Re: [Harp-L] Lapel Mics

"Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx> · Sun, 10 Aug 2008 12:45:25 -0700

You can get an idea of what a lapel mic will do for just $25 by using a 
Radio Shack p/n 33-3013 "Tie-Clip Microphone.  It has a flat response from 
50 to 10K hz and rolls off 25 db at 20Khz.  This mic has a lump in its cable 
that contains a button battery and an on-off switch.  The battery lasts 
months ~IF~ you remember to turn it off! You will also need a 
1/8"-plug-to-1/4"-plug adapter and perhaps a 1/4"-plug-to-XLR transformer 
adapter for low impedance mic inputs.
I also have a much more expensive Sennheiser lapel mic that doesn't sound 
any different to me.
Besides small size and low cost, I think that all electret mics share 
similar characteristics.  Unlike large condenser mics that need 40 volts or 
so to charge their diaphragms, small capacitive electrets require a few soft 
volts to power the field-effect-transistors necessary to get their impedance 
down into a practical range.  They are non-directional. My impression is 
that there are only a few manufacturers that mass produce electret elements 
and a whole bunch of other manufacturers who package them into computer 
mics, built-in mics of videocams & audio recorders, and lapel mics.  Their 
performance is a terrific deal for the money.  You can buy electret elements 
(in quantity) for $2 or $3 each.
You can find a lot of information on electret mics on the internet. A Google 
search on "Electret Condenser Microphone" returns 160,000 hits.
You should rely on separate audio-effects processors to give you any "fat 
sound" or other desired distortion.
I use two of them, one on the rack a fraction of an inch behind my 
Hands-Free-Chromatic and another above the harp nearer my mouth for vocals.
I also use a Baggs "mixpro" on my rack to provide gain control, power for 
the electrets, phase reversal and some hi-freq attenuation.   I can't find 
any reason to spend any more money on lapel mics than the Radio-Shack 
cheapies. (I cut the battery  cases out of the cables for use on the 
Mixpro.)  For what it is worth, my advise would be to get the cheapie mic(s) 
and spend $160 on the little  Baggs (two-channels-on-the-belt)) Mixpro for 
volume and some feedback control.  See:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/LR-Baggs-Mixpro-Universal-Belt-Clip-Mixer-307113-i1128125.gc.

  With the mic, some adapters, and the Mixpro, you can have my setup for < 
$200
I'll have it at SPAH in case you want to check it out. I would like to 
compare it with Slim's mics.
Vern
Visit my harmonica website www.Hands-Free-Chromatic.7p.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Slim Heilpern" <slim@xxxxxxxxxx>

To: "Brendan Power" <bren@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Cc: "Harp-L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>

Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2008 7:21 PM

Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Suzuki Overdrive Video; Lapel Mics
Hi Brendan -
Probably not what you're looking for, but....
http://www.countryman.com/store/product.asp?id=5&catid=10
I work with a teeny, tiny countryman B6 lavalier condensor mic (requires 
phantom power). I special ordered the low sensitivity version because I 
keep the mic attached directly to the back of my cx12 and these mics are 
very hot. It set me back about $350. Countryman makes both uni and omni 
directional versions, but I chose omni since I'm cupping around the mic 
and it sounded better to me when I tried them back-to-back. I haven't had 
much in the way of feedback problems.
I'm actually not trying to get any distortion, but this mic will overload 
easily. I have to change my hand position a bit with respect to the mic to 
avoid distortion when playing anything but single notes. I basically move 
my hand so the mic is slightly outside of the cup and that gives me a 
clean sound for chording. But I especially love the single note sound of 
this mic inside the cup! It is very warm but with plenty of sweet high 
end.
As for the volume control, I use a volume pedal.
I'll have it with me at SPAH (with preamp, etc..), would be happy to let 
you try it if you're interested....
- Slim.
Brendan Power wrote:

 LAPEL MICS

I've been experimenting with lapel mics to get a fat distorted sound

with hand effects, and really love them. However, there are a couple of

drawbacks:

 1. They are mostly omnidirectional and a bit prone to feedback, and 2. 
They don't come with volume control (or not the ones I've found)

 Is anyone else using lapel mics? I'd be interested to hear of your

comments.
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