Definitely trying out that mic. Thanks
We appreciate this Magnus. Amplifying a mandolin takes careful consideration to get the sounds for the individual. I can see where the K&K would be good for Bluegrass and chop and in a close band mix eliminated any feedback or crossover. Adding the mic makes all the difference to be able to tune and blend. I will have to rethink methods. Mind you the make of the mandolin will also make a difference. The sweet brighter sound of your Phoenix mandolin would require a difference set up compared to an f style with a deeper woodier sound.
On a different note - I have made one change to my A style mandolin. The adjustable bridge is an area where I'm confused. Once set, I have never had to adjust the bridge over many years of playing. Yes, I keep to a specific range of string gauge. Look at any acoustic guitar, other than some hollow bodies, classical mandolins and guitars, typically have a solid bridge. The adjustable mandolin bridge puts all that string tension on a piece of wood which even with internal support must flex under playing conditions. Then all the vibrations travel down two thin posts into the lower part of the bridge which sits on the sound board. For an experiment I fitted a piece of bone to fill the gap between the two bridge pieces. An immediate increase in sustain, projection, and tonality especially on the E and A strings well up the neck. This also kept the two strings more in tune with heavier strumming as the solid bridge eliminated any deflection. I have since had a luthier make a solid bridge from ebony with a bone saddle. That seemed to tighten the sound and give a better balance across the strings. Just a suggestion.
That´s realy cool with the solid bridge! I think Weber had a slution like that as an option for my octave mandolin. I´m right now trying the Straight Up strings that is supposed to make the string tension better. Another thing I know, but in the same subject.
We keep on tweaking! Don´t we? :-)
@@MandolinSecrets Yes we do and that's what makes it interesting. The fact that those new strings are made to deal with this matter tells me I wasn't crazy trying the "wedge" idea. If you have a piece of wood or bone, might be interesting to compare with the new strings?
I would be interest to hear, how do you amplify your mandolin? Mics, preamps, amps?
I used the DPA 4099 microphone and clamp for the first time last week. I also have a tone guard. The violin clamp worked OK, but I was constantly concerned that I might bump it and knock it off. I am considering experimenting with the DPA saxophone / music stand clip ( clamp to the tone guard).
Cool! I use the violin clip and attach some scotch tape there as well. (Or how you call it in English...) Makes it sturdy.
Hi Magnus. Thanks for your fantastic videos! Another mandolinist recommended using a digital mixer in order to be able to tweak certain frequencies more precisely. So I use a Mackie DL1608, where I have set up channels for the mandolin, my cittern and my guitar. I mostly play concerts in churches and here a microphone is difficult to control, and I only need a little amplification in such venues. I also use the K&K Twin, but no mics.
That’s a good idea! My cello friend in Nordic, Anders Löfberg, does the same with his sound card. Digital control is very precise. Thanks Uffe, glad you like the videos!
Interesting! Does he use a soundcard and a computer when playing live?
He can run the soundcard without a computer, so that’s how he does it live. Using a premade preset for all his tweakings. It’s a Motu Ultra Lite. Works very well for him! :-)
You sound great Magnus. I use an LR Baggs radial-m mandolin pick-up through a Para DI. Works for me :-) I’m playing an Eastman 815, which after years of playing seems to be breaking in. Must confess I am dreaming of upgrading my mandolin one day!
Thanks Kasper! Glad you have a set up that serves you well.
Collings mando > boss eq (for boost) > tuner > digital reverb> fishman pro eq preamp > presonus studiolive (bands board)
Also a K and K twin internal pickup
Sounds like a serious setup, yeah!
I'm about to begin using an Apex 165 for mandolin. I used to use this mike for tenor sax in my earlier classic rock band days. I'm hoping it works out okay.
That is so good. You led that orchesa a are thin
Thanks!
Thanks, very helpful video. Out of curiosity, what's the blue device?
Where can we see more of the concert that clip is from? Or more Nordic videos in general!
I will make a playlist of videos. But you can start with this. :-) ua-cam.com/video/Z5ydSmGrCuU/v-deo.html
There’s only short clips from the concert with the orchestra. I will share one more 50 sec clip soon.
awesome
Where can I see that concert? Sounds great!
It's not available unfortunately. But here's another song. ua-cam.com/video/GbWj7ybFcIs/v-deo.html
Magnus Zetterlund Really!? Well, hopefully we’ll get to see more of your great music. Greetings from Mexico.
Magnus you did not give us mic only did you? Thank you for sharing your set up.
Yes, mic only is in there as well. Somewhere around 5.40. Listen again! :-)
But how do you setup the dpa 4099 volume/gainwise? , when I use it with my mandolin it tends to feedback too easily, without getting the volume that I need and want
I am trying to copy this setup. I have the DPA clip and fin it hard to clamp on the mandolin with the tone-guard on. Do you have any suggestions for this? Does the clip go on top or under the tone-guard?
Hi I have an epiphone mm50-E and wanted to look at effects. Any suggestions?
I love the pedals from Strymon. Check out the pedals I´m using at gear.magnuszetterlund.com
Can I use 15v 400ma Power supply or just 600ma?
Is a preamp required for a setup if you only use k&k twin pickups ?
Hi Ben! I think a good preamp will make it sound better.
Hi Magnus! have you tried the AKG C411 for live music?
No haven’t tried it. I had a similar mic from Swedish manufacturers Ehrlund pickup. Does the AKG work well for you?
Yes, I have one, and it's great. If you have the chance, give it a try. Great videos! Keep it up.
I need Dtar solstice. It is not available anywhere
You´re right, I think the DTar Solstice is out of production.