atty1chgo
670 posts
Jul 29, 2013
6:30 PM
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I think that it would be interesting to determine the answers to the following questions. So I ask the Forum:
1. How many Forum members use a volume control on their mic, and why?
2. What percentage of the top players use volume controls on their mics?
3. Which top players do not use a volume control?
Thanks.
Last Edited by atty1chgo on Jul 29, 2013 6:31 PM
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blueswannabe
235 posts
Jul 29, 2013
6:35 PM
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1. I use a VC to help eliminate feedback and to lower my volume when comping with a band
2. If I had to guess I would say 30%.
3. There are many players who never used volume controls: SB1, SB2, LW, BW, James Cotton, Billy Branch, Paul Butterfield. I have seen youtube videos where WIlliam Clarke was not using volume controls nor was Rick Estrin.
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SuperBee
1335 posts
Jul 29, 2013
7:34 PM
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I use them. Usually I have them all the way open, but if I have to approach my amp I turn them all the way down. If I hear feedback on stage I can shut my mic and tell if its my problem. Really, if I'm not playing for a while I just shut the mic off. It's a habit now.
I tried a noise gate pedal and I found it was annoying. But then when I used a mic with no VC I had a moment when I thought the NG would have been handy.
I rarely use the VC to actually turn down while I'm playing. I just play quieter. But sometimes if I find I'm getting a little feedback problem mid song I can just drop it off and make the problem go away.
Handy tool. I use Greg Heumann in line VCs.
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rbeetsme
1321 posts
Jul 29, 2013
8:04 PM
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I use them. I treat like gain controls. Adds another element to shaping your tone.
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jbone
1318 posts
Jul 29, 2013
8:10 PM
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I am definitely not near the top.
Not all my mics have a vc but I do make use of the ones that do. My thing is, without a vc, you have your top end always and the challenge is to adjust volume by breath dynamics and proximity to mic. Not a bad skill to have.
When I use a mic with vc I have a kind of luxury of playing mostly at about 80 to 85% volume and when things get a bit crazy-loud I do have to option to turn up. This is usually feedback territory when the mic is at rest so a quick twist, a solo part, and back down to keep the squeal out of the mix. Also good for getting close to the amp without feedback.
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Last Edited by jbone on Jul 31, 2013 4:04 AM
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Jehosaphat
511 posts
Jul 29, 2013
8:13 PM
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I have one of Gregs on my bullet.Really only use it in the sense of when i'm setting up to help set levels.
As has been stated before they can be very useful if your at the mercy of a soundman.Get him to set your level with your volume control urned down a bit so you then have some reserve volume at hand.
2) Seems to me that most of the pros' i see on the Tube are using them now.
3)not sure
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capnj
131 posts
Jul 29, 2013
9:08 PM
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If your a top player familiar with your bands sound,probably go without if confident,when you do the soundcheck.Otherwise they sure don't hurt to have,especially when playing through pa's,and unfamiliar equipment.Always keep your mic cradled above your waist,or feedback will start to buzz.
Last Edited by capnj on Jul 29, 2013 9:09 PM
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Greg Heumann
2280 posts
Jul 29, 2013
9:25 PM
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The vast majority of pros use a VC:
Charlie Musselwhite uses a VC
Rick Estrin uses a VC
Rod Piazza uses a VC
RJ Mischo uses a VC
Kim Wilson uses a VC
Mark Hummel uses a VC
Mitch Kashmar uses a VC
Mickey Raphael uses a VC
Steve Baker uses a VC
Jason Ricci uses a VC
Curtis Salgado uses a VC
Andy Just uses a VC
Aki Kumar uses a VC
Jay Gaunt uses a VC
Darrell Mansfield uses a VC
Christelle Berthon uses a VC
Brendan Power uses a VC
PT Gazelle uses a VC
Jelly Roll Johnson uses a VC
Rob Paparozzi uses a VC
Will Scarlett uses a VC
Deak Harp uses a VC
Jimi Lee uses a VC
I know this because they all use BlowsMeAway VC's.
There are many more but I'm tired of writing.
