Sound Advice by Leon Sievers Sound Professional August 08, 2006
Nothing can disrupt a worship
service like the annoying squeal of feedback from the sound system. Feedback
is a ringing sound or squeal which occurs when the signal generated by
the microphone is reproduced by a nearby loudspeaker which is then picked
up by the microphone and the re-produced by the loudspeaker and picked
up by the microphone again, etc. This looping process will continue until
the microphone is relocated so that it does not pick up the sound from
the loudspeaker. Feedback can be very specific to frequency and /or location.
There are a variety of outboard processors that minimize feedback problems,
but much can be gained by the proper selection and application of
microphones in Worship.
For the most part, microphones
can be classified by how they convert sound energy to an electrical signal.
The most common types are condenser and dynamic. In a place of worship,
condenser microphones offer a number of advantages over dynamics. First,
condenser microphones can be made much smaller (and less conspicuous) than
dynamics without sacrificing performance. They also have higher sensitivity
for excellent pickup, even at the distances required by hanging choir mics.
They have lower handling noise than dynamics, and their extended frequency
response provides a crisper, more accurate reproduction of sound. Finally,
condenser mics have superior "transient response" for accurately reproducing
sudden sonic impulses, such as those produced by voice, piano and percussion.
Condenser microphones require a power source for their internal electronics.
Some models can receive power from an internal battery while others may
be "phantom" or "remote" powered.
Microphones are also classified
according to the way they pick up sounds from different directions. An
omnidirectional (omni) mic picks up sound equally well from all around.
A unidirectional (uni) mic picks up mainly what is directly in front of
it. The most common type of unidirectional mic is the cardioid type. It
has a broad angle of pickup in the front, and rejects sounds from behind
the mic. Supercardioid is a tighter pattern, but with more pickup from
the rear than cardioid. Hypercardioid is tighter still, with even more
pickup from the rear. Because they reject feedback, room reverb and leakage,
unidirectional mics are the most common choice for sound reinforcement.
condensors
We use AKG C1000s mics for vocals and have found them to sound much cleaner then SM58s (no big surprise really). I have been able to get them on Ebay for around $150 each (new) which makes them a better value than SM58, in my opinion. Don't get me wr...more
Submitted by: Pat Gibbons Location: Magnolia. Tx
SM 58? and other micing comments/quesitons
I am surprised that you did not talk about the frequency and transient response of different mics which ultimately affect the sound of the mic. In my experience, the SM 58 has decent frequency response but poor transient response which ends up makin...more
Experiencing Worship, The Study
Used by churches all over the world to help teach worship, the Experiencing Worship study can help your worship team too.
Your team will learn why we worship and gain a better understanding of how to worship.
One user said..."Your 5 week study course has made a tremendous impact on my life in the study of worship... I would like to express my thanks for a well written study course that leads into a higher realm of praise and worship."
The Paul Langford Project
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.
Used by churches all over the world to help teach worship, the Experiencing Worship study can help your worship team too.
Your team will learn why we worship and gain a better understanding of how to worship.
One user said..."Your 5 week study course has made a tremendous impact on my life in the study of worship... I would like to express my thanks for a well written study course that leads into a higher realm of praise and worship."
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.