Dog Face
43 posts
Dec 01, 2010
5:53 PM
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I'm preparing to take the jump into the amped world. As far as mics go, I've only ever played with a Shure 520DX a couple of times in a music store. I'm kinda interested in the Shaker Mad Cat and Mad Dog but have never messed with one.
I've watched videos of both but they were probably run outa different amps so I ask, which gives more distortion? Since I don't know how much I want, I'd rather be safe and go with less distortion to be compatible with more scenes. I figure if I want more distortion I could get that though pedals or even another mic down the road. Is that right?
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Dyslexics are teople poo.
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jbone
447 posts
Dec 01, 2010
7:48 PM
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part of the equation here is impedance and what you'll be plugging into. i may be mistaken but i think the madcat and mad dog are low impedance, which lends them best to a solid state amp or p.a. the green bullet is a low impedance mic better suited to tube amps.
admittedly i have yet to try a madcat or dog, i have had several bullet low-z mics and tube amp setups and also played through a lot of p.a.'s with sm57, 58, and other low z mics over a lot of years. the small size and cuppability of the madcat make it an attractive idea for getting different levels of compression and distortion. i know an sm57 on a stand properly cupped will flat howl through a p.a. channel, or conversely if loosely cupped reproduces clean and clear sound.
if you like Madcat Ruth's style and the results he gets chances are you will like the mic he developed and uses. i am personally in favor of a warm tone like that derived from a cm or crystal bullet mic into a harp friendly tube amp. that's just me. also note- there is definitely such a thing as too much distort. i've seen it and made it happen in my early days with bullet mics and harp amps.
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eharp
971 posts
Dec 02, 2010
8:10 AM
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i have seen madcat at least 6 times. never saw him use "his" mic. i just realized that. when i see him again, i'll ask about that.
i have one. it is good. doesnt get too dirty.
but madcat could make a tin can and megaphone sound great!
the only time i use it anymore is with a lil smokey amp for playing in the car or at work.
another good mic, and at a reasonable price, is made by one of our forum members. rharley sells stick mics that he has modded. similar to greg's, but less expensive. check page 4 of the "for sale" thread.
i would suggest, dog, that when you buy your rig, test it before buying so you are happy with the sound. or buy where you can get a refund if it doesnt meet your needs.
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Joe_L
861 posts
Dec 02, 2010
9:58 AM
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Here's what I would do.
Since you will be plugging into an amp, I would buy a Shure 545. Make sure it is wired Hi-Z and be done with the search for a while.
The 545 will be somewhat clean unless you really cup it and get on the harp a bit. Depending on the amp, it'll sound nicely overdriven. I think they sound better than a 520DX and are roughly the same price when purchased new.
A 520DX is a decent microphone. I wouldn't buy one new. Lots of harp players sell them off shortly after buying them because they get a pretty bad rap on Internet forums. If you buy a used one, make sure the cable is in good condition at the point where it enters the microphone.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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didjcripey
18 posts
Dec 02, 2010
2:35 PM
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I believe the madcat shaker is high impedance so is fine for an amp but sounds a little thin through a PA. The shaker was my first harp mic which I used for quite a while, but when I got my first bullet mic I couldn't go back, its a completely different feel and sound. As for distortion, my current preference is for a pretty clean mic, and I get almost all of my distortion from the amp. The valves give a nice warm sound where often the distortion from mics is harsh and unpleasant to my ears (even though I love a dirty sound).
Ultimately the amount of distortion you get and whether it sounds good or just distorted depends on the combinations of: cupping and playing technique; microphone type; and amp (or PA) and their volume/gain/tone settings.
Its taken me about five years and a lot of money to get my sound, but I have enjoyed the process of collecting and building mics and tooling around with amps and getting the sound I want almost as much as I have learning to play.
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Lucky Lester
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Greg Heumann
919 posts
Dec 02, 2010
9:37 PM
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In stick mics, the 545 or SM57 can't be beat. In bullets, I would choose the Hohner Roadhouse JT30. NONE of the currently production bullet mics have GREAT tone- they're all passable - but this mic is not only cheap, its shell is far better to modify later than a 520DX, which is the biggest, heaviest shell you can buy. If you have more budget, get a custom or used mic with an older/better element - a Shure controlled magnetic most likely. As a beginner it is hard to produce the differences in tone between mics, and equally hard to hear them. As your acoustic tone and cupping technique develop, which takes YEARS - you will hear and appreciate the differences. Nothing wrong with starting with good gear - you'll end up wasting less money in the long run.
I'm happy to help you. Check out my "primer" on mics and tone: All About Harmonica Microphones, and then some...
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/Greg
Last Edited by on Dec 03, 2010 3:13 PM
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rharley5652
297 posts
Dec 02, 2010
11:29 PM
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Dog ,.. I agree,. Astatic by Hohner Roadhouse JT30:
@ 50 Bucks it can't be beat,.later down the road upgrade this same mic with a Shure CM !
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Astatic-by-Hohner-JT30-Roadhouse-Harmonica-Microphone?sku=271320&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=299975378
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Simply Unique Kustom Mic's By Rharley
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