Got my new used Elfsong C/D combo and recently made my first recording. At Clips and Snips is a comparison of my five high whistles with each whistle going for 15-20 seconds on a Bach variation.
http://www.tinwhistletunes.com/clipssnip/misc.html
(Bach)
Order of play in parens:
Clarke C (2), Elfsong C (1), Elfsong D (5), Susato D (3), Walton D (4)
Subjectively, I am still getting used to the Elfsongs. As with all whistles, they have their own unique voices. Much of my material is original, and each whistles’ voice has a great deal to do with the melodies that come to me. I have yet to write a song on either Elfsong, or play either in front of crowd. Public response is often a better barometer than my own feelings and observations. Many of the other opinions posted by others about Elfsongs seem valid.
I use Audacity freeware to make the recording. I get a lot of noise (pop and hiss) on my Labtec mike. The Noise Reduction on Audactiy is good, but also distorts the sound a bit even on the lowest removal setting.
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
From a prior post, I ran volume and frequency tests:
c:\program files\audacity\tuner_e\tuner8.exe
Volume test, microphone at 30 inches, ambient noise level ~47 db
Play two notes, the low D (or C) and the high D (or C)
Bellnote/high D (xxxxxx oxxxxx)
55/60 Elfsong C
53/63 Clarke C original
58/62 Elfsong D
59/62 Walton D brass
59/63 Susato D poly (Dublin non-tunable)
60/70 Susato low D poly (Dublin non-tunable)
For all whistles, all lower octave notes fall in the decibel range given. In general, the higher the note, the higher the db level. The Elfsong C sounds quieter than it registers.
Tuning test:
Elfsong C 525 588 663 697 782 890 934 996
Elfsong D 585 656 733 782 884 986 1061
Clarke C 526 590 656 696 775 873 964 1060
Susato D 580 649 727 771 860 958 1021 1165
Walton D 600 669 742 790 875 992 1062 1184
reference 523 587 657 699 784 880 988 1047 1175
C D E F#740.0 G A B C D
Sus low D 295 332 370 393 443 493 532
Most whistles are close to true, no obvious sour notes. The Walton fipple was slid out a bit as it was sharp out of the box. The Elfsongs have thicker metal making for a noticeable difference if tested cold or after warming up.
Enjoy.
- Bill