Rontana
246 posts
Dec 26, 2015
3:45 PM
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I'm just getting to the point where I'm starting to mess with playing through an amp (took up harp about 14 months ago). For Christmas I bought myself a mic stand, an SM58, a Vox Mini 5 practice amp, and a female xlr to 1/4-inch cable (the Vox Mini 5 doesn't have xlr connections, and its mic connection is for a 1/4-inch plug)
I soon discovered that set-up doesn't work, and from what I can tell via internet research, I need a Shure A95UF. However . . . per usual, the info I found on the net is not exactly crystal clear.
Thus, before I pull the trigger and buy that gizmo (limited budget here) I thought I'd check with you folks who actually know about such things. Is the A95UF the gizmo I need to make this work? Different cable? Both?
Thanks for any assistance on this.
(oh . . . the amp works fine, so that's not the problem)
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Harmonica Lewinskey
103 posts
Dec 26, 2015
3:56 PM
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Yes it looks like the A95UF is an impedance matching transformer, which sounds like that is the missing link in your rig. You can also go with the Audix T-50K, which is what I would recommend since it goes on the back side of your XLR cable (as opposed to attaching into the bottom of the mic, which will make it longer and more awkward), the Audix one is also slightly cheaper ($25). I have not had very good luck with the impedance matching transformers from guitar center (can't get a good connection, resulting in a slight hum) but if you are anxious to start playing you can get one from GC and it slips out of the package easy enough that you can just return it once your Audix or Shure comes in the mail (i've already pulled that move twice :))
Hope that helps!
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-LeWin$key
Last Edited by Harmonica Lewinskey on Dec 26, 2015 3:57 PM
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Harmonica Lewinskey
104 posts
Dec 26, 2015
4:01 PM
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I just realized that you said you got a cable that goes XLR to 1/4". This type of cable will not work with the transformer from audix or guitar center, since these need to attach into the XLR at the butt end of your cable, and then have 1/4" on the other side.. You may need to get a different cable..
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-LeWin$key
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Greg Heumann
3143 posts
Dec 26, 2015
4:13 PM
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There's this guy named Greg Heumann, and he has a business called BlowsMeAway Productions, and all he does, every day, is help people with amplified harmonica. He is a harmonica player so he knows what works and he tests every product he sells. He has XLR to XLR cables and an impedance matching transformer that is less expensive and performs better than either of the ones mentioned above.
There's a document called "All about harmonica microphones, and then some..." on my site that explains why XLR to 1/4" cables are incorrect for your application.
See BlowsMeAway.com for some background and feel free to email him (me) - greg@blowsmeaway.com
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
Last Edited by Greg Heumann on Dec 26, 2015 4:14 PM
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Rontana
247 posts
Dec 26, 2015
4:24 PM
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@Greg
Thanks. I knew about your mics/mods from discussions on here, but didn't know you also sold cables, transformers, etc. Very glad to learn that. I'll drop you an email tomorrow.
Appreciate the link . . . am heading over to read that after this post.
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Harmonica Lewinskey
105 posts
Dec 26, 2015
4:42 PM
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Hey Greg, I just went onto your site (which I have spent a pretty decent amount of time on in the past) and I don't see impedance matching transformers on there anywhere, am I missing something?
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-LeWin$key
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Harmonica Lewinskey
106 posts
Dec 26, 2015
4:45 PM
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oh wait, I just found it but it says it is $55?
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-LeWin$key
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Fil
85 posts
Dec 26, 2015
4:55 PM
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Hi Rontana, I have Greg's Ultimate 57, same impedance as your 58. An xlr to xlr cable with an impedance matching transformer will work fine into your VOX Mini 5. I do that with the same amp. Early on I made the same assumption that an xlr to 1/4" adapter cable would work. Nope.... I've been real pleased with the VOX as a practice amp. The models are fun, as are the effects, and allow for some variety and experimentation. Metronome and rhythm options have been helpful. I run my ipod thru the 1/8" input with backup tracks and can hear the harp and tracks blend. All in all, it has been worth the very reasonable cost.
Regards, fil
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Phil Pennington
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Rontana
248 posts
Dec 26, 2015
5:16 PM
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Hey Phil
Good to know. I just dropped Greg a line.
Ha . . . yup, I just assumed the mic/cable would work. On the plus side, this is going to be one of my less costly mistaken assumptions (by many miles).
I've been having a ball messing with this amp - just plugging guitar in, and love the rhythm settings. One of the main reasons I got it is what you just mentioned . . . running backing tracks in the through the aux input
Thanks
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Bugsy
61 posts
Dec 27, 2015
3:30 PM
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Does that vox work differently than an Blues Jr? I's used both a sm57 and sm58 plugged directly in with an xlr to 1/4in cable and it worked fine. A bit prone to feedback if you weren't careful, but definitely playable.
Of course, I did buy the appropriate impedance converter and such now, and still need to test out the differences between the setups, but I wouldn't imagine two amps being that different from each other.
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SuperBee
3132 posts
Dec 27, 2015
3:51 PM
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Yep, they're different, but maybe not quite the way you may be wondering about.
Blues Jr has a lot more grunt than a mini 5. Probably enough to amplify half the signal from a loZ mic enough that it's possible to get feedback.
I can almost still remember when I first attempted to play amplified through a guitar amp by plugging a loZ sm58 in, using an xlr-1/4" cable into a 5watt ss amp. I honestly couldn't believe how weak it sounded. I thought the amp was broken. Is it on? Later I plugged the same rig into a 30w tube amp and it was definitely on, but less than satisfying..the experience led me directly to BMA, and the lights went on...or at least, began to come up
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Greg Heumann
3145 posts
Dec 27, 2015
10:54 PM
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@Harmonica Lewinsky - you're right - I don't have them on my site. My site is archaic and I can't find the time to fix it! But I do carry them as a convenience to my customers. I have tested a bunch of them and found the Whirlwind Little IMP to have the least impact on tone and it is economical at $19. I have XLR to XLR cables as well.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
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Greg Heumann
3146 posts
Dec 27, 2015
10:58 PM
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@Bugsy re: "I's used both a sm57 and sm58 plugged directly in with an xlr to 1/4in cable and it worked fine. "
No, actually it didn't. If you compare that to the proper connection (XLR to XLR cable plus impedance matching transformer) you'll be amazed at how much signal you were losing.
If you KNOW the difference and you use XLR to 1/4" intentionally to lower the output of your mic, that's fine. It can actually help with an untamable amp. But it is technically wrong, changes your mic's frequency response, and may not work at all if you use a volume control.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
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Kingley
3981 posts
Dec 28, 2015
1:07 AM
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Listen to Greg. He knows his shit. He won't steer you wrong and is giving you, good solid, free advice.
A Lo-Z mic into an amp without a lo-hi impedance converter sounds lifeless, dull and like shit in comparison to using the correct impedance the amp requires. Plus of course you get a substantially reduced volume output. It really is that simple.
So get smart, get wise, get Heumannized.
Last Edited by Kingley on Dec 28, 2015 1:09 AM
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Barley Nectar
1002 posts
Dec 28, 2015
7:10 AM
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LOL, I liked that!
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