Violin Contest Giveaway Feedback

March 23, 2015 at 04:44 PM · Since you asked. I think you might want to re-record your clip with a different microphone. I didn't like the sound quality.

Otherwise, the page looks nice.

Is this a straight promo?

March 23, 2015 at 05:24 PM · Interesting way to encourage users to spread the word about your site and the contest.

March 23, 2015 at 07:20 PM · I agree, the sound quality could/should be better for a mudic based site.

Thanks for the contest!

March 23, 2015 at 09:18 PM · Yea we have been actually working on improving the quality of sound by recording the violin in a hall. The violin itself sounds great, but we have to get better at the digital/recording side of things.

Check out this one instead which I considered posting. Tia Bruna violin video followup.

Thanks for the feedback! Try to be nice with your comments about my wife's audio as she is just learning. :). The violin does have a wonderful sound, just a matter of getting a better Mic I think and recording it in a hall. We will be doing some experimenting with that this weekend.

March 23, 2015 at 10:04 PM · That one is much better.

But there is still an audible hiss in the background.

It might be worthwhile hiring someone. It shouldn't cost much if it is only a short clip. At least I hope it wouldn't. .

March 23, 2015 at 11:18 PM · Get a Tascam 70D and a pair of Shure KSM 137. If you cannot make a decent sounding recording with these, you won't be able to make a decent sounding recording with anything else.

March 24, 2015 at 11:53 AM · I prefer the stationary backdrop of the church/gothic hall - the nature scenes are nice but the fast moving cloud formations almost made me nauseous (and I'm not usually prone to motion sickness!)

Also enjoyed the "front page" blog regarding Chinese vs other instrument sources. Going right now to check for 5.5cm spacing on my fiddle...

March 24, 2015 at 03:20 PM · I don't like how the confirming email that you receive contains a link that you have to click and the link is something that looks exactly like a phishing scam. I didn't click it.

March 24, 2015 at 04:08 PM · I understand how it works, I just didn't recognize the particular e-marketing firm that was in the link.

March 24, 2015 at 05:13 PM · Mary, a 5.5 or 5.45 afterlength is considered to be somewhat of a standard on violins. But there are many other measurements which can work as well, or better, depending on the particular violin. So if your violin doesn't have this particular measurement, please don't assume that something needs to be corrected.

Some prior discussion on this:

http://www.violinist.com/discussion/response.cfm?ID=26225

March 25, 2015 at 02:47 AM · I'm telling you guys the 5.5cm thing works! Some people commented on the site like it was obviously stuff, but it definitely wasn't to me until he told me. I'm telling you it takes your violin from dull to live if you get it in the sweet spot. I always thought it was just the sound post for some reason.

Regarding the e-mail marketing stuff, we are using the program infusionsoft which is used for email marketing. By clicking on the link, you are confirming your email which gives better email deliverability through the system (avoid junk mail more often). Sorry that this wasn't clear and confusing.

Infusionsoft allows me to actually track specifically what people have clicked on in emails, and send them emails targeted to their interests. It is a good way to develop a person touch through automation. I have experimented with many systems and this one I'm most excited about to use (although most expensive).

I'm sharing all this with you guys as maybe there is interest in the violin community understanding more of what I'm doing, and how I'm trying to develop system to help, nurture and entertain violin enthusiasts from all over the world!

March 25, 2015 at 04:46 AM · I can't tell if it's the violin or the video quality, but there is an unpleasant edge to the sound, to my ear.

I did not enter the contest. (This musician understands email marketing--I understand that it clogs my already clogged mailbox and that my time is more valuable than the very small chance of getting something for free.) :-)

March 25, 2015 at 04:55 AM · Thanks Mary for your feedback. We are going to be doing some recording soon in a hall, as the video was done in pretty bad accoustics I think. I'm wondering your opinion about the other video.

It is interesting to hear you guys talk about email marketing even referred to as a "firm." Email marketing is really what the company decides to make it out to be. It is intended to be a way to reach out to your following in a progressive sequence, to notify people about the winners etc. At the end, we give them the opportunity to sign up for our newsletter or not, and ask for some basic information to see the winner.

I have done contests in the past before with more prizes, maybe that is something that would make this contest more appealing? I was actually thinking that this time simpler can be better.

Also with all your comments about the video, would you say it would be better to take it down or replace it with the other? I got some comments that the video was very good, but I hate hearing that the audio isn't good. Certainly not the violin or the violinist's fault.

I'm excited to do some new recordings this weekend. My partner is coming in from California and he is an expert in audio. He is going to show us a thing or two how to set everything up.

March 26, 2015 at 03:00 AM · The video and audio do not seem to be precisely synchronized. The E string of the violin sounds harsh, and the overall sound quality doesn't flatter the instrument; there is a thin edge to it.