Re: [Harp-L] EQ'ing for harp

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

captron100@xxxxxxx wrote:
<?  I recently used a mixer that had 2 knobs for mids. I know that 
<basically, harp players usually turn up bass and lower trebles, but 
<what do ya'll do with your mids?

The question is, what are the frequency bands that those mid-range 
controls are affecting?  And what frequencies is your mic already 
emphasizing?

In general, emphasizing the low mid-range--around 250 Hz--tends to make 
the harp sound bigger and fatter.  When you go into the high midrange, 
around 3000-5000 Hz, you're going to collide with any amped guitar in 
the room, because guitar amps put out a lot of energy in that range. 
These frequencies are also pretty harsh, and too much energy in that 
range tends to annoy the audience.  So if you've got mid-frequency 
knobs, start by turning up the one that affects the lower mids.

Bullet-type mics tend to top out around 5000-6000 Hz in terms of their 
frequency response, so when you turn up the volume on your amp and 
you're using a bullet mic, you're probably going to emphasize that range 
in any case.

My experience with most tube amps--especially the Fender Bassman, which 
a lot of harp players use--is that the Bass knob affects the frequencies 
around 100 Hz.  In that range, harmonicas mostly put out breathing 
noise, not musical frequencies.  So I'd make sure that you actually hear 
a difference in the sound of the harmonica before you turn up that bass 
knob all the way and leave it there.

Regards, Richard Hunter
hunterharp.com
harmonica blog at http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
Latest mp3s always at http://broadjam.com/rhunter