Amp to PA. Is there a simple solution?

Javabean · April 2014

I have a Fender Blues Deluxe which I have been micing with an SM57. On some of the smaller stages I find that the mic stand behind me in front of the Blues Deluxe is a bit of a pain, as after carefully positioning it in the soundcheck, it has as the result of a collision with my size nines, moved out of position.

I've been thinking about a DI as a solution to this problem.

1. A H & K red box

2. A modelling board (Line 6, Vox Tonelab etc) into a full range monitor, then into the PA.

and . . . . .

3. A Tech 21 Sansamp Para DI.

a) XLR out of the Sansamp into the PA and parallel through to the amp.

b) The Sansamp in the effects loop , XLR out to the PA.

As you may have guessed, option three a) or b) is my preferred at the moment.

Anyone have any thoughts on this before I part with the beer tokens on the Sansamp?

littlegreenman · April 2014

Can't you use on of those clip-on thingy's so the mic is attached to your amp?

koneguitarist · April 2014

I use a Peavey EDI box, like the Red box. Works brilliantly. The way to go for live use nowadays.

shuikit · April 2014

At church, we have one of these which we describe as an expensive piece of bent metal but it works well
http://www.thomann.de/gb/z_right_stuff_z_bar.htm

I also have a sennheiser mic that's designed to be hung down over the speaker so you don't need a stand at all. I think it's an e606 or something

daveww · April 2014

Like this http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/mm467/davidkw2001/image_zps36fe0fc1.jpg

viz · April 2014

littlegreenman said:

Can't you use on of those clip-on thingy's so the mic is attached to your amp?

yes or a sennheiser 906 hung down. Or a 609 if funds are tight.

drwiddly · April 2014

If I'm using my combo, rather than the big rig, I use a Digitech GSP1101 in 4 cable. Does all my FX and the relays on my FCB1010 switch the amp channels. The GSP has an emulated output with a selection of user cabs but, better still, the beta firmware gives you 10 user slots for third party IR's.

I can adjust the on stage volume without affecting the feed to the desk and it sounds as good as a mic without the hassles.

digitalscream · April 2014

Here you go, assuming you can patch it in between the amp and the speaker:

http://www.jetcityamplificationstore.co.uk/product/jettenuator/

Attenuator good for amps up to 100W, with a built-in mic-and-cab emulator on the XLR output. Just plug that into your PA, and job done.

Alternatively, for little more than the Z-bar above there's also this:

http://www.thomann.de/gb/superlux_pra_628_mkii.htm

I believe it's the one in the pic above - it comes with the gooseneck and clamp, for all of £31 and change. Brilliant little mics - not as good as a 906, but I've not noticed a massive difference in overall sound quality between it and a 606.

maltingsaudio · April 2014

Mic the back

p90fool · April 2014

I'm a big fan of these too; http://www.thomann.de/gb/superlux_pra_628_mkii.htm

I have three different good quality mic sims, but none of them are as natural or versatile as a real mic, even this cheap one.

ICBM · April 2014

maltingsaudio said:

Mic the back

I used to do that with a Fender Super Champ. I used a mic bracket/clamp designed for the edge of a lecturn on the top edge of the amp's lower back panel, with an SM57 pointing at the back of the speaker cone in the gap between the frame legs. It sounded very good - a bit more bassy than mic'ing the front, but with a Super Champ that wasn't a bad thing.

I've also used the Red Box, it wasn't bad but sounded more boxy and a little muffled than the real mic.

What I used was something a bit like this

http://www.peachyproductions.com/sites/default/files/styles/adaptive_image/public/product/shots/PN000404 lectern clamp.jpg?itok=YN4g0nqx

with a normal mic clip on it. (My one had the mic clip thread closer to the angle though, so you could fold the mic clip back parallel - not sure if that one would work.)