To my fellow equipment Junkies: I built this vibe from M55 Parts (pics below).
I play vibes in an amateur big band and I could never keep the drums and band out of the mics if I turned it up loud enough to be heard. I'm sure if I got the right, mics the right amp/mixer and a drummer who doesn't play at one volume during sound checks and then 10 times louder during the gig, it would sound better than what I built...
Attached are some pics and a crude audio recording of an E-Vibe I built from an M55 frame and bars. It has a K&K pickup system and I covered it in drum covering material, black diamond pearl. I also modified multi wheel collapsible/folding hand truck. I leave the bars on, I heft it into the back of my Subaru Outback and I leave it the cart to pull it back out. The bars and frame together are pretty heavy. It's a real hassle to take the bars off and plug them back in; however, I may have to do it if I have to negotiate some major stairs, but with help I can lift the frame with bars on the hand truck up 2 or three stage stairs
Electronics: I use an older Fishman performer acoustic amp and I run an Eventide Mod Factor pedal in Tremolo mode between the K&K output and the amp (I like tremolo). Does it sound as good as a mic'd acoustic vibe? Nope. But the band likes it and I don't have to worry about feedback and mics. In a couple of gigs, the sound person ran the line out of the amp into the board. A LITTLE bit of compression kept distortion out of the mix when I got excited and hit hard. Next time I do this I'm going to have someone play the vibe so I can hear what it sounds like in the mix. Also, I may try running the post mix to the board so then I can crank up just like the guitar player does. --I'm now looking for an amp that goes to 11.
I had the "depth" turned up a little high just so it's obvious. The eventide you can control depth and frequency, it's really cool.
IndianaGlen
Click here to listen to the sound of the instrument.
Comments
that is very very very cool!…
tonymiceli Sun, 01/01/2023 - 17:04
that is very very very cool! Good Job!