Microphones & Techniques
NEW PAGE - Under Construction
History
See Microphones in the Backstage Heritage Collection
Microphone Types
Broadly, there are three types of microphone pickup:
-
Dynamic / Moving Coil
-
Dynamic / Ribbon
-
Condenser
- Electret
- Externally polarised
Cabled Microphones
Dynamic microphones are robust, and comparatively inexpensive. They're best with higher volume sources.
Condenser (powered) microphones are more sensitive, but more expensive. Mics used in studio applications are usually condenser mics.
General purpose vocals
Shure SM58 (Dynamic) - Industry-standard rock microphone. Very hard-wearing. Built-in pop screen.
General purpose pickup
Shure SM57 (Dynamic) - Instruments or Close-up Foley etc.
Stage Area pickup
AKG C568 Shotgun Microphone (Condenser) - hang from the rig above an acting area, or place in a suitable floor-mounted microphone clip along the front of the stage.
Crown PCC-160 or Bartlett Stage Floor Microphone - Place on floor at front of acting area. (Will also pick up foot noise, so suitable for tap-dancing etc.)
http://www.bartlettaudio.com/collections/stage-floor-mics
How to Mic Instruments
COMING SOON
Radio Microphones
Miniature radio microphones are designed to be positioned as close as possible to the actors' mouth. That usually means either in the hairline, or forehead, or over the ear, or on a boom positioned near the mouth.
Some show styles mean that boom microphones are perfect, but others require an invisible (or at least, more subtle) solution.
Handheld
Lavalier / Tie-Clip
If the LED indicator lights on the radio mic packs are too bright, you can use LightDims dimming stickers to reduce their brightness while still being able to see that they're on correctly.
Headworn
Micropore tape can be used to hold the microphone frame in place, and to keep the cable tidy.
Hiding a Radio Mic
COMING SOON
Hair clips can be used to hold the microphone cable in place in hair.
Protecting a Radio Mic from sweat
COMING SOON
Transmission Types
There's a wide variety of types of radio microphone available, suitable for different applications, in different countries.
UHF (Ultra High Frequency)
UK: Channel 38 frequencies 606.500-613.500 MHz require a licence, which can be renewed annually.
Channel 70 frequencies 863.100-864.900 MHz can be used without a licence.
VHF (Very High Frequency)
UK: Frequencies 173.700-175.10MHz can be used without a licence. Frequencies 175.250 to 209.800 MHz require a licence, which can be renewed annually.
More information on licensing in the UK can be found on the Ofcom website
Wi-Fi / Digital
Should be chosen with caution - if there's a lot of wifi traffic (from audience cellphones as well as from wifi access points around the venue) you will not get optimum performance from large numbers of these. Ensure you read manufacturer's recommendations carefully.
LSI: Digital Wireless Microphones (February 2017)
[External Website]
From Lighting & Sound International
Positioning Microphones
As Radio Mic technology has improved in recent years, most shows only use these, rather than needing more traditional microphones placed around the set.
However, some projects, particularly where large choruses are featured, need general pick-up microphones for a group, rather than individual radio microphones on each performer.
Float microphones
These are positioned at the front edge of the stage, and while they are great at picking up lines of chorus, they can also amplify feet movements and can also pick up the band / orchestra.
Bartlett Audio make a range of floor mics which work well, and are almost invisible to the audience.
Hanging Microphones
These can be suspended over the stage, and for some applications (e.g. choir performances), it doesn't matter if they are visible.
Shure make a range of microphones suitable for choral pickup.
On-Set Microphones
Microphones can be concealed around the set to pick up actors in particular locations.