Mics & Amps for am acoustic tone
Hey David,
I’m probably a few years off before I get my first mic/amp - playing well with just a Harp already takes up all the free time I have!
I am still interested to know a simple amp and mic setup that would work for me. I watched your videos on the subject but it didn’t address the sound I am going after. I don’t like distortion, reverb, overdrive and such, I just want a natural harp tone with maybe some warmth added. I also only enjoy playing with acoustic guitar and, at most, a cajon for percussion. Not into the loud, electric stuff.
So I’m wondering if a mic and an amp would be right for me, or just a mic and PA system? And as a traveler who travels ultralight for a year carrying just a 20 liter backpack - do places like cafes (which are set up for music) usually have a PA or Amps where you can just plug in your mic? Just wondering if it’s possible to get away with just owning a mic I like to get the sound I want. You also talked about putting mics in front of Amps to project sound to the audience, but is that necessary for acoustic music? Wouldn’t just an amp be enough in this case?
Appreciate any pointers to understand mics and Amps and PA for someone who’s never touched one, knows nothing about them, and is interested in an acoustic tone.
Hey David,
The resources you provided were helpful. I went through my youtube harmonica playlist and noticed that practically all of my favorite harmonica songs used a mic on a stand rather than a bullet. I am assuming that it means they used a PA instead of an amp, correct? One question I couldn’t find an answer - does that mean I need a low impedence or high impedence mic?
Yes, "it means they used a PA instead of an amp."
You don't need a mic on stage, you play with the mic that's provided.
If you want to record at home, then you will need a low impedance mic and a recording consul that accepts the XLR input of that mic. If the input does not have an XLR input, you can purchase what's called an "In-line Transformer" or "DI," which converts the signal appropriately to use the 1/4" input.
If you want to amplify your sound at home for practice, then purchasing a keyboard amp is best, they are the closest amp in sound to a PA.
So, here is the equipment list...
1) Low Impedance Mic (The Shure SM58 is the standard in the music world)
2) Cable (XLR)
3) Mic Stand
Your done, unless you want your own amp. If so, then
4) Keyboard Amp
David, would you have an oportunity to review a keyboard amp such as:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/KB2
which would seem ideal for the OP's needs sans available PA system?
That will do the job just fine.
Hello Rishió. It sounds like the PA is the way for you to go. Yes, little clubs and coffee houses commonly have their own PA (and if they don't, the act that's playing there brings it). For PA mic technique go to this lesson https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/cupping_hand_effects and watch "Acoustic Playing: Part 2' Playing in Front of a Vocal Mic" and "Special Words about Condensor Mics." I also recommend you watch Peter Madcat Ruth's and Joe Filisko's interviews, they also address the subject.