Listening to Mics
Your church probably owns a selection of different mics. Some may be old and beat up while others might be the latest and greatest. They probably all have at least somewhat different sounds. For example here is a female vocalist singing into three very different types of microphones:
http://superlux.us/demo/SM58.wav
http://superlux.us/demo/S125.wav
http://superlux.us/demo/R102.wav
The first sample was recorded with a very popular dynamic mic. The second used a condenser mic, and the third a ribbon mic. If you listen to these samples on headphones it will be easier to hear the differences in sound.
Shure has a collection of demo recordings of their mics here:
http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Resources/miclab/index.htm
While listening to different mics is educational, it is more important to know what the mics you work with sound like on different voices and instruments. Therefore try to find time to listen to your mics, both through your sound system and if possible recorded. Try different voices and different instruments. Try the same mic at different distances. Sometimes you will find a combination that sounds exceptionally great.
With older mics you may find that not all your mics of the same model sound exactly the same any longer. This may be due to damage to the microphones, but it may also be due to something as simple as a dirty windscreen that no longer passes sound without coloration. With many vocal mics you can unscrew the grille and remove the foam material under the grille and hand wash it. This can often be done many times before the foam wears out and must be replaced.
Wireless mics add the complexities of a wireless transmitter and receiver to the basic mic. Most wireless systems use companders to reduce the audible noise. Because of the artifacts of companding, a wireless mic may not sound the same as the same mic element in a wired version. While manufacturers try to make their companders sound neutral on all voices, it is not possible to do this perfectly. Sometimes you will find a wireless mic that just does not sound right with a certain voice or instrument, while a different wireless mic may sound better. This is yet another reason you need to listen to the wireless mics you have with different voices and instruments.
Microphones are one of the most important tools you have to work with. They are what picks up the sound we work with. They also can greatly effect the sonic results we get from our sound systems. Getting to know the sounds of different mics can be fun and help you become better at running sound.
Ray A. Rayburn
Ray@K2Audio.com
http://www.K2Audio.com
