Equipment-Microphones

Apr
15

Reminder To All Wireless Microphone Users

Comments: 1 + Tags: Equipment-Microphones, ban, fcc


The Federal Communications Commission handed down a ruling in 2009 that has become very costly to users of wireless microphones. The ruling states that the 700 MHz frequency band [698-806 MHz] will be partitioned so that commercial wireless services and personal wireless devices (iphone, blackberrys, etc) can have their place in the airwaves. This affects all wireless microphones that currently operate in that 700 MHz band. In short, after June 12, 2010, those wireless microphones can no longer be used. Doing so will constitute illegal usage of the 700 MHz band. more »

Mar
25

Blue EnCore Microphone Questions

Comments: 0 + Tags: Equipment-Microphones, encore, microphone

I was reading about the new Encore series of live performance microphones by Blue.  I need your opinion of this new entry into the live event microphone market. more »

Feb
18

What Can Be Learned From Nick Jonas about Microphones

Comments: 3 + Tags: Equipment-Microphones, critical distance, microphone

I'll start with a confession; I enjoy listening to Nick Jonas.  Now be honest, if you are my age then you grew up on 80's pop - which is essentially bubble gum music.  The Jonas Brothers make bubble gum pop.  Recently, his band sounded like a garage band. more »

Feb
12

The Importance of Microphone Frequency Response

Comments: 2 + Tags: Equipment-Microphones, frequency, microphone, shure, sm57

 

Talk of microphones usually revolves around the type (condenser or dynamic) and the polar pattern (cardioid, omni-directional, etc.), but there is more to a microphone.  The "more" is the microphone's Frequency Response. more »

Dec
11

A Myth of the Microphone

Comments: 0 + Tags: Equipment-Microphones, microphone, myth, technical

A question commonly asked when picking microphones is "Which microphone has the best reach?"  The problem is that a microphone doesn't reach for anything.

A microphone responds to sound waves that travel to its location. The microphone measures variations in air pressure and provides an electrical output that mirrors those variations.  The air pressure variations can be sensed as long as they are within the hearing frequency of 20 - 20,000 Hertz. more »

Apr
22

Polar Pop Charts

Comments: 0 + Tags: Equipment-Microphones, microphone, polar chart, polar pattern, technical

A wonderful part of working in audio is all the technical terms and diagrams.  No matter how much I think I know, there is always something new that makes me scratch my head.

One of the early head-scratchers, for me, was the microphone polar chart.  I grew up knowing charts as having an X, Y, and sometimes Z baseline.  Pie charts, well those are pretty easy to understand.  I really shouldn't talk about pie charts when I'm hungry. Yummmmmmmm. more »

Dec
23

Microphone Skins - A New Way To Identify Microphones On Stage

Comments: 1 + Tags: Equipment-Microphones, accessories, microphones, technical

One method for identifying a microphone on stage is with a ring of colored tape on the microphone. Then place that same colored tape on the mixer channel or label it such as “Red.” This makes visual identification quite easy…as long as your sound booth is near the stage. The problem is that singers often cover up the tape when they are holding the microphone. Leave it to a microphone company to come up with a solution. more »

Oct
16

Djembe Microphone Techniques

Comments: 0 + Tags: Equipment-Microphones, djembe, drum, microphone, technical

The djembe (a type of drum) is a great musical instrument that blends well into the church worship setting.  However, microphone placement for the djembe is not a hard and fast rule.  Here are the guidelines you can use for providing the best amplification. more »

Sep
25

Condenser Or Dynamic, That Is The Question!

Comments: 0 + Tags: Equipment-Microphones, condenser, dynamic, microphone

I recently received a message from a reader concerning a statement I made.  I stated dynamic microphones are preferred to condensers for live vocals because, in part, dynamic microphones can withstand high sound pressure levels without damage or distortion.  My reader disagreed with me. more »

Aug
13

How to Get A Great Acoustic Guitar Sound

Comments: 1 + Tags: Equipment-Microphones, acoustic, guitar, microphone, technical

An acoustic guitar produces a wonderful range of sounds from warm bass tones to crisp high notes; a range of 70hz to 700hz.  Because guitars are made out of different types of wood, they can produce different overall sounds.  Some guitars have an overall warm sound, others are bright, and others might accentuate the midrange sounds.  How can you capture those sounds and amplify them? more »

Wedding Contract

Download the free wedding contract template for audio and video production.  Easy to understand and easy to modify.

Newsletter Template

Create your own church audio newsletter for your team with this simple newsletter template. (View it in Print layout format within Word)

Team Organization

Download these team documents for tracking your existing team as well as recruiting new team members.

Inventory List

Track all your audio equipment with this excel sheet.  Great way to see what you have and keep for insurance purposes.