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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Empress ParaEq
Empress ParaEq
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Throttleskeezer
62 posts
Nov 23, 2017
12:15 PM
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Hello,
I 've been working on my harmonica amplified tone for some months with my trusty Harpgear HG2 and several microphones. For a long time I struggled in band situation because of a muddy distorted tone. With a (too) good cupping seal, I always had this warm amplified tone which was pleasant and decent at home but completely ineffective in the mix against guitar an bass guitar. I compensated by playing hard, to the limit of feedback to be heard and of course, I had no dynamic range... Frustrating situation.
I compensated this problem for a period of time by choosing clean microphones such as the Shure SM57 or even the Audix Fireball. But sometimes I wanted to return to the bullets mics, trying to get any magical thing from the CM element... Damned muddiness.
I discovered recently the silly problem I had. During all this "muddy" time, I never went over 4 or 5 with the tone control. I had the feeling it sounded so bright to my so sensitive ears... So I decided stopping pampering myself and cranked up this tone control to 10 with moderate volume (3). I plugged the Shure CM to the max and BOOOOM! What a difference! Then, the more I increase the volume, the more I dial down the tone control. With a small chamber (thanks to David Barrett)and by cupping the mic rcorrectly, I have a lot more tonal possibilities and the amp react so dynamically. I'm super happy! I know it sounds like a "traditional" approach here but during this super long "trial and error" process, I tested microphones, overdrives pedals, boosters, compressors and... equalizers.
Overdrives pedals were the worst things. They works great for guitar but sounds terrible with harmonica and tube amps. Microphones produces different tones. I have a Xotic EP booster which works great especially with small solid states amps.
Finally, if I had to keep one of these pedals it would be my Empress paraEQ. It is very...very versatile and transparent. I can use it with one mic and change its tone so quick. It's like having multiple mics in one. For example, you can transform your Audix Fireball into a vintage mic. It won't have the proximity effect of a bullet but it works. Another possibility of this EQ is to reduce feedback problems (in a more transparent way than the Kinder anti feedback in my opinion). You have a big bass hum? Cut the mid bass (100-200Hrz) and it's gone without affecting you tone. Plus it will make your amp sound clear into the mix. You can use it as a booster too.
An because it's a EQ you can use it with any instrument. It's not a cheap gear but it's worth every pennies.
Best,
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hvyj
3505 posts
Nov 23, 2017
8:14 PM
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Yeah, some of the non-harmonica specific gear available is very sophisticated and extremely effective for real world live performance harmonica applications. Personally, it has been my experience that much of the conventional wisdom or folklore about what gear and settings work best for live harmonica performance with other musicians is not optimum.
Last Edited by hvyj on Nov 23, 2017 8:22 PM
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indigo
413 posts
Nov 23, 2017
10:37 PM
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I think that you have come up with the same conclusion i have over the years.
Hot C/M/R elements do sound great but they are feedback monsters when you are just sitting in or at a Jam.
I see the pros using them but they seem to always have a sympatico band behind them ie they are not competing with volume to the max guitarists and/or drummers.
A few recently posted clips show this situation exactly.EG wonderful player( Westside Andy) he is the loudest instrument in the band.
For us amateurs the best weapon IMO you can have on your pedal board is a good EQ pedal..like you say you can work your microphone to its best potential given the situation you find yourself in.
Might not end up with the 'awesome' sound you can get at home but it may get you through a Jam or sit in without feedback.
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Throttleskeezer
63 posts
Nov 24, 2017
3:16 AM
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I asked the other members of our new band to play softly. This helps a lot. Now we are learning to play toghether. If everybody want to be a rockstar in a band, it's obvious that it cannot work. We try to be more interactive with each other. I guess with my "new" amplified harmonica tone it will be more enjoyable the next time.
Best,
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Dox
39 posts
Nov 25, 2017
4:37 PM
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Can you share your complete configuration? Thanks, bye
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