Midwest Microphone Volume control boxes

["lprice@midwestmicrophone" <lprice@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello everybody,
   
  I developed the volume control box as means for the discriminating harp player to be able control their sound levels without having to install something inside of whatever style microphone they are using, usually vintage.  Also it needed to be something that was not cumbersome and was easy to access and use.  This is what I came up with.

The volume control box has a potentiometer value that I try match with the type of element the microphone.  I have found that a higher value potentiometer works better with crystal or ceramic elements than with controlled magnetic or controlled reluctance.  By works better, I mean the volume is more controllable over a wider adjustment in the potentiometer.

The next thing is a push button on off switch to allow the player to "kill" the feed from his mic to his amp.  This allows the individual to switch mics/check set list/drink beer or do other things on stage and not have to worry about feedback problems.  Please note that this is a push button switch and not a toggle switch so that the risk of cutting your self off during an inspired solo is eliminated.

Finally the box itself is 2" wide by 4" long and 1" thick.  It has a cell phone belt clip that hooks to your belt and with a touch of a button the box slides right off when its time to pause for the cause.  The input and output connectors are switchcraft 1/4 female full body style.  The idea here is that you can use normal instrument cables and that the one longer one cable will go to the amp and a short one, 3' works the best, goes from the mic to the box allowing for less tangling etc...  The nice thing about this is that if the guitar player steps on the cord it pops the connector out of the box rather than pulling your expensive mic out of your hand.

I think that about covers the volume control box.  I don't really have any clever name for it or anything so call it what you will.  All I know is that it works great, looks cool and is inexpensive. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me if you do.

I also am working on an "inline" volume control similar the ones Switchcraft used to make but I don't have any pictures yet and I need to get the manufacturing process streamlined to cut costs yet.  But please keep checking back as I do update my website as much as possible

www.midwestmicrophone.com

Thanks to everyone who has said nice things about me and my work.

Heck thanks to everyone period.

Larry Price