Violin sound.

[Retired]

Hi,

I've just played the Yamaha at the settings on the picture you kindly posted @Slouching Raymond It sounds really harsh; possibly because on the video it's being played on guitar and I don't have the blueSky but well worth a try. Thanks again.

You are bang on @rob aylestone I've just tried a different rosin and put plenty on the bow strings; the Yamaha is playing OK again; thanks again for the suggestion.

I've just been playing with these settings @Slouching Raymond not too bad but with a somewhat boomy background; I need a lot more practice.

Here's the rosin I've just uesed; sorry about picture quality; I think I've got the shakes and it's like living in a black hole with the rain and dense cloud cover; this rosin is Hypoallerginic bought because I suffer lots of skin rashes; I've tried a number of rosins but I think I need to go back to using this one.

I've enjoyed the short practice but as I say it's so dark even with the wall lights on; my old pit lamp would be useful.

Kind regards, Col.

 

[TalismanRich]

Colin, I've got a B9 pedal. It can make some reasonably good organ sounds. The problem is trying to mimic a keyboard player's style. Playing guitar, I find that chords worked best if I was plucking several strings at once, vs the normal strumming motion. I also have to be careful to avoid bends, as a normal organ doesn't change pitches like you can on a guitar when you pull strings. Likewise, the normal vibrato that one would get with a guitar or violin sounds really strange. Single note melodies work pretty well

I also bought a Lester K pedal, which is a Leslie speaker simulator. Put together, I could make some semi decent organ sounds.

In the end, it was fun, but not something that I have ever used either live or on a recording. Maybe I need to throw mine back on my pedal board and freak out the other guys next time we get together, eh?

 

[TalismanRich]

BTW, I just looked on Ebay UK, and there are a couple of B9 pedals in the £130 range. One was in Enfield, another in London.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

Thanks for your help @TalismanRich You mean this;

It's now sold to me. £143.87 with postage. I didn't bother with offers just paid the price. I might be buying more pedals as I begin to get used to using them. It's time I was thinking about resuming playing in the studio; I played my violin briefly this afternoon but the front room lighting needs some napalm to brighten it up. In the studio I have ceiling strip LED's; 16 x 13A sockets; central heating and a wall mounted fan heater; it's a cosy studio in the rear of the bungalow and I can lock the world out; I like my own company not wanting so called friends just out for what they can get. Now I'm on my own I don't want attention from gold diggers; the bungalow is empty without my lovely Bron but she'll always be here with me in spirit and her loyal deep love; Bron is the one and modern dating by what I see on YouTube videos terrifies me. Solitude and peace is all I want.

At the moment I've got excellent gear way beyond my capabilities but I'll grow into it with lots of practice.

Thanks again @TalismanRich I'd looked through eBay but missed this one; I've grabbed it whilst still available. Yes knock the dust off yours.

Kind regards, Col.

 

[Slouching Raymond]

On cleaning the bow, I've never cleaned my cello bow.
I don't really know what I'm doing, but I just rub the rosin on it before playing.
You can see my cello in my hand in the little picture.
It is about time I got it out again for a little play.

There was a tune posted on this site, with an organ pedal.
It was very realistic with a guitar played through it.
I'd never heard of it, so I looked it up.
It will be in one of the little notebooks I jot things down in.

My Line6 Flextone III amp has a leslie emulator effect, and I can get a guitar to sound a bit organy with it.

 

[rob aylestone]

I suspect the build up of rosin is fundamental to the purpose, layer on layer, carefully applied year on year. My own experience is you always need more, never less. The mess on the bridge area of every bowed instrument a testament to the 50% of players who leave it on. The other 50% are absolutely sure their alcohol and toothbrush regime is better. I think my viewpoint is like guitar strings. leave them alone till they break, then buy new ones. Same as my car tyres. One day they fail the test, then put new ones on. All those places selling part-worn tyres make me smile? People swap them before there is no tread left? Snaps, breaks, holes, stretches, rust - they're good reasons. I jest. To a point.

 

[Retired]

Hi,

Since I first noticed on YouTube a video showing a violin being played that sounded like an organ I'm hooked @Slouching Raymond and want to do the same. I'm well on my way; the POG2 is excellent and still requires a lot of experimentation before I fully understand how to use it; the Merris ENZO too is fascinating but in a different way; I'm looking forward to receiving the Electro Harmonix B9; I'm sure this will give me endless fun. I now need to regroup and stop throwing money at it until I fully understand what I already have; a fool and their money? Your cello needs your TLC @Slouching Raymond it'll love you back if you start playing it again although I believe you lean towards your guitar.

I've possibly been too light applying the rosin @rob aylestone because on a YouTube video it was stated it wasn't good to have a cloud of rosin. Every time I've played the violin I've cleaned it together with its strings using a micro fiber cloth trying to avoid a big rosin build up. I'm very keen ideed when it comes to looking after my kit; tools are cleaned and put away after each project; I also know how to use an oil can which few use on their tools or machinery; it was beaten into me as an apprentice; mining engineers in those days weren't affected by PC but it taught me respect both for the engineers and my tools.

Anyone needs to be desperate to buy part worn tyres; at best I think they'd be OK just on the spare wheel. Living here on the valley side decent tyres are needed if I want to return home in snow or ice; two years after buying the new Skoda Yeti we had "Tyresonthedrive" visit to remove the OEM tyres and fit Michelin all season tyres. I'm also keen regarding checking tyre condition and tyre pressure; for 50 years I've used the pencil type tyre pressure checker but now use a digital pressure checker bought cheaply through eBay. Before marrying many years ago I used to go to the coast with my chums in a very old austin car; it had a set of tyres showing the canvas but never got a puncture; those days are long gone when now if we sneeze whilst in control of a car there's risk of being fined. I've just had my eyes tested too to be on the right side of the law; I'm informed I'll probably need surgery for cataracts at my next eye test in two years; it's over 30 years ago I was first told I had cataracts forming? I can still see to count my change.

The new violin strings I ordered are now with me but I'll hang back before fitting them; I'll wait until the old strings give up but at least I now have a full set plus an extra D string for when they are needed.

I've used free "Audacity" for editing my playing; it's ages ago I did any recording so is Audacity still OK or are there better free ones?

Kind regards, Col.