Mic for Tuba Live Performance

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David A. Goldfarb
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Re: Mic for Tuba Live Performance

Post by David A. Goldfarb »

Since my last post on this topic, I've played three funk-band gigs and a few rehearsals with the SHU mount and a Sennheiser e602 (original version) kick drum mic, plugged into a mic pre on the board, and it's been great. The sound separates clearly from the rest of the band and is easy to hear in the monitors. Gain can be set low enough with the mic on the bell that feedback isn't a problem. The SHU mount is also nicely suspended, so I can pick up and put down the tuba whenever I switch to/from trombone without the mic clunking around.
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Steve Marcus
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Re: Mic for Tuba Live Performance

Post by Steve Marcus »

At least through headphones, the two mikes described here seem very effective for sousaphone (this is not a plug):

https://www.lewitt-audio.com/blog/lewitt-user-story
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oscarcahue
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Re: Mic for Tuba Live Performance

Post by oscarcahue »

Bill Troiano wrote: Well, I've had it with that and mics with cords. I wanna go wireless, both for my sousaphone and my 186. When I get to sub with Ray and the Tubameisters, I get to use their sound equipment, which is a wireless Shure PGX-1. It sounds fine and is convenient at my end with just the mic clipped on the bell with a small wire connected to a box in my pocket. I don't know how it wirelessly connects on the the other end where something connects to a head unit. I don't know (and I never got to ask Ray) whether this needs Phantom power, a pre amp, or what. I don't even really know what that is.

So, what I'm asking is for (what's the latest) the best sounding tuba cordless mic with the least amount of hassle with extra pre amps.

Thanks all! I'm still standing!
Shure BLX Wireless system w/ Beta 98 H/C

or....what people don't realize & what I did:

Any Shure BLX Wireless system (I got the lavalier version, cheap cheap cheap, sold the lavalier mic) + Bodypack TA4F to XLR cable + your dynamic Mic of choice. (SM57, Audix D4, etc)
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Beervangelist
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Re: Mic for Tuba Live Performance

Post by Beervangelist »

+1 to above.

I used the instrument clip-on mic (Shure Beta 98H/C) with BLX system to begin with, now I continue to use the body pack and receiver, but with an Audix D4 (XLR mic), mounted by the Ninja Clamp (which was an upgrage from the Kelly Shu mount.)

The Shure BLX systems with included mic would be plenty efficient for most settings.

Here are some "kits." The GLX is stronger than the BLX and PGX. My BLX receiver/bodypack is a few years old and is the less expensive version. It tends to fail if it's in heavy competition with frequency at big clubs or festival stages. 3 times in four years or so. Someday, I might upgrade, but now that I'm onto a regular XLR mic, when it happens, I can just go "wired" instead of wireless.

Shure BLX14R/W93 Wireless Lavalier Microphone System - H9 Band $429 (ask them to swap the mic out - the instrument mic isn't featured here
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... em-h9-band

Shure PGXD14/B98H Digital Wireless Instrument Microphone System - $479
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... one-system

Shure GLXD14/B98 Digital Wireless Instrument Microphone System $589
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... one-system

Shure GLXD14R/B98 Digital Wireless Instrument Microphone System RACK mount $689
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... one-system


You can certainly mic your horn for less, and you may have some luck on the used market, but if you want to be wireless, it does require buying a two-part system - body pack transmitter, and receiver (that would send your signal to board or amp - and then a compatible mic, so the costs start to accumulate.

Good luck
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Re: Mic for Tuba Live Performance

Post by Beervangelist »

You could buy this off of Reverb for $299

https://reverb.com/item/10414601-shure- ... ess-system

And add a mic of your choice (Shure clip with TA4 connector) or XLR adapter and any mic + mount
1926 BBb King Giant Sousaphone
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Bill Troiano
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Re: Mic for Tuba Live Performance

Post by Bill Troiano »

Based on a recommendation from another Texan on this board, I ended up buying a Shure PGA 98H - XLR condenser clip on mic . I didn't buy a pre amp for it, but so far, I've only had to use it once and the sound system had phantom power. It's nice and light, costs only $129.00 and sounds fine. You probably could spend more and get a mic that might sound better, but when you're playing an amplified tuba with other amplified instruments, does it matter that much? I haven't used it on my 186 yet, but Oktoberfest season is just around the corner. For my sousaphone, I found a clip in my junk box that was meant for bunching cables. It's black (like my sousaphone) and it had a peal of adhesive strip enabling me to attach it to my sousaphone bell. I don't know why I have this thing. It must have come with something else I bought. I attached it to the bell just low enough from center that I can clip the mic to it and still bend the neck so that it's in the throat of the bell. It worked great and you hardly see the clip. Pictures, you say? I'll get on that soon.
Wayne Rice
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Re: Mic for Tuba Live Performance

Post by Wayne Rice »

I also use the Shure 98H with the wireless transmitter. Works amazingly well.
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PeriRigos
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Re: Mic for Tuba Live Performance

Post by PeriRigos »

Hi...many bands use an Audix D4 dropped right into the tuba. It isn't "secured". The mic cables is wrapped around the circumference of the tuba before the bell. Then it come from underneath, around the lip of the bell, and into the bell. Gravity holds it in, and the windscreen prevents any clanging.
tadawson
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Re: Mic for Tuba Live Performance

Post by tadawson »

The key to wireless when in a venue with other wireless is to frequency coordinate. And all of the UHF pro systems need to be setup to 'play friendly' with each other (and all will fail if they are not . . . ).

If going wireless, ask the engineer at the venue . . . they will either give you a frequency to use or (more likey) give you one of thiers, which is known good in that spece.
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ppalan
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Re: Mic for Tuba Live Performance

Post by ppalan »

Hi,
On my Miraphone 186 CC, I've been using an Audix D4 attached to a flexible goose neck called a Stage Ninja. (available on Amazon) Additionally I've also been trying out a device to make the D4 wireless from a company called Xvive. It has worked extremely well. We also use the Xvive for our vocalists mic. Here are some links to the various items mentioned above:
Audix D4: https://www.amazon.com/Audix-D4-Dynamic ... 164&sr=8-4
Stage Ninja: https://www.amazon.com/Stage-Ninja-MIC- ... 127&sr=8-2
Xvive Wireless System: https://www.amazon.com/XV-U3-Xvive-ekku ... NrPXRydWU=
I actually got the Xvive on ebay for less than the Amazon price.
ppalan
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