Hey any one have any advice for a good harp mike?
Thanks
Hey any one have any advice for a good harp mike?
Thanks
Hello @ewillustration,
as with the Harps, such recommendations are also relative.
I use a Shure SH55 for normal sound (also suitable for vocals and keyboard) and SE Electronics Harp Blaster HB52 as a pure harp microphone. The harp microphone makes recordings sound old and “snotty”. Both are wired to an amplifier through an XLR connection and I am very satisfied. I previously tried using various microphones in the lower price range via a USB connection, but that didn’t work. You have to gain experience and see what suits you and the components best.
Regards from Astrid
Appreciate it!!
A lot seems to depend on how loudly you play. I don’t play with that much volume and I’ve been using a 1937 Astatic shell that I took from a wire recorder with a 1949 Shure CR black label element for traditional Chicago blues. It seems to work well for the old stuff. I have an Electro-Voice 638, (omnidirectional dynamic) which is good for vocals, and for playing, sharper, and louder blues harmonica, like junior Wells. My third mic is a Shure 585 V with volume control. The player who gave it to me played some large venues and paired the mic with a 100w Bassman head and two 6 x 12” speaker cabinets. As you can imagine, it can generate a lot of sound. And this was his mic for vocal and harmonica. I’m not sure what the availability is wherever you’re located. Good luck.
My current favorite is the Jason Ricci signature mic from Lone Wolf Blues (and I also own a Bulletini, HB-52, and a vintage Astatic)