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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Drum Mics
Drum Mics
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Thievin' Heathen
1084 posts
Nov 23, 2018
11:06 PM
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Has anyone tried a drum mic for harmonica? They claim superior low frequency clarity and are not any bigger than bullet mics. I wonder how they work for harp?
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SuperBee
5660 posts
Nov 23, 2018
11:40 PM
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No but was given the oil on superlux pra228A as a good unit for a cab mic.
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grahamonica
240 posts
Nov 24, 2018
2:49 AM
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Im in the market for one right now for my cajun,and was thinking the same thing.I,ll let you know how I get on.
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agarner
37 posts
Nov 24, 2018
5:54 AM
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When I got a new mic last year I went to my local store and tried out a few options; Audix D6 kick drum mic, Shure Green Bullet, Shure SM57. It was really cool to see how they all sounded side by side. I had them running through an Epiphone Valve jr.
I think that the sound of both the Bullet style mic and SM57 have been well documented here, so I wont go into detail. The abridged version is that the Bullet had a nice growling tone and the 57 was clear and bright, but picked up a great low end as well.
When it came to the Audix D6 I loved how git fit nicely into my palm, but the sound wasn't on par with the two prior mics. I don't know the technical reasons (I'm sure some of you can chime in as to why), but it felt more dull and gutless. Especially when cupped, it didn't have the bite that the others had.
I hope this helps.
Last Edited by agarner on Nov 24, 2018 5:55 AM
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hvyj
3649 posts
Nov 24, 2018
6:50 AM
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Some drum mics sound great for harp, like, for example, the Audix D-1 snare drum mic (no longer made) and the EV PL-35 snare/tom mic, both of which are excellent, but different. The D-1 has no proximity effect and the PL-35 has strong proximity effect. Both have great tone and response and are easy to handle.
As mentioned above, the Audix D-2, D-4, and D-6 are dull, lifeless and have no bite. Go figure. Dane Paul Russell, who played harp with Bobby Parker and has a great sound used a bass drum mic. I forget which one. He posted about it on Harp-l. He’s a nice guy and would probably tell you if you emailed him.
I’ve tried a couple of bass drum mics (I forget which) and they didn’t sound so good for harp. I’m tempted to speculate that snare drum mics may sound better for harp, but I haven’t really tried enough drum mics to reach a valid conclusion, and I’ve heard of other harp players besides Dane Paul using bass drum mics with good results. But the two drum mics I have are really nice for harp and have great ergonomics for harp—I use them with an in line volume control from Blows Me Away. In fact, I think the D-1 sounds better than the Fireball.
Last Edited by hvyj on Nov 24, 2018 6:53 AM
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Martin
1516 posts
Nov 24, 2018
6:53 AM
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@Thievin´Heathen: A while back I was pointed in the direction of an EV PL35 (https://www.thomann.de/se/ev_pl_35.htm) by a forum member. Bought one and have not regretted it (rather inexpensive). It has become my most used mic.
I have a tread where I play through a small 5W "Tweed-Tone" amp and there you can hear it; I think I also added a clip where I go through a Joyo AS pedal to PA, and use the same mic. (Unfortunately, no clean clips, which of course would have been more helpful.)
Good bass response and really feedback-resistent, sits well in your hands as well.
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dougharps
1860 posts
Nov 24, 2018
7:43 AM
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If I had not already gone down the mic acquisition road for years and I was just starting out, I would pick the Bulletini as my harp mic. I have played through them several times and they are great!
I bought a number of mics on my quest. I like my 585SAV ball mics to an amp, an SM57 is a fine stick mic for harp and usable in many situations including vocals (so it is a good multi-use choice for a mic), and I enjoy my Astatic biscuit with CM element through my amps. My EV630s are OK, too, though more feedback prone than other mics.
These days I mainly use an Ultimate 58 for vocals and harp to the PA. An Ultimate 58 can work through an amp, too, and sound good. Ball mics can be driven, but cupping is more challenging than the SM57 or a Bullet or Biscuit.
Regarding harp mics, Greg Heumann's Bulletini mics have great bottom end, are easy to cup, and can sound good through the PA or through an amp.
If you will mainly use an amp, get a high impedance mic. Low impedance mics to an amp usually sound best with an impedance matching transformer.
A Bulletini would be a great choice for PA or an amp, but using it for vocals would not be my choice.
You can spend a lot chasing after various bargain or vintage mics: I did. If you enjoy the chase, good luck!
I recommend getting a Bulletini and saving the hassle. It will end up costing about the same by the time you are satisfied.
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Doug S.
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Thievin' Heathen
1085 posts
Nov 24, 2018
5:36 PM
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There are enough options in harp mics (don't forget Jason's) that it really would not make sense to pursue a drum mic, but if one fell into my lap....,
And, of course, drummers being about the last musicians in the band who think they know more about harp equipment than the harp player, we probably don't want to start buying drum speicific gear, lest they too might feel the need to tell us what we need.
Last Edited by Thievin' Heathen on Nov 24, 2018 5:44 PM
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dougharps
1861 posts
Nov 24, 2018
8:28 PM
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Thanks for bringing up Jason's Lone Wolf mic! I haven't tried one, but with Jason & Lone Wolf involved I expect it is another good option.
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Doug S.
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