[Harp-L] Re: Microphones (& maybe an amp)?

[tom ball <havaball@xxxxxxx>]

Rich writes:

> <snip> I'm in search of a good acoustic setup. I think the key is the
> microphone.
>
> Blowing into the harp and hand techniques are 90% of my sound. Putting a mic
> up close just distorts the heck out of it.  I need a mic and amp setup that
> can reproduce this.
>
> I use diatonics (Marine Bands) almost exclusively. I play a lot of folk,
> country blues, and bluegrass. So I do a lot of chording with the some
> steppin' out front during the breaks.
>
> So I'm wondering if their are some experienced acoustic players out there
> who might offer some suggestions.
_______________________
Hi Rich,

Unless I'm misunderstanding your question, it appears you're looking 
to get a nice acoustic sound via a good vocal mic and <shudder> an 
amp.

Granted, the right microphone can make all the difference in the 
world, but if you're playing through an amp, it will always sound 
like, well, an amp.

You mentioned that you tried an SM-58 through the PA but had to 
really get on top of it for bass response...  Hmmm...  Part of the 
problem could be that the PA was cheesy? (Just guessing here.)  Or 
maybe the channel you were playing through didn't have it's EQ 
optimally set for harp?  You might try rolling the bass up to maybe 2 
o'clock, the treble down to, say, 10 o'clock and adding some reverb 
(not digital delay.)

Another problem could be that you mentioned you like to play from a 
foot or so away.  It's *very* difficult to get enough signal from 
that distance.  Instead I'd respectfully suggest 5-6 inches might be 
better -- more gain, less chance of feedback, still plenty of room 
for hand-effects, and less chance of the mic picking up various 
background noises (not to mention the other instruments.)

I think you're on the right track, though, with a PA.  Any good vocal 
mic should do the trick. If you have a tightish budget your SM-58 
really should be OK, once you work out the kinks in the EQ and in the 
distance from which you play. If you want cleaner, I've had nothing 
but good luck from an AKG C 535 GB... but if you go that route, 
please be aware that your PA head will need "phantom power," and that 
this mic has no off-on switch.  Wonderful mic, though, whether used 
for vocal, harp or acoustic guitar.

But the main consideration, IMHO, is that you'd be 100% better off 
through a PA than through any amp.  A PA doesn't have to be that 
expensive... Yamaha makes a peach of a small PA head, and decent 
speakers are made by an array of makers.  The only speakers I would 
recommend avoiding are the small Boses -- too much treble for my 
tastes.  We use JBL wedge monitors as throw speakers for small to 
medium gigs, and they work fine.

Anyhow all the above just my humble opinion.  Everybody has their own 
ideas of what constitutes "good" acoustic sound.  Your mileage may 
vary. :)

cheers,

Tom Ball
Santa Barbara