Microphones In Worship - Part 1
If your worship team includes a Choir you may or may not want to include them in the house mix. If the choir is loud enough in the house of worship without amplification, you don't need to mike the choir unless you want to pick them up for recording or broadcast. Most manufacturers offer models designed specifically for choir micing. They are almost invisible, sound natural, and are available in black and white finishes. Use one microphone in the center of every 20 to 30 foot span. A choir of 30 to 45 voices should need only two or three mics. The fewer the mics, the better the gain before feedback. If the choir mics are used for sound reinforcement, place them close to the choir to minimize feedback: about 1.5 feet in front of the front row of singers, and about 1.5 feet above the head height of the back row. This placement tends to pick up all the rows of the choir about equally. Monitor feedback into choir mics is a serious problem because choir mics are far from their sound source. Try to keep the monitor level as low as possible.
Some general tips on microphone usage to reduce the likelihood of feedback.
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Use as few microphones as possible. Each time you double the number of open microphones, the gain before feedback drops by 3 dB.
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Turn down microphones not in use. This reduces the number of open mics, which prevents feedback and increases clarity. An automatic mixer (gated mixer) is a helpful tool here: it attenuates unused mics automatically.
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Keep loudspeakers and microphones as far apart as is practical.
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Keep microphones close to their sound sources - as close as possible, but no closer than necessary to achieve adequate volume before feedback occurs. Have the sound-system operator educate users to stay close to their microphones.
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Use directional mics like cardioid, supercardioid or hypercardioid.
In conclusion, houses of worship require a wide range of mic choices and placements. Each sound source has special miking needs. But with some attention to those details, your application will provide a clear, natural sound that enhances the worship experience. |
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This is the debut album by EXW friend Paul Langford. Paul is a Chicago based singer, arranger, keyboardist, producer and conductor. Paul has a career that spans 14 years. Paul's work includes arranging for groups like GLAD, Voices of Liberty, VoiceTrek, The Chicago based "Caroling Party" and Day of Discovery Singers. His arranging has appeared on recordings side by side with greats like Gene Puerling and David Maddux, and he has sung with Don Shelton, Bonnie Herman and Bob Bowker, among others.