[Harp-L] Mic impedance into a PA

["John F. Potts" <hvyj@xxxxxxx>]

Paul,

If you go into the 1/4" instrument input of a PA board it is an  
unbalanced hi-z input that bypasses the board's mic pre-amp.  I used  
to do this when i was playing a green bullet through an Alesis  
Quadraverb GT and it sounded fine.  But, in general, I am of the  
opinion that lo-z PA style mics sound better for playing harp into a  
PA board.

These days I usually use a lo-z mic like a Shure 545 Ultimate or an  
EV RE 15 (or sometimes an Audix Fireball V if the material requires  
less "electric" sound).  I use an XLR cord that has an on/off  
switch.  Besides helping control feedback, the nice part of using an  
on/off switch is you can leave the stage on tunes that don't call for  
harmonica and easily turn off what otherwise would be an open mic.   
So, for what it's worth, if i were you, I'd use your 545 SD if it was  
wired for lo-z.  A tight cup on that mic will give all the dirt you  
want on demand, even through a PA.

Have fun!

FWIW,

JP