dantana
18 posts
Jan 22, 2025
5:17 AM
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Greetings all,
I still consider myself to be beginner/intermediate harmonica player. I bought an Audix V Fireball, and have been using it through a Boss Katana Mini amp. it seems that the microphone is awfully sensitive. It picks up noises that I never heard before like air going through the harmonica, mouth noises, even my mouth moving on the harmonica. I am using the clean channel and have to gain as low as possible. The noises get much worse if I increase gain. But I feel like the microphone is too sensitive and want to return it but I know it's a very good microphone. I think in the IT world we might chalk this up as operator error, but I just wanted to check and see if anyone had issues like this with the microphone and if it's something I'm doing. thanks!
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dantana
19 posts
Jan 22, 2025
6:39 AM
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I have a theory that since I don't have the biggest hands, maybe the harmonica is too close to the microphone.
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TetonJohn
437 posts
Jan 22, 2025
7:27 AM
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I only use my fireball on a stand for "acoustic" style playing into a PA, i.e., keeping the harmonica a couple of inches away from the microphone maintaining full use of hand effects (i.e., the hand effects you can use w/o also holding the microphone). This positioning of a microphone can cause feedback issues, but the fireball is noted for its resistance to that. It is my "go to" for that type of playing (unless the venue is a Hootenanny-style "gather 'round the big condenser mike").
However, I may sometimes grab the fireball microphone even while it is on the stand (usually turning down the volume at the same time) -- and it does work (too clean for my taste to use that way when I am playing into an amp for a grittier sound).
Good cupping technique leaves space between the back of the harmonica and the face of the microphone leaving a bit of a resonant air chamber; this takes a bit of practice and can be hindered by having small hands.
Others may have more practical suggestions -- I'm just offering "the big picture" while the coffee is kicking in.
Last Edited by TetonJohn on Jan 22, 2025 7:43 AM
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TetonJohn
438 posts
Jan 22, 2025
4:57 PM
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In case you are not aware of this document:
https://blowsmeaway.com/all about harmonica microphones.pdf
I include it in case it is news to you. This document is also "big picture." The better informed you are, the better you may be able to figure out for yourself what is gpoing on (e.g, if your problem is user error).
Sorry if you are already aware of all this -- just trying to help. Good luck.
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dougharps
2365 posts
Jan 22, 2025
8:00 PM
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My Fireball V works fine when I am playing to the PA when handheld and cupped. It is a low-z xlr mic. When I have tried it to an amp, even when I used an impedance matching transformer, I didn't like it as much as other (hi-z) mics I own. A Fireball V without the imp transformer, using it straight to a hi-z input with just an xlr to 1/4" cable would not perform well.
Greg's harp mic document is worth reading.
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Doug S.
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dantana
20 posts
Jan 23, 2025
5:04 PM
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Thank you Doug and John. That document has a lot of good info. Considering I am looking for clean acoustic sound I am now thinking the best thing to is use a vocal mic (or Fireball) on a stand and not hold the mic. Also that the Fireball, even though I was properly connecting it using the transformer, isn't really made to be played through a guitar amp. I can get a decent seal and cup when not holding a mic. But it seems impossible while holding the Fireball. I am thinking the noises that I was hearing is bad technique and the amplification of it just brought it to my attention because I can hear it when not using a mic at all now. Trying to figure that part out.
This is a video of Jason Ricci playing in front of a mic stand. don't know why it's not showing up as a link here.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nlN24uIOhDM
Last Edited by dantana on Jan 23, 2025 5:14 PM
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