Your Violin, Just Louder: Cloudvocal iSolo VF-10

[@lakisbouz]

Thank you so much for your time and effort... awesome demo.

[@AlexPriceMusician]

November 2023 - Cloudvocal is having a Black Friday sale all month. The iSolo systems are $100 down from the normal price and the discount can be combined with the code below for another 5% off. That brings the price to $380 or so, which is the cheapest I've seen them go for. Hi everyone - just wanted to post this new link that the company sent me. They're offering 5% off for my viewers. Enter through the link: cloudvocal.com/discount/ALEXP5OFF | Or use the code ALEXPRICE at checkout and the discount should be applied automatically.

[@jackprice7828]

Alex thanks for this video. I have been looking for a wireless system for our worship team violinist.

[@nwaneridavid3377]

Love this ❤

[@rombsix]

You're doing a wonderful job, man! I appreciate you!

[@maisha7374]

Hi, Alex, Thanks for your very informative video. I had a lot of questions about this product and you've answered almost all of them. I just have a few more and hope I don't sound too stupid in asking them. 1. Regarding the power requirements for the stage receiver: I'd need to have that plugged in to a power source to use the device on stage, right? And it has to be somewhere on stage within reach during the performance so that I can change any settings, if need be? So if, say I was doing a gig with a 6-piece jazz band, and we're centre stage, I would probably need an extension cable for the stage receiver if I needed to have it in front me. 2. If the band's other instruments are going through a PA system, then I'd need to connect the stage receiver through the XLR cable provided, which would then go to the PA system and sound engineer/front of house, where they can regulate the voume/balance of the other instruments? Or the alternative would be to plug directly into an amp using the XLR cable? 3. If I'm playing my violin in this 6-piece band, which has keyboards/piano, a tenor sax, a singer, drums and a double bass, is the condensor mic going to be enough to catch my sound without picking up other noise? I know there's the piezo option, but in other reviews I've read/watched, the piezo piece is pretty big/thick and with the bridge I'm currently using, it would not fit without a huge adjustment to my bridge, or might even a need new one. I hope you can answer my questions. I'm looking for a wireless mic/pickup option because I'm sick of being stuck to a cable all the time. And the investment in a Cloudvocal iSolo VF-10 is considerable, so I have to know exactly how it works. Thanks very much in advance! Maisha

[@AlexPriceMusician]

Hey, hope my reply is useful and isn't too late. 1 - Yes, the receiver needs to be plugged in to an outlet. The other option would be to use a rechargeable power bank. The power cable that comes with the Cloudvocal system actually terminates in a USB type A, so you could just plug it into a battery. The only thing you should make sure of is that the power bank is outputting 9v, not 5v which is much more common with USB connections (like your phone charger). 2 - With a mic and a balanced XLR connection, the ideal situation would be to either plug it into your own PA speaker or acoustic amp if you have something like the Fishman Loudbox, or just give it to the front of house engineer and let them handle it. 3 - A mic is always going to sound more natural than a piezo pickup. The issue is that a mic is more prone to feedback, and yes it'll pick up some of what is happening around you. The good news is that the mic is very close to your instrument, so the more distance you can put between yourself and the drum set, the better. If the stages you're playing are very loud, a mic is not the best choice because you'll need to get the monitors up way loud to be able to hear yourself, which could create a feedback loop with a mic. The VF-10 comes with a piezo element that you can easily plug in to bypass the mic though, so you at least have a backup solution that doesn't involve buying a whole new pickup.

[@markcostello236]

Has anyone been using this regularly for live use?

[@AlexPriceMusician]

I use the violin version occasionally for musicals. Most of the time when I'm playing violin amplified though, I'm using the LR Baggs pickup since feedback can become an issue with a mic in a loud situation with drums. That's just me and my unique use though. For playing weddings or other low volume gigs, the VF-10 is excellent. I also own the similar Cloudvocal guitar kit and use it a ton. I get hired on guitar for most of the symphonies around Western Pennsylvania. Same thing - in a quieter situation away from drums and other amplified instruments, the Cloudvocal system is fantastic. I've used it on classical and steel string acoustic guitars with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, Wheeling West Virginia, etc. It's reliable and sounds much more natural than a pickup.

[@michaelchevalier9777]

Thanks for this video, in particular, Alex. I'm a fiddle player too -- guitar as well -- and finding someone demoing gear for both is exceedingly rare. Your Helix videos are really helping me dial in tones for both. I see a Keystation controller in some shots -- you ever play keys on gigs, as well? I'd be super interested to see your live setup one of these days -- stage of, switching between a bunch of instruments, all the super nerdy stuff.

[@AlexPriceMusician]

Hey Michael - my live rig when I’m playing a ton of different instruments is the HX Stomp XL, the Red Eye preamp, and an expression pedal. Here’s a video on that rig: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4LcdpWCqK-eaM0 The Keystation controller sometimes gets used when I’m playing a software instrument in a DAW, but mostly I use it with Finale when I’m arranging charts. I’m not daring enough to attempt keys live haha. My chops are very minimal

[@michaelchevalier9777]

@@AlexPriceMusician haha. I hear you --- I've started playing keys again recently to patch some sonic holes in a couple bands I play with -- just some basic comping behind someone else playing lead, then switching back to the fiddle usually -- but have no business doing much beyond that. Thanks for the link, can't wait to check it out. Awesome to be able to get information from consummate pros on YT -- again, much respect for your work.

[@Geronimomargus]

Dear Alex, would you please know if both - microphone and piezo pickup input - can be used at the same time and it what intensity proportion? And is the piezzo pickup activated just by being plugged in VF10 and attached to the bridge or any button needs to be turned on?

[@AlexPriceMusician]

Hi - in order to use the included piezo element, all you have to do is plug it into the transmitter. The device will sense that you've plugged it in and will automatically switch to that as the source and will deactivate the microphone. With that said, there is no way to use the onboard microphone and piezo pickup at the same time. The limitation is that the transmitter and receiver are only able to communicate one source of audio. If you wanted to though, you could use an external piezo pickup (like the one you see on my instrument in this video) and plug it into the receiver on the aux input. Then you would blend the signals with the gain controls. Of course, if you want to remain completely wireless, you'll have to get a different wireless transmitter.

[@Geronimomargus]

@@AlexPriceMusician Dear Alex, thank you for the explanation!