Quote Of The Day:
Well I have a microphone and you don’t so you will listen to every damn word I have to say!
Ha! Funny quote…and oh so true. Those of us with the microphone will be heard. However, learning how to check it and set it up properly is really important in the overall scheme of our performance.
Recently I went shopping for a new microphone for an upcoming lounge gig I am doing. It’s been years since I have done an intimate gig such as this and I wanted to be sure to get a microphone that could handle the range of vocal dynamics that I will be singing with: from intimate and low notes to full on Diva notes in my upper mid-range.
I was lucky enough to bring home 4 superior quality microphones to test at a rehearsal. These mics ranged from $200.00 to $700.00. Knowing me, I’d like the most expensive one the best but wanted to give them all a fair shake. I have had experience with setting up sound systems for years, but in this instance, I brought in my producer/engineer friend, Allan Rodger, to help me set up the system perfectly and be another set of ears to help me decide on the right mic.
The first thing he did was flatten out the eq’s on the board and individual channels. He also approximated the gain on each individual mic channel to be the same volume. This made it a level playing field for all mics and gave a true reflection of what parts of my voice were enhanced or neglected when hearing the mics this way. This was a big “AHA” moment for me. It really did level the playing field. At first blush (before Allan did his magic and I was checking the mics by myself), the $700 Neumann was seducing me but as I sang over all of them for an hour, it, thankfully, wasn’t the one I ended up choosing. (Stay tuned for my next blog on the test results on different models and makes of mics).
One more thing… you probably know this, but in case you have forgotten, never blow into a microphone to test it. There are intricate parts on the inside that can be damaged by forcing air into the mic. If you have to be discreet, click your tongue into it or say “check” or “test” or better yet, sing a little bit of something that is “rangy” if you have the freedom to be overt when checking your mic.
Until Next Time… Breathe and Happy Singing!
Angela
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