[Harp-L] Which harp mic is most feedback resistant?



Sam writes:

Modern, low impedance microphones don't have this problem so much

Not necessarily true. If one is playing into an amp, the signal from a lo-z mic is being converted to hi-z by a transformer. If i am using, say, an Ev RE 10, RE 15, or 660, through a transformer, I will be more prone to feedback than if i am using a Shure 545 or SM 57 through a transformer. Why? Because the EVs have a higher gain output than the Shures.

Now, if I'm playing a Hi-z 545 into an amp, I will be more prone to feedback than if i am playing a lo-z 545 through a transformer into the same amp. Why? because a dual impedance mic that's wired for Hi- z will usually have an approx. 15% higher gain output signal than the same mic wired for lo-z played through a transformer.

So, while impedance has something to do with it, in my experience, it's how hot the output signal of the mic is that will generally be the more relevant factor. I don't use bullet mics, and believe me, feedback is not a problem unique to bullets, although many bullets do have a "hot" (high gain) output.

Now, an Audix Fireball is also a reasonably "hot" mic, but is not feedback prone for reasons that probably have to do with the design of the element. Also, although many bullet mics have a narrower frequency response range than most PA style dynamic mics, a lot bullets are particularly sensitive to the freqs where feedback often occurs (1k & 2k--I think), so this can be a contributing factor, too. But impedance alone is not the controlling factor as far as feedback is concerned.

FWIW.

JP



This archive was generated by a fusion of Pipermail 0.09 (Mailman edition) and MHonArc 2.6.8.