[Harp-L] Re: Micing a harp amp into the PA

[Steve Baker]

I'm surprised that several respondents have suggested the Shure SM57 and the Sennheiser MD609 are comparable microphones, the main advantage of the MD609 being its "drapability" (nice one Gary) rather than its sound. Drapability is certainly very handy as it allows you to dispense with a stand, but the two mics sound pretty different to me. If you get the chance to compare them, try speaking into each using the same EQ settings and see what you think.

To my ears the Sennheiser has more bass and a warmer midrange. I find the SM57 more hard edged in the mids, which is great for picking up guitar amps but not necessarily so desirable for amplified harmonica, though this depends on how you want to sound.

Steve Baker
www.stevebaker.de
www.european-music-workshops.com
www.harmonica-masters.de

[captr...@aol.com]

Yesterday someone posted, asking for tips about mic'ing an amplifier to a PA. In one of Adam Gussow's Blues Harmonica Secrets Revealed instructional video's, Adam showed his gear: mics, amps, effects, etc. Not sure, but I think he used a SM57 to mic his amp. In that vid he said that it is better not to hang a mic in over the amp. He put his mic on a stand to the left side of his speaker. He said do not point the mic directly at the center of the cone. He said that it sounds better to place the stand a little off center of the speaker and to point the mic somewhere between the center of the cone and the outer edge of the cone.
I'd like to know if anyone else notices the difference in tone by doing this. Iirc, his amp had one single speaker but i think he might have also offered advice re amps with multiple speakers. Sorry i can't be of more help. I tried to search for that video but couldn't find it.
Ron - FL Keys

[Mund...@aol.com]

When I mic my 40 watt Fender Blues DeLuxe (1990's) amp.. I use a Shure
Unidyne... Predecessor to the SM 57... If I'm working with a pro sound man, I
ask for an SM57 on a mic stand, aimed to the side of my amplifier's 12 inch
speaker.
It works for me!
TIP: Always make friends with the sound guy! They can make or break your
performance.
Best wishes,
John "Whiteboy" Walden
Just now in:
bonnie Scotland.

[Buck Worley]

I have always mic'ed at roughly a 45 degree angle with the closest edge of the 57 near the outer edge of the speaker about a 1/2" to 1" distance from the speaker. Seems to get a better bass response than pointing it directly into the speaker.
Buck

> To: har...@harp-l.org
> From: captr...@aol.com
> Date: Fri, 7 Jun 2013 10:34:48 -0400
> Subject: [Harp-L] Micing a harp amp into the PA