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Post subject: Adapting a microphone so it can be plugged into Fender amp
Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2015 3:12 pm
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I hope this is a simple, straightforward question and answer. I have a Fender 'Champion' 30 DSP amplifier which has two input jacks. I would like to use the second input jack for a Shure SM58 microphone. A little investigation has revealed that Shure makes a impedance matching transformer (A95UF) that can be attached to the male end of the microphone cable on one end then with a 1/4 inch adapter which can be plugged into the amplifier. I'm hoping that others using this forum can tell me if it's that simple or are there issues? Any alternatives? Thanks, Tom.


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Post subject: Re: Adapting a microphone so it can be plugged into Fender a
Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2015 5:33 pm
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That's the procedure for using a Lo-Z mic with the high-impedance input of a guitar amp. You'll not likely to be very pleased with the sound though. But if you're adamant about using this arrangement, start with the amp's tone controls at around "3" or slightly less then milk them up or down as required.

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Post subject: Re: Adapting a microphone so it can be plugged into Fender a
Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 3:11 am
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http://www.ehow.com/how_6764944_plug-mi ... r-amp.html


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Post subject: Re: Adapting a microphone so it can be plugged into Fender a
Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2015 2:56 pm
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I've used that exact adapter in the past.

Yes it's that simple.

Yes, it's as long/heavy as it looks.

No, your vocals are never going to sound particularly good coming out of your Fender 'Champion' 30 DSP amplifier. It's just not what they're designed to do. It's kind of like cutting your lawn with scissors ... yeah it technically gets the job done, but nobody in their right mind would want to do it that way. :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Adapting a microphone so it can be plugged into Fender a
Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2015 2:35 pm
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guitarman53 wrote:
I hope this is a simple, straightforward question and answer. I have a Fender 'Champion' 30 DSP amplifier which has two input jacks. I would like to use the second input jack for a Shure SM58 microphone. A little investigation has revealed that Shure makes a impedance matching transformer (A95UF) that can be attached to the male end of the microphone cable on one end then with a 1/4 inch adapter which can be plugged into the amplifier. I'm hoping that others using this forum can tell me if it's that simple or are there issues? Any alternatives? Thanks, Tom.


Go for it, as long as you have the impedance transformer in the adapter. I used to use those thing in my guitar amps, not as high quality as into a PA but usable.

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Post subject: Re: Adapting a microphone so it can be plugged into Fender a
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 1:27 am
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If you can lift the amp up higher it may sound better.

It doesn't have to sound bad, an amp is an amp at the end of the day. I have guitar amps which sound very so so with guitars and an old WEM PA amp which is a killer guitar amp.

But then 40 years ago we would put everything (guitar, bass and vocals) through a 2x12 ROOST combo and think nothing of it - OK feedback was a bit of an issue ;-)

There are a shed load of classic combos with guitar and mic inputs. It is just, as technology moves on, we have got use to having higher quality gear. In twenty years time someone will ask "Can I plug my guitar into a 2x12 combo for a gig" and people will be outraged that it isn't going direct through a digital board. :roll:

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Post subject: Re: Adapting a microphone so it can be plugged into Fender a
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 5:28 pm
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Thanks everyone for the feedback (no pun intended). I would only have considered doing this if the response had been overwhelmingly positive. Since it wasn't, I'll go with the traditional amp for guitar and PA system for voice.


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Post subject: Re: Adapting a microphone so it can be plugged into Fender a
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 5:56 pm
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Go for stereo on the PA as separation of the parts is so much easier. Mono can quickly descend into a mushed up wall of sound without care.

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Post subject: Re: Adapting a microphone so it can be plugged into Fender a
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 3:19 am
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guitarman53 wrote:
Thanks everyone for the feedback (no pun intended). I would only have considered doing this if the response had been overwhelmingly positive. Since it wasn't, I'll go with the traditional amp for guitar and PA system for voice.

For your needs you may want to look into the Roland Cube Street EX. They're pricey but they would have the options you're looking for and then some, as long as you are comfortable with DSP.


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Post subject: Re: Adapting a microphone so it can be plugged into Fender a
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 8:50 am
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mojjett wrote:
.....For your needs you may want to look into the Roland Cube Street EX. They're pricey but they would have the options you're looking for and then some, as long as you are comfortable with DSP.


That is quite an interesting find (damn you - something else I want that I didn't know existed previously :wink: ). I do a lot of stuff with a looper which really benefits from stereo separation (or two amps). I currently run through a small mixing desk, a rack and two PA speakers. It does the job but hardly a "grab and go" set up.

The only issue would be if it has an Aux bus. I haven't looked closely in case I really want it.

[edit] Result! It hasn't or any balance control (not much cop as stereo other than a boom box then). Don't want it now. :D

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Post subject: Re: Adapting a microphone so it can be plugged into Fender a
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 9:16 am
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Apparently no aux bus. It does interface w/an iphone or ipad through an input. To what extent it can be used that way I don't know.


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Post subject: Re: Adapting a microphone so it can be plugged into Fender a
Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2015 11:58 pm
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Depending on your setup and size of stage/venue I would be careful about stereo for live use

If you use any extreme effects or panning you need to be aware that there is likely to be only a relatively small "sweet spot" in the venue where the audience will hear the stereo image as you intend

You may inadvertently spoil your sound to anyone sitting to the left or right (as they may not hear clearly anything planned to the opposite side)

Eg if you try to get a "wide" sound by delaying one side (or a ping pong) it may actually sound like you are playing out of time to half the audience

A mono live sound should not be a "mush" so I would suggest looking at EQ and effects first before considering stereo


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Post subject: Re: Adapting a microphone so it can be plugged into Fender a
Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2015 12:04 am
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I think, as the OP is considering a PA as an alternative to putting a mic in a combo we aren't talking a stadium rig here.

For small venues, where you are using a pair of speakers, I find it easier to avoid mush with stereo. But then the PA is mainly for vocals as drums and back line are pretty much doing their own thing. And the joy of stereo is you can balance to the centre. The days of extreme separation went out with the Beatles.

Stadium rigs are a completely different science.

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Post subject: Re: Adapting a microphone so it can be plugged into Fender a
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 8:30 am
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This is probably a bit subjective, however I suspect a lot of us old farts may have done the mic thru the amp thing back in the early days. I can't speak for others, however back in the mid 80's when I was fresh out of high school and started playing, I could barely afford gas for my beat up '69 Pontiac...just no way I could afford anything like a PA system back then. Back in the day, we used to plug an old Radio Shack "highball" mic into my old Bandmaster...the Bandmaster had 2 channels, so it always did double duty as the PA. No - it didn't sound nearly as pristine as say, a Bose L1 does today and it was certainly prone to feedback and other problems since we didn't have anything resembling proper monitors back then. But ya know what? It worked. Very old school. It would have been better with a decent mic back then (yes, I love my Sennheiser e835 today), but for practices and jams and even the occasional small gig back then, it actually did the job.

My suggestion would be to pick up a low Z adapter and give it a shot. You can usually snag one at Radio Shack, Guitar Center or Sam Ash for around $15 (I really wouldn't go out of my way or spend extra for a Shure...it's just a matching transformer regardless of brand). Depending on your expectations and your own needs, assuming you have a half way decent mic, you may be surprised. Even if you decide to get a PA system later, those low Z adapters are worth having around...my bass player has an old Peavey PA head that doesn't have low Z, so yea, I still use them.

Just something to consider...


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