Rob the Fiddler

Every gearhead I know is constantly looking for that Holy Grail of sound. Just look at the number of effects pedals that have been made over the past 50 years. I know plenty of guitar players that are just not happy unless they are trying out a new pedal to tweak their sound in the perfect direction.

Well, finding the perfect sound for the violin is even harder. For some reason, the guitar is like the tofu of instruments as is it well suited though just about any effect, amp or whatever. The overtones and attack of a violin are a bit more destinct and do not seem to sound so good through anything but the most subtle of effects. Still, I keep trying, and will continue to search for that perfect combination of pedals and settings for the best sound. Of course, I play mostly country so a distortion does not suit me to well.

Here is a listing of effects catagories and how I rate their usefulness from my experience (and i have bought a LOT of pedals). Of course, I am assuming that you are playing through a pickup of some sort.
Preamps: 10+ Very usable

If you had to buy only thing, I would suggest a good preamp. Previously, I had used a Sans Amp. The Tech 21 was PERFECT, and it served me well everyweekend for over 5 years until it got jacked one night. Pbbbt. No amp needed, I just plug into the soundboard and get the thumbs up from the soundguy. Turns out this model is discontinued. Its replacement is the para driver which looks about the same, except for a “Drive” which is not what I’m looking for.

Now I use a Fishman which does a good job too. I miss the old pedal, but the Fishman seems about the same.

I have a TubePre from PreSonus that I have not really played with yet. Its not roadworthy and will probibly stay home at the…eh…um…so called studio.

Delay: 10 Very Usable

This would be the next pedal than any violinist needs. Use sparingly though. Just a little echo for a rebervish sound. Whats the difference between that and a reverb?..not much really. A delay is just the delayed signal mixed back in. If you it repeatedly and systematically…its an echo. If you do it mixed up and randomly…it sounds more like a reverb. The delay is actually convoluted (in fact the high end reverbs simulate a convolution. Set the delay like under 1/2 second and the regeneration so that it bleeds out. Avoid spring settings…go for Plate or hall.

The best sounds I have gotten from my violin is in tile lined bathrooms at various 1930’s buildings (State fair grounds, VFW halls and the like). If I found a pedal with a “Bathroom” setting I would buy it.

Reverb: 9

Good for small clubs, with lots of people. I only use it for juke joints or places where Im running my own sound. Big halls and theaters are going to be roomy enough as it is. Your just going to make things smudgy sounding. If it makes you feel good, and your monitors have a effects loop, go for it.
Flanger: 8

I like the sound of my violin through a flanger, but once again sparingly.  I just like that LFO jet sound it adds…but only for long notes.  Turn it off for fast solos.

Chorus: 6

Personally, I think there is something strange about a violin that just makes them sound bad with a chorus.  Perhaps a solidbody violin might be better. Ill check that out.  In reality, there is not really that much difference between a flanger and a chorus.  Both take the signal and modify the pitch and add that back in.  A flanger has like one copy of the signal and adds it back in.  The feedback loop is short.  A chorus takes more copies and sums it back over a longer period.  A little chorus is nice, but starts to sound mushy. If you have an effects loop like the Sans amp, you can put that in the loop and blend it with the dry signal.  You keep your attacks and envelopes with the softening of the chorus for long notes.

Vibrato: 3

Useless.  Dude, its a violin.  No frets!  Why?? So you can do vibrato. I have pedal, but it sounds better on an organ.  Dont waste your money…learn to play. Recall that the difference between vibrato and tremolo is that the vibrato is a slow variation in pitch whereas the tremolo is a variation in volume….which leads to…

Tremolo: 2

When you strum a guitar, you have a sharp attack and then are left with a sustaining note.  Surfy sounds are great on guitar.  The Violin on the other hand is one continuous sustain that you have to control with a bow. Its hard enough to get an even bowing sound.  There are exceptions.  If you have a super saturated overdrive going, you barely have to touch the fingerboard to get a note…since the drive overrides your dynamics to just “loud”, a tremolo could be interesting if its placed AFTER the distortion.  Controlled by an expression pedal…not bad actually.

Compression: 2 to 8…depends.

As pedal..ditch it. A compressor is effectivly a little demon twiddling your volume knob.  It can make you come in punchy and it can sustain your notes…but a violin can be pretty darned punchy by itself and there is no need to add to the sustain of a long bow. Violins do not ring much.  If you have a sound guy that knows what he is doing, it might work, or just make you sound like so many crappy fiddles I have heard on country recordings.

Filters: 10

Between the filter on your preamp and the filters on the soundboard, you should be set, but an additional boost/cut can never hurt.

Distortion: 4 to 9 depending on application.

I have heard bands where a totally distorted fiddle sounds nice. I hear other recordings, like Sam Bush live and think its horrible.  I am looking for the perfect sound here.