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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 Jul 29, 2013 9:26 PM
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Greg Heumann
2281 posts
Jul 29, 2013
9:29 PM
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One of my favorite uses of a volume control is the following scenario.
1) Feedback occurs
2) Everyone look at the harp player.
3) Harp player turns his volume control down, feedback persists
4) Harp player throws up his hands, gives the "Hey, it ain't me" look.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
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capnj
133 posts
Jul 29, 2013
9:45 PM
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Great Example
1 Feedback occured
2 Got Accused
3 Lady singer says shouldn't happen if your a professional
4Had my vol control turned down
5Was a moniter
6 Apologies were slow in coming
7Won't play with these people,unless pay is better,and apology
8Great Feeling
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Kingley
2939 posts
Jul 29, 2013
10:30 PM
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I prefer to use on/off switches for the most part.
Greg's post is a little misleading. So just to clarify things a little. Whilst it's true that all those players he has listed use or have used his great products. Not all of those players use volume controls all of the time. Like most pro players, many of those players listed use various other mics and with a lot of those other mics they don't always use a volume control. Just like amps, most pros don't use one single solution. They tend to use a variety of things and use whatever works on a particular day in any given situation, or as their mood suits.
I think a volume control can be a useful tool in the right setting and I wouldn't rule out using one. I have used them in the past, but found that at least 98% of the time they were either off or on full. Which is why I prefer on/off switches. These days I find that it's easier for me to control my volume by breath control and mic technique.
I've had the being accused of feedback thing happen to me loads of times. I've even walked over to the PA and unplugged the harp mic. The feedback has continued and I've still been accused of being the culprit! Turns out more often than not at a jam I attend that electro acoustic guitars are the problem. They forget to change the 9 volt battery in their preamp and end up having to crank up the PA channel to full which creates feedback.
Last Edited by Kingley on Jul 30, 2013 12:33 AM
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Greg Heumann
2283 posts
Jul 30, 2013
8:03 AM
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"Greg's post is a little misleading. Not all of those players use volume controls all of the time"
Actually, with the exception of Kim Wilson, Deak Harp and Mickey Raphael, I know that all the players I listed above use volume controls MOST or ALL of the time. I see/communicate with those 3 less so it is hard to say but I can tell you they ordered their blowsmeaway mics with volume controls. I left off many more players who I was less sure about. I left those guys in because, hey, if you're gonna drop names....
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
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rogonzab
355 posts
Jul 30, 2013
8:10 AM
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I think that the VC is one of the most usefull tools for a harpplayer.
- You can aproach to the amp whit no FB
- You can increase your volume in your solo
- You can turn down your volume when comping
- You can play right below the FB level
- And so on
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Dog Face
212 posts
Jul 30, 2013
8:18 AM
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Greg,
You forgot to mention me.
oh.... PROS! Just kidding...
I use VC on my mic. I do so because I end up playing in all kinds of settings. I don't always get to use my amp. It's just easier for setup purposes (for me).
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Brad
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bloozefish
116 posts
Jul 30, 2013
9:55 AM
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Dog Face,
you beat me to it...I noticed Greg didn't list me either (heehee). I have two of Greg's VCs, one for crystal/ceramic elements, and one for CR/CM/dynamic mics. I use mine like jbone does.
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Tuckster
1300 posts
Jul 30, 2013
10:21 AM
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I've found VC's to be indispensable, I never gig without one. Greg makes a great one. Don't know why you would want to buy one anywhere else.
My growing stash of low Z mics are just begging for their own VC. I'd use them a lot more if they had one.
Last Edited by Tuckster on Jul 30, 2013 10:22 AM
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1847
941 posts
Jul 30, 2013
10:24 AM
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i have a blows me away volume control
it is an earlier model i bought used
it only reduces the volume it will not
turn the volume all the way off
i am standing on stage and there is a feedback issue
everyone turns to look at me.
i am standing there like a deer caught in the headlights
i have the volume turned down as far as it will go
but it is not all the way off, even i am not 100 per cent sure. i had to yank the cord out of the amp.
i bought this used, if it was broken, oh well you get what you pay for. but it was designed to operate like this.
to this day i cannot understand why?
like kingley said, usually a volume control
is either all the way on or all the way off.
over all i would have to say i find the volume control
to be disappointing. it makes me question his other products. i see a long list of endorsers,
but the last few times i went to hear kim wilson
or rod piazza, they were not using a blows me away microphone hmm. perhaps they are not totally blown away? unlike me who is blown away..unfortunately
in the other direction.
