Littoral
782 posts
Feb 20, 2013
10:14 AM
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Greetins,
I want to switch mics quickly, between songs mostly.
It's the same gear -pedal to amp.
Any advice on this? Issues?
Thanks.
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Kingley
2331 posts
Feb 20, 2013
10:19 AM
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An A/B box would be the best way I can think of. The issues would be mostly volume differences and tonal differences of the mics in question.
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orphan
222 posts
Feb 20, 2013
10:29 AM
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And if there are any volume or tonal issues, you could use something like this instead:Mackie 402-VLZ3
4-channel Compact Analog Mixer with 2 XDR2 Mic Inputs, 4 Line Inputs, and 2-band Active EQ
Pretty handy for stuff like that.
Last Edited by orphan on Feb 20, 2013 10:46 AM
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Pockets
15 posts
Feb 20, 2013
10:46 AM
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@Littoral - I suppose it is somewhat subjective, but it also depends on what type of mics. I'm assuming you want to use 2 High Z mics? If not, you may need some impedance matching device.
(note: not sure if the Mackie 402-VLZ3 does that)
just my 2cents
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orphan
223 posts
Feb 20, 2013
10:49 AM
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@ Pockets
Channel one & channel 2 accept XLR lo-Z or 1/4" hi-Z.
Last Edited by orphan on Feb 20, 2013 10:50 AM
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HawkeyeKane
1487 posts
Feb 20, 2013
10:50 AM
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Lately I've been using a Behringer Xenyx 502 recording mixer. It serves its purpose, but it takes some tweaking since only one channel on it is mic preamped.
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Hawkeye Kane
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TetonJohn
80 posts
Feb 20, 2013
11:00 AM
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I don't know your details, but if they are both HiZ, and both set up to take a 1/4" (either wired for it or using an adapter), just unplug one and plug in the other (right there at the mike) -- if you don't like pops, get a cable with an on on/off switch at the connector (Planet Waves maybe?).
This is too easy, you must have something different in mind!
Last Edited by TetonJohn on Feb 20, 2013 11:23 AM
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Rick Davis
1334 posts
Feb 20, 2013
11:14 AM
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No, Littoral.... ya gotta do it old school, like a true blues guy. Turn your back on the audience, stroll over to your amp, bend over and expose a bit of cleavage, yank out a cable with a loud POP, jam in a new cable with a loud TTZZZZZZZZZZZZ sound, spend a few minutes adjusting the amp while playing the same three notes over and over, and then return to the front of the stage and glare at your bandmates and the audience.
Works for me.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Last Edited by Rick Davis on Feb 20, 2013 11:25 AM
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HarpNinja
3211 posts
Feb 20, 2013
11:23 AM
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Rick's way. Definitely Rick's way!
I've thought about this several times and it depends on the mics. If you don't need to change levels or eq, then just plug/unplug.
If you need different settings, I would use an AB/Y.
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Custom Harmonicas
Optimized Harmonicas
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Greg Heumann
2021 posts
Feb 20, 2013
11:28 AM
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Yeah - Rick's way. The butt crack MAKES IT!
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/Greg
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Littoral
783 posts
Feb 20, 2013
11:28 AM
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Rick, that's special.
Both high Z, a MC-151 and a 57 (w/transformer).
I would like just pick a second mic and go but that clearly isn't an easy option. I want easy. Switch plug-ins will have to be easy enough.
I remembered later that I had asked Greg this already. Here's his reply:
"A simply A/BY box should be entirely passive and have no effect on tone when using it in the A/B mode. Once you "Y" two mics together there will be some impact as the mic in use is "driving" both the amp and the other mic, which will change its output and frequency response. The degree to which that happens depends on many variables. I'm sure this one is fine: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/art-coolswitch-a-b-y-box ".
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bonedog569
831 posts
Feb 20, 2013
6:27 PM
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Here ya go. Two in one out - or go one mic in and use to switch between two amps. Simple passive switch. You can choose 'A' or 'B' but not both - a good thing for your application. I have an old one of these and there have been no issues. $39 at musician's feind.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/dod-vac270-a-b-box
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didjcripey
462 posts
Feb 20, 2013
7:28 PM
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I made an A/B box for a few bucks; just a toggle switch and three jacks
when it comes down to it, its just as easy to switch cables at your pedal; turn down your amp if the pops bother anyone.
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Lucky Lester
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lumpy wafflesquirt
693 posts
Feb 21, 2013
2:15 AM
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What do you want to achieve by changing mics?
Maybe there's another way to change the sound. A pedal of some sort?
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"Come on Brackett let's get changed"
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Johncn
47 posts
Feb 21, 2013
11:02 AM
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My mics are all Hi Z, and either had the screw on male Amphenol type connector, or I have had them modified to have that connection. I use one of Greg's inline volume controls and a screw-on to 1/4 inch instrument cable into my pedal, and simply swap the mic attached to that. It takes like three turns and four seconds. The volume control is turned down all the way so there is no sound when I do this.
I usually travel with three mics (1 CR/CM, 1 crystal and either a 585 SAV or a bulletized SM). I do like to change them out between songs sometimes for slightly different tone depending on what the set list is. However, to be totally honest, the MAIN reasons I swap out are that I simply like to change my grip up for comfort (tendonitis), and also that I like to actually use my collection of vintage microphones. ;-)
This is my 440 SL that Greg modified, but you can see the inline control and cable connection. The combination of the inline and the cable works great for me.
Last Edited by Johncn on Feb 21, 2013 11:05 AM
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