Micha
95 posts
May 16, 2010
2:39 AM
|
Hi everyone,
I recently purchased a EV RE10 which is a Low impedance mic. As I understand from previous threads, I'm gonna need a Low Z to High Z impedance transformer.
Is there a lot of difference among these things? Or will any brand/product do fine?
Thanks!
Micha
|
Kingley
1174 posts
May 16, 2010
2:52 AM
|
Yes you'll need an impedance converter to get the best from that mic. The Ev RE10 is a real killer harp mic, with a huge bottom end to it's sound.
Whilst it's true that any brand impedance converter will do the job, there is something to be said for buying the best quality one you can get. Most people swear by the Shure impedance converter. I seem to recall it's a Shure A96F.
|
Micha
96 posts
May 16, 2010
3:21 AM
|
Thanks for the response Kingley. I really look forward to playing it.
I found these on the Shure website:
A85F Line Matching Transformer
A95UF Line Matching Transformer
Which one would I need to plug into my amp?
|
mikolune
25 posts
May 16, 2010
5:03 AM
|
Just last night, was at some gig, nice classic Chicago blues from the Tokyo scene. I chatted a bit with the harp player. He had a small Fender amp, around 10Watts with a low Z mic. I asked him about using a converter, he said he didn't really need it since it did not make a very big difference for this kind of gig. Using a low Z mic leads to loss of power and volume, but he was still way loud enough for the relatively small venue (bar that can hold about 40 customers.
In such situations where you do not need very powerful stuff, the transformer doesn't seem critical if you don't need too much power.
|
hvyj
332 posts
May 16, 2010
5:04 AM
|
Before i got my 545 Ultimate, i used to use an EV RE 15, which is similar to the RE 10. I don't use bullet mics, so i have more than casual experience with IMTs.
Just about all the IMTs sound pretty much the same, and the ones made by Shure are very good. The Shure A85F would be the one you would need. BUT, you may wish to consider a "rat tail" design instead of the Shure.
A Shure style IMT sticks out of the amp input pretty high and if it is pulled on or bumped (as inevitably happens) it can (and will) damage the amp's input jack because of the leverage created.
A "rat tail" design has a short length of mic cord between the 1/4" jack and the XLR plug so the only thing actually sticking out of the amp input is the 1/4" jack. Much less potential for strain on the input jack. More practical and I think a little easier to handle and carry around.
Audix makes one, but I like the one made by Peavey. The Peavey can be a little hard to find. But they are available on the web at Green Fly Music Supply. The SKU for the one you want is: 0072010. Lifetime warranty, very durable and sounds great.
Btw, regardless of what anyone may claim you NEED an IMT to play a lo z PA style mic into a guitar amp and have it sound right. It's not optional, it is essential. It's like using batteries in a flashlight--it's absolutely necessary.
Last Edited by on May 16, 2010 5:08 AM
|
hvyj
334 posts
May 16, 2010
5:44 AM
|
The Peavey IMT also works both ways. In fact, I think most IMTs do.
The PARTS EXPRESS web site seems to have a good selection, and they have rat tail style IMTs, including the Peavey under Sku 241-5384.
Last Edited by on May 16, 2010 5:52 AM
|
Oxharp
289 posts
May 16, 2010
5:48 AM
|
Hi I would get a IMT with a built in Vol contol from Greg at blowsmeaway.
I have an RE 10 and it makes agreat addition to your gear and gives you the control on the band stand and mic where you need it.
----------
Oxharp
|
Micha
97 posts
May 16, 2010
8:50 AM
|
Many thanks for all your inputs! It is very helpful!
What would be the cost of such an IMT with built in volume control from Greg Heumann? I do not seem to find it on his website...
|
Oxharp
290 posts
May 16, 2010
9:03 AM
|
I bought mine a while ago so I would contact Greg on his web site. He is very helpful.
I remember he explained everything I needed to know about hi and low z stuff before I purchased any thing.
I still use his in line VC for my Bullet mics as they dont seem to take any tone away from my playing unlike the VC's on the 520dx shells I have used.
----------
Oxharp
|
hvyj
335 posts
May 16, 2010
9:23 AM
|
Greg makes great stuff and he is a pleasure to deal with. An IMT with a built in VC is very L_O_N_G and makes the mic unbalanced in the hands as it is cupped. An Re 10 is a long mic anyway.
