A mic made specifically for harp players who swear by the vintage electromechanical sound of a crystal element.
Born in 1992, The Shaker Crystal Microphone is a hi-Z (high output impedance) harmonica mic with more of an accurate sound and less tonal coloration than Shaker's Dynamic mics. Some call it cleaner, Shaker says it has more acoustic clarity. It breaks up with true ice-pick-in-the-ear crystal distortion characteristics when pushed hard. When you need to cut through a thick rhythm section, this mic has the in-your-face presence and crystal edge to get the job done. The Shaker mic also has fantastic feedback rejection and is housed in the same indestructible thermal resin casing as the Shaker's Dyno mic, so it's just as ergonomic and easy to hold. The Crystal is Shaker's original microphone and features 11-detent volume control. The voice is accurate and clear with traditional crystal breakup and tremendous presence.
Shaker Harmonica Microphones are part of a complex music making system, one that includes the harmonica, the player's hands, the microphone, the amp, and the player's personal techniques. Traditional methods of measuring response and behavior become pretty much irrelevant because Shaker's don't fit strictly into the established categories of polar patterns. By using a sampling of the harmonica's sound and directing it through acoustic ports into a volume-tuned chamber, Shaker mics become miniature hand-held recording studios. This is known as Shaker GNS technology, or good noise sampling, resulting in great tone, extreme technique sensitivity, and tremendous feedback. Designed and engineered by Shakey Joe, these Shaker mics are totally handmade in the US and use as many American-made parts as possible, making Shaker microphones the real deal. Made in the Arizona desert by harp players, for harp players.
