Hello is this thing on?!?!? Tap, Tap, Tap…Pssssssshhhhhhhh…Psssssssshhhhh…
Yes the microphone is on!!!
I thought I’d go over some basics on microphone usage because the above sequence happens a lot more than I would like.
DON’T BLOW INTO THE MICROPHONE!!!
REPEAT - DON'T BLOW INTO THE MICROPHONE!!! I used caps for a reason. Not just because I wanted to be obnoxious and make it hard for you to read that sentence – as a side note why do some realtors write their entire description on their property for sale in caps?!?! Hello, we can’t read that crap! Blowing into the microphone can cause serious damage to the sensitive filaments inside the microphone. If it was a $20 mic, whatever, but seeing as our wireless mics are around $500 each, we want to keep that mic going for sometime. Talk into it, shout, whisper, rap if you feel so inclined, but please don’t blow into it!
Holding the microphone
If you’re going to hold the microphone, the proper technique is to hold it vertically or at a slight angle with the mic at or near chin level. You’re really aiming for an inch or so below the lips and the chin - but not touching the face.
Talking from a podium
If you’re giving a speech at a wedding and you’re not reading your speech, I recommend holding it as above and you’ll get crystal clear sound. If you have a long speech that you’re going to read, leave the mic in the stand but be conscientious of where the mic is located. Last thing you want to do is deliver discourse of the year but nobody in attendance was able to hear what you were saying because you were too far away from the mic. If you do wander from the mic, we will adjust the volume but keep in mind that you’re increasing the chances of blowing the crowd away with feedback (amplified hum that is picked up by the mic from the speaker, re-amplified, picked up by the mic, re-amplified by the speaker – this looping can get LOUD quick!!!). Watch your distances with the mic but keep it consistent and your DJ, who is now acting as your sound technician, will compensate.
Stay in formation
Never get the microphone out of position! So you have a wireless mic, you’re the star of the show and you can go wherever you want as you’re not bound by cords – ahhhh… Well remember that thing called feedback? You will have hot/danger zones that you will want to avoid so you will reduce the amount of feedback. For one, right in front of the speaker is a horrible place to stand. Especially if you’re a male with a deeeeeeep voice, stay away from the sub woofers! Repeat stay away! Should you encounter feedback we’ll do our best to eliminate it, but really the best thing you can do is ask your DJ where the “hot spots” are before you go on your journey with your cordless mic. Funny story, I was doing this event and this one guy wanted to get on the mic and congratulate everyone on a job well done. As I’m handing over the mic he asks “where are the hot spots? I used to DJ so I know this stuff”. As I pass him the mic and begin to tell him where they are he drops the mic to his side, waist level which co-incidentally happens to be directly in front of the sub woofer – NICE! Ha ha ha. Can you say “Feedback” boys and girls? Ha ha ha. His face gave me the “Ooooh Riiiiiiight” kinda look. Once he got the initial awkwardness out of the way - he was good to go.
Anyway hope that helps you out with mic usage. It’s one of those small things, but if you use the mic correctly it can mean a world of difference.