Internal Mic's??

[onemanband]

Hi,
I've just fitted my Avalon 12string with the Fishman Premium Blend pickup/eq system. This incorporates an undersaddle transducer and a miniature gooseneck microphone, mounted inside the body and can be blended together or with emphesis towards one or the other as one prefers.
My question is, to anyone with similar systems, where do you find is the best position for the internal mic. capsule, inside the body, for optimum results, (sound, feedback avoidance etc). My Avalon is auditourium size, with a single cutaway.
Any experiences and advice gratefully accepted.

Cheers..............Brian

[Tim Mace]

My guess would be almost every guitar has different sound characteristics so practice,practice ,or try,try.
Til' you find that sweet spot.........

[Greg Mirken]

Don't bury it deep in the box or the sound is uneven and hollow. I have had the best results locating it right under the strings, pointing back toward the bridge. If you use floor monitors often, try aiming it crosswise pointing toward the bass E string if feedback is an issue.

[Russell Vance]

I've done a bunch and all I can say is that some guitars seem to respond to the gooseneck being moved about and some are particularly "dumb" no matter where the mic is placed. I start by biasing the blend fully to the undersaddle tranducer and getting a feel for what it sound like 'naked'. I then bias all the way towards the goosneck mic and have a listen to it - moving it around as much as possible to find a complimentary tone. This is difficult because the strings are on and I use some heamostats to manoeuvere the mic around (also, make sure it is facing the right way) - it's tricky because it is a three axis adjustment but I find the closer to the strings the better for attack and clarity.

But, these mics feed back and I use it to add a bit to the undersaddle transducer rather than be the principle sound - this means I can turn it down with the blend to cut feedback without losing the essentials.

Obviously you know about using the phase switch to cut feedback (make the transducer and mike anti-phase to your monitors or sound reinforcement/amp output) and also the frequency curve adjustment selection switch to contour the overall response (bass cuts the bottom end to stop booming and feedback with high SPLs or alternatively boosts the bass response for small body instruments).
I rate this system as among the best around. Rusty.

[onemanband]

Thanks Tim, Greg & Russell............................ I'll go away and "experiment"

Russ, you really rate this system then?
Trying to set the parameters in a home environment is never the same as in live venues, however I've done two gigs with it so far and was really impressed. I'm just getting my head around the full equalisation potential (phase switch, notch filter and contour control), I'm sure I'll get there, thanks for your advice.

Cheers..................Brian