Los Angeles, CA - February 2008… Be it rock and roll, the blues, or a host of other musical styles, the harmonica is, without question, one of popular music‘s most recognizable and enduring instruments. From the Beatles to Stevie Wonder and numerous other musical artists, the harmonica has lent its signature sound to countless recordings. For Tetsuya “Weeping Willow” Nakamura, an LA-based harmonica player with a wide range of high profile credits on his resume, finding a microphone that faithfully captures the personality of the harmonica is no small task. However, his search for the right microphone recently came to a conclusion when he discovered the Superlux D112/C harmonica microphone–distributed in North America by Avlex Corporation.

For thirteen years, Nakamura was a member of WAR, one of the first and most successful musical crossover bands that forever fused rock, jazz, Latin, and R&B. With hit records including Low Rider, Spill the Wine, and Why Can’t We Be Friends?, WAR transcended racial and cultural barriers with a multi- ethnic line-up and an enduring influence that has sold over 50 million records. These days, Nakamura divides much of his time between two bands– the Monte Carlo 76 (an R&B band with all original music) and The 44‘s (a 4-piece blues band)–playing harmonica for audiences of all ages.

As a wind instrument that is typically placed in extremely close proximity to the microphone, the harmonica is a challenging instrument. Finding a microphone capable of handling the instrument‘s output without distorting or coloring the sound is no small matter. In Nakamura‘s opinion, this is the very strength of the Superlux D112/C.

“The D112/C is the ideal microphone for today‘s performing harmonica player,” notes Nakamura. “As the harmonica is frequently surrounded by guitars, keyboards, and drums, achieving the necessary level without compromising the instrument‘s sound quality is not easy. Fortunately, the D112/C handles this sort of environment extremely well. The microphone provides high gain before feedback–enabling me to play at levels loud enough to be heard among the other instruments. The mic‘s shape is ideal for handheld use with the harmonica and I really like the fact that a volume control is included. As a high-Z microphone designed to output to a guitar amp or some similar high impedance input, the D112/C is the perfect choice for live performance.”

“I‘ve also been very impressed with the D112/C‘s build quality,” continued Nakamura. “This is a very well made, heavy duty microphone that is ideally suited to the rigors of the road.”

Nakamura was equally enthusiastic about Avlex Corporation‘s customer and technical support services. “I‘ve been very impressed with the level of support the company provides,” said Nakamura. “Whenever I‘ve had questions about various products Avlex offers, they‘ve always responded promptly and courteously. My dealings with the company have been very positive.”

Asked what advice he might offer to other harmonica players in search of a microphone, Nakamura responded, “I‘d tell them to snap up one of the Superlux D112/C‘s. With its wide frequency response, the ability to operate at high levels without feedback, and the fact that it fits perfectly in one‘s hand–making it easy to hold while performing–I can‘t imagine why you‘d waste time looking for anything else.”

About the Super D112/C Harmonica Microphone

Designed expressly for today‘s harmonica player, the Superlux D112/C features an omni-directional polar pattern and a frequency response of 100 Hz - 6 kHz, which is ideal for reproducing the classic blues sound so many harmonica players are looking for. With a detented volume control that is placed perfectly on the microphone‘s underside, the Superlux D112/C provides harmonica players with convenient level adjustment while performing and it facilitates easy, repeatable settings. The microphone ships with a 20-foot cable terminated with a high impedance quarter-inch output connector.

About Avlex Corporation

Avlex Corporation is a leading supplier of high quality, feature rich, and competitively priced professional audio products. The Avlex, Superlux, and MIPRO brands of microphones, wireless systems, electronics, and accessories are available through independent dealers and contractors nationwide. For additional information on Avlex Corporation, visit the company online at www.avlex.com.

###