Skip to main content
Blues Harmonica logo

User Account

Username:*
Password:*
Forgot Your Password?

Visitor Menu

  • Sign Up
  • Sample Lesson #1
  • Sample Lesson #2
  • Student Recordings
  • Forums
Forums :: Ask Harp Mic Expert Greg Heumann

Possible Mic problem

3 replies [Last post]
Tue, 10/15/2013 - 04:05
scottjcarlin
scottjcarlin's picture
Offline
Joined: 09/26/2013

I am new to vintage shure mics. I recently purchased a black label '53 CR element in a brown bullet shell. The tone is great and very strong but I noticed it makes a click sound when amped if I cup it tightly without the harp and breath in and out. Is this normal?

 

Thanks,

Scott

Top
Tue, 10/15/2013 - 08:30
#1
Greg Heumann
Greg Heumann's picture
Offline
Expert
Joined: 04/29/2010
Hi, ScottWhen you cup tightly

Hi, ScottWhen you cup tightly and play through a harmonica, do you hear the click? If yes, then something is wrong with the element. Otherwise it is fine. When you cup tightly and just blow/suck, you're really forcing the diaphragm through its full range of motion - and you SHOULD hear a sort of click. You've just made one single electrical pulse.

 

 

Top
Wed, 10/16/2013 - 03:05
#2
scottjcarlin
scottjcarlin's picture
Offline
Joined: 09/26/2013
Greg,Thanks for responding. I

Greg,

Thanks for responding. I have not heard the click while playing. I will test it again using a range of volume through the harp. Hopefully there are no problems because the tone sounds great to me. 

Top
Wed, 10/16/2013 - 08:52
#3
Greg Heumann
Greg Heumann's picture
Offline
Expert
Joined: 04/29/2010
The mic's job is to make

The mic's job is to make noise when sound pressure waves pull and push on the element's diaphragm. That's what you're doing when you breathe in and out. Its just that sound pushes and pulls in much faster succession. This is analogous to listening to a speaker normally, or using a battery to test its polarity. The battery will move the cone in one direction, once, when you connect it. The sound it makes is a click. Release the battery - another click as the cone returns to neutral position. Connect the battery in reverse - the speaker cone moves the other way. Once. Click. If you could reverse the battery fast enough - the speaker would play a tone.

Top

Sign me up!

The low monthly subscription of $16.95 gives you full access! We accept major credit cards and PayPal.

Subscribe

Free Sample Lessons

After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at BluesHarmonica.com.

  • Tongue Blocking Study 2 – This study is for the newer player or the player new to tongue blocking
  • Bending Study 5 – This is for the advanced player looking to improve their bending skills

Contributors

  • Aki Kumar
  • Joe Tartaglia
  • Gary Smith
  • Mark Hummel
  • Joe Filisko

Site Links

  • About David Barrett
  • Accredited Instructors
  • Links
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
Hohner
© 2009 - 2022 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.com