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Wireless Microphones Staff
Group: Administrators
Last Login: 3/6/2008 5:26:26 PM
Posts: 1,024,
Visits: 103
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| I came across an article that offered a few additional points about mics to keep in mind. Here are the highlights with some additional thoughts. Recall the topic of mic patterns and add this to your arsenal of amazing aural knowledge; cardioids are least sensitive 180 deg. from the front; supercardioids are least sensitive 125 deg. from the front; hypercardioids are least sensitive 110 deg from the front. Aim your mics so that what you don't want to amplify is in these null points. Unless you're the real 'pocket protector' type, I don't expect anyone to pull out an angle-finder on stage, just keep the principle in mind and as always, use your ears. Use the hi-pass filters to clean up your sound. Lots of mics have this switch available, usually rolling off below 80 hz. -- most mixers have them too, in the EQ section or sometimes at the pre. While low frequency program material is vital to a balanced sound, too much makes a mess. These filters can reduce unwanted material like booming footsteps on the stage as well as make room for bass and kick drum in this area. Technically, cleaning the lo end also helps the amps by letting them amplify only the good stuff -- all that other lo material eats up a lot of the amp's power. Remember to separate mic cables from power cables -- if you must cross them, try to cross at a 90 deg. angle, sometimes this works. Remember to mute unused mics -- this makes a big difference in cumulative noise and really cleans up the overall sound. It makes your life much easier, too, when you have to chase something down -- if you hear a problem, you can eliminate the muted inputs.
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One-Hit Wonder
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/16/2008 2:56:35 PM
Posts: 2,
Visits: 4
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I'm just starting out doing this video recording stuff. My "niche" will be recording political events like neighborhood forums and rallies on behalf of candidates. Right now I just use a video camera and my iMac.
Sometimes - ok many times - neighborhood forums will be held in a church, and utilizing the church's sound system. Some churches are decked out to the T's including their own built-in video system, for broadcast television. Others are just a microphone and a PA.
Right now I use a Canon XL1 camera and an attached canon mic for sound. Problem is all the echo you pick up in the church comes though, recently I put the mic next to a speaker and it still echoed really bad, and I still picked up all the sniffing and coughing from the audience. What should I look for on a sound system to plug into? What kind of connections are these typically?
In the future I'm considering acquiring a mic system for those forums and smaller gatherings where a sound system is not present, or maybe consists of a bullhorn. Yeah THOSE kinds of rallies. What's a good mic I can use to get spoken sound from say 10 feet away even if the speaker isn't wholly cooperative with my microphone being there by turning their head?
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Mike Jezierski
Digital Agriculture Media
Political media, video, podcasting, and YouTube.
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Wireless Microphones Staff
Group: Administrators
Last Login: 3/6/2008 5:26:26 PM
Posts: 1,024,
Visits: 103
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| Mike - Great questions - first, if you can manage a direct feed from the board, grab it. Console outs are usually XLR, 1/4 inch and/or RCA. I'm not sure about your camera inputs (1/8 inch I'm guessing), so your best bet is to carry a variety of adapters. If you can take multiple inputs, an ambience mic blended in slightly makes for a more natural sound when added to the direct. Second, take a look at something like this for your camera. Line+gradient, or 'shotgun' mics are designed to have a very narrow 'focus' - more effectively rejecting sound from the sides and behind. The 875R is designed to be small and mount to handhelds and requires phantom power. The output is XLR, so again, you may need an adapter. As to getting direct sound from a turned head...good luck - that's been an issue for a loooong time.
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