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Topic: Mini-microphone for resonator questions |
John Rosett
From:
Missoula, MT
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Posted 24 Oct 2013 2:43 pm |
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I am trying to figure out a way to amplify my resonator guitar for as little money as is reasonably possible. I'm only going to be using it in low volume situations, so I'm thinking about some small microphone attached to the guitar. Also, my amp has phantom power, so I hope that's a plus.
Any recommendations on something in the under $100 range? Thanks!
_________________
"it's not in bad taste, if it's funny." - john waters |
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Jouni Karvonen
From:
Helsinki, Finland
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rodger_mcbride
From:
Minnesota
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Posted 25 Oct 2013 7:10 am
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I use a small capsule choir mic I got a a Music Go Round for $30. Full freq. response and fits into the cover plate. Seems to work fine as an enhanced acoustic tool, but will feed back pretty quickly when you reach it's limits. I use it with other instruments as well and is a great mix with an under saddle pickup.
rodger |
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Rob Anderlik
From:
Chicago, IL
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Posted 25 Oct 2013 8:10 am
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| As a general rule mini mics work best through a full P. A. system. You can only get so much volume out a mini mic through an instrument amplifier before it will start to feedback. Of course, YMMV |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 25 Oct 2013 8:44 am
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Why not just use a Shure SM57 or SM58? Is there a particular reason you want a mini microphone?
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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John Rosett
From:
Missoula, MT
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Posted 25 Oct 2013 9:33 am
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Brad-The main application for this is a monthly gig my band has in a small restaurant. The rest of the band is all acoustic-no PA, etc. The Dobro just can't cut through the archtop rhythm guitar, mandolin, and upright bass without some amplification. I'm in a very small space, switching between guitar and Dobro, and a mic on a stand would really get in the way.
Rob-I have an Acoustic Image amp with a low-Z(3-pin)input and phantom power, so I think that it will handle the low volume stuff.
Thanks for the comments!
_________________
"it's not in bad taste, if it's funny." - john waters |
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Tom Keller
From:
Greeneville, TN, USA
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Posted 25 Oct 2013 9:55 am
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Well you can always go to radio shack and get a lapel microphone and a mini to guitar plug adapter. This will work in low volume situations and its relatively inexpensive.
Tom |
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Dave Thier
From:
Fairhope, Alabama, USA
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Posted 25 Oct 2013 12:03 pm
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I use a K&K Silver Bullet. I velcro the end of the mic goose neck to the coverplate. Others position it behind the tail piece and position the end of the mic through a hole in the coverplate. Lots of options and the sound is very good.
http://kksound.com/products/silverbullet.php
Dave |
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L. Bogue Sandberg
From:
Chassell, Michigan, USA
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Posted 25 Oct 2013 12:08 pm
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We play regularly in a setting very similar to yours, a small brew pub with no sound system. To give the dobro and the guitar a little boost, we've been running them through my battery powered AC-33. The guitar (w/ onboard preamp) is in the 1/4 only channel and I'm running my Gold Tone ABS-C through a phantom power supply box to the XLR channel. We set the volumes to be heard without straining alongside the unamplified banjo and mandolin and vocals. Not even close to feedback. So I'll bet Rodger and Tom's choir or lapel mic will work for a lot less cash then my ABS-C. And you already have the phantom on your amp.
Brad's comment gave me a chuckle. I was notorious for swiveling the dobro out from under the SM-57, leaving the sound guy helpless at the back of the hall. With the onboard mic he's no longer threatening to duct tape me to a mic stand. |
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Allen Hutchison
From:
Kilcoy, Qld, Australia
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Posted 25 Oct 2013 1:30 pm
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| Not as cheap an option as those already listed, but you may find a second hand Goldtone ABS mic for reso & banjo. Mine works nicely. |
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James Wolf
From:
Georgia
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Posted 25 Oct 2013 5:22 pm
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| Brad Bechtel wrote: |
| Why not just use a Shure SM57 or SM58? Is there a particular reason you want a mini microphone? |
This is how I've been set up playing reso in the past. I have trouble getting the volume I need without holding the axe perfectly still. Where is the best spot to place the sm57? |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 25 Oct 2013 8:38 pm
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| james..i don't play tons of dobro but have done a fair amount of recording..and some live playing with a 57 or 58. the best tone for me comes from the treble side about an inch off of the bridge and maybe back an inch or two toward the rear. i point the mic angled down and in slightly about 6 to 8 inches above the coverplate. as long as you're playing with other acoustic instruments even with mild pickups there seems to be no volume problems...but there would be with electric instruments. |
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Jouni Karvonen
From:
Helsinki, Finland
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Posted 25 Oct 2013 9:35 pm
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Olli Haavisto
From:
Jarvenpaa,Finland
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Michael Kienhofer
From:
Goulais River,Ontario,Canada
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Posted 26 Oct 2013 4:40 am
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Pyle-Pro PMSAX1 Instrument/Saxaphone XLR Condenser Microphone
$48 US at Amazon |
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George Buechley
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 26 Oct 2013 7:47 am Lace resonator pickup
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I use a Lace resonator pickup through a Cube 80XL when I need to be loud. Sometimes you can get them on sale at Amazon.
George
_________________
Pre WWII Dobro, Sho~Bud Pro II Custom, Peavey Session 115, GFI Expo, Roland Cube XL80, Lil Izzy |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 26 Oct 2013 1:48 pm
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| i use the lace pickup, too. of course the tone is not very acoustic. i've been meaning to try that through something like tom bradshaw's new resonator stomp box into an amp. it seems like that should solve the dobro pickup problem fairly cheaply. |
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Ulrich Sinn
From:
California, USA
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Posted 27 Oct 2013 11:18 am
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I use a DPA with an acoustic lunchbox, admittedly not the the cheapest solution.
Works great in a band without drums. With drums in the band there better be a PA with a sound guy that can give me the 48V for the condenser. |
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Bryan Bradfield
From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
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Posted 27 Oct 2013 6:36 pm
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| Chris Ivey: Try a dobro-ized EQ between your Lace and the Cube, like the pedal steel players use. I'm using a Barcus Berry into the dobro-ized EQ and then into a Cube 40XL, JC Clean channel. It makes quite an improvement, even though it still does not sound totally like a dobro, but closer. |
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George Buechley
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 28 Oct 2013 5:37 am Dobro-ized EQ
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Bryan,
What brand EQ are you using? Are you using a Fish and Chips or something like that?
George
_________________
Pre WWII Dobro, Sho~Bud Pro II Custom, Peavey Session 115, GFI Expo, Roland Cube XL80, Lil Izzy |
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Bryan Bradfield
From:
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
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Posted 28 Oct 2013 6:42 am
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The EQ is a DOD FX40, 7 bands. I believe that any 7 band EQ will work equally well. I bought it cheap, partially beat up, which was perfect. I removed the cover, cut off all of the remaining adjusting levers, replaced the cover, adjusted the levers where they sounded best using the point of a nail, and then covered that area with a strip of duct tape.
The EQ takes all of the sharp edges off of the sound, makes it less brittle. |
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