At one of the Timp teller’s meetings we had a presentation on microphones which I was looking forward to attending. I would like to know some of the common things to do to fix mic issues. Here are my notes from the presentation:

– For feedback, talk more directly into the mic.
o Have helper turn down the volume may also resolve feedback
o Testing sound with a short story that has variety of volumes so you can test the sound.
o Feedback is often because the teller is in front of the speakers and it’s feeding itself. Often standing behind the speakers will resolve the feedback
o Feedback often cause by too much volume going into the system.
– Sound system engineer’ pet peeves;
o Don’t tap of the mic they are very sensitive and you can destroy or hurt the mike by hitting it.
o When your try to clean up the cods and cables and try to roll them up, if not handled properly the cords can be hurt. Ask tech how they want the cables to be handled.
– Mic systems have different ways of receptions.
o Some pick up just in the front of the mic
o Some pick up with a figure eight pattern
o More mics have surround sounds that can pick up sound from any angle.
o Body mics are directional mics. Before the event test where the mic needs to be positing before the concern.
o Don’t play with the battery
– Avoid jewelry during a performance. It will crinkle in the sound system.
– The construction of the room can influence the success of the performance. Concert halls have walls that are padded so they can absorb sound and the echo is minimized.
– Hard wall rooms will often bounce the sound back.
– If you own a mic, you can see if the site has a system that will cater to the mic you have.
– An EJ8 or EJ10 is a very popular standard mic.
– When you perform on a stage in church it is best to stand in the very front of the stage because otherwise your voice and performance gets swallowed up in the well of the stage and doesn’t’ exit out to the audience. By standing out in the front your voice reaches the audience better.