Shocked from a live vocal mic - help!

[Snowdog]

I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast wisdom
of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked when
his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is this a
grounding issue?

Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord. Phantom
power is off.

Thanks


Doug

[Phil Allison]

"Snowdog"
> I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast wisdom
> of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked when
> his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is this
a
> grounding issue?
>
> Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord. Phantom
> power is off.
>


** Bet anything the bass amp has NO EARTH connection to the AC outlet.
Worse still - there may be a "polarity" cap inside making the chassis
effectively live.

If the bass player is the only one getting these lip bites then look
closely at HIS gear !!!





............ Phil

[Phil Allison]

"Snowdog"
> I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast wisdom
> of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked when
> his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is this
a
> grounding issue?
>
> Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord. Phantom
> power is off.
>


** Bet anything the bass amp has NO EARTH connection to the AC outlet.
Worse still - there may be a "polarity" cap inside making the chassis
effectively live.

If the bass player is the only one getting these lip bites then look
closely at HIS gear !!!





............ Phil

[Snowdog]

"Phil Allison" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Snowdog"
> > I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast
wisdom
> > of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked
when
> > his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is
this
> a
> > grounding issue?
> >
> > Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord.
Phantom
> > power is off.
> >
>
>
> ** Bet anything the bass amp has NO EARTH connection to the AC outlet.
> Worse still - there may be a "polarity" cap inside making the chassis
> effectively live.
>
> If the bass player is the only one getting these lip bites then look
> closely at HIS gear !!!
>
>
>
>
>
> ........... Phil


Ok..that sound like a good place to start....thanks Phil!

[Snowdog]

"Phil Allison" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Snowdog"
> > I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast
wisdom
> > of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked
when
> > his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is
this
> a
> > grounding issue?
> >
> > Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord.
Phantom
> > power is off.
> >
>
>
> ** Bet anything the bass amp has NO EARTH connection to the AC outlet.
> Worse still - there may be a "polarity" cap inside making the chassis
> effectively live.
>
> If the bass player is the only one getting these lip bites then look
> closely at HIS gear !!!
>
>
>
>
>
> ........... Phil


Ok..that sound like a good place to start....thanks Phil!

[Jakob B. Olsen]

"Snowdog" > skrev i en meddelelse
...
> I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast wisdom
> of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked when
> his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is this
a
> grounding issue?
>
> Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord. Phantom
> power is off.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> Doug
>
>

Hi,

Take a look at this:
http://www.guitarnuts.com/technical/electrical/safety/index.php

/Jakob

[Jakob B. Olsen]

"Snowdog" > skrev i en meddelelse
...
> I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast wisdom
> of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked when
> his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is this
a
> grounding issue?
>
> Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord. Phantom
> power is off.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> Doug
>
>

Hi,

Take a look at this:
http://www.guitarnuts.com/technical/electrical/safety/index.php

/Jakob

[George]

In article >,
"Snowdog" > wrote:

> I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast wisdom
> of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked when
> his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is this a
> grounding issue?
>
> Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord. Phantom
> power is off.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> Doug
>
>

yes and I would first look for a problem in his bass rig
George

[George]

In article >,
"Snowdog" > wrote:

> I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast wisdom
> of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked when
> his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is this a
> grounding issue?
>
> Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord. Phantom
> power is off.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> Doug
>
>

yes and I would first look for a problem in his bass rig
George

[Gareth Magennis]

You need to sort this out immediately in case it gets dangerous.

You may also want to check out whether the shocks are actually static
electricity shocks from his shoes on the carpet (if there is one). This
does happen.


Gareth.




"Snowdog" > wrote in message
...
> I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast wisdom
> of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked when
> his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is this
a
> grounding issue?
>
> Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord. Phantom
> power is off.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> Doug
>
>

[Gareth Magennis]

You need to sort this out immediately in case it gets dangerous.

You may also want to check out whether the shocks are actually static
electricity shocks from his shoes on the carpet (if there is one). This
does happen.


Gareth.




"Snowdog" > wrote in message
...
> I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast wisdom
> of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked when
> his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is this
a
> grounding issue?
>
> Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord. Phantom
> power is off.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> Doug
>
>

[Scott Dorsey]

Snowdog > wrote:
>I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast wisdom
>of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked when
>his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is this a
>grounding issue?

Yes. It's a big one.

>Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord. Phantom
>power is off.

The mike isn't the problem, the bass amp is the problem. Is the bass amp
grounded, and plugged into a solid grounded outlet? Is the PA system also
plugged into a solidly grounded outlet? Are the two outlets actually sharing
the same ground?
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Scott Dorsey]

Snowdog > wrote:
>I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast wisdom
>of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked when
>his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is this a
>grounding issue?

Yes. It's a big one.

>Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord. Phantom
>power is off.

