TexasRico
7 posts
Jan 03, 2014
2:34 PM
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Happy New Year everyone! Going through my equipment following a holiday gig right before Christmas, and I have determined that I have either a problem with my mic cable, my microphone, or both. Here's the deal:
On the gigs we play (we're an amateur blues/rock band)I plug into our PA: mic>Lone Wolf Harp Attack>PA. Here at home, my intention was to play around a bit with the settings on the Harp Attack. Plugging the mic and HA into a small guitar amp I have at the house, I was greeted by a lot of hum and some "crackling" that got worse as I turned up the volume -- it was apparent at any level of volume. Thinking it was the amp (after all, I'd used the mic, cable and HA just the week before) I switched to another small amp and same problem. That's when I tried a different mic/cable and no hum whatsoever. The mic in question is a Hohner Blues Blaster with the original cable (bought new about a year ago and before I joined this forum). I did switch the Blues Blaster cable with the one attached to the mic that had worked (a Shure SM58 btw). No discernible hum, but a significant volume drop (I think because of the different impedance in the cables, though I did use a Lo-Z to Hi-Z transformer to plug into the HA).
Since I don't have another true Hi-Z cable, and before I make another purchase (although the connector on the BluesBlaster mic cable appears to be loose, and may be part of my problem) I'd appreciate any input you may have (hopefully this is enough info). Thanks!
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Adam Pritchard
19 posts
Jan 03, 2014
2:52 PM
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Assuming the HA is fully powered (i.e. battery isn't running low) then the problem sounds like it's with the cable that came with the Blues Blaster. I had a similar problem years ago when I had a BB and I ended buying another cable. A normal mic cable won't do it as the Blues Blaster is wired differently (pin 3 hot). I don't think a transformer will make any difference. You need to get your hands on a mic cable with pin 3 wired hot. I've seen them for sale on eBay in the UK (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6m-Mic-Lead-for-Hohner-Blues-Blaster-Harmonica-Mic-NEW-/140887693689?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Harmonicas_RL&hash=item20cd8f9979) or you may possibly be able to get one from Greg Heumann at www.blowsmeaway.com
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SuperBee
1608 posts
Jan 03, 2014
2:53 PM
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I gotta get this straight. The blues blaster is a high Z mic but uses an xlr type connection? If so, the connections in that cable will not be the same as in the cable you use for your low Z sm58. Thus even though you used your impedance transformer, it won't work. The impedance doesn't reside with the cable, so you don't really need to use the transformer...but it's kind of a moot point because that cable just won't be wired appropriately for your mic.
Sounds to me like you just have a cable breakdown. I reckon your mic is ok.
Usually it's where the connectors attach the wire. Often repairable. Requires a bit of fiddly work, cutting, wire stripping, soldering. Maybe some heat shrink or electricians tape.
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TexasRico
8 posts
Jan 03, 2014
3:32 PM
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Thanks Adam and SuperBee -- that sounds right. Checking out Greg's site now...
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Greg Heumann
2541 posts
Jan 03, 2014
6:15 PM
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SM58: low impedance, balanced XLR to XLR cable
BluesBlaster: high impedance, unbalanced XLR to 1/4", wired Pin 3 Hot
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
Last Edited by Greg Heumann on Jan 03, 2014 6:15 PM
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TexasRico
9 posts
Jan 03, 2014
6:58 PM
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Thanks, Greg. Just sent you an email.
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jpmcbride
23 posts
Jan 04, 2014
8:12 PM
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Adam is correct. The Blues blaster is high-Z but uses an XLR connection. And, the XLR wiring is non-standard and won't work with a regular mic cable. I don't specifically remember the wiring but I believe Adam is correct saying pin 3 is hot. The cables that come with these mics are notoriously bad. Whenever someone brings one to me I always open up the mic and rewire the connection so it will work with a standard XLR to 1/4 inch cable that you can buy at most music stores. That would be my recommendation.
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Jim McBride
www.bottleoblues.com
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Greg Heumann
2543 posts
Jan 04, 2014
10:25 PM
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Jim - your message is pretty misleading. A blues blaster is indeed wired to a standard. It is wired Pin 3 Hot, XLR. You can buy those cables at the music store.
The problem is that you can ALSO buy Pin 2 Hot cables, you can't tell the difference by looking, many cable packages aren't labeled as to which way they're wired, and most music store employees will give you the deer in the headlights look if you ask. In other words, there is no such thing as "a standard XLR to 1/4 inch cable that you can buy at most music stores." You have to know what you need and how to ask enough questions to be sure you actually get it.
XLR to 1/4" cables come in at least 6 different configurations.
- unbalanced Pin 2 Hot, XLR male to 1/4" male mono
- unbalanced Pin 3 Hot, XLR male to 1/4" male mono
- unbalanced Pin 2 Hot, XLR female to 1/4" male mono
- unbalanced Pin 3 Hot, XLR female to 1/4" male mono
- balanced, XLR male to 1/4" male stereo (TRS)
- balanced XLR female to 1/4" male stereo (TRS)
It is really easy to get confused. If I added up the amount of time I spend asking customers what they need, most of the time getting the "virtual" deer in the headlights look from them, requiring even more time educating them until they're smart enough to know, and then providing them with what they need - I'm sure it would add up to DAYS per year.
People routinely connect low impedance mics to amps with high impedance cables and vice versa because you can physically plug the stuff in. In some cases it works, but poorly.
My advice: Avoid high impedance XLR like the plague. Low impedance XLR is standard the world over. Save XLR for your low impedance gear. Use screw-on and/or 1/4" for your high impedance gear. All will be well.
TexasRico has already contacted me and I am setting him up.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
Last Edited by Greg Heumann on Jan 04, 2014 10:27 PM
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