TBird
148 posts
Jun 28, 2015
10:53 AM
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I had Greg Heumann put a Switchcraft adapter on my Shure 520 a while back. (Thanks Greg! Anyone else here need mic service done? Send it to Greg.) At the time, I knew I would one day want a Volume Control on it but didn't have the cash and just wanted it playable. I am now thinking it's time for a VC pretty soon.
I personally like the look of VCs mounted in the shell where the old stand once mounted. I've also found this location to be very convenient when I've had the opportunity to play other mics fitted with said VCs. BUT In the brief dialog I had with him. Greg seemed reluctant to put VCs in 520 shells and much more inclined to recommend the use of one of his screw-on Vintage Volume Controls accompanied by one of his custom cables with a screw-on connector to reduce the length of the "appendage" hanging from the mic. That option seems more expensive, and to my eye, a little more awkward and cumbersome, but what do I know? I've never used one.
All that to say... does anyone have any advice on the best way to set my mic up with a VC?
Thanks!
Tom
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Be humble for you are made of earth.
Be noble for you are made of stars.
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Danny Starwars
280 posts
Jun 28, 2015
11:44 AM
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I've never used one of Greg's Stealth volume setups - they DO look cool - but I have the 520DX with the built in VC and I find it incredibly well placed - you never accidentally move it, but you know exactly where it is and you can make a grab for it whenever you want.
As regards to having to move a hand to adjust it, it's not really a bad thing - if you watch Jason Ricci play, he's often grabbing for the VC briefly on his Ultimate, and I dunno - it's not off-putting to me, at least.
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Pistolcat
797 posts
Jun 28, 2015
12:23 PM
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I'd listen to Greg... I have heard that the "volume-pot-in-the-stand-hole-solution" creates a kind of a leak of sound, lessening the oomph you get out of the element... In fact I boughta mic the other day where the volume pot had been removed and the hole filled out to make the mic better again... It sounds really good now but I didn't hear it whith the pot in so I can't say it was any improvement... Still, I'd listen to Greg...
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Pistolkatt - Pistolkatts youtube
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dougharps
953 posts
Jun 28, 2015
12:27 PM
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I find the screw-on Vintage Volume Controls to work just fine for me. You can switch the control to another mic if needed, you don't have the issues with proper grounding to the shell, and you don't risk damaging the integrity of the original shell.
If you buy a volume control from Greg be sure to let him know what element is in the mic. Crystal or ceramic elements work best with a different VC.
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Doug S.
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Bilzharp
85 posts
Jun 28, 2015
12:44 PM
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Part of the reason the VC works well on Danny's 520DX is because it (presumably) has the cord coming directly out of the back of the mic instead of a Switchcraft screw on connector. By the time you screw on a cable connector or adapter to that connector, there is very little clearance for the pot knob to turn. It requires slightly forward mounting the pot in the stand hole instead of centering it and using the smallest diameter knob you can find. There are harpmic builders that do it, you see them on ebay frequently, but there can be clearance issues.
I've got a bunch of different style bullet and biscuit mics and I've installed VCs in most of them but there are a few that it would just destroy the aesthetic of the mic to add a VC. I use Greg's screw-on vintage VC for those mics and am very happy with it. A screw on cable does reduce the "appendage" and makes for a very clean look.
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harmonicanick
2256 posts
Jun 28, 2015
2:43 PM
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If you have an old Shure green bullet with a screw thread for a mic stand then use it and forget the vc
I have a 1986 mic and I have a Peavey solid stand which is great because that mic is f****** heavy for a 2 hour gig
Use your control ie. breath, hand and distance to act as a volume pot
I also have a 57 with a vc I bought from Greg and I go straight into the pa with that
Hope that helps
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Prento
3 posts
Jun 28, 2015
5:25 PM
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I have one of Gregs screw on mics and it is bullet proof. I can wiggle it with my little finger when needed. I use it on a few old mics, both bullet and stick that have the screw connection. I also have a 520dx that I have put a cm element in. The vol control is a bit iffy and last couple of times I used it I lost volume throughout the night, so I'm assuming it is dirty or something. I was considering getting Greg to put in a screw on connector and using his vol control, but the 520dx is a larger shell than the old ones and I thought it's not worth spending the money on it. I am keeping my eye out for a cheap jt30 shell and having a connector fitted if necessary. If I had an original shell I wouldn't desecrate it by drilling unnecessary holes and complicating the circuit inside. Having one of Gregs vol controls will save you money in the long run.
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Greg Heumann
3026 posts
Jun 28, 2015
6:39 PM
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TBird is right - I'm not a big fan of under-shell volume controls, especially on Shure shells. Here's why:
- Once you put a screw-on connector in a 520, and connect a cable to it - you have a 3/4" diameter thingy at the base of the mic where you used to have a 1/4" cable. Reaching your thumb and forefinger around it to adjust the volume control is definitely more difficult.
- The volume control will be so close to the connector that (as is the case with a 520DX) any standard knob will physically rub against the connector - so the knob has to be made special or pared down.
- You can't see the knob there.
- You can inadvertently adjust the volume when the knob is there.
My Vintage Volume Control on the other hand, puts the knob where you can see it and won't inadvertently adjust it, and can be used with multiple mics.
The Stealth Volume Control on my wood mics improves further by not only being visible and out of inadvertent adjustment range, but by allowing adjustment with a pinkie without losing your cup, and by keeping the cable connection to the mic as short and flexible as possible, providing enhanced freedom of movement. And it is just so ..... cool!
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/Greg
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Last Edited by Greg Heumann on Jun 28, 2015 6:40 PM
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TBird
149 posts
Jun 29, 2015
10:13 PM
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Good points all around. Thanks. Sounds like I'd be foolish not to save up my money and buy a Vintage Volume Control. It seems like something I'll have forever and can always use on other mics in the future. What's not to love?
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Be humble for you are made of earth.
Be noble for you are made of stars.
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SuperBee
2722 posts
Jun 29, 2015
11:07 PM
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i have had good service from my VVCs...but they don't necessarily last forever. i think i had 5 years from my first one, but it had a lot of use.
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