Photo provided by chumney
Running sound at church can be like running sound for a variety show. You never know what will next come your way. Today, you walk into the church and find out a singing quartet is on the roster. Their only request: only one microphone for all four of the singers. Let’s investigate your options.
A quartet can share one of two types of microphones; large diaphragm or small diaphragm condensers. The choice between the two microphones comes down to the type of monitoring they use.
There are three types of monitoring a quartet can use;
- Self monitoring: they listen to each other’s voices and harmonize accordingly.
- Floor monitoring: floor wedges which would be close in their spread to the boom stand microphone.
- In-ear monitoring: in ear monitoring which would limit stage volume to their voices.
Self Monitoring / In-ear Monitoring
In the case of no floor monitors, you can use large-diaphragm studio condenser microphones with a cardioid polar pattern. They will pick up the sounds you need without worry of feedback if you had floor monitors. They also have a fairly flat frequency response and therefore the natural range of frequencies in the quartet can shine through.
Recommended microphones:
- Audio Technica 4033
- Shure KSM44
- Audio Technica-4050ST
Floor Monitors
In the case of floor monitors, it’s time for a stereo-pair of small diaphragm microphones. You’ll want cardioid microphones. Two microphones are needed to make up for the size of the diaphragm. The good news is you can use them with floor monitors with little worry of feedback.
Recommended microphones:
- Audio Technica 4051b
- Rode NT5
Quartet setup
Quartets who share one microphone should know they need to form a half-circle around the microphone so they are all close enough to the microphone. I find that a bit of tape on the floor for where they should place their toes is a great way to solidify the setup, during practice, so that when they walk on stage, they know exactly where to stand.
If you have a quartet that is singing for the first time, gently instruct them to form that half-circle and then mark those spots with tape.
Summary
The sound of a quartet can bring a feeling of great joy to the congregation. Using these microphone setups and suggestions, you should find it easy to get that great sound out of the audio system.
Question: What have you used for singers sharing a microphone?
Quaid says
March 6, 2012 at 1:07 pmWhen reading this post, I thought of an example of this pratice working very well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKS5MgytW54
Looks like they’re standing at more than a half circle. But still, it’s a great example of good acapella singing on one mic.
There are 2 other professional gospel singing groups that I can think of who have regularly used 2 studio condensers, instead of 4 handhelds, for their vocals in their live preformances.
Chris says
March 6, 2012 at 1:11 pmThanks for the video link. They could use more than a half-circle. My thoughts on the half-circle where that the audience could see their faces compared to if they stood in a circle. 2/3’s would work as well.
henryf says
December 26, 2011 at 11:45 amThe statement, “Two microphones are needed to make up for the size of the diaphragm” surprised me. Wouldn’t the number of mics needed depend more on the polar response of the mics, and their distance from the quartet, rather than the mic’s diaphragm size?
The suggested mics seem like good ones for making recordings. But, I’m not convinced that they are always the best for church sound, since there can be so many variables. Factors to consider include:
— the size and acoustics of the venue,
— any requirements for stereo broadcasts or recordings,
— the quality of music reproduced by the PA system,
— whether the PA system provides phantom power,
— whether performers will be holding the mikes, and
— whether careless/clueless people will be handling the mikes.
NORM SAWLOR says
December 23, 2011 at 8:52 pmI have used AKG 535 condenser mikes for 30 years and absolutely love them ! Set you eq right and you have no problem,even with large wedge monitors.Stick mic into speaker and not a peep!