[Harp-L] WAS- Since Electro Voice and Audix are sorta popular on -NOW---RESPONSE FROM AUDIX!!!!!

[randysinger <randy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

DEAR HARMONICA FRIENDS,

Michael Fugazzi recently posted a question about Audix microphones on 
Harp-L.

I took the liberty of forwarding his question to Cliff Castle of Audix 
for the best possible response from the company itself.

Cliff has been extremely supportive of the harmonica community by being 
one of the first manufacturers of professional sound equipment to 
devote research and design for the harmonica. Their FIreball microphone 
is a superb achievement of form, function and sound. This company is 
really listening to our needs and deserves our congratulations.

As I like to say, nothing gets in between me and my fireball except my 
harmonica!! I love my FIREBALL.

here is the response from cliff castle of Audix

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Cliff Castle" <Cliff@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: March 30, 2005 7:21:00 PM EST
> To: "randysinger" <randy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>  Subject: [Harp-L] Since Electro Voice and Audix are sorta popular on
>  the list...
>
> DEAR HARMONICA COMMUNITY-

>   It's been great working with the harmonica community.   I would have 
> never believed how many different types of harmonicas and playing 
> styles exist.    It's a pretty unique and eclectic group!
>  
> I have a few comments regarding the OM5, our other OM series mics, and 
> the FireBall, and how they relate to vocals and harmonica.  
>   
> In response to Michael's email specifically -  the results he got with 
> the OM5 do not surprise me.   First, the OM5 is a vocal mic aimed 
> specifically at the pro concert stage performance.    If one does not 
> try it in its intended environment,  it could tend to sound thin or 
> shrill.   As the mic  is meant for a larger PA system with subs, the 
> OM5 starts sounding nice and full when there are subs added to the 
> system.    It is true that it has remarkable feedback rejection -   in 
> order to accomplish that performance characteristic,  there are some 
> trade offs.   it means that the singer must be right on top of the mic 
> (eating the mic) or you may lose some signal.   In this regard, the 
> OM5 is not for everyone because the pattern is really tight and not 
> everyone likes to stay right on top of the mic.   For harmonica, I 
> could see the OM5 sounding a bit shrill, especially if you try to plug 
> directly into a guitar amp.   You end up with even LESS low end 
> response when you plug into a guitar amp because it requires a lo-hi 
> impedance transformer.   Unless you get a really high end 
> transformer,  you'll lose bass response.  
>   
> All that being said,  most harmonica players that have contacted us 
> (before the FireBall),  have been using either OM2 or OM7.   Mike 
> Stevens, for example, just informed me that he's been using the OM7 
> because of the lack of proximity.
>  Toots Thielemans also uses the OM2 as it is more similar to the 58 
> he's always used in the past,  but has better fidelity.
>   
> The FireBall was developed with the same principles used in the OM2.   
> Originally we were going to make a smaller version of the OM2 , but 
> the mic evolved into it's current shape after being beta tested by 
> quite a few harp players out in the field.  I would say that the mic 
> went through 3 or 4 distinct stages of different shapes and 
> sounds.     What we ended up with is the smallest handheld dynamic 
> microphone in existence with a a full size dynamic capsule.   
>   
> We realize that many musicians are asking us for a volume knob as all 
> the typical mics for harmonica have had one.  What's interesting is 
> that once the players get used to the FireBall, the control knob 
> becomes less of an issue.   Since you can get so much more gain before 
> feedback on the FireBall than the other conventional harp 
> mics,  you've already got a lot more gain to work with.    Some 
> players have told us that they can easily control their volume 
> by controlling the distance of the mic to their mouth.   Who knows, 
> maybe a slightly different style of playing will evolve as a result of 
> the FireBall.    
>  
> That being said, we think we can offer another model in the future 
> with a volume control knob.   Either that, or well come up with an 
> in-line device that plugs in between the mic and the cable that has 
> volume control. 
>   
> Please feel free to share these comments with "the group" along with 
> my expression of my appreciation for what you guys do.   Audix is now 
> dedicated to the harmonica community and we're committed to helping 
> you achieve the exact sound that you want your audience to hear. 
>   
> With kind regards,
>  
> Cliff Castle
> Audix co-founder (and bass player)  
>   
>  
> ============================================
>  From: Michael Fugazzi <mfugazzi67@xxxxxxxxx>
>  Subject: [Harp-L] Since Electro Voice and Audix are sorta popular on
>  the list...
>  To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>
>  Can anybody suggest some good Electro Voice mics for
>  harp? Actually any ball/stick mics of any brand.
>  Personaly, I am already familiar with the Shure 545
>  and EV re 10...which I still need to get a hold of if
>  anybody is selling one.
>
>
>  I am up for any mic suggestions whether they break up
>  or are relatively clean.
>
>
>  I have an Audix OM 5 that I used to use with a Harp
>  Commander. I tried it once with my Bassman RI and
>  wasn't impressed. I think I'll try it with some
>  different tone settings though next practice. It is
>  similar to the Fireball, but I believe it has a wider
>  frequency range. For those who use something like a
>  Shure 58, the OM 5 is very similar but fights feedback
>  better.
>
>
>
>  Mike Fugazzi
>  Harmonica/Vocals
>  http://www.niterail.com
>
>
>
>  http://www.randysinger.com
>  http:www.randyandnatasha.com

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                                                      George Bernard 
Shaw