jules
6 posts
Mar 02, 2010
8:06 AM
|
I'm using a Hohner Blues Blaster mike and Epiphone Valve junior set up. In you experience, which is the best option for getting a full but gritty tone with a bit of drive (and minimal feedback problems)- amp turned pu and mike volume set lower or mike volume set high and amp volume set low? I've tinkered about with this a bit but would be interestd in other folks' views and any pitfalls in either option...
|
Greg Heumann
332 posts
Mar 02, 2010
8:19 AM
|
Most of getting the grit is mic technique, but all other things being equal, turning the mic down and amp up will generally give you more tube compression than the other way around.
----------
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
|
MJ
127 posts
Mar 02, 2010
8:28 AM
|
I agree with Greg. In addition, I like to play with my amp at around 3-4. It gives me more leeway in using the volume control. I have found that when turning the amp up to say,6-8 there is not much room to play around with the volume control. Also, as Greg has, with proper use of mic holding you can achieve the grit you want when you want it.
|
isaacullah
778 posts
Mar 02, 2010
11:36 AM
|
Greg is right, but I would like to add that that effect will be more or less apparent depending upon where the amp volume control is located in the circuit. Sometimes the volume is located between the two preamp stages (most amps have two gain stages in the preamp). This will have a different effect (a more noticeable effect) than if the volume control is between the preamp stages and the power amp. Many amps will have both kinds of controls, labeling the first 'gain' or 'drive', and the second 'master volume'. If this is the case then you can get more control over your tone by adjusting these dials (for example, you can get a dirty tone at lower volume by craning up the gain, and cranking down a bit at the master volume). Usually, I dial in a good tone with my mic's volume set a little below max. I make sure I have a good tone, but that I'm clear of feedback by a little headroom. Then I can crank the mic volume in mid song to get a bit more crunch for a solo, and then dial it back a bit for vamping or the chorus.
----------
------------------
The magnificent YouTube channel of the internet user known as "isaacullah"
Last Edited by on Mar 02, 2010 11:38 AM
|
barbequebob
559 posts
Mar 02, 2010
1:07 PM
|
On my JT30's with crystal elements, I have volume controls on them, and I set the volume control no higher than 3/4 of the way up on the mic mainly because crystals are sensitive to room temperature and body heat and with that happening, there is some vooume/output loss and once I detect it, I turn the pot up as needed. Once the crystal "cools down," I turn the pot down again.
----------
Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
|
Oisin
483 posts
Mar 02, 2010
2:15 PM
|
The guy who taught me had a 520dx which he had superglued the volume knob to full on and so it couldn't be turned down. He said that he could control volume with his playing and you shouldn't need a volume control.
I only have one mic with a volume control (a 520dx) and I tend to only use this to reduce feedback when I'm stuck on the stage near the PA speakers, but mostly I like to play with an old Shure 515 which has no volume control.
Oisin
|
rharley5652
87 posts
Mar 02, 2010
2:51 PM
|
Jules ,..what Greg says is true,.."turning the mic down and amp up will generally give you more tube compression than the other way around.
But here may be your biggest problem lookin for gritty tone:
The element in that Bluesblaster,..open your mic an see what element you have,. if it's the one in the 1st & 2nd pic your pretty good to go,.if ya have the cheap Japan one in the 3rd & 4th pic ,..I'd suggest Replaceing it with a good SHURE CM as you'll never get the gritty tone outta this Japan element,.
Both of these elements came from Bluesblaster and Both BB's recieved Shure CM's as neither could deliver the grit the player/owner's were lookin for .
  ">
 ">
 ">
 ">
----------
Simply Unique Kustom Mic's By Rharley
Last Edited by on Mar 03, 2010 1:07 AM
|
Greg Heumann
334 posts
Mar 02, 2010
9:36 PM
|
@oisin - if the guy who taught you thinks a 520DX is a really good mic, its time to get another teacher. Does he still think you should use a slide rule instead of a calculator too?
Some players pooh-pooh volume controls. They're full of shit. Practically every pro player I have seen uses a volume control. Charlie Musselwhite, Kim Wilson, Rod Piazza, Jason Ricci, Rob Paparozzi, Billy Branch, Curtis Salgado, Mark Hummel... the list just keeps on going. All of them use volume controls.
A volume control takes nothing away and gives you more options, like the one being discussed here, which isn't about dynamics at all - its about getting a different sound from the amp. And I personally have very good dynamic control, thank you, but I STILL like having a volume control!
And I agree with what Isaac and RHarley and others have added.
----------
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
Last Edited by on Mar 02, 2010 9:38 PM
|
rharley5652
89 posts
Mar 03, 2010
1:06 AM
|
Greg ,..100% on the VC on a mic ,..you need that control,.if for no other reason than not having to sneak up on your amp to make adjustments,and while on stage,.all your adjustments can be made with out skipping a beat.
My thoughts on the 151 astatic element is it's an Ok element (not basie enough ,.on the high side tone wise,. no real grit)
The Japan element ??
I can not believe Hohner even got away with calling the Bluesblaster a Harmonica Microphone ??
That element is about as tinny soundin as what Turner used in their 254 crystal or ceramic Mic.
And the thick piece of wool (I think that's what they use) placed in front of the element to muffle the tone down does nothing.
----------
Simply Unique Kustom Mic's By Rharley
|
Oisin
485 posts
Mar 03, 2010
1:22 AM
|
Hey Greg..I don't disagee with you at all, I just like using my stick mick without the volume control. I don't poopoo volume controls and my teacher mostly used a T3 and a pistol grip 545 when gigging and only very occasionally used the 520 so he didn't really think of it as a great mic...just gave him a dirtier sound.
I know lots of people who don't use a volume control (Adam being one) but I do agree with you that you can probably get a better range of sounds from the amp, but for now I just like to play without that option...one less thing for my severely depleted braincells to think about....and you know what...If I sold volume controls I say what you said too!
Oisin
|
Kingley
964 posts
Mar 03, 2010
1:30 AM
|
I have used Greg Heumanns inline volume control in the past and it's a great product.
When playing as a sideman especially I can definitely see the use of having a volume control.
I play mostly as a front man (vocals and harp), I use on/off switches on my mics and prefer that set up to a volume control. I don't have anything against using them and would happily use a mic with a volume control on if the need arose.
Last Edited by on Mar 03, 2010 1:30 AM
|
