Ask Harp Mic Expert Greg Heumann

This WEEKLY TIP deals with a problem that results from yet another problem: Using any of a variety of tapes to make microphone repairs ranging from fraying cables (hardwired SHURE 520 "GREEN BULLETS" especially) to missing grill screws (HOHNER BLUES BLASTERS most recently). You've got to remember that putting duct tape on a disintegrating cable or loose grill isn't like putting a cast on a fractured arm: There won't be any self-healing going on underneath. The gooey residue that results from the breakdown of the tape's adhesive is unfortunately common among harpmics. continue reading...

Since the subject of CRYSTAL ELEMENTS has come up on several recent occasions, I thought it might be helpful to pass along a little trick I've experimented with from time to time. This one's especially useful in dealing with the annoying nasality of what's passing for crystal harpmic elemets these days. While Crystal elements are known for their brightness and 'cut', when all you seem to be getting is the brightness and 'cut' you're left with a fatiguingly shrill signal that sounds thin and cheap. continue reading...

I'm looking for a crystal mic. My shure CM element dont work for me anymore.

How sensitive are they really?

Can i have it shipped or the cold outside, the drops from mailman and the cold ride in plane will ruined the microphone?

How long can i expect it to last me, a few good years?

Thank you

Hello Fritz. I have a mid 90's Blues Blaster with the MC 151 element. I hadn't used it for a few years, so I dusted it off and plugged it in. It sounded good for a bit, but it makes a crackling/staticy sound when pushed hard. It is not constant, but every so often when pushed hard there it is. I tried a few different cords, but no luck. Have I experienced for the first time what a crystal element sounds like when going bad? Any thoughts? I really enjoyed your videos on this site! No person should know that much about microphone!

This week’s Micro Tip comes to you from the Game Developer’s Conference (GDC) in San Francisco’s Moscone Center where I’ve been attending seminars dealing with the audio employed in video game production.
This week’s title is in the form of a gearhead’s warning: No matter how good your audio tools are, if you don’t apply them well you’ll find you WON’T communicate your message successfully –or be heard at all. continue reading...

This week's MIC MORSEL deals with a common item that's turned-up missing from its place of duty in several recent instances: The grill screws that hold the grill to the body / shell of the JT-30 family of microphones (JT's, W's, CAD's, BLUES BLASTERS). I've come across several cases with these mics missing one or both of these machine screws. I've also seen unfortunate instances where missing screws were replaced by over-sized and over-long screws that necessitated drilling right out the front of the grill to accommodate their girth. continue reading...

HI Fritz,
I watched your mic videos and heard you talk about tapping a shell for a switchcraft connector. I found the "hand held" device you mentioned, but I don't know which "tap" will provide the correct match for the 5/8 screw.
Any suggestions?
Thank you,
Nick

... A SACK TO PUT IT ALL IN. So goes the old joke, "What do you get for the man who has everything?" continue reading...

I recently happened to catch Curtis Salgado blowing harp and singing up a storm out in the mosh pit in front of the stage, out in front of his band, out in front of the monitor line, out in front of the main PA speakers -WITH NO FEEDBACK! continue reading...

OK - not mic stuff but the link between the mic and the amp/PA. I was cleaning up my 'woodshed' and came across a couple of cords that had 1/4" and one end and XLR at the other. At my naive level, I understand the 1/4" to be a hiZ impedance connection and the XLR to be loZ. I also understand that it is not possible (advisable?) to hook a loZ mic up and plug the other end into a 1/4" connection on the amp. An impedance transformer is required to boost the signal. All this to ask:
1) Am I correct in my understanding?
2) Would it do damage if I tried it? continue reading...