Re: [Harp-L] proper mic technique Newbie needs help

[Jonathan McAnulty <mcanultj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

You will undoubtably get a lot of replies. Vibrato comes from the throat 
or diaphragm (these two differ in tone). The wah-wah comes from the 
hands. With a mic, you will not get a good wah without a sealed cup 
because the change in sound comes from the change in seal. I have found 
a few exercises to help with your cup (which will vary depending on the 
shape of the mic). 1) get a cup or glass about the size of a mic, hold 
harmonica and hold the glass like you would the mic, blow into the 
harmonica (any hole or holes on the low end). You should feel the 
pressure in your cupped hands wanting to blow out of your fingers. If 
you do not easily feel the pressure build up in your hands you cup is 
leaky. You just have to futz around with finger and palm position until 
you get a seal. The adjust may be very subtle and you may not even be 
able to see the difference but you will be able to tell. It is also 
important to use your face up against your hands and your right thumb to 
block part of the right side of the harp and contact the face to improve 
the seal. There are good vids of this on youtube. Search kudzurunner 
(Adam Gussow). With a good seal all you need to do is lift one finger to 
break the seal to get the wah. 2)The other exercise is to do the same 
thing with the mic but not hooked up to the amp. Just play around until 
you can feel pressure in your hands on a moderately hard blow note.
A cheap mic previously recommended by Richard Hunter is the Labtec mic AM-22
http://www.amazon.com/Labtec-AM-22-Deluxe-Microphone/dp/B0002BQPFG/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238775922&sr=8-17
less than 10 bucks. Sounds good, I have one. I use it as a loaner now 
but at the time it served its purpose.
Good luck.
Jon

Abner Galdos wrote:
> last Christmas I bought  my son an eclectic acoustic guitar with a Micro CUBE amp by Roland it cost around $150. I got it for $100.
>
> After reading all this stuff about amps and mic's I ask to borrow it ( this was three weeks ago).... since my son lives with me its no big deal... and I did buy it for both of us.
> I have a cheap Samson wand mic.  no matter what  I do I can not reproduce any of the had vibrato (wha, wha).(placing the wand up,down. cupping this way that way)
> so my question is simple.
>
> is it me or is it the mic.......????
> and can you recommend even off list what would be a good inexpensive (in-home) mic any thing in the $100 range.
>
> I have seen your vids, and read up on it.  I'm still confused on the concept.   The vibrato is my only problem with using the mic....
>
> Thanks
> abner (Blueyes, I will not discuss if a newbie should or should not use amps)
>
>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>   From: Buddha 
>   To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
>   Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 8:34 AM
>   Subject: [Harp-L] tone and gear - proper mic technique
>
>
>   I meant to include this link with my previous post.
>
>   Proper mic technique will make any amplified situation sound better.
>
>
>   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvmuGR-1CIA
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