Ask Harp Mic Expert Greg Heumann

OK, it's been brought to my attention that microphone CABLES are more likely to spend time on the beer-soaked floors of honky-tonks than are those carefully cared for harpmics. So true! continue reading...

OK, we'll navigate around the "TO SOAK or NOT TO SOAK" harp camps and visit the offices of Microphone Hygiene instead. Just as well, seems those groups are always locked in armed conflict... continue reading...

THIS WEEK'S TIP ACTUALLY RUNS COUNTER TO THE NATIONAL TREND OF OVER-CONSUMPTION: Something you should fight the urge to "SUPER-SIZE" is your harpmic. One of THEE most common missteps made by harpsters as they first venture down the trail of amplification is investing in a mic that is ill-suited to their hand size -mics that are typically TOO BIG. Choosing a model based solely on what your hero plays through may result in less than beneficial workability for you. continue reading...

It's a question that gets asked on a regular basis, often tinged with an air of hopefulness. I've been hearing it for over twenty years -maybe with greater frequency now than ever before: What microphone will sound BEST for harp with every amp or system, at every volume, in every key? In essence, is there a 'unified field theory' for harpmics? Albert Einstein was frustrated that he could not find such a model that would apply to EVERYTHING in the universe, from the very tiny to the very huge. It's a similar situation with amplified harp... continue reading...

Hi Fritz,
I recently purchased a VTG Voice of Music Bullet Microphone. It's really a great mic, however there is one flaw- when you hold it, the mic picks up any movement along the outer shell of it. Example: ring rubbing against it etc...
Is that just a charectoristic of an old mic? or does some repair need to be made? maybe in internal grommet?
Thought I would ask.
Thanks,
~R

I've spent quite a chunk of time with clients on the phone recently, trying to clarify this specific point: The mic's output connector DOES NOT determine the mic's inherent IMPEDANCE. If it did, one would assume that all modern era JT-30's and BLUES BLASTERS were born LOW-Z due to their use of the XLR connector. Not so... The mic's impedance is determined by THE MIC'S IMPEDANCE (the element's inherent impedance along with any matching transformer that may be in play). continue reading...

Hi Fritz!

I'm curious about an older mic I found for pretty cheap. It's a bit heavy and bulky, but I'm getting used to it- it's the only one I have.

It's an Astatic 10-DA, with an element that reads "MC563". I changed the odd 3 pin connector out and it seems to work well.

My question is- approx. when was this manufactured (I suspect the 60's??), and what type of element is this? Would this be the orgininal element?

thanks-

Hi Fritz, continue reading...

They almost wouldn't let me back on the planet after the HARMONICA MASTERCLASS in San Jose, CA. Thus my extended unintentional absence. I'm guessing either Dick Cheney or Kim Kardashian had something to do with this rude rip in protocol. At the very least, I found it absolutely impossible to log-on from any other location other than THE MIC DUNGEON. Thus, I'm back and I'm proud... continue reading...

Fritz,
Well i guess i have answered my own question...and you answered it some for me before....pardon me.
Christelle apparently is playing into a recording device directly without any speakers...so we hear something very different that even what she hears...the big box on the end is a Samson plug in transmiter and is quite heavy.
I see now the hesitancy in using wireless....it complicates the signal....
Oh well, she sounded astounding to me...its like photography sometimes I guess...what you see is often times really a manipulation...although its a nice manipulation. continue reading...