[Harp-L] (no subject)

Mike

You are 100% correct that a volume control is no substitute for tone. But I don't think that's why players use them. A proper volume control does not take tone away, and it certainly doesn't add it. Tone comes from the player, both in terms of actual harp playing and with microphone technique. But in the real world there are MANY other aspects that make a volume control handy. If you play at volumes loud enough that you get feedback if you're very close to your amp, then adjusting your amp is a problem. Volume control solves it. As stage conditions change, feedback can start when it wasn't there before. If your band has truly good dynamic control, you will have some sections you must play VERY quietly. The guitar player turns his guitar down, and/or uses one of his pedals for the same reason I turn my mic down. Reducing the volume while playing is often the solution, allowing you to continue to play with a cupped tone, or hit that 2-3 bent chord without being too loud. Different harps matter too - a mid- range harp - say a Bb - is simply louder than, say, a Low D. No matter how hard we try, my band and every other I've played with tends to get a little louder as the night goes on. I will also turn down a bit sometimes when I'm comping/filling behind others so I can still drive the mic hard, if that is the tone I want.

Now let's talk about those of us (myself included) who sing and play harp some times through the vocal mic. A common vocal microphone technique is to sing with your lips touching the mic - this exploits the mic's "proximity effect" and enhances bass response. If I set the PA up for the proper level for my singing, the bad news is that the mic is then not hot enough for me to back enough away from the mic to play harp with "wah" cupped hands between the harp and the mic. A low impedance in-line volume control saves the day. I set the PA too hot for voice, hot enough for harp with the control at full volume, and then simply back it off 1/4 turn when I'm singing.

As far as I'm concerned, the volume control is just another tool in my arsenal that helps me express myself. It is not a crutch for anything and doesn't stand in the way of my technique. It just gives me more control than is possible with technique alone. It is a simple convenience that eases the often trying task of coping with varying stage conditions.


/Greg

http://www.blowsmeaway.com
http://www.bluestateband.net




From: Bluesreedmc@xxxxxxx
Date: January 24, 2007 12:51:52 AM PST
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Harp-L] Hello!


It's been quit some time since I posted anything. This post is about volume
controls vs "your" volume. I searched the achieves and didn't see anything
about this specific subject. Anyway, this is just my opinion. Volume controls
are crutches that limit our full tone/ power potential. Why dig down to get
that big tone when all you have to do is turn a knob? If you set the knob and
leave it alone...fine. My intension here is that I want us all to be the best
we can be. Tone/ delivery is a big part of that. Dependency on the knob won't
make ones tone any better, it'll just make weak tone loud enough for
everyone to hear. This whole thing makes since to me, but I am certainly open to any
other thoughts/ corrections. As a side note, most of the moded mics I see on
ebay have v/c's hanging off of them somewhere. If I am on track with the
above, these v/c's need not be on these mics unless asked for, especially very
desirable, hard to find mics. Well, I hope this is a productive subject. If
I've upset anyone, I apologize in advance.
Mike







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