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Date: Tue, 28 Feb 1995 16:08:43 -0800 (PST)
From: Mike Curtis
Subject: Re: ----- I suck, I tell you, I suck. ------

> Doing the "roll off the treble and boost the bass" thing will probably kill
> feedback, but results in a very dead and/or boomy sounding tone.

If it's "boomy", you're getting bass feedback and should cut the bass setting. But what I usually do is have it set about +2 on a +/- 5 system. Not a lot - just a little "fatter" sound than a normal vocal mic.

When I play into a tightly cupped mic, I get a very "fat" sound that sounds good with these settings. I usually get a little distortion from the mic preamp due to my very loud playing into a very closely coupled microphone. Of course, I have large hands and chest (53"), and it may well be that my natural resonance is deeper than some. I can only speak from my personal experience.

Turning the treble and volume down cuts the potential for feedback, which for me is the highest priority. Once you start playing, the engineer (or band member acting as such) can inch things up for the sound they like. This will usually include more treble. But starting at full CCW is a good ("safe" :-) place for unknown systems.

> I long since gave up trying to use house PA's and simply make sure I have my amp with me if I'm likely to be playing. If the band doesn't want me to set up my amp, I don't play. Playing and sounding like crap is worse than not playing - for you, for the band and, most importantly, for the audience.

I know many harp players who do the same - including myself. When sitting in, I bring my amp, too, and my "pedal board", including octave divider, digital delay (slapback echo), and wireless. But in some cases, it's just not practical. Knowing how to play through the PA is an important skill to master, in my opinion. Even on your own gigs, there will be times when your amp will pop a tube or something and the PA may be the only alternative open to you. While a PA won't sound as good as your 59 Bassman, etc., it can certainly do a more than adequate job.