Violin/Viola Transducer
SCHERTLER SA
Via Beroldingen 18, CH-6850 Mendrisio,
Tel. 0041-91-630 07 10
www.schertler.com - [email protected]
Dear musician, recording engineer . . .
The SCHERTLER®system is used worldwide in recording and amplification whenever superlative quality is a must. Therefore many of the finest soloists and professional engi-
neers of our time have already chosen SCHERTLER®.
The patented electrodynamical principle guarantees linearity and dynamics to the highest degree, combining for the first time the advantages of a "pickup" (easy transmission
and handling) with those of a "microphone" (better reproduction, but without the usual feedback, voiceover and crosstalk problems) allowing for the best possible signal seper-
ation.
All SCHERTLER® products are developed and manufactured in Switzerland according to highest standards in design, material quality and workmanship providing you not only
with a product that looks and sounds great, but a "tool” that will accompany you for years to come.
Within the pages of this short course on the application and use of your SCHERTLER® product we have tried to present simple and clear instructions that should have you up and
running in a short period of time. In the event you would have questions or comments on the use feel free to contact your local dealer or get in touch with us her in Switzerland
through the contact information on the back cover.
In my continuing quest to improve transmission and reproduction of acoustic instrument sound, I hope to have improved your individual performance too.
Yours faithfully,
Stephan Schertler and the SCHERTLER® AUDIO team
Let us make a general remark before we start. The entire mounting process of the transducer is so very simple that explaining it is often
the most difficult part. With this in mind we have tried, nonetheless, to present easy step-by-step instructions for the trouble-free opera-
tion of your newly purchased SCHERTLER® DYN-V, electrodynamic violin transducer.
Within the little "black” box you will find a small cylindrical container, which when opened reveals a green coloured adhesive putty. This
putty is the key to fixing the Transducer to the correct spot on the instrument. Derived from a special inert formula, the putty is reusable
many times over and does not present any risk even to the finest of instrument finishes. In the event that any trace of the putty is left
on the instrument itself, it is easily removed by taking a generous amount of putty from the container and using it as an eraser making
"dabbing” motions, completely removing any residue left after detachment of the transducer.
Remove a small bit of putty from the container and form a ball ca. 1cm (7/16 inch) in diameter (a little bit larger than a pencil eraser).
Placing the ball on a flat surface begin to work it back-and-forth (use your hand, our little "black” box or anything else you find conven-
ient) in order to form a "worm” ca. 7 cm (23/4 inch) in length.
Now, going back to the "black” box, remove the transducer and hold it in your hand with the bottom (black) side facing upward. We would
like for you to notice one of the most important parts of the transducer located in the very center of the bottom side where you can clear-
ly see a black rubber insert or spot. This is the "contact” point of the transducer, which will pick up the vibrations from the instrument.
In your free hand take the "worm” of putty and apply it lightly to the surface as shown in Fig. 1. Be sure to make a complete ring around
the transducer as this will create a "vacuum” effect when later mounted, thus ensuring improved adhesion to the instrument.
Once you have completed this step, and are confident that you are ready to move on to your musical instrument, you can put the trans-
ducer down ("black” side up).
The first step is to make sure that the surface where the transducer is to be mounted is clean and free of any dust or oily film as this will
only lessen the effect of the putty and may create problems later on while you are playing.
Now that the instrument is clean and you have it securely in hand, take the transducer and apply it by firmly pressing on one of the points
indicated in Fig. 2. Be sure not to press too hard, but hard enough, while also slightly twisting the transducer back and forth in order for
any trapped air to escape. You will be aware when the transducer is correctly fit in place when you feel that the center spot is making con-
tact with the instrument. Once again, it is not necessary to press too hard, but only enough to ensure proper connection. With time, and
after a number of applications, you will gain a certain confidence and feeling allowing you to perform this operation in less than a minute.
We would also like to point out the basic concept of the transducer once it is attached to the instrument. When correct contact is made
between the instrument body and the transducer’s center spot, we refer to this as having established the "vibration circuit” which becomes
an integral part of the instrument itself for the transfer of dynamics, frequency and timing to the sound amplification system.
You will also note that the recommended placement of the transducer as in Fig. 2, is just that, a recommendation. Every instrument has its
own personality and particular characteristics including the type of wood used, the quality of the wood, bracing positions etc. The goal of
the optimal placement is to find a "hotspot” that not only reproduces the instrument’s personality, but also produces sound pleasing to you
as a musician and ultimately listeners. A good way to find this spot is to simply work with a friend and use the transducer, without any
putty, as a doctor’s stethoscope. Here one person can play while the other gently places the transducer in various places to obtain the
desired results. Remember that slightest change in position can sometimes make an enormous difference in the final results.
MOUNTING THE DYN-V
U S E R ’ S M A N U A L
