Re: 200€< Clip-on Mic + Question
Ok. Thnx Pete and Clarnibass. I want to try a new Omni clip-on Mic (might as well since my old one seems to be shot), but I now realize that I may need a Unidirectional. Here's why: I play Sax, but I also sing. The main reason I started to look for a better set-up is because since I've started to gig some 6 months ago, I've often experienced feedback problems. For everyone to understand what the potential problem could be (so to help people who may have the same problem), I use a Nady VHM-7 bullet Mic to sing in (I know, it's a Harp Mic, but it was said to also be a Vocal one), and an EV Raven Mic for my Horn. Obviously, my singing Mic is placed pretty much on a stand, in front of my face, but a bit lower and facing slightly upwards. My Raven Mic is on another stand, but almost at waist level, and pointing somewhat downwards, so I can aim the bell of the horn towards it when I solo.
At 1st, I thought the feedback was caused by the proximity of the 2 Mics. I mention this because I once tried to push away the Sax Mic a little further, and the feedback went away. But I can't keep that Mic so far away cuz I often litterally jump on my Horn to solo right after a singing passage. The extra distance causes me to lose a beat or 2, and messes up the solo in general. At my last gig, things went well for a while, and suddenly, the feedback reappeared. Both my Mics were still rather close to each other, but after talking to a Soundman, I was told that it doesn't matter how many Mics there are, or how close they are. It's the placement of the other things, like the Monitors and the Loud Speakers, that matter. Well, I don't know what to believe anymore 'cause I came upon a text (found on the web) writen by the Shure company, which explains everything about good Live and Studio Audio. In this document, it is clearly said that Mic placement/proximity (in relation to each other) is also a determining factor when it comes to possible feedback. Anyways, it's probably true, but obviously, I'm not the only person to play Sax and sing too, so Mic proximity is perhaps not a problem for them.
Other folks have told me that my Nady Mic is the problem. I do Rockabilly and 50s R&R, and so I wanted a retro looking Mic (actually, for both Mics), but I didn't want the Shure 55. I love that Mic, but it's said to be not as amazing as people believe, and in terms of looks, it's become way too common for me. There's a guy on The Price is Right who uses it for God's sake! I'm sorry, I don't mean to belittle the Mic, but I've always strived to be as original as possible in my choice of things, whenever it's possible or course, and without sacrificing too much on quality. I know this Nady Mic is probably of mediocre quality, but I like its sound, I don't need to yell to be heard, and it doesn't really distort either in the Lows or Highs.
Still, for the sake of eliminating the feedback problem ASAP, I thought maybe I should use my Raven Mic to sing (which I've tried at a jam space, and it sounded good), and have a clip-on Mic for my Horn. I'm also getting tired of just standing in front of a Mic to play Horn. If I could get mobility, why not? Yes, I could just go for an Audio Technica Pro35, or any other good quality clip-on, but I suddenly came upon the article writen by Pete, and it made me curious. I'm usually a firm believer in the statement "You get what you pay for", but I also believe that sometimes, creativity and imagination can bring some people to discover amazing new things.
The other problem I'd foresee with a Omnidirectional clip-on Mic is that, being that I'm also using a singing Mic, I'd certainly get feedback again because of the even closer proximity (holding my Sax in my hands while singing, consequently bringing the clip-on closer to the singing Mic). So again, maybe a Unidirectional Mic would be better. A detail I forgot to mention is budget. I can go as high as 150$, but not much more. I really wish to keep my Nady Mic too, unless it's totally clear to me that it is indeed the culprit, so I'm even considering changing it's Element for a Shure 58 Beta (like some guy on the net named MutantMics does). But my worst fear would be that after doing all of those changes (switching the Element, getting a clip-on, etc), the feedback would happen again. I know the set-up of the bar where I play isn't ideal (Loudspeaker directly at 3 o'clock to my right, clipped on the wall, some 4 or 5 feet away), but I can't change that.
I guess I have to experiement, but it's difficult to do so because one can't just buy one Mic after another, until the perfect set-up is found. And Music stores don't usually lend things out just for someone to try. As a short term solution, I may end up simply having a Shure 58 on a stand for my horn, and singing with my Raven Mic, and hope for the best.
I know I have a bunch of questions here, so to make it more clear, here they are:
1) What's the best Mic set-up to avoid feedback, 2 Mics on stands, or 1 on a stand and the other a clip-on?
2) Is Omnidirectional to be avoided because of the proximity to the singing Mic?
3) Could my Nady Mic be the main culprit (perhaps too sensitive or 'Hot')? I was perhaps considering the Heil Fin to sing in, but it might also be mediocre.
4) Could I place myself differently on the stage to better the situation?
5) If a clip-on is good to have, then what should I be looking for? The A.T. Pro35 seems reasonably priced for it's quality, but maybe I could get away with something less expensive. I want to clarify the fact that I don't need wireless, and I gig about twice a month only.
Again, thnx a lot to everyone who can help. Cheers everyone.
