Goldbrick
1452 posts
May 17, 2016
7:23 AM
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I like to be able to use the same mic for harp, vovals and even acoustic guitar-- the less crap I drag around the quicker I can set up and dial in
I am a bar band and street player primarily-there is usually enuff background noise that purity of sound is not an issue
I really like the Shure 545 and have used one for a couple of years however its not the best shape for my big hand to cup and seems to pick up more noise when bumped by the harp.
I picked up an audix fireball v at a good price and really dig it. I have used audix mics on my drum kit for years and they are tuff and good quality
One feature I require is either volume pot or on off switch as I go between instruments a lot and need to be able to easily cut a mic off. I go straight into a guitar amp
The Audix is a pleasant surprise= not quite as defined as the shure but easier to cup and seems to have more bass response. Didnt feedback even when used with an ac tone emulation pedal and was good for vocals too
Picks up very little harp scrape and bgrd noise
Dont know whre the Audix parts are made- but says assembled and tested in USA
Fit and finish are great
Very cool for $100
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Greg Heumann
3231 posts
May 17, 2016
7:38 AM
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Huge difference in tonal range, though. The Fireball is a great clean acoustic mic. And that may be all you want which is fine. But for the safety of others.... the Fireball (like their drum mics) withstands very high sound pressure levels without distorting. That means that cupping it has very little effect on its tone. Cupping a 545 drives it into big time dirt as much as a good bullet mic.
FYI - you can solve the handling problem AND add a volume control to Shure 545's, SM57's and SM58's by having your 545 "Ultimatized." See http://www.blowsmeaway.com/ultimate.html for more info
You can solve the size to cup issue with the Bulletizer - see http://www.blowsmeaway.com/bulletizer.html for more info.
Also made in the USA.
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/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
Last Edited by Greg Heumann on May 17, 2016 7:39 AM
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Goldbrick
1453 posts
May 17, 2016
8:24 AM
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i like the clean. cupping the fball is for comfort
Your mics would no doubt be a more elegant solution
But these two mics cost about $ 160 total
Less than one of yours and can in a pinch still use them on a drum kit
If I had enuff straight harp gigs to make it worthwhile I would certainly want one of your mics
ah, the life of broke musicians
Last Edited by Goldbrick on May 17, 2016 8:32 AM
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Stokes Bay Slim
83 posts
May 17, 2016
9:09 AM
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One day I would love an Ultimate but the shipping costs to the UK put me off, same applies to The Blue Moon combs. Would be nice if Greg and Tom linked up with Harmonicas Direct like Lone Wolf has done. I have bought 2 LW pedals from Peter at HD.
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dougharps
1231 posts
May 17, 2016
11:43 AM
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The Audix Fireball V is a good clean mic with no proximity effect. You can sing in it, though I find less wind noise by singing over it. You can get a driven sound with a tight cup, but it won't break up. A good mic. Feedback resistant and OK through a transformer to an amp or modeler.
If I am singing and playing harp I prefer my Ultimate 58. I can open up the volume and sing a little off mic for vocals, then turn it down and cup it and get a bass boost from the proximity effect while managing volume and getting a mild breakup.
My vintage Shure 585SAV can be used in a similar way with a transformer or DI if going to the PA, but the vocals are not quite as good as the Ultimate 58.
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on May 17, 2016 11:47 AM
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hvyj
3041 posts
May 17, 2016
12:30 PM
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I usually don't sing. But, for several years I carried both a lo-z 545 Ultimate and an an Audix Fireball V in my performing case. Both ar good, high qualty mics. The Audix is MUCH BRIGHTER than the 545. Certainly the Audix is easier to cup and may be more feedback resistant than the 545, but the timbre is just too bright for me.
I think the 545 is more versatile--you can get more different sounds out of it and it has strong proximity effect which the FBV does not. FWIW, these days I only carry a 545 Ultimate (sometimes low-z, sometimes hi-z, depending on what I am doing). I don't do the bullet mic thing, so I find the 545 does everything I need.
Every now and then at a jam I'll use an AUDIX DM-1 snare drum mic with one of Greg's in line volume controls attached. Same sort of compact transformerless design as the FBV, but has a different sound and is not as bright. Also easy to cup but not as feedback resistant as the FBV. Don't like it as well as I do my 545, But it's fun to play through, and I'll take it to a jam every now and then,
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Greg Heumann
3233 posts
May 17, 2016
9:17 PM
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I just don't see why anyone would WANT to remove a dimension from their range of expression.
Wanna play clean? Don't cup. Want to overdrive? Want to wah? Want to show the wonderful way a harmonica responds to a variety of hand movements and techniques? You need a mic that can do that. When you can get perfectly good acoustic tone from a mic that WILL do that, why use one that won't?
It's sort of like playing some sport with one hand behind your back. Yes you can do it, but you'll probably be less effective.
But that's just me.
@Goldbrick - I'll talk to Randy about this - but as far as I know, SOMEONE has to pay the import duty, whether it is you or the dealer you buy from. I have hundreds of customers in the U.K......
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
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Goldbrick
1461 posts
May 18, 2016
5:27 AM
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I think you mean Slim
Although some folks think Miami is North Cuba we still pay US postage
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Goldbrick
1462 posts
May 18, 2016
5:29 AM
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I think you mean Slim
Although some folks think Miami is North Cuba we still pay US postage
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Joe_L
2659 posts
May 31, 2016
9:18 PM
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I would use a 545 and work on my mic handling technique. If you're bumping the harp against it or hearing scraping sounds, that's easily fixable. I have large hands and have no issue cupping a 545. You are probably holding it too tightly.
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Gnarly
1829 posts
May 31, 2016
10:13 PM
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I also like to go from clean to dirty, so I got a used FireBall V.
I asked Greg about fixing it, as it has gone south, he referred me to Audix. I called them today, and a new capsule is $50. I will see if that is what it needs.
A Bulletini with a wireless is very appealing to me, but not in my budget at this time.
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