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master po
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Kingley
2945 posts
Jul 30, 2013
10:44 AM
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1847 - Greg's volume controls are superb. It sounds like you got a used one that is malfunctioning somehow. I seem to recall that mine (older model) worked perfectly. If I was using a volume control then I'd use one of Greg's. It's just simply that I don't use them these days and prefer to regulate my volume through breath control. Like I stated earlier most pro players use a variety of mics and use whatever works best with a particular rig on that day, or as their mood suits. Which may or may not be a Blowsmeaway mic or VC on that particular day.
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Littoral
945 posts
Jul 30, 2013
11:04 AM
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Love This:
1) Feedback occurs
2) Everyone look at the harp player.
3) Harp player turns his volume control down, feedback persists
4) Harp player throws up his hands, gives the "Hey, it ain't me" look.
I know this scenario well and you can't blame the players cause it often is the harp player.
VC allows me to dial in whatever headroom there is and that's a big benefit -if I'm maxed out at least I know it (mic cupped, back to amp, finger ready to scroll...).
Last Edited by Littoral on Jul 30, 2013 11:06 AM
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bloozefish
117 posts
Jul 30, 2013
12:13 PM
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1847,
both of my Blowsmeaway VCs are older, and both will completely turn off volume. The problem is in your individual unit...I can't imagine Greg would ship out a new one that is malfunctioning.
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nacoran
6985 posts
Jul 30, 2013
12:17 PM
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I'd love a built in dual volume with a toggle for vocals and harp. I've got an idea for a shell shape that would accommodate more switches (although it's not lathe friendly), but I suspect putting much more data flow through the wire would require USB or such. My Yeti mic has a headphone jack, a headphone volume, gain, mute, USB out and can record in 4 different patterns- stereo, cardioid, bi and omni. (3 capsules).
I suspect form factor-wise it's only the multiple direction recording ability that makes it a bulky beast unsuitable for the stage. I'd love to see more switches built into a mic, preferably programmable. (The actual brains and processing could be in a rack over by the sound guy). The only mic I've seen that has computer compatible buttons for more than the basics though is a high end 'Rock Band' game controller/microphone, and it's only 'high end' in the sense that it's got buttons on it that the regular controller doesn't.
(Yeti also comes in an XLR configuration).
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1847
942 posts
Jul 30, 2013
12:55 PM
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the older ones were designed that way
that is why i am so mystified
it is way beyond my comprehension as to why
it would be made like that, i assure you if it was broken, it would not bother me in the least
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master po
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gad wagon
50 posts
Jul 30, 2013
1:15 PM
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My VC serves as a confidence meter. The lower the volume, the lower my self-esteem. he higher the volume, the more I feel like I'm "in the groove." :)
Harp on!
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didjcripey
591 posts
Jul 30, 2013
1:50 PM
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Far more important than linear than audio taper is the value of the pot. I have built mics with both types and don't notice a huge difference.
Perhaps Greg will verify this, but I seem to remember reading that he uses linear taper in his mics.
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Lucky Lester
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MP
2874 posts
Jul 30, 2013
1:52 PM
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It's possible i got them mixed up. Yes, you would want 1 to 5 megs on a crystal and i forget what on a CM or CR or Dynamic.
Deleted post above in case i'm wrong. Nothing worse than misinformation on harmonica sites. I don't wish to add to this bane.
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Last Edited by MP on Jul 30, 2013 2:06 PM
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Tuckster
1301 posts
Jul 30, 2013
1:55 PM
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1847= I'm sorry you're having problems,but I don't think it's typical. My hi-Z VC is also an older used model and it works flawlessly. I've met and talked to Greg at SPAH and HCH, He's a great guy and I know one of his top priorities is customer service. He wants his customers to be happy. Just look what he freely contributes to this forum. Since it's a used product,I don't know if he'll do it gratis, But he will fix your problem.
