That's a great idea, zone mic-ing. I'll see how I can arrange it. We don't "own" the theater we are using right now as we are waiting for our building to be built, so the school we borrow from literally has their audio board and equipment locked up and won't let us touch a thing. I only have 4 mics, so placing them around might be a good idea. I have looked at buying a body pack transmitter, found the right brand and everything to go with what we already got. However, they don't want to spend the money as we aren't sure what our new theatre will have. Thanks for your suggestion though, I'll see what I can do with zone mic-ing.
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Sean Graham
Performing Arts & Homeroom Teacher
Intl. Bilingual Sch. at Central Taiwan Sci. Park
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-02-2023 10:59
From: Michael Johnson
Subject: What do do, all I have are handheld mics?
In the past, I had pretty good results with what I would refer to as "zone mic-ing" Basically, position microphones in strategic locations throughout the set-- in vases, behind trees, etc. Choral microphones work best, however, something like a Shure SM-58 or a dynamic vocal mic will work as well. A couple of key points to consider in this is to try to have as few mics or sources on at once as the use of multiple sources greatly impacts your headroom and becomes a feedback nightmare; the other thing that helps me a lot is to EQ out most of the top and bottom as well to sort of "narrow the field" I am working with. Work in groups on your board and encourage your performers to project.
Most receivers can accept a body pack transmitter instead of a handheld, so if you have some money available, buying a body pack transmitter to go with your current wireless receiver might be an option.
Hope that is helpful
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Michael Johnson
Trinity High School
NC
Original Message:
Sent: 05-30-2023 23:39
From: Sean Graham
Subject: What do do, all I have are handheld mics?
Hello community,
We have two shows coming up, The Brothers Grimm Spectacualthon performed by HS students and A Year With Frog and Toad KIDS performed by elementary school students. As the school is constructing a new building for our G1-12 bilingual school they are hesitant to purchase any new sound equipment (floor mics, lavalier mics, etc...) for us leaving us just with wireless handheld mics. I've told the students this is an exercise in voice and being able to project, but I can already hear the comments from the parents. Any recommendations on how to use handheld mics for these performances? I don't want to just have them hold the mics as that limits what they'll be able to do onstage. Thanks.
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Sean Graham
Performing Arts & Homeroom Teacher
Intl. Bilingual Sch. at Central Taiwan Sci. Park
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