Re: [Harp-L] Recommended PA Settings

["David Brown" <nonidesign@xxxxxxxxx>]

Regarding gain I thought I'd mention that one of the things I like about the
HarpCommander3 is that when using it between the mic and the PA you can
increase the gain on the HC3 to create a gritty overdrive (especially in
combination with the compression knob). You can really push the signal into
that "Chicago overdriven" sound with low imp mic like a Shure SM57. Then I
adjust the line out signal (usually lower) to make the signal agreeable to
the board . The adjusted overdriven signal leaves the HC3 and flows through
the board on its happy way, leaving only the high mid low tone controls on
the board to adjust to taste.


On 9/16/08, John F. Potts <hvyj@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>        I'm not a sound tech, but this is what I've learned from my own
> experience playing harp through PA boards with low impedance non-bullet
> style mics: The most important controls are volume, gain (sometimes called
> pad or trim) and midrange.  Typically a harp player will roll,off some
> treble and pump the bass up a bit.  But the most interesting and helpful
> variations over tone control for harp are a product of  where you set the
> gain relative to the volume and how much or little you pump the midrange.
> Paying attention to the bass and treble settings, is, of course, important,
> but that's not where the action is--real control comes from the relationship
> between the gain setting and volume setting and where you put the midrange,
>  Btw, don't assume all feedback problems are treble related--too high a bass
> setting can cause feedback, too. Also, too much bass can make your tone
> muddy, and too little treble may take away "cut"  and also result in a
> muddled tone. Much of this depends on the particular mic that is being used.
> Considerations for bullet mics are different, but I'm not a bullet mic guy.
>   BE CAREFUL when you turn up the gain, it can cause immediate feedback and
> keep in mind that a little increase in gain goes a long way. When you turn
> up the gain,  you must lower the volume control to compensate because
> increasing the gain gives you a "hotter" and also louder signal.  The mic
> will be more sensitive with the gain turned up and therefore more responsive
> to hand and breath technique, which may or may not be a good thing depending
> upon whether  the player knows what he is doing.
>        I hope this made sense
>        JP
>
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