Speak Directly Into the Microphone

Grant's Perspective on ... Holiday Concerts and microphone use.

A quick note to anyone who is working on a school or church concert. Have your singers and actors speak directly into the microphone.

Most common microphones are designed to pick-up sound that is directly in front of them. They do not pick up from the sides, behind or too far in front. There are microphones that are designed with a larger pick up pattern but most microphones have a cardioid pattern and do not pick up anything outside of the cardioid pattern.

classic Shure cardioid microphone

Have your talent move to the microphone for their speaking parts. It is better that they move to the microphone rather than have them stand around the stage and hope that the microphone picks up their voice.

Grant