The mike isn't the problem, the bass amp is the problem. Is the bass amp
grounded, and plugged into a solid grounded outlet? Is the PA system also
plugged into a solidly grounded outlet? Are the two outlets actually sharing
the same ground?
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[FCR]

Ahh yes, that small, but deadly blue flame between you & the mic that's been
following me around since the sixties. While you should definately try to
find the source of this shock hazard, a quick fix is to put a foam sock over
the mic. Works for me.
fcr
_________________________________________________
Nighttrain Entertainment
http://forrestrosaire.com




"Scott Dorsey" > wrote in message
...
> Snowdog > wrote:
> >I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast
wisdom
> >of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked when
> >his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is this
a
> >grounding issue?
>
> Yes. It's a big one.
>
> >Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord. Phantom
> >power is off.
>
> The mike isn't the problem, the bass amp is the problem. Is the bass amp
> grounded, and plugged into a solid grounded outlet? Is the PA system also
> plugged into a solidly grounded outlet? Are the two outlets actually
sharing
> the same ground?
> --scott
>
> --
> "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[FCR]

Ahh yes, that small, but deadly blue flame between you & the mic that's been
following me around since the sixties. While you should definately try to
find the source of this shock hazard, a quick fix is to put a foam sock over
the mic. Works for me.
fcr
_________________________________________________
Nighttrain Entertainment
http://forrestrosaire.com




"Scott Dorsey" > wrote in message
...
> Snowdog > wrote:
> >I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast
wisdom
> >of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked when
> >his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is this
a
> >grounding issue?
>
> Yes. It's a big one.
>
> >Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord. Phantom
> >power is off.
>
> The mike isn't the problem, the bass amp is the problem. Is the bass amp
> grounded, and plugged into a solid grounded outlet? Is the PA system also
> plugged into a solidly grounded outlet? Are the two outlets actually
sharing
> the same ground?
> --scott
>
> --
> "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Scott Dorsey]

FCR > wrote:
>Ahh yes, that small, but deadly blue flame between you & the mic that's been
>following me around since the sixties. While you should definately try to
>find the source of this shock hazard, a quick fix is to put a foam sock over
>the mic. Works for me.

Yes, until you touch the guitar player when you're holding the hot bass, and
then you _both_ get a shock.
--scott


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Scott Dorsey]

FCR > wrote:
>Ahh yes, that small, but deadly blue flame between you & the mic that's been
>following me around since the sixties. While you should definately try to
>find the source of this shock hazard, a quick fix is to put a foam sock over
>the mic. Works for me.

Yes, until you touch the guitar player when you're holding the hot bass, and
then you _both_ get a shock.
--scott


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Kurt Albershardt]

Scott Dorsey wrote:
> FCR > wrote:
>
>> Ahh yes, that small, but deadly blue flame between you & the mic that's been
>> following me around since the sixties. While you should definately try to
>> find the source of this shock hazard, a quick fix is to put a foam sock over
>> the mic. Works for me.
>
>
> Yes, until you touch the guitar player when you're holding the hot bass, and
> then you _both_ get a shock.


Or until the foam gets saturated with sweat...

[Kurt Albershardt]

Scott Dorsey wrote:
> FCR > wrote:
>
>> Ahh yes, that small, but deadly blue flame between you & the mic that's been
>> following me around since the sixties. While you should definately try to
>> find the source of this shock hazard, a quick fix is to put a foam sock over
>> the mic. Works for me.
>
>
> Yes, until you touch the guitar player when you're holding the hot bass, and
> then you _both_ get a shock.


Or until the foam gets saturated with sweat...

[George]

In article >,
"FCR" > wrote:

> Ahh yes, that small, but deadly blue flame between you & the mic that's been
> following me around since the sixties. While you should definately try to
> find the source of this shock hazard, a quick fix is to put a foam sock over
> the mic. Works for me.
> fcr
>

at some point it will come through the foam and most likely kill you
George

[George]

In article >,
"FCR" > wrote:

> Ahh yes, that small, but deadly blue flame between you & the mic that's been
> following me around since the sixties. While you should definately try to
> find the source of this shock hazard, a quick fix is to put a foam sock over
> the mic. Works for me.
> fcr
>

at some point it will come through the foam and most likely kill you
George

[George]

In article >,
"FCR" > wrote:

> Ahh yes, that small, but deadly blue flame between you & the mic that's been
> following me around since the sixties. While you should definately try to
> find the source of this shock hazard, a quick fix is to put a foam sock over
> the mic. Works for me.
> fcr
>

at some point it will come through the foam and most likely kill you
George

[orbb]

"Snowdog" > wrote in message >...
> I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast wisdom
> of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked when
> his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is this a
> grounding issue?
>
> Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord. Phantom
> power is off.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> Doug

The same thing use to happen to me, even when I switched the polarity
in my bass amp. It was the outlet - it looked like a grounded outlet
(3 prong), but was only two wire, and it shocked the **** out of me.

The bass amp is the problem, or whatever it is plugged into.

[orbb]

"Snowdog" > wrote in message >...
> I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast wisdom
> of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked when
> his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is this a
> grounding issue?
>
> Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord. Phantom
> power is off.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> Doug

The same thing use to happen to me, even when I switched the polarity
in my bass amp. It was the outlet - it looked like a grounded outlet
(3 prong), but was only two wire, and it shocked the **** out of me.

