[Harp-L] Re: Shure mics, SM57 or 58?

[Tom Ball <havaball@xxxxxxx>]

> Mike E wrote:
> Hi Tom,
> I bought them as recording mics but decided to try one with my amp. 
> I  never thought I could find a mic that could blow away a 545/PE54 
> but the AKG did just that. Incredible amount of volume before 
> feedback.   Perhaps too much for it's own good.  I have used them as 
> my acoustic  mic in my band but the guys running the pa never know 
> how to eq it. Everyone else uses
> SM58s.   I finally gave up and started using my 58 for acoustic on 
> stage and set aside the AKG's for recording once again.
mike
-----------------
Aha!  OK, I understand where you're coming from now. Yep, the EQ on 
the AKG would indeed be a challenge if the PA guys were used to 
"normal" low-impedence Shures, ala 58's...

My gut feeling is that part of the problem may be that the condensers 
require their own power source (whether phantom or battery,) and the 
58's don't.  Probably it would only take half an hour or so to find 
the right degree of heat/verb/EQ to set you up in relation to the 
other mics, but that still would not solve the problem of cut-out 
when the incoming signal has "too much" pressure.  Perhaps this also 
explains why we don't see performing harpers using tube mics?  But 
then, all this speculation probably reads amazingly naive to folks 
like T Ellis and others on the list for whom mic technology is 
second-nature...

But thanks for sharing, Mike... nice to hear I'm not the only one 
who's had a few similar mic experiences.

Any thoughts, Tom Ellis?

all best,
Tom Ball

> --------
>
> On Oct 18, 2005, at 8:53 PM, Tom Ball wrote:
>
> > >  Mike Easton asked:
> > >  I wonder if you or anyone else on the list has experienced 
> > >  problems with hand holding condenser mics?
> > >
> > >  I own 2 AKG 1000 mics.  They are killer mics when played thru 
> > >  either of my amps but if I hit a blow note hard the mic signal 
> > >  cuts out.  I don't know if its from the compression of holding the 
> > >  mic so tight or what.  It doesn't matter which mic or amp I use. 
> > >  Any time I start wailing the signal cuts out for a second or two 
> > >  if I hit a reed hard. No it isn't the reed choking.   Other then 
> > >  that they pick up every
> > >  nuance of the harp with crystal clarity.
> >  __________________
> >
> >  I've never experienced that problem in performance, but then I've 
> >  never used my condenser mics for hand held work into an amp -- only 
> >  for playing (and singing) into 'em from 6 inches (or more) away, 
> >  and into a PA.  However I'm not surprised to hear of the problem, 
> >  in that small-diaphragm condensers are fragile and don't seem to 
> >  take kindly to max volume pressure.  (I have occasionally 
> >  experienced a similar over-the-top kind of cutout when recording 
> >  with condensers...)  But then there are other folks on this list 
> >  who are far more qualified to discuss these specific tech issues 
> >  than I am.
> >
> >  I guess I'm sort-of wondering why one would want to use a (phantom 
> >  power) condenser mic with an amp?  Seems like all the superb 
> >  reproduction and signal response of the condenser would be all but 
> >  wiped out by the compression and distortion inherent in an 
> >  amp.....? But then maybe I'm missing something here?  Sure wouldn't 
> >  be the first time. <g>
> >
> >  I bet the AKG 1000 might record nicely though, assuming it wasn't 
> >  hand held, and a bit of top were rolled off... (?)   Any luck in 
> >  that regard?
> >
> >  cheers,
> >  Tom Ball
>  > _______________________________________________