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Internal mic vs. external mic vs. clip-on mic

I've gotten to the point where I need to be able to amplify my accordion. It is a single-row Cajun button accordion.

As I see it, I have 3 options: 1) an internal mic; 2) an external mic; 3) a clip-on mic.

I know nothing about internal mics. What kind of mics do people use for this? How is the sound?

For external, I mean the kind that you usually see, with a bracket on the accordion, to which you attach the mic assembly. I assume that these usually contain an SM-57 element?

For clip-on, I mean something like the Audio-Technica Pro 35. I believe Michael Doucet was using one of those on his accordion the last time that I saw Beausoleil.

Can someone please advise re advantages and disadvantages of each of these? For the clip-on, one advantage for me would be the ability to use it with other instruments besides the accordion, such as mandolin or banjo.

Thank you!

Re: Internal mic vs. external mic vs. clip-on mic

One of the determining factors is the stye of Louisiana music you are going to play.

At the risk of making overly broad generalizations, those playing traditional Cajun music tend to use external mics, and those playing zydeco generally use internal mics.

There are definite differences in the sound. The external mics have what I would call a clean, uncolored sound. You might call it a natural sound. The internal mics have a more gutsy growl, somewhat reminiscent of a blues harp player blowing into one of those bullet mics.

Internal mics are somewhat more convenient to use because you just plug in. With external, you have to mount it and then plug in. They sometimes get in the way, or fall off at the most inconvenient time (like the middle of a song).

Internal mics are less prone to feedback problems, and that is a HUGE advantage.

I have used both, but I now use internal exclusively. I like the sound and the feedback control.

The type of mics for internal or external use are typically a mic element from a dynamic mic. A condenser mic can be used externally, but must not be used internally.

The classic mic is the Shure R-65, which is the mic element from a Shure Unisphere. I have a couple of those. I have also used a Shure SM-57 element. On the recommendation of Big Nick and others, I have swapped out the Shure mics and use an Audio Technica DR mic element.

Here's a couple links to Big Nick's website which has come excellent info to get started on mic'ing:

http://www.bignick.net/BoxLessons/boxlesson_20.htm

http://www.bignick.net/BoxLessons/boxlesson_19.htm

Re: Internal mic vs. external mic vs. clip-on mic

I agree with everything Dave says. I use an internal mic on my Bb accordion (my zydeco box) and a clip on (audio-technica) on my C accordion. The clip on mic (which requires phantom power) is much brighter and louder than an internal mic. The internal mic also has the property of magnifying the sucking sound the accordion makes when you pull the bellows open.

Re: Internal mic vs. external mic vs. clip-on mic

You can fix the sucking sound of the internal mic by adding a foam windscreen around it. I have used a piece of nylon stocking, which also helps. I picked up that tip from someone on this board, but I don't remember who. It might have been Dana Mandell, who hasn't been around much lately.

You also play around with the direction that the mic is pointing inside the bellows. For reasons of minimizing feedback, it helps if the mic is pointing in towards your chest/stomach. If you do that, it also happens to not be pointed directly toward the air hole, so it helps with that problem at least a bit.

Re: Internal mic vs. external mic vs. clip-on mic

Thanks for the tip, David!



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