The bass amp is the problem, or whatever it is plugged into.

[orbb]

"Snowdog" > wrote in message >...
> I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast wisdom
> of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked when
> his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is this a
> grounding issue?
>
> Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord. Phantom
> power is off.
>
> Thanks
>
>
> Doug

The same thing use to happen to me, even when I switched the polarity
in my bass amp. It was the outlet - it looked like a grounded outlet
(3 prong), but was only two wire, and it shocked the **** out of me.

The bass amp is the problem, or whatever it is plugged into.

[WillStG]

>"FCR"

>Ahh yes, that small, but deadly blue flame between you & the mic that's been
>following me around since the sixties. While you should definately try to
>find the source of this shock hazard, a quick fix is to put a foam sock over
>the mic. Works for me.
>fcr

No Dude, FIX IT. People have DIED from this problem.

Ground your amp. You need the ground leg on the plug, if one of the 3 pins
is broken off get it replaced. DO NOT USE 3 prong to 2 prong adaptors on your
guitar amp, unless the adapter has a wire for the ground properly connected to
the screw into the outlet box (the box conduit in older homes provides the
ground path.)

In an emergency you can run a DI from the amp to the audio console and
probably ground the amp that way, *if* the audio console is properly grounded.



Will Miho
NY Music & TV Audio Guy
Off the Morning Show! & sleepin' In... / Fox News
"The large print giveth and the small print taketh away..." Tom Waits

[WillStG]

>"FCR"

>Ahh yes, that small, but deadly blue flame between you & the mic that's been
>following me around since the sixties. While you should definately try to
>find the source of this shock hazard, a quick fix is to put a foam sock over
>the mic. Works for me.
>fcr

No Dude, FIX IT. People have DIED from this problem.

Ground your amp. You need the ground leg on the plug, if one of the 3 pins
is broken off get it replaced. DO NOT USE 3 prong to 2 prong adaptors on your
guitar amp, unless the adapter has a wire for the ground properly connected to
the screw into the outlet box (the box conduit in older homes provides the
ground path.)

In an emergency you can run a DI from the amp to the audio console and
probably ground the amp that way, *if* the audio console is properly grounded.



Will Miho
NY Music & TV Audio Guy
Off the Morning Show! & sleepin' In... / Fox News
"The large print giveth and the small print taketh away..." Tom Waits

[WillStG]

>"FCR"

>Ahh yes, that small, but deadly blue flame between you & the mic that's been
>following me around since the sixties. While you should definately try to
>find the source of this shock hazard, a quick fix is to put a foam sock over
>the mic. Works for me.
>fcr

No Dude, FIX IT. People have DIED from this problem.

Ground your amp. You need the ground leg on the plug, if one of the 3 pins
is broken off get it replaced. DO NOT USE 3 prong to 2 prong adaptors on your
guitar amp, unless the adapter has a wire for the ground properly connected to
the screw into the outlet box (the box conduit in older homes provides the
ground path.)

In an emergency you can run a DI from the amp to the audio console and
probably ground the amp that way, *if* the audio console is properly grounded.



Will Miho
NY Music & TV Audio Guy
Off the Morning Show! & sleepin' In... / Fox News
"The large print giveth and the small print taketh away..." Tom Waits

[hank alrich]

WillStG wrote:

> >"FCR"

> >Ahh yes, that small, but deadly blue flame between you & the mic that's been
> >following me around since the sixties. While you should definately try to
> >find the source of this shock hazard, a quick fix is to put a foam sock over
> >the mic. Works for me.
> >fcr

> No Dude, FIX IT. People have DIED from this problem.

What he said; this is not something to take casually. If the words
"potentially fatal" aren't a wake-up call then you can watch for the big
sleep, but you'll miss the film, completely.

--
ha

[hank alrich]

WillStG wrote:

> >"FCR"

> >Ahh yes, that small, but deadly blue flame between you & the mic that's been
> >following me around since the sixties. While you should definately try to
> >find the source of this shock hazard, a quick fix is to put a foam sock over
> >the mic. Works for me.
> >fcr

> No Dude, FIX IT. People have DIED from this problem.

What he said; this is not something to take casually. If the words
"potentially fatal" aren't a wake-up call then you can watch for the big
sleep, but you'll miss the film, completely.

--
ha

[Rob Reedijk]

Snowdog > wrote:
> I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast wisdom
> of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked when
> his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is this a
> grounding issue?

> Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord. Phantom
> power is off.

While others have given good advice on having the bass amp correctly
grounded, you haven't told us what the situation is. Is this in a club?

Or is this a house with old style wiring?

Rob R.

[Rob Reedijk]

Snowdog > wrote:
> I know that there has to be a solution for this and I know the vast wisdom
> of this group is a good place to start. Our bass player gets shocked when
> his lips touch the mic screen while wearing and playing his bass. Is this a
> grounding issue?

> Shure Beta 57a plugged to a Mackie board with a regular xlr cord. Phantom
> power is off.

While others have given good advice on having the bass amp correctly
grounded, you haven't told us what the situation is. Is this in a club?

Or is this a house with old style wiring?

Rob R.