Single Mic Technique

[robn]

There are always lots of threads here about amplifying reso guitars. And many of you are getting the idea that simply using a mic' in front of your reso is a perfectly practical solution for acoustic gigs. There is no need to plug in, as you can learn to "work" a mic' and get a perfectly solid stage volume. The norm would be something like SM58 for vocals and SM57 for reso guitar - a very simple rig!

So how about taking the concept a step further and using just one mic' on stage - for the whole band

When I first started playing with a local 5 piece bluegrass band we plugged our instruments and vocal mic's into a 16 channel mixer and then into a p/a. We needed floor monitors so we could hear ourselves and each other - and sound checks took a while. At gigs it was always best to have someone on the desk to tweek solo's and for different song arrangements. The band also needed to be lined up flat across the stage (with just the bass stepped back) to give the room to accomodate the separate vocal mic's - also making monitors a necessity.

Now we use just one mic at gigs for the whole band - and no monitors. We stand in a semi-circle around a single mic' - as close as we can get together - we can hear each other clearly and we all "work" the mic' for difference vocal/instrument balance - moving in or out of the mic's field. As the band does it's own mix by moving around the mic's field while we play, there is no need for anyone on a sound desk. Set-up simply involves EQ'ing the room (turning up the single mic and dialing out feedback with a 15 channel EQ).

We had band practice tonight so I took a feed off the "line out" from the mixer and pluged it into my Zoom H2 and recorded a couple of new songs we were rehersing. So you are hearing the mix the single mic' picked up (an AKG c3000) and fed to the p/a.

www.plunder.com/Rich-Girl-Poor-Girl-A-maj-download-fabd78ad7b.htm

www.plunder.com/Slippin-Away-download-ffdaa419e6.htm

There is quite a lot of info on the net about single mic' technique and we have been really amazed at how simple, effective and fun it can be to have the whole band work just one mic'. You have to be on your toes and pretty slick at moving round each other - but that's half the fun! If you play solo or in a small acoustic group then it is certainly worth seeing if you could get away with just one mic' at gigs.

And, of course, it is a very traditional way of both recording and playing live

Robin

[Deleted]

Most excellent good indeed, both on the performing and recording front. I recall seeing Steve James playing at Sutton Coldfield, using just one similar type of mic. for both vocals and guitar, and he sounded great. Way to go.

[lewiscohen]

Yep, inspired by Steve James I use a single mic whenever I can. The Rode NT1 that Steve uses is an excellent one for the job and not expensive at all.

[blueshome]

We've used Steve James' mic at the last couple of Bluesweeks for the student performances with great success once we convinced folk not to get on top of it but to stand back about 3-4 feet . Seems un-natural at first but it works and in that environment especially, with a number of acts to get on in a limited time, saves all the messing about adjusting individual's or groups sound as well as sounding great.

On suitable gigs I borrow an AKG414, but it's expensive and vulnerable so I will have to get my own mic & will go with th NT1.

[Deleted]

lovely intimate sound, really nice

[melp]

Hi Robin,

Sounds good to me. I got the single mic idea from Steve James, at Bluesweek, so I got a Rode NT1A. It works fine on my little home setup. One gotya, however, on the few open mic's I have done the PA they had did not have phantom power, which is what the Rode needs, so I had to borrow some other mic. From what I could hear, no monitor, it sounded sort of OK, but nowhere as near as good as the Rode.

cheers

Mel

[Steverb]

Great sound on those recordings Robin. definitely something worth considering.

Nice Dobro solo on Slippin Away - by your good self I presume?

[thebluesbear( al)]

Robin

very interesting point, and it opens up so many ideas great sounding music hmmmmm you have got me thinking

al

[robn]

It is nice to see so many of you keen on the idea, and some having used just a single mic yourselves The info on the Bluesweek set-up and Steve James was excellent.

I think the Rode NT1 is a great mic for this application. I just happened to find a very good deal on the AKG c3000 and picked it up cheaper than a Rode, which was on my list of options!

Yep - that's me on dobro opperating the KISS principle And Ron, who does many of the set-ups for MM guitars, was playing tricone and lead singing on Rich Girl Poor Girl (I get to play harp in that one as the dobro would just muddy the sound). The examples were just to demonstrate how 5 musicians playing different instruments can opperate with just one mic on stage - I'm sure you don't want to hear us old farts working up new songs!!!! We are just a local band with no aspirations beyond enjoying ourselves playing local gigs and gate crashing the odd festival. Bluegrass is just great, great fun music to play and we always seem able to get folk up and dancing at gigs ;D