Sound Advice by Leon Sievers Sound Professional June 12, 2007

1. Don’t blow into a microphone to see if it’s on. Blowing into a microphone can expel moisture into a microphone and besides being disgusting can damage the microphone diaphragm. Instead, lightly tap the microphone with your finger.

2. Do not speak directly into a mic. You’ll usually create a popping sound, especially if you make a “P” or “T” sound. A windscreen on the mic will help to reduce this, but it’s best to improve technique by speaking across the mic rather than into it.

3. Do not place a clip-on mic under clothing. Although out of sight, the mic will pick up rustling noises as clothing rubs against it, and it will muffle sounds. It is better to clip it on a lapel or wear it around your neck. For stage or TV productions, lavaliere mics can be concealed under clothing if first placed into a silk pouch, which reduces noise-causing friction.

4. Don’t abuse your microphone. Don’t drop it, subject it to shock, or hold it dangling by the cable, etc. It is a delicate instrument and may be expensive to repair or replace. Store it in a clean, dry place when not in use.

5. Do not hold your microphone down or pointed in the direction of a monitor loudspeaker. If the microphone is on this can produce feedback, which can result in damage to loudspeakers or your hearing.

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I like Mike's Mic technique Mike's technique of holding the mic on the chin, just below the bottom lip has worked well for our church. Not only do you tend to get consistent signal levels, but intelligibility is improved as well. Not necessarily from the sound quality, but fr...more Submitted by: Bruce Hindle Location: Niagara Falls, NY mic position, super cardiod I agree with the author (and some of you) that the best thing to do is to hold the mic near the bottom lip and sing 'over' the mic. This seems to get the best sound and does reduce P-pop. P-pop from some singers and talkers can be very irritating. A...more Submitted by: Pat Gibbons Location: Magnolia Another mic technique tip One of the problems I encounter the most is vocalists who sway toward and away from the mic while singing. (Swaying from side to side is just as bad; they sway out the side of the pattern of a directional mic.) They leave the mic in the stand to free...more Submitted by: Kenneth W. Reighard Location: McMurray, PA

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