Dynamic Microphone
Picking the right microphone will make a huge difference in the quality of sound during a concert. It can make a difference to the audience in what they can hear and how they enjoy the show. In this article, I will address the types of microphones and how their polar patterns affect their best uses on stage, so you can pick the perfect microphone for your group. I will also show you how to properly set up choir mics.
Cardioid Microphones
Microphones have different polar patterns. Some microphones are cardioid. This means that the microphone has most of its sensitivity in one direction (the front) and the least sensitivity at the back. In the picture of the dynamic microphone, you will see a metal ring around the microphone head. This signifies that the sound will not be picked up as well from the side, especially the back. With this type of microphone, a person needs to point the very tip of the microphone toward their voice to pick up the best sound.
Dynamic Microphones
Dynamic microphones are a great choice for solo singers or speakers. These microphones use a diaphragm, voice coil, and magnet to turn a sound wave into an audio signal. They capture sound within a medium frequency range. This means that it will not pick up as much background noise or feedback. They are durable and will take being dropped on the ground, which makes them very user-friendly. Dynamic microphones can handle high sound levels before they distort. Good uses for dynamic cardioid microphones are singers or speakers who are holding their own mic and drum sets.
Dynamic microphones are:
1. Durable
2. Can take high volume of sound before distorting
3. Reduce ambient noise
4. User-friendly
5. Affordable
Condenser microphones
Condenser Mic
Condenser microphones are often used in recording studios to record very high-quality, pure sound. The sensitivity of condenser mics makes them good for picking up the details of a studio vocal. They have thinner diaphragms with an electrically charged backplate. If you rub your clothes in front of a condenser mic, the mic will pick up the sound of the fabric. I’ve seen people use studio condenser microphones to capture live performance groups, but I would not recommend it, because these microphones are less durable and may break when dropped. They are also more sensitive to extreme temperatures.
Condenser microphones require something called phantom power to operate. You will need a mixing board or interface with 48v phantom power to use a condenser mic. They can be more expensive than the dynamic microphones, but if it suits your needs then it is well worth purchasing the correct microphone rather than trying to save money.
Condenser microphones:
1. Offer greater detail
2. Have a wide dynamic range
3. Need phantom power (48v)
4. Can be expensive
What Mic to Use for Indoor Choirs and How to Place Your Mics
Use several overhead condenser mics to amplify the sound of a choir. Mics should be placed 2-3 feet above the head of the tallest singer and 2-3 feet from the front row of singers. If using three microphones the two microphones located at the outer edge of your group should be 6-9 feet from the center microphone. This is a good use for the condenser microphone in a vocal performance setting. It creates a smooth warm sound. These microphones normally stay up, so may not be broken from the stage tear down and handling of the mics. Don’t overdo the amount of mics, or you will get feedback.
Omnidirectional Microphones
Omnidirectional microphones pick up sound equally from every direction. This type of microphone is good to use when recording a large group of instruments or people. It is not the best pick for live performance when we would want to block out the sounds of the audience.
Bidirectional Microphones
Bidirectional microphones pick up sound from the front and back of the microphone. This type of mic is best used to pick up both the audience and speaker. This mic could be used for a duet. Ribbon microphones are naturally bidirectional.
Try not to get overwhelmed by the choices of microphones available. Think about what is right for your group. Every performance has its own special needs.