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Greg Heumann
2285 posts
Jul 30, 2013
2:33 PM
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@1847
Yes, my first low-Z volume controls didn't cut the volume all the way to zero. The circuit I use now and have for the last few years DOES, but it eluded me for a while. The original circuit DID provide a useful amount of cut, but exactly how much depended on the impedance of your mic and the input impedance of whatever you were connecting to. Any customer who bought that original Low Z control from me was told, before buying, that that was the case.
if you still have that control (now at least 3 years old) I will gladly replace it with a new one for half price.
@EVERYONE: If you're ever unsatisfied with one of my products - talk to me! I'll do anything I can to make it right.
@DJD re: "Far more important than linear than audio taper is the value of the pot. I have built mics with both types and don't notice a huge difference."
I agree completely. 1-5Mohm for crystals, 100K-250K for dynamic/CR/CM.
You don't always get to choose linear vs. audio for a particular pot, especially once you get down to pots small enough to fit in an Ultimate barrel or one of my in-line volume controls The spec sheet for a typical pot series lists a myriad of options - not only resistance value and taper, but shaft size, shaft length, shaft termination (knurled, split, D-shape), bushing length, terminal configuration and more. Electronics distributors certainly do NOT stock every combination and permutation - and only a huge quantity (10,000 units at $4-6 per)/long lead time (8-12 weeks) order from a manufacturer will get you one that isn't stocked.
So _ I have to take what I can get. Taper has never been a priority. Form factor, quality and resistance value are of greater importance.
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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 Jul 30, 2013 4:25 PM
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garry
420 posts
Jul 30, 2013
4:01 PM
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i do. my fireball and ultimate 545 have 'em built in, and i have greg's inline one on my 57. it's too useful a tool to do without.
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LSC
477 posts
Jul 30, 2013
6:05 PM
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Also a user of Greg's VC. Great bit of engineering and superb build quality. I set up with volume wide open and bring the amp volume up. Mostly I use it to turn the mic completely off as needed and to instantly knock back the volume anytime feedback jumps up for whatever reason.
One technique issue that perhaps Greg or someone else can help me with. I find that pretty much no matter how (finger) tight I screw down the connector on the mic it seems to work loose. I thought perhaps it was because I set it with the pot to the back of the mic and I'm using my left hand to adjust it so perhaps I'm pushing it away. I started setting the pot off to the left recently to see if that would help but I haven;t been using it that way long enough to know it that is the ultimate solution. I keep thinking I should have had Greg install the stealth VC when he made my mic. A much more elegant solution but I was being pound foolish perhaps.
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LSC
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Chinn
83 posts
Jul 30, 2013
6:05 PM
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New to amplified harp, but I built a volume pot into my mic and use it. I'm still learning the basics, but I've found that I can dial the amp into the tone I want and then dial the volume back slightly on the mic to make the feedback go away.
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walterharp
1148 posts
Jul 30, 2013
7:08 PM
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jason surely does.... check the beginning of this video.. ok through much of it. :-)
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tmf714
1861 posts
Jul 31, 2013
5:23 AM
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I do not use a volume comtrol on ANY of my mics-i always felt it took a little away from the element.
I don't know the percentages of the top palyers who do use a voulme control.
Both Sugars do-Ray Norcia and Sugar Blue. John Nemeth does.
Steve Guyger and Dennis Gruenling do not.
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walterharp
1149 posts
Jul 31, 2013
7:28 AM
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Volume controls can roll off the high frequencies, but so many players try to do this other ways, that is probably not an issue for most players. Other ways like heavier magnet speakers in amps, using tone control on amp to roll back treble, lone wolf pedals with darker tone etc...
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MN
261 posts
Jul 31, 2013
7:47 AM
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I use volume controls. My main gigging mic is a BlowsMeAway wood bullet from Greg H. My other mic is an Ultimate 545, also from Greg, obviously. I prefer to use them wide open, and then just bring down the volume if there's feedback. Also, it's nice to be able to bring down the volume a bit for keys that really pierce through the mix. So whereas the mix is wide open for most harps, with an E or F harp, I might tamp down the volume a bit.
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