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

["Rich Beaubien" <RichBeau@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tom Ball wrote:

> 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.
>
I got a similar message from Richard Hunter.

 
> 
> 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