RE: [Harp-L] Shure 545 Mic Strange but True

["Jim Broughton" <jim.broughton@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The vents are a feature on all cardioid type mics. They are there to control
the polar pattern of the mic by determining a level of phase cancellation.
For correct functioning, some sound needs to come in from the sides and
rear; block the vents and the polar pattern, feedback rejection and tonal
characteristics change. Remember that Bushman/Nady torpedo mic bullet mic
with it's special air vents - that's what they were there for. Cupping a
dynamic mic for harp (or for that rapper/indie-kid cool look) changes its
response to become more omnidirectional. If you want to read more, this
article explains it nicely:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document?doc_id=99533

-----Original Message-----

Message: 4
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:30:40 +0100
From: Paul Routledge <kingleyharp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: 
To: Harp L L <Harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
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I made a little discovery today which I find quite odd.

I had read that most people put a couple of winds of electrical tape  
around the head of their Shure 545 mics to ensure that the head  
doesn't break off and also to stop some of the extraneous noise from  
it moving.
I am talking about the little silver piece that you see between  the  
head and the start of the black plastic body.

Having never done this before I thought I would give it a try. Anyway the
result was something I definitely expect. The tape decreases the bass
response of the mic!!! At first I thought it was my imagination, so I
removed the tape and  
then tested the mic.
Then I replaced the tape and tested it again.
I did this process over and over again, and it definitely reduces the  
bass response when the tape is on the mic.
Strange but true!

So as you can probably guess, I have removed the tape!

Paul
www.kingleyharp.co.uk