MindTheGap
176 posts
Jan 23, 2014
9:23 AM
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I don't have a bullet mic, but think I ought to. Experimenting with playing the harp into various household receptacles suggests that the shape, size and possibly material of the shell should have a big effect on the 'voice' of the mic. Yet all the talk is about the elements. What is the story?
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Last Edited by MindTheGap on Jan 23, 2014 9:24 AM
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Kingley
3411 posts
Jan 23, 2014
9:30 AM
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I'm no expert on the subject, but in my opinion it's the element and the gasket that make the biggest difference. I would say that the shell only makes a small difference in comparison (if any). I'm sure an expert like Greg Heumann will be able to shed more light on the subject though,
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didjcripey
683 posts
Jan 23, 2014
12:21 PM
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The element and the seal are the biggest factors; shell does slightly affect tone, but its biggest effect seems to me the mics resistance to feedback. An airtight heavy shell can reduce tendency to feedback. ---------- Lucky Lester
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SuperBee
1635 posts
Jan 23, 2014
12:37 PM
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Main thing about a shell is how you feel about holding it I think
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Greg Heumann
2569 posts
Jan 23, 2014
3:54 PM
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The shell has a minor impact on tone. Shure CM/CR elements are open to their back side and the volume of the shell impacts resonant frequencies and bass response to a small extent. Crystal elements are sealed in the rear - nothing behind the element makes any difference to speak of. Different shells position the element closer or further from the grill - that makes some difference as well. I don't think there's any truth behind the the "airtight/heavy = less feedback" claim though - certainly not in my experience. In fact some Shure bullets - for no reason I can figure out - some of the heaviest mics out there - can be real feedback monsters. The shell DOES resonate with the harp sound - metal shells have higher resonant frequencies than wood - wood warms up the sound a little bit.
Still, the biggest variable by far is the player, followed by the element itself. SuperBee is on the right track when he says how it feels to hold is EXTREMELY important. If you can hold it comfortably and cup it well you will get better tone - plain and simple.
---------- *************************************************** /Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions See my Customer Mics album on Facebook BlueState - my band Bluestate on iTunes
Last Edited by Greg Heumann on Jan 23, 2014 3:57 PM
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MindTheGap
178 posts
Jan 23, 2014
11:43 PM
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Thanks for these responses, that's helpful. Esp because there is agreement on it.
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