If you’re having an event that will involve people talking through a microphone, it’s important that they know how to properly use a mic. That’s why we’re listing our top 3 tips on Using A Microphone the Correct Way. We’ve been though the trenches and have seen people make the same mistakes over and over. This is a really common issue with weddings, and it’s extremely important for weddings. After all, toasts given during a wedding reception often have great insights into the couple’s background, story, and much more. Often times you’ll hear surprising facts about the wedding couple that can leave you laughing, crying, or both.
You don’t want those once-in-a-lifetime moments to be missed because your guests can’t hear the speaker giving the toast because the speaker doesn’t know how to handle the microphone properly. These 3 tips for using a microphone will dramatically improve how you sound on the mic:
3 Important Tips for Using A Microphone the Correct Way
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Hold the microphone close to your mouth
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Don’t stand in front of the speakers
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Speak with a consistent volume level
Sounds like common sense right? Well, common sense isn’t common practice. You wouldn’t believe how many people forget to hold the mic close to their mouth. I even mention it to people right before I give them the microphone and they still forget! I guess with all of the excitement and emotions it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and forget this stuff. Let’s take a quick look at each tip to see why these little tips for using a microphone can make such a big difference.
1. Hold The Microphone Close To Your Mouth
Of all three tips for using a microphone, perhaps this one is the most important. There are two reasons why: because of how frequently people hold the microphone far from their mouth; and how much of a difference it makes.
Because people often make the mistake of holding the mic too far from their mouth, you may need to drill it into their heads by reminding them a few times before the wedding day. Since the best man and maid/matron of honor are usually the two that give the toasts, it shouldn’t be hard to remind them since they’re probably really close to the bride and groom.
Increases Signal to Noise Ratio
Holding a microphone close to the mouth increases the signal to noise ratio of the person’s voice. The signal to noise ratio is a term used in audio that accounts for the amount of signal (voice) compared to the amount of noise (background noise) present.
When a person holds the mic away from their mouth, the DJ has to turn up the gain on the mic to compensate for the lack of sound. In the process, the sound in the background is also amplified. Not only does this reduce the sound quality, but it also increases the chance of getting feedback.
Microphone Feedback
Feedback is the terrible sound we’ve all heard come through the speakers when someone is using the mic. The higher the DJ has to crank the gain, the higher chances of getting feedback.
If the DJ is at the limit for the amount of gain he can push the mic