KingoBad
1197 posts
Nov 06, 2012
10:13 AM
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I am trying to figure out my next mic purchase, but I am split between my fairly uninformed positions...
I own a bullet mic. It is a 520d and seems to be pretty decent, however, I am not happy with how it sounds on the high end of the harp.
I also own a Shure sm58 and it sounds fine all around, but doesn't have that grit and growl on the bottom end like the 520d.
Do I just have a weak 520d, or is it the frequency nature of the element?
I have played through some of Greg's mics, so I know what a good one sounds like, I just never thought to play around with the high end when I was playing them....
I typically play through the PA, so the sm58 typically works for me, but I was thinking of either adding a harp attack pedal in the mix with the pa, or using my own amp...
I really want to find a mic that plays the high and low end well, but still overdrives like the bullet. I have not tried a good crystal mic, but don't know if I want the hassle...
Any suggestions?
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Danny
Last Edited by on Nov 06, 2012 8:23 PM
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rainman
29 posts
Nov 06, 2012
11:29 AM
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A great little mic that won't set you back to far finacially would be the Akai DM-13. You can run across one on Ebay for under $30.00 regularly and they work great for harp. I would also suspect that the high end might be more responsive compared to a 520D.
Last Edited by on Nov 06, 2012 11:29 AM
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HarpNinja
2864 posts
Nov 06, 2012
11:46 AM
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I have a bullet from Greg Heumann with the old 520D element and love it. I use pedals and no amp, yet run the board really clean so most the tone comes from the mic.
I used to use a SM57 exclusively, which is a FANTASTIC mic, but similar to the SM58. I've used the 58 and like it more and more. I also, for really clean cleans, have used a AKG D5 - brilliant mic and my go to for vocals. I sat in with an acoustic band last week for a set and used this cupped. It won't overdrive. I liked it enough to have just picked up a Fireball from Audix. No comment on that yet, but I think I'll really like it.
If you want a dynamic with more bite, the Electro Voice RE10 is great.
I
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Mike
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HarpNinja
2865 posts
Nov 06, 2012
11:49 AM
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RE: the 520D. My mic has a huge proximity effect. The high end sounds cleaner and warmer than the bottom end.
See this for an example:
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/4633796.htm
I really like the mic from Greg for anything amped sounding. Overall, though, something like the AKG D5 or Fireball is probably perfect for me as I don't mind playing super clean and using technique for texture.
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Mike
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1847
327 posts
Nov 06, 2012
11:43 AM
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Enlarge Vintage Shure PE5H Dynamic Hi-Z Microphone Harp Mic Adam ...
Member id harpnwillys | Feedback Score Of 390 | 100.0%
HERE IS THE MIC ADAM USES
$50.00 ON EBAY
I RAN A FIREBALL THRU A HARPKING THE OTHER DAY
BEST SOUND EVER!
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HarpNinja
2866 posts
Nov 06, 2012
12:06 PM
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The more I mess with the stuff, the more I feel like a great clean dynamic mic is the way to go. You get such a bigger and clearer sound even going through an amp.
I am not that picky though...I like functionality.
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Mike
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Rick Davis
891 posts
Nov 06, 2012
12:19 PM
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Shure SM57 with Bulletizer will nail the sound you are looking for.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
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Littoral
636 posts
Nov 06, 2012
1:12 PM
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JD: "an SM57 is an SM58 without a foam ball windscreen."
I'll let others officially whack at that. My ears say no way. I do trust my ears.
Kingo, The bulletized 57 has been really versatile for me. Fidelity, no mud, punch, and crunch if need it (and, most importantly, YOU got it).
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1847
328 posts
Nov 06, 2012
1:35 PM
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a friend scored a 585 a few weeks ago
$20.00 om ebay very nice mic indeed
i have been having a ball with dynamic mic's lately
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rainman
30 posts
Nov 06, 2012
1:46 PM
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JD, This is off the subject but might be helpful to some, I have a SHURE UNIDYNE B MODEL PE 515 high Z Mic that I really like the sound of, but it picks up handling noises so much I seldom use it. Is there anything a person can do to isolate the mic.
Last Edited by on Nov 06, 2012 1:48 PM
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rainman
32 posts
Nov 06, 2012
1:59 PM
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I like Cheap! I'll try taking it apart and see what I can come up with. Thanks.
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jbone
1104 posts
Nov 06, 2012
4:14 PM
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one of my top 3 mics- because it does so well on top end stuff, clean and clear yet warm- is a ruskin custom mic made with a crystal from a vintage jt30 mic. i have run it through a fender princeton tremolo, a bassman, a blues junior, a replica '59 bassman, and my ready steady silvertone 1482 i've used for about 10 years now, with great results across the board.
for going through the p.a. a 545 or a sm57 works well for me. both can really bark with some compression and will pick up a lot of nuance just as they are.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
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rbeetsme
904 posts
Nov 06, 2012
4:43 PM
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Danny, give me a call, come over and demo some of mine. I have plenty of amps too. PM
BTW: There is a local mic builder who can set you up, friend.
