Ask Harp Mic Expert Greg Heumann

Sonic survival. That's what it was like on-stage in the days before PA systems commonly employed monitor speakers (not to mention separate discrete monitor mixes, in-ear monitoring, audio processing, even graphic equalizers). Park your harp amp next to the guitar slinger with the Marshall? Better be a praying man... continue reading...

Hi Fritz, I have an Astatic T3 shell - the innards are long gone but the shell is in extremely good condition ie the grill and bullet body are not scratched or dented - its a really great looking mic with no frills. I really like it's fit into my hands so is it a good idea to send it to a customiser to put in wiring, a new element and volume control or should I keep the shell for display and get a ready made mic?

This week's MORSEL comes about as a result of the number of recent stories recounting incidents where mics and harps have been splattered across the stage due to collisions between band members and whatever the harpster's gear had been balanced on. continue reading...

Whether by hot-rodding, experimentation, or repair of necessity, many Tin Sandwich jockeys will find themselves swapping elements in their harpmics. continue reading...

This week's MIC MORSEL offers-up a couple uses for our old/new friend, "SUPER GLUE" (a trademark name for cyanoacrylate glue) that I can assure you aren't in the factory promo material. continue reading...

The ever-popular 1/4" phone plug connector is everywhere in amplification. Where HI-Z cables for mics and instruments are concerned, the 1/4" phone holds the vast majority. ONE COMMON PROBLEM that appears after many miles of use is the gradual loss of the positive contact or snugness between the male and female components. One choice you can make that will add miles to the equation and delay the need for duct tape is to use STEREO -or TWO CONDUCTOR (TIP-RING-SLEEVE) components rather than standard MONO -or SINGLE CONDUCTOR units. continue reading...

Hi Mr. Hasenpusch.
I now you have hear this question before, but I am looking for my first mic.
I don't swim in money, so it has to be a good but cheap piece of equipment.
What do you thing about the standard shure green bullet 520dx just out of the box?
Do you think I have to invest more?

It's no secret and no mystery that the THREAD-ON audio connector (typically the SWITCHCRAFT 2501 family) is my fave for several harpmic applications. Yes, they have their design weaknesses, but when thoughtfully applied and well-maintained there's really no equal for its compact durability. continue reading...

G'day Fritz,
recenly i obtained a couple of mic leads with switchcraft screw on connections... continue reading...

Ever heard of one of this mics? Saw a guy playin' one the other day and it sounded pretty good. I was surprised I had never heard of it.