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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Playing Harp from a Mic Stand
Playing Harp from a Mic Stand
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DannyRanch
60 posts
Jan 26, 2016
9:58 AM
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Hi,
Any advise when playing from a Mic on a Stand?
I always play with my Bullet mic as it is the mic I find I'm more comfortable with.
But some times (normally on Jam Sessions) I use the PA and whatever mic they have available, which I normally take and cup to play.
But in some cuts I want to play hand free in order to play light accompaniment under the vocals, and use hand effects, etc.
But I find that nearly impossible with an electric band playing loudly, and honestly even with acoustic music, I'm unable to play with good volume.
Is there any specific setting that I have to request to the sound guy, or is there something I need to be doing when playing? (proper distance, mic placement, etc)
Thanks for any suggestion
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Killa_Hertz
357 posts
Jan 26, 2016
10:06 AM
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Your talking about playing in the style of Sonny Boy II? With an acoustic sound and being able to use hand effects, etc.
Sorry i can't be of much help, but I'm curious of the same thing myself. Ive tried it with my sm57 and it didn't seem to pic up well. Maybe a mic with a bigger pickup range. Idk. Hopefully one of the more experienced guys will weigh in here.
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
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barbequebob
3124 posts
Jan 26, 2016
10:12 AM
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One thing you're gonna need to learn is to take total command of the bandstand with clear, visible signals and even telling people (even if it means getting in people's faces) and control the band's dynamics because so far, the wimpy, no signals approach never works.
When it comes to playing thru the PA for an acoustic sound, what I usually have a soundman do is to run the mic hotter, just as if it was for my vocals so I don't have to eat the damned mic to get heard and put less strain on the vocal chords and to give me the ability to go close up or back away when necessary or whenever I feel like it.
Unless you give some sort of signals that are visible, which means, to be blunt about it, SEIZE CONTROL of the situation, basically being a leader and not a follower, that alone will help.
Jam sessions, unfortunately you have to deal with crappy musicians who are great for doing that stuff that a pro wouldn't think twice about firing their sorry butts in a heartbeat for, and that can be problematic, but you HAVE to stand up for yourself and not take any of their crap for a nanosecond or they'll just keep walking all over you like a cheap rug.
If you try to play physically louder and harder be it acoustic OR amplified, that's an automatic losing game for you and the only thing you're gonna accomplish is that you'll blow out harps left and right and always wind up sounding like a crappy harp player in the process.
Are there monitors in use there? If so, have more of that mic you're going into be on the monitors as well.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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Diggsblues
1948 posts
Jan 26, 2016
10:43 AM
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Bands usually play too loud for off the mic playing. If there are two guitar players forget it. Acoustic groups are easier to do this technique.
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Greg Heumann
3160 posts
Jan 26, 2016
11:21 AM
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Playing through a vocal mic, set up for vocals.... one of the most challenging ways to play. BUT it absolutely can be learned. DO NOT pick up the mic and cup it - in fact be careful about cupping it even on the stand - unless you can play very quietly. With your hands/cup between the mic and your harp, you'll need at least as much level as the singer. Yes it is helpful if you motion the band to come way down But you also need to learn to "focus" the sound coming out of your cup.
With help from the sound guy you can cup the mic - but without it you have to be very, very careful or you can cause the audience to squeal in pain. With good technique and tone, and perhaps a lower mic level - you can do this. Just watch James Cotton, or Kenny Neal. (Neal is a MASTER of playing through the same mic he sings through.) Dig up the video I recently posted of Mark Ford doing an acoustic solo through the vocal mic. Band came way down - it was magic.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
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hvyj
2922 posts
Jan 26, 2016
7:29 PM
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If you want to play cupped thru the PA, roll off the treble, keep the bass flat or pump it slightly, and pump the midrange. Then add some reverb if it is available on the channel you are plugged into. If you need to to back off volume, loosen your cup.
Now, if you are forced to play thru a hot mic set up for vocals, loosen your cup and hold the mic element UNDER the harp instead of blowing directly into it. Not ideal, of course, but it can help make a difficult situation moe manageable.
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dougharps
1134 posts
Jan 27, 2016
8:32 AM
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While I prefer to use my Ultimate 58 (or 585SAV) and cup when playing through the PA, I learned early that you NEED to develop the ability to play off a vocal mic in a stand and learn to use your hands to moderate highs and create effects.
If you plan to play amplified at all it is extremely important to learn mic skills, both cupped and free standing. I believe that mic (and PA) management is an area of harmonica performance that is under represented at workshops. Also, it can be practiced at home, just like you can practice cupping a bullet, and I encourage you to practice playing to a mic in a stand without getting on the mic or cupping. A mic set for vocals is often too hot to cup (or even get close to) without feedback.
Screaming feedback is not good in a live performance. If you plan to perform amplified, earning mic technique is just as important as harp techniques.
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Doug S.
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