AW
41 posts
Aug 31, 2010
6:50 AM
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So I've played with a small band in public twice now. We have piano, stand-up bass, guitar, vocals, and harmonica. It all goes through the house system.
I played on the one wireless vocal mic which doesn't have volume control on it.
We're playing mostly folk, so not really going for a gritty sound. (?yet)
When I listen back to it, I am almost totally drowned out unless it's just me and bass.
While not spending a ton of money, what suggestions do you have for getting heard a little more?
We're playing in a church and specifically aren't looking to blast ear drums.
So I've thought about just playing louder, buying a dedicated harmonica mic so I'm not sharing with the singers, or getting my own mic and amp (pushing the boundaries of what I'm willing to spend, however)
I'd appreciate your suggestions.
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toddlgreene
1730 posts
Aug 31, 2010
7:11 AM
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Don't play louder-you'll start breaking reeds. Let the electronics do the volume gain for you.
If you want clean, stick with the p.a., or get yourself a solid state PA head, or maybe a keyboard amp(preferably one with a built-in eq).
It would be a good idea to either get a mic with a built-in volume control or on/off switch, or get a Greg Heumann in-line control, or even a volume pedal(least desirable IMHO)
Also, you didn't specify if you were holding and cupping the mic, or leaving it in the stand and playing 'acoustically'. That will make a difference in what mics to look for if you choose to go that route.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
Last Edited by on Aug 31, 2010 7:16 AM
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AW
42 posts
Aug 31, 2010
7:33 AM
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So far, I've been cupping the wireless, but I could play into a mic on a stand as well.
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barbequebob
1209 posts
Aug 31, 2010
10:36 AM
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You also need to remember that the stage sound is often times a lot different than what the audience hears and you can be badly fooled. I've done gigs where it seemed like I was drowned out based on stage sound, but with my wireless unit, walking out into the audience, I found myself actually being the one guilty of being far too loud. Big thing you haven't taken into consideration is ROOM ACOUSTICS.
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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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Harpaholic
185 posts
Aug 31, 2010
6:26 PM
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All you need is a LW Harp Attack, a decent mic, and PA to plug into.
It's a great pedal, and it does exactly what Randy says. Since I've owned one, I don't take the harp amps out to jams anymore, no need to.
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toddlgreene
1735 posts
Sep 01, 2010
4:34 AM
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I'll second the HarpAttack recommendation, especially if you're looking to save some bucks-and your back.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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AW
47 posts
Sep 19, 2010
8:10 PM
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So here's a little follow up:
After a bit of debating with myself I bought an Ultimate 57 mic. Plugged it straight in the PA and everything worked quite well.
At least I could hear myself on the playback. Now to just make myself worth being heard...
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Greg Heumann
776 posts
Sep 19, 2010
10:08 PM
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Ultimate 57 - BOOOYAH!
BBQ Bob says "You also need to remember that the stage sound is often times a lot different than what the audience hears and you can be badly fooled. I've done gigs where it seemed like I was drowned out based on stage sound, but with my wireless unit, walking out into the audience, I found myself actually being the one guilty of being far too loud."
This is sage advice. Heed it, grasshopper. If you can't go out into the audience to hear for yourself, you need a trusted friend to tell you if your level is OK "in the house." Note that the reverse of what Bob said can happen too - you hear yourself fine on stage but nobody can hear you out front. you have no way of knowing from the stage.
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/Greg
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hvyj
615 posts
Sep 19, 2010
11:21 PM
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You've got what you need: A good mic with a volume control. Now, learn to adjust the controls on the channel of the PA board you are plugged into. Nothing wrong with just going into the board if you've got a decent mic. After all, the PA is the biggest amp in the room.
And the less gear you have, the fewer problems you have. Good choice.
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toddlgreene
1795 posts
Sep 20, 2010
7:52 AM
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You've got a good mic there. If you want some 'dirt' beyond what cupping tight will give you, look into the HarpBreak or maybe the HarpAttack. whether you do that or not is up to you, but do heed hvyj's advice on those board/p.a. head settings-Specifically, you won't want the treble, mids or bass very high-more of a flat setting is a good start. Your volume knob on the mic is your friend, too. And ALWAYS try to get out front and hear the house mix as well as your monitor mix. The best time for this is during a whole band sound check, so you'll have a realistic comparison of what to expect when your set starts. Go as far back from the stage into the crowd area as your cable will allow.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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HarpNinja
636 posts
Sep 20, 2010
7:59 AM
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If you have a monitor already, you're golden. Just use that.
Otherwise, I'd suggest something from Greg...or at least getting a snap on volume control from him. That way, you could use it with any XLR mic.
If you don't have a monitor, then maybe think of getting a small amp...but you'd have "added" costs to that....still need a mic, cable, maybe an impedance transformer, maybe a way to mic it, etc.
The cheapest is to just use a monitor and the PA they already have with a mic they already have. Option two is to use a monitor/PA and buy a mic. Then it would be to buy an amp and mic to use.
Give us some more detail on the gear already involved.
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Amp for Harp Blog
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HarpNinja
637 posts
Sep 20, 2010
8:01 AM
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PS...I'd go small amp before a preamp pedal. The LW pedal will run nearly $200 and can only be used at the mercy of a PA or someone else's amp. If you invest in a small amp like the VHT Special 6, or Epi Valve Jr, your $200 will net you an amp you can use at any time.
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Amp for Harp Blog
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toddlgreene
1796 posts
Sep 20, 2010
8:41 AM
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Mike-Neither pedal I mentioned is a preamp(The HarpAttack contains a power tube and the Break is a harp-oriented distortion box), actually. I second the 'get an amp' thing, though. It will allow more versatility and will give you the stand-alone option you won't get with a PA rig. Mike has done the VHT route, thereby discovering(thanks to Mike, by the way) a sweet little 6V6 amp for those who want a cleaner sound(or use a 'dirtier' sounding mic in lieu of a vocal mic). Myself and many others have done the Epi, which will result in a gritter sound. Both can be accomplished for around 200ish.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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