REVIEW: Headway “The Band” for cello
Playing cello live is not easy. Especially when the 100 year old cello doesn’t like being plugged in, and when the vibrating from the drums and electric guitars on full blast in the amp I wonder why I have not invested in an electric cello yet…
Buy Headway The Band for cello from Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/headway_the_band_cello.htm?partner_id=81398
My first pickup was the Fishman C-100 Classic Series cello pickup, a piezo-ceramic pick up which attaches to the bridge and was very trebly/bright and you could hear a lot of bow noise.
My second was the Dtar Twin SoundSpot XL pickup a piezo-crystal pickup which was like the Fishman, except slightly less trebly.
Finally I have found the perfect solution for acoustic amplification. Headway Acoustics “The Band” for cello uses a rubber tube that straps around the cello with the pick up pressing against the wood, unlike other contact pickups I have used which use vibrations from the bridge which often leaves a very scratchy, bridgy sound.
PROS:
- Very natural acoustic cello sound
- Little feedback compared to microphones
- Easy to attach and take off after use
- No damage to the cello when attaching (e.g. no sharp edges, no need for sticky tape
- No batteries or phantom power needed
- Works with simple jack cable
- Sturdy for live situations and too delicate to break while transporting
CONS:
- If it is not strapped on tight enough, it can cause vibrations that cause the pick up to make buzzing sounds when playing certain notes. Unfortunately these buzzes are then amplified. In my experience they are not audible in foldback monitor speakers and usually the sound engineer in a live show will let you know.
- In my experience while using with a loop machine, if you are using a monitor/amplifier facing in the direction of the pickup, the pickup still picks up the vibrations and then records this in the loop as well, causing a never-ending cycle of dirty loops.
- Since the pickup picks up vibrations and not an audio signal, you still need to add reverb in most situations, which is less needed if using a microphone.
- From any distance the hideous black tube can be seen with the text on, but, I guess that is good marketing!
Thomann sells them for €239 and ships worldwide.
Buy Headway The Band for cello from Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/headway_the_band_cello.htm?partner_id=81398
See more information on their official website: http://www.headwaymusicaudio.com/product/the-band-cello/
--- UPDATE 9 DEC 2012 ---
I performed with Michael Kiwanuka with The Band for cello. Watch the video below to hear how it sounds.
REVIEW: BOSS RC-20 Loop Station™
In August 2009 my partner in crime, Andreas from The Dingo Birds gave me a BOSS RC-20XL Loop Station. Woohoo!!
Let the one-man-band jamming days begin!
PROS:
- I liked the auto-start function: when you start playing it records automatically.
- Quantize function means you don't have to be exact with timing when recording the initial loop, which is cool.
- Quite easy to get the hang of. Only two pedals, one for record, play, and overdub, the other for stop, delete.
CONS
- Didn't like that you can only record one overdub (with many layers) and you cannot delete loops and add them back in once you record them.
- Drum samples sound quite artificial.
Score: 4/5 for a beginner looper.
First of all, I need a good pickup for my cello. For a great way to amplify a classical cello, see my post about "The Band" for cello, made by Headway.
Below are the ones who inspired me in the early days:
Zoë Keating - cellist and looping extraordinaire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJiybW81mXA)
Dubfx - looping idol and friend from Melbourne (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPh_Fk2quPQ)
GIG REVIEW: Camille at Billboard, Melbourne
Amazing F*cking gig. Probably one of the top 2 gigs I've ever seen in my life. And, I managed to get the setlist. Make sure to check out Camille's album titled Music Hole.
More information about Camille:
Official website: http://www.camilleofficiel.fr/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camilleofficial
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/camillemusicofficial
Recording on The Caterpillar Wish Soundtrack
Recording on an Australian Feature Film, The Caterpillar Wish! I was pretty honoured, because the cello would play the theme to the movie.
When I arrived at the Supersonic Recordings studio in Melbourne, award winning and renowned composer Burkhard Dallwitz played me how the song went with the sampled instruments. I told him "but the cello sounds perfect, why would you want me?" He replied: "it's almost too perfect, a real cello sounds more real." Oh ok. So you're saying I play badly which is good???
Recording in the studio with Burkhard Dallwitz
Watch the trailer (and listen out for the cello theme) below or here: