Pre-amp with a wireless mic - question

3475 Views 9 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Doug Lange, Nov 10, 2007

toddno2

Discussion Starter · Nov 7, 2007

Question:

Talking about live sound here:

I am using the Samson wireless mic. The belt clip has what I believe to be a very basic pre-amp. Now, this is not a high-end system in the least bit...but it actually sounds quite decent. My only complaint are in the highs, where it seems to be a bit louder, and it does need a little warmth.

So, I would like to add warmth in the sound, as well as control the highs. My initial thought is some sort of compression to remove the highs and maybe a tube preamp to give some warmth.

Now, I'm not an expert....and I know there are a few on this board that really know their apples in regards to this stuff, so here is the question:

How about plugging a wireless reciever into a tube pre-amp to give it some warmth/added control. Does this make any sense considering that there is already a pre-amp (albeit it a lousy one) built in. Or are there any other suggestions.

And how about some compression to chill out the highs. And if so, any recommendations on approach/products.

Many thanks, and let me know if there is any additional info needed.

-Todd

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hakukani

· #2 · Nov 7, 2007

If it's a wireless lavelier-type mic the 'belt clip' does several things.

1. It's the radio transmitter
2. It's supplies power to the mic element
3. It has mild compression. (usually 2:1, with a high threshold)

I don't think a tube preamp or compression (compression acts on amplitude-not timbre) will get you what you want. I would first:

1. Make sure you're not overloading the transmitter or receiver and getting a bit of distortion early in the 'gain chain'
2. Make sure you're not overloading the receiver, and introducing harmonic distortion.

If that's not part of your problem, then I would play with the placement of the mic element to see if you can find a better position. If that doesn't get you any joy, then try the equalizer on the board to get rid of some of the 'highs' (not sure specifically what you mean here).

Hope this helps.

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hakukani

· #5 · Nov 7, 2007

toddno2 said:
I am referring to the highs in this context as the higher pitched notes on the horn. G2 and up. They are louder in this amplified situation than the rest of the horn. I can easily lay back on those notes, but I thought compression would solve this.

Thanks for the info again - I'll keep playing with it....just curious if another electronic gadget would be the answer.

I think you have the idea about the gain. If it's indeed the high NOTES that are overly loud in your situation, the first thing I would recommend is to find a mic placement where the volume is consistent throughout the range of the horn. If you can't do that, then judicious use of compression MAY help you. I don't like to overly compress horns, because I feel that it clamps down on the 'bite' of the articulation at the very start of a note, and can make things muddy.

...and yes CA, a sennheiser would work, too.

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hakukani

· #7 · Nov 8, 2007

It helps to have a nicely tweaked Meyer array.

Sounds like a fun gig. I'm jealous, sort of, in my old, retired way.

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