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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Miscellaneous microphones?
Miscellaneous microphones?
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Martin
1493 posts
Aug 16, 2018
10:16 AM
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Every now and then -- but not often -- I see a cheapo microphone in a 2nd hand context and buy it. I´ve always assumed that many harmonica players scout such dealers in the hope of making a find.
But I wonder, outside of the bullet types and those classic Shure mics, is there any brands that have surprised you with their versatility, or attractive raspiness, or -- not least -- interesting price?
As for me, my best bet this far is two small cassette player mics that I got for nothing. Not really usable in live situations, but their general crappiness definitely works to their advantage when I´ve been recording.
(And don´t worry, I live in Sweden so I won´t be robbing you of attractive items.)
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ME.HarpDoc
335 posts
Aug 16, 2018
2:35 PM
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Love the Electro Voice RE 10 but rarely find a bargain.
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Tom Lauten
13 posts
Aug 17, 2018
1:54 AM
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I recently purchased a BEYER M55. It has a slightly raunchy sound to my ears while still maintaining a good dynamic range and powerful output. They are still out there for well under 100 Euro.
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Tom "Bad Paw" Lauten
Loch Ness, Scotland
www.nimbacreations.com
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ROBERT TEMPLE II
23 posts
Aug 17, 2018
1:08 PM
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I have tried many types of mics for harp and my favorite is the Shure SM57. I recently found an AKAI DM13 which has similar qualities to the Shure SM57 in that it is slender and gives super response. Another mic I recently found, similar in length and output strength, is the Sony MTL F-96. The latter has a 3/4" mic head and an 1/8th" plug. The AKAI has a 1/4" plug. All three have one other thing in common, hard to hold for long before hand-cramps set in, for me anyway.
BUT, I found a very inexpensive way to make those mics really easy to hold using a turkey baster bulb to fatten up the mic head diameter. Note the size of the mic head then cut/punch a round hole center of the bulb's top, where your hand would hold it if cooking. Make sure the hole cut is a tad smaller than the mic's head size. Lightly moisten he outside shaft of the mic and slide the bulb up the shaft of the mic, leading with the cutout hole. As the bulb nears the larger diameter of the mic's head, the bulb will begin to curl in on itself. Keep pushing til you get to a shape you want. The resulting curl forms a nice cup-like, cone-shaped extension up and away from the mic's head, roughly the diameter of a bullet mic. I know, there are many bullet mic diameters but you get the idea. The bulb adds very little weight, is adaptable for any grip, the added cup is perfect for smaller hands that have a hard time getting an air-tight grip on harp and mic at once, the rubber bulb adds some protection should the mic be dropped [the mic shouldn't be dropped], the bulbs come in different colors and densities AND the rubber smells good, too. I use the "GOOD COOK" brand of baster. It is very flexible rubber, maroon-colored and costs under $2 at Hannaford supermarkets.
The Sony MTL is perhaps too slender for the baster bulb to work as the threaded part of the bulb is too large in diameter to properly grab the mic shaft, it would slip without messy tape or something to hold it in place. Soooo, I think one could do the baster bulb setup in two phases. First, one needs to find one of those little, usually blue, bulbs with a short, clear plastic nozzle on it, they are used to douche the snot out of kids' noses, ears, wherever, I think. Anyway, just use the same application as described above [the smaller bulb will likely still be too small for most to comfortably hold with a harp] so MAYBE add on a second baster bulb up and over the smaller one. MAYBE. One may have to fiddle with this second application a bit but I think it would be worth the try as I know there are many, many mics like the above waiting to be found at your local fleamarkets, etc., that's where I found the AKAI and the Sony.
The baster bulb addition may not work on mics that have a volume pot and/or on/off switch on the side of the mic shaft but maybe cutouts could help work around that.
Another idea might be to make a portable baster bulb adapter to keep in one's case to use at a setting that has an SM57 or similarly-shaped mic for you to use should you not have you own baster bulb-equipped mic with you. I envision the same bulb but cut lengthways with a permanently glued-back cone at the top. The whole thing could simply be wrapped around the mic and held on with a wide rubber band or some velcro-type cord to cinch up the seam. Again, really inexpensive, portable, adaptable and just plain cool. The way I see it, there's always room for a better mousetrap.
I hope this can help y'all, so much cheaper than buying some other product that is basically made for only one mic. I should point out that the other baster bulbs I found, the ones in hot lime, yellow or black, were all too dense for my tastes, as it were, they didn't curl in on themselves as easily or might split more easily when being applied to the mic shaft. Thy are all slightly different in shapes, as well.
You won't regret giving this a try, it really works well and is sooooo inexpensive. Have fun with my idea, "THE BASTER BLASTER" !!!
Last Edited by ROBERT TEMPLE II on Aug 17, 2018 1:25 PM
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harpcrab
110 posts
Aug 18, 2018
8:45 AM
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I also have a couple of AKAI mics. I had some leftover bicycle handle bar tape that I wrapped around, several layers thick at the top, and then tapered as I wrapped it down. It gives a good grip, and you can shape it to whatever suits you.
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Bluesharp- If you don't blow you suck...
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AppalachiaBlues
212 posts
Aug 19, 2018
1:31 PM
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@harpcrab - Nice idea with the handlebar tape!
I use a segment of bicycle tube on my SM57 (picking up the idea from Haken's video). But it has a bit of a rubbery smell. The handlebar tape also allows for a thicker application. I'll give it a try.
Last Edited by AppalachiaBlues on Aug 19, 2018 1:31 PM
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indigo
519 posts
Aug 19, 2018
10:50 PM
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The Akai stick mikes are a proven good harp mike.
I have bought a few in my time and have never been disappointed.
But the best 'cheap' mike i have ever found is a
Phillips El 6112 DYNAMIC Table Microphone.
Cost me 25$ (US 15) this thing is unbelievable, a cross between a bullet and a stick mike ,easy to hold and a great tone.It is solid as and you could definitely bang a nail in with it.
It is a sealed unit so i can't get into it to look at the cartridge but honestly guys if you have a few spare bucks keep an eye out for one.
A google search should bring up the "harpsucker'
site with a friend of his using it.
This thing is really the balls for amped Harp
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dougharps
1811 posts
Aug 20, 2018
8:28 AM
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I have accumulated a variety of decent mics over the years, but most remain unused. I have a few favorites I go to all the time.
Once you have bought them and tried them, do you keep using them, or do they sit around unused as do most of mine?
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Doug S.
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ROBERT TEMPLE II
27 posts
Aug 21, 2018
11:34 AM
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I have bought, sold and traded for decades. The AKAI DM 13, with baster bulb, is my best mic ever.
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Martin
1494 posts
Aug 22, 2018
5:34 AM
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A thing, devoutly to be wished, would be an extensive YT video where various cheapo (and other) mics were tested.
And I mean tested into a PA with the exact same settings, not a dirty amplifier.
I would do it myself, if my microphone collection was somewhat more interesting than it is.
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