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HarpNinja
2868 posts
Nov 06, 2012
7:39 PM
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Here is literally my first noodling with the Fireball. First was straight in, then with the Para DI. I played with the blend and drive knobs until I found a couple of cool sounds. I didn't mess with the eq, really, just the drive and blend.
http://mikefugazzi.com/files/Fireball_Demo_Para_DI.mp3
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Mike
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KingoBad
1198 posts
Nov 06, 2012
8:33 PM
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Thanks for the suggestions guys. Keep 'em coming if you got em.
I have stayed away from the sm57 to this point because I had a friend play so weakly through one that I shunned it. This was a long time ago though and I can't even remember what he was playing through... Of course I have heard Jason play through one and loved it...
I was hoping for something with some edge and bite on the high end as well as crunch on the low end. The thought of using a lot of effects processors both interests me and turns me off. Mike, you get a great sound out of them, so I may need to try one. Perhaps what I am looking for only comes with effects..
Rick, I emailed you already. I'd love to check out your rigs...
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Danny
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Greg Heumann
1837 posts
Nov 07, 2012
7:12 AM
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Cleanest / least able to change tone with hands: Fireball
Widest tonal range: Ultimate 57
Max fat/warm/overdrive: Single impedance CM or CR in a bullet shell
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/Greg
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HarpNinja
2871 posts
Nov 07, 2012
7:15 AM
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I agree 100%.
Each has a unique application (hence why I have one of each, sorta...I guess my bullet is a dynamic element still, but it is the fat/war/overdriven mic in my tool box).
What I like about the Fireball, as someone who generally likes a clean and dynamic tone, is the lesser proximity effect. The 57 is pretty good about this too, but not as "clean". With the bullet I have, the proximity effect is substantial. I like all three sounds in different applications.
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Mike
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bloozefish
55 posts
Nov 07, 2012
10:09 AM
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my favorite stick mic is the Shure 533; I like the tone better than an SM 58, right up there w/ a 545.....just one guys opinion.
james
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1847
331 posts
Nov 07, 2012
10:32 AM
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i have been using the 533 a lot also lately
it has good bass response but the high notes
trail off a bit kind of what he was saying in the op
i kind of like that. it takes the edge off a bit
if he is having an issue with that he may not like it as well
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rbeetsme
908 posts
Nov 07, 2012
11:07 AM
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Danny, got the email, give me a call. I'll dust off the Gibsons, Kendricks and Commando.
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A440
47 posts
Nov 08, 2012
6:26 AM
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For clean acoustic harp playing and singing, I started using the Rode M1. It sounds more natural than the SM58, with a really open sound. And it costs less. I am very happy with it - easy to use, great sound, resists feedback, low handling noise. My harp and vocals sound much cleaner than on the SM58.
If you're looking for a mic that can also be cupped like a bullet, both SM57 and Fireball work well - on the stand or cupped.
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gad wagon
27 posts
Nov 08, 2012
7:59 AM
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Just my 2 cents:
I have a Fireball and a $9 ebay voice mic. The Fireball is super clean without much difference when cupped and sealed super tight. It is a good mic if you want to sing and play through the same mic with good quality on both. The cheap ebay vocal mic has a nasty, mean and mellow (all in a good way) when cupped and sealed tightly.
Good luck.
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-- "The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts" -- C.S. Lewis
http://www.youtube.com/user/gadwagon/videos
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Greg Heumann
1838 posts
Nov 08, 2012
9:04 AM
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My two cents on the 533: Shure 533 is a good beginner mic as it has no high end response - good for before you've really learned to cup very well as it will make you sound less bright. As soon as you DO begin to cup well you'll find it dark and muddy.
And although the following is admittedly self-serving, I believe it to be true - and I know a lot of you would back me up. There is no single more versatile harp mic on the planet than an Ultimate 57. Nice warm clean acoustic tone, nice fat dirty sound when cupped/overdriven, easy to press into service as a vocal mic/amp mic/instrument mic, easy to hold, rugged, built in volume control.....
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/Greg
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HarpNinja
2874 posts
Nov 08, 2012
9:11 AM
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I believe it to be true - and I know a lot of you would back me up. There is no single more versatile harp mic on the planet than an Ultimate 57. Nice warm clean acoustic tone, nice fat dirty sound when cupped/overdriven, easy to press into service as a vocal mic/amp mic/instrument mic, easy to hold, rugged, built in volume control.....
Now that I posted that comment, it isn't self-serving.
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Mike
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1847
334 posts
Nov 08, 2012
10:12 AM
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i would ask myself is there someone playing
i really like the sound of?
not that using the same mic as your favorite
harp player will make you sound like them
but is a good start
if you like the sound that jason riccie gets
then an ultimate 57 would be a good choice
mark hummel?
charlie musselwhite
then one of his other mic's would be a good choice
paul butterfiel
norton buffalo
i would think a 545 would be a good choice
i remember when i first heard willliam clarke
and rod piazza that was (and is) the
sound that i like so much
living in southern calif. i would
sometimes see them live 5 times a week
i would grill them constantly re: the microphones
a stock jt 30 was the weapon of choice
i had to pick just one mic that would be my choice
i posted a clip under west coast blues jams
that was a 533 shure dynamic
i like how the highs trail off
i haven't out grown it yet!
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1847
335 posts
Nov 08, 2012
10:27 AM
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1847
336 posts
Nov 08, 2012
10:29 AM
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Last Edited by on Nov 08, 2012 10:30 AM
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