Forum | Mads Tolling

Mads on type of violin

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:35:33 +0000

MShapiro said:Mads, when you record do you use the signal from your Schertler Stat-V pickup, or do you use a mic, or a combination of both? If you use the pickup for recording do you use any processing or do you record it dry then process the signal afterwords? Thanks!

Its a combination depending on the tune. I record it dry except for the distortion and octave that we felt would sound better with the analog - even then we still had the direct

MShapiro on You're coming to S. Cal! Awesome

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 00:24:07 +0000

I see you'll be playing at Steamers on Tuesday, June 22. I'll be there for sure

We had previously discussed the possibility of taking a lesson from you when you're in this part of town. Will you have any extra time on this trip to try to make that happen?

MShapiro on type of violin

Sat, 19 Jun 2010 00:13:43 +0000

Mads, when you record do you use the signal from your Schertler Stat-V pickup, or do you use a mic, or a combination of both? If you use the pickup for recording do you use any processing or do you record it dry then process the signal afterwords? Thanks!

Mads on type of violin

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:49:28 +0000

Thanks,

Its actually a modern no name Italian from around 1940, dont know who made it. The pickup is a schertler Stat-V, which works quite well I feel!

-Mads

Chip Gulbro on type of violin

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:47:14 +0000

make and model

I was curious as to your make of violin on your latest cd? I like the tone. PLaying is great too!

Mads on Question for Mads about the chop bowing in "The Chicken"

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:35:32 +0000

Hey Mark,

Tempo 90, thats actually very good - its not an easy technique...

Sure when I am down in LA I can likely do a lesson or two - all depends on the timing, but lets try to make it happen!

-Mads

MShapiro on Question for Mads about the chop bowing in "The Chicken"

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:06:06 +0000

Mads, yeah thanks for the tips. There are a few videos on YouTube of Darol Anger showing the basic technique, and a few videos of "JimViolin" showing the technique from an Irish or Scottish fiddling perspective.

I have been diligently working away at your "The Chicken" riff for the past few weeks. I have it down fairly well at up to about 92 bpm. But you play that song at 130 bpm! Holy ****! It wil take some time to perfect it at that tempo.

It's great to know that you teach. Awesome! SF is not all that far from LA. What are the chances of arranging a lesson or two from you when you're on the road in the S. Cal area? I imagine life on the road is too hectic for that, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

Mads on Question for Mads about the chop bowing in "The Chicken"

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:45:44 +0000

Hey Mark,

I would say learn the basics first which is chop down in the string with the bow turned sideways muting the strings with the left hand. You come from inside out and immediately stop the bow for sliding any further out. The up bow part you throw the bow back over your shoulder.

What I did here was to add notes and making sort of a drumming pattern happen. Not easily explained, but it all starts with the technique. I believe there are some videos out there about the chop. I am not sure where you live, but if you are ever out in the SF Bay Area I am around for lessons....

Best,

Mads

MShapiro on Question for Mads about the chop bowing in "The Chicken"

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:53:19 +0000

Mads, I think The Playmaker is one of the best jazz/rock/etc violin albums of all time. But I'll write more on that later.

I am somewhat new to chop bowings, and I am dilligently working away at trying to perfect the technique you use at the beginning of "The Chicken". I've even slowed down a video of you playing this in trying to figure out the bowing.

(see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....maAJDxNrIU or http://www.violinist.com/blog/.....094/10011/ for the video).

There's a problem though in slowing down videos in that the video typically becomes unsynced with the audio.

Are there any tips you can give as to how to practice and perfect this technique?

Thanks,

Mark

MShapiro on Lunchbox amp usage?

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:13:09 +0000

Mads, thanks to you I just purchased an AC-60. So far I love it although it won't see its first gig until 5 more days. But I do believe it will replace my existing amp and become my 1st choice gig amp. Its sound, portability, as well as not needing a rack of FX pedals with it are amazing qualities. My ony concern is how well it will hold up at loud volumes (you know how those guitar players like to turn up).

Vince, how is your lunchbox doing?

Mads on Lunchbox amp usage?

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:39:34 +0000

Hi Mark,

The AC-60 is great and I also own the AC-90 just more powerful same sound. Depends how loud you want to be compared with how much you want to carry. The ability to play club gigs are great with these amps. If you have both you can also connect them even though it is mono that way sounds great. Best amp I have found for violin. JC 120 is totally different, but good for really big places, such as my perfomances with Stanley in Hollywood Bowl and Concord Pavilion. I like the sounds they, Roland just makes nice Stuff!!

-Mads

Mads on Listeners impression of "The Playmaker"

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:35:17 +0000

Thanks, man much appreciated!

-Mads

MShapiro on Your advice on improving the sound of electric violins

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:36:34 +0000

Hi Mads, my main instrument for jazz these days is a Tucker Barrett EV-5 (5 string) made in the 90s, fitted with a Zeta Jazz pickup system. This pickup was sold by Zeta as the "RetroPak" but I don't think it's made any more.

The Tucker Barrett EV-5 is a really well made solid body violin, and can be seen at http://www.electricviolinshop......category=6

What I've learned about Zeta pickups is that they really sound like crap unless we do some serious signal processing.

I have been using 2 multi fx guitar processors, a Digitech RP350 and a Zoom 606. Thes boxes are extremely versatile, with tons of different fx at our disposal. But therein lies the problem for me, in having so many choices (and combinations of) to choose from.

I have managed to devise a few patches that I kind of like. But they are all basically just a combination of some reverb with a slight bit of chorous added. I'm looking for some patches that are much more original and interesting than that.

So my questions for you are this- Do you recommend using multi fx guitar processors?

And what FX (or combinations of) do you use to get the various tones that you do?

Thanks,

Mark

MShapiro on Lunchbox amp usage?

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 03:15:16 +0000

Mads, have you tried the Roland AC-90? I'm not sure if you're familiar with it, or if you're saying that the AC-60 sounds better than then the AC-90. Some reports (by guitarists no doubt) say that the AC-60 is underpowered. How do you feel about it's power, and it's ability to be used by itself on club gigs?

I am about to purchase either an AC-60 or an AC-90. I'm hoping you can help me decide which.

And you refer to the "Roland 120". I assume you're referring to the JC-120. Doesn't the JC-120 have a completely different sound than the AC amps?

Thanks,

Mark

Mads on Lunchbox amp usage?

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 05:46:00 +0000

I am not familiar with the Jensen - I play a Yamaha, when I play solid body - this is very rare though. Th best amp I have found by far is the Roland AC-60. It is also very small. soudns good with everything!I think the Roland 120 is pretty good too, but a lot larger amp!