another beginner low D question

Whistle
1

a couple of questions actually.

  1. is low volume on the low D and E notes normal? or will that change as i get more experienced?

  2. any hints on miking a low D? would a keyboard amp be appropriate?

thanks

meir

2

What are you playing?

3

sorry for the long brake was on vacation. my questions apply to my awesome new copeland brass low D.


thanks

meir

4

meir

The “volume” on the pedal notes sound quieter because these toneholes are at a greater distance from your ears than the upper toneholes are. A person standing in front of you would hear the high and low notes at equal volume. This is an Aural Illusion(ear mirage?) :roll:

The best Mike for metal whistles is an accelerometer mike that picks up sound vibrations from the metal tube and is attached to the whistle between the voicing/embouchure and the top tonehole(A “Nodal” point).

Wooden whistles can have a “plate mike” attached to the inner fipple face or(EEK!) a hole is drilled for access to the bore at various places. I have heard whispers of a replacement fipple plug/mike but I have never layed eyes on one.

5

You’re miking the whistle for performing rather than recording? If so I’d suggest a Shure SM57/8 on a boom stand, positioned above the fipple hole, pointing down towards it.

A good keyboard amp should have a fairly wide frequency range, and therefore do the whistle some justice. If in doubt check the specs. to see what the high end of the frequency response is like. If playing in a band through a PA system though, the whistle mic would usually plug directly into the sound desk, instead of passing through an amp first.

Hope this helps..

Barry

6

Meir,
I felt similar with my “new” (yet old–it’s a traveller whistle) Copeland Low D. If the bell tone on mine is OK, the low E was definitely weak. Most low whistles I’ve owned or tried behave the same, btw.
However, after a good wash and polish of the bore, this Copeland’s E did improve noticeably.

Now this IS interesting.

However, could you explain something that I don’t quite get?
I always heard most of the sound heard from a whistle comes from the window. In this case, how come, one would hear the bell D quieter for being farther?
And does this explain at all the low E appearing so commonly weaker than both the D and F#?