A more practical option may be Greg's XLR VC and just use a rat tail IMT at the end of the mic cord. There is a slight tonal difference w/ an IMT on the mic instead of at the amp connection, but it's NBD.
|
hvyj
336 posts
May 16, 2010
9:32 AM
|
BTW, Peavey makes XLR cords with an on off switch on the XLR connector that plugs into the mic. VERY useful for harp because you can use it to kill feedback or just to turn off the mic if you are sitting out on particular tunes so there's not an open mic laying around when you're not on stage. You can get these on line from 8th Street Music.
Also, Peavey makes one of these with a BUILT IN IMT on the opposite end--sort of like a 20 foot long rat tail. I don't use one of these because sometimes I just play through the PA and it's easier to carry a regular 20' XLR cord and a separate 6" rat tail IMT. But I do love the on/off switch.
Last Edited by on May 16, 2010 9:52 AM
|
Greg Heumann
460 posts
May 16, 2010
9:43 AM
|
Greg makes great stuff and he is a pleasure to deal with. An IMT with a built in VC is very L_O_N_G and makes the mic unbalanced in the hands as it is cupped. An Re 10 is a long mic anyway.
A more practical option may be Greg's XLR VC and just use a rat tail IMT at the end of the mic cord. There is a slight tonal difference w/ an IMT on the mic instead of at the amp connection, but it's NBD.
I agree - combo VC/IMT at the mic end makes an RE10 TOO long. Straight VC and IMT at the amp end of the cable makes more sense. Micha - I have everything you need.
----------
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
|
Micha
98 posts
May 17, 2010
11:37 AM
|
hyvj: The online shops you pointed at do not ship to Europe or don't have them in stock.
I did find one with a rat tail here:
http://www.thomann.de/nl/monacor_ma_100_15.htm
However, the data sheet says that input impedance should be 600 ohms, while the RE10 has 150 ohms.
http://www.monacor.de/typo3/index.php?id=84&L=1&artid=2709&spr=EN&typ=full
Is this a problem?
|
hvyj
347 posts
May 17, 2010
4:17 PM
|
Micha, I didn't realize that you were in Europe. The short answer to your question is I don't know. Greg Heumann would certainly know.
I did look on the Harp on Line site, which is in Germany. They are very reputable and they advertise what what looks like the same IMT as you found on the Monacor site for use with an Audix Fireball V. I have a Fireball V and I've used an RE 15 (which is very similar to an RE 10) off an on for over 25 years. The same IMTs that work well with the Fireball have always worked well with the RE 15. So, based solely on that, i would assume it should be ok. But i really don't know for sure.
|
Greg Heumann
462 posts
May 17, 2010
4:48 PM
|
Micha - 600 ohms is considered the high end of low impedance; 150 toward the low end. However this will work for you. It is NOT critical.
----------
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
|
Micha
99 posts
May 21, 2010
10:05 AM
|
Thank you all for your help. I've purchased an IMT and cable from harponline.de. Very nice folks to deal with, good shipping and a good price.
Greg, when I want a volume control for it, I'll know where I can get them. Thanks.
A last question about the RE10: It has a small switch which you can't reach really well. The manuall says its a bass-roll-off switch. Anybody knows what it means? After playing it for 10 minutes, I don't hear much difference.
|
toddlgreene
1346 posts
May 21, 2010
10:16 AM
|
Yeah, I've played thru a few, and don't really notice any difference with that rolloff, so you're not alone. Enjoy that RE10!
----------
Todd L Greene. V.P.
|
hvyj
354 posts
May 21, 2010
12:07 PM
|
My RE 15s have the same feature. I think it makes more of a difference in mic response depending upon how you position the mic in relation to to the sound source when the sound source and mic are "in air." I notice only a very slight difference when I'm cupping the mic. You can use a paper clip to toggle the switch.
|
Micha
101 posts
May 21, 2010
1:42 PM
|
Ok, thank you very much!
|
hvyj
355 posts
May 21, 2010
5:58 PM
|
In my experience, just about any older EV mic sounds good for harp. They have a fuller midrange response than most mics which seems to work well with harmonica. I like some EVs better than others, but I've NEVER played through any EV mic that sounded bad for harp.
The RE 10 is dirtier or grittier than the RE 15, which is fatter, deeper and smoother sounding. Most harp players seem too prefer the RE 10. I happen to like setting up for a somewhat cleaner sound, so I prefer the RE 15. IMHO both are great harp mics.
|
