[Harp-L] RE: Audix Fireball Mic

["Hellerman, Steven L." <shellerman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

One other positive regarding the Audix Fireball: It takes a licking and keeps on ticking. The only reason I had to replace mine is because it got stolen. Been dropped on Lord-knows-how-many occasions, still works fine. 
 
Been using the Fireball for many years, even before they added the volume control. I prefer it over a bullet mainly because you don't have to keep your hands sealed on it to maintain a good tone (but maybe I like to begin w/ a clean tone, anyways). You can sing through it, even. One caveat: It won't fit on some mic cables, particularly the high end ones from Guitar Center that are guarenteed for life. Go figure. 
 
As for the Audix impedance adaptor: Not very well made, they break all the time. If only there was another brand that has the bendable cord attached..... Anyone recommend anything? Otherwise, the simple ones from Radio Shack or Guitar Center (which can damage the pots on your amp) will do in a pinch.
 
SLH
 
 
 
Message: 9
Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 07:56:10 -0600 (GMT-06:00)

From: Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Audix Fireball Mic
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
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Cljdm@xxxxxxx wrote:
<Was wondering why this mic, the Audix Fireball has a low impedance 
<connection? Should a transformer adapter to high impedance  be added? Also any
<experience with this mic would be welcomed. Heard  good things about it and may
<buy one.

This is my go-to mic for most purposes.  This mic is relatively inexpensive, very flexible and durable, and well suited to both stage and studio.     It has a clear, powerful tone.  It doesn't have as much grit as a typical bullet, but it takes nicely to amped-up tones, and its clarity makes it a much better choice than most for anything that requires chording on the harp, or for that matter anything besides straight-up Chicago blues.  I keep a Shure 545SD and a Bottle o' Blues in my kit for straight-up blues gigs, but I rarely use them now. I recommend the Fireball V version, which has better response to bass and a volume control.    

You can hear side by side comparisons of the three mics named above at:
http://www.hunterharp.com/what-a-difference-a-mic-makes-part-1/ <https://webmail.sbccd.cc.ca.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.hunterharp.com/what-a-difference-a-mic-makes-part-1/> 
and
http://www.hunterharp.com/what-a-difference-a-mic-makes-part-ii/ <https://webmail.sbccd.cc.ca.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.hunterharp.com/what-a-difference-a-mic-makes-part-ii/> 
The first of these compares the three mics on an amped-up blues; the second looks at some other applications.  Hear for yourself and see what you think.

As to the lo-z connection: yes, it has one.  You need a transformer adapter to use it with an amp.  The same goes for most vocal mics, e.g. Shure SM57 and 58.

Almost all the recordings by me at my website (http://hunterharp.com <https://webmail.sbccd.cc.ca.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://hunterharp.com> ) were made with a Fireball.  Check it out. 

Regards, Richard Hunter




Message: 2
Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 08:43:04 -0700
From: Greg Heumann <greg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Audix Fireball Mic
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
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An XLR to jack cable is wired in "unbalanced mode" while a low impedance mic like the Fireball is wired for "balanced mode" operation. Your XLR to jack cable is only delivering half of the mic's signal to the amp, AND creating an impedance mismatch which will alter its frequency response. If you Blues Jr is in stock trim then it is a feedback monster and using the XLR to jack cable may well provide an advantage in making the amp more controllable. However it is technically incorrect. Using the impedance matching transformer and low-Z cable is the right way to go. The IMT shouldn't be creating any noise - in fact balanced mode systems are much more noise immune than unbalanced ones. If yours does it may be faulty.


/Greg

http://blowsmeaway.com <http://blowsmeaway.com/> 
http://facebook.com/blowsmeawayproductions


When responding to this email, please include the copy of our previous conversations.
> From: Sébastien Frémal <sebastien.fremal@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Audix Fireball Mic
> Date: August 22, 2014 at 1:19:35 AM PDT
> Cc: Harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
>
>
> Hello,
>
> I bought the audix adaptator (
> http://musique.fnac.com/mp13246480/Audix-T50K-Adaptateur-Impedance) and I'm
> not convinced of it's usefulness. I firstly used it with my cheap amp I
> bought for my guitar (a Line 6) and it worked great. But then, I wanted to
> use it on a Fender Blues Junior amp but it created some noise. I then
> bought a XLR-Jack cable and it worked fine. So yes, it can be usefull in
> some case (I hope most of them), but not always, that's why I prefer a good
> old cable :)
>
> Best Regards,
> Sebastien Fremal


>