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I remember when microphones were physically dangerous. It mentions carbon microphones with the main supply voltage going through them: http://www.douglas-self.c
by tlb 8y ago
I remember when microphones were physically dangerous. It mentions carbon microphones with the main supply voltage going through them: http://www.douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/COMMS/mechamp/mechamp.htm#tann http://www.douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/COMMS/mechamp/mechamp.htm.... But even into the 80s, microphones plugged into portable vacuum tube amps sometimes ended up with the plate voltage (200+ volts) on them and shocked people when they touched them. Stage performers usually brushed a mic quickly with a finger before putting their lips close to it, to make sure it wasn't electrically hot.
I wonder if it resulted in people being more careful what they said near a microphone too.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- scarecrowbob 8y agoOh, mics are still dangerous. I play a lot of restaurants where you get odd hums... one way to "deal" with that is to remove the safety ground on your guitar amp.. of course, there is then a possibility that there is a difference in potential between yourself as grounded through the amp and yourself as grounded through a microphone... you don't need a carbon element or a tube amp to get badly shocked that way. I and a lot of my dirtbag musician friends still will touch a mic before using it.
- hal9_0e3 8y agoHave you tried using an isolation transformer? http://www.shure.com/americas/support/find-an-answer/transformers-when-to-use-and-how-does-it-work http://www.shure.com/americas/support/find-an-answer/transfo...
- agumonkey 8y agowow, makes live performance even more 'impressive'