Harmonica: Clean Microphone Straight to the PA
This is not a demo for blues harp players. This is for the harmonica player who wants to play clean to the PA or at least use a clean mic into an amp.
This video is meant to give a brief idea of how these four mics sound direct to the PA. I picked mics that I have regularly used and had on hand. Everything was recorded direct with no changes to the input of my interface and no eq, plug ins, etc. I cupped each mic, because that is how I play.
The Audix is a great mic and by far the most practical to use, IMO. It has volume control, doesn't feedback, and works great with a wireless. I got mine used for maybe $70
The Ultimate 58 has the Beta 57A head, so it makes it sound more forward. Even with the stock grill, I find it to have too much mid honk for me. Mine was built from a vintage 58 that was the very first mic I got used in like 2001.
The Beyerdynamic M160 is my favorite mic and what I use for all studio work, like the intro to the video. It is the most expensive (I got mine used), and was a double ribbon, it isn't as rugged as the others.
The sleeper here I don't see anyone using is the sE Electronics V7X. This mic sounds almost as good as the M160. It has more highs and a great proximity effect. It is $99 used and sounds great.
For regular gigging, it is a toss up between the Audix and sE. The deciding factor for me is likely the volume control and being able to use a wireless. The sE probably sounds a bit better, and would just need a little treble cut. I have gigged with it - no feedback issues, but no volume control.
You can buy the mics at the following links...
Audix Fireball V www.amazon.com...
Ultimate 58 (I added the Beta 57A grill) www.blowsmeawa...
Beyerdynamic M160 www.sweetwater...
sE V7x www.amazon.com...
@AUDIXmics @beyerdynamic @shure @sEElectronicsofficial @hohnermusic
Пікірлер: 9
Tried M160 and M88 (with silver grill) yesterday. M160 is great for some sort of clean cup. However too dark for acoustic playing. It is also fragile, so my choice is to remove it from my wishlist. M88 is great, while still not enough bright for acoustic playing, I kept it in my wishlist.
@harpninjamike
Ай бұрын
Do acoustic gigs I prefer a dark mic. For a band gig I’d probably go with the Fireball, but I don’t use amps.
I kinda like honk of 58. M160 is closer to perfect, it have proximity, while still very clean. Fireball and V7X sound kinda "hollow", I think it is due to big head. At one point all of them sounds good, at other point at a big loud situation those tiny differences can be more obvious.
@harpninjamike
2 ай бұрын
💯 agree on all points.
Love it!!!!!!
@harpninjamike
9 ай бұрын
M160 is the new mic ever!
Ultimate 58 seems best bang for the buck..nice tone
@harpninjamike
Жыл бұрын
I actually liked that one least, lol. I’m all fairness, changing grills changes the tone too.
@richardherring8073
Жыл бұрын
how did you like the M160? I loved it but cost prohibits and with my luck some idiot would throw the phantom power switch and blow it LOL. I do get good performance out of my sm57 for clean non blues tunes . @@harpninjamike