8 violin clips for tone evaluation

[funnyope]

Well, I had originally added the following as edited content on my comment up there, but felt that it deserved to be a separate comment, so here it is:

I listened on my computer. 7 was the best. 4 and 6 were still good. I read the posts after I posted my impressions and was surprised to learn that 4 and 6 were your fiddles (among other things). I do think, however, that both of them were rather weak on the E string.

I really look forward to how your instruments will develop.

[Don Noon]

Here's an example of a different player, different location, different recording equipment (iPhone), making a violin sound completely different.

This is violin #19 (#4 of the 7 violins played), one that had only a few fans in the original comparison, and basically came in last.  Annelle Gregory was kind enough to play it for me.

[Rue]

Nice performance. What was she playing?

So...with all the variables... how do you think it's best to standardize sound recordings. ..even if just for your own use?

[Don Noon]

So...with all the variables... how do you think it's best to standardize sound recordings. ..even if just for your own use?

 

Recording engineers might be able to come up with something, but I'll bail out on that.  I only "standardize" on me playing, using the same microphone in the same location for my own use, which is only for technical comparisons and not for listening pleasure.  I'm not a fan of listening to my playing, even though I like to play occasionally.

 

I don't know the tune Annelle was playing, I just know she was playing my fiddle.

[Colleen McTigue]

VERY interesting experiment!  I am in awe of anyone who can carve a plate and install a bass bar in 5.5 hours!  AND have the workmanship be as good as in this example.  Wow!  And Annelle's playing is sublime.

 

Colleen (<---- how to pronounce my username)

[Don Noon]

 I am in awe of anyone who can carve a plate and install a bass bar in 5.5 hours!  AND have the workmanship be as good as in this example.  

 

I would be in awe of myself if the workmanship in this example only took that long.  However, the 5.5 hour fiddle top looks like crap (see http://www.maestronet.com/forum/index.php?/topic/334867-firewood-fiddle-a-test-of-the-worst/?p=727665), and the one in the most recent post took a LOT longer.

[funnyope]

 Don, I'm impressed. The iPhone is definitely better. The violin sounds very beautiful, actually.

[Don Noon]

I'd say the player and location are the main factors, and not the recording equipment.

However, I should make a comparison at home to see if the iPhone is that good.

[David Istratti]

I'd say the player and location are the main factors, and not the recording equipment

 

I am sorry to say but you are very wrong with this one. The recording equipement will make  HUGE difference. Go on YT and listent to Sassmanhouse recordings with hios students , that is where you should aim to. And also take a look at the quality of the recording and the player Artiom posted some time ago.

[Evan Smith]

[Don Noon]

I'd say the player and location are the main factors, and not the recording equipment.

However, I should make a comparison at home to see if the iPhone is that good.

 

I am sorry to say but you are very wrong with this one. 

 

You can not possibly know if I am wrong or right, and neither can I at this point, as I was only referring only to the two specific recordings:  the iPhone recording of Annelle in a large hall vs. the computer/Blue Yetti recording of me at home, both using the same violin.  Since neither recording was intentionally processed in any way, I still think most of the vast difference in perceived quality between those two examples is due to the player and location, rather than the recording equipment used.  However, I'll do a comparison test to be sure, using both sets of equipment to record at home.  If I sound like Annelle on the iPhone, I'll throw away my computer and USB microphone. 

[funnyope]

 Don, I have a question for you. What bow is she using? A Sartory, perhaps?

[David Istratti]

You can not possibly know if I am wrong or right, and neither can I at this point, as I was only referring only to the two specific recordings:  the iPhone recording of Annelle in a large hall vs. the computer/Blue Yetti recording of me at home, both using the same violin.  Since neither recording was intentionally processed in any way, I still think most of the vast difference in perceived quality between those two examples is due to the player and location, rather than the recording equipment used.  However, I'll do a comparison test to be sure, using both sets of equipment to record at home.  If I sound like Annelle on the iPhone, I'll throw away my computer and USB microphone. 

 

I did not express myself well. In violin tone the big differences which really matter are small. ( I meant what I wrote ). The recorder you used makes the sound granular. You need to get a good microphone as a first step. I need to hear more to draw a conclusion and what I miss is because of the microphone.

[Artiom]

The blue Yeti is not a high end mic but by all means is better than what is inside of an iphone or any other device of such kind. if you record the violinist you just recorded on an iphone, and in the same room and using the maximum resolution that your audio hardware can allow, without any compression, you will probably get a much better result than with your iphone. Just a suggestion. To me the iphone recording brought more information that the recordings you have made previously. Although the violin does not sound deep enough and lacks the dimensionality in sound, I found it to be rather balanced and nice sounding in general, especially comparing with many modern makers. Just an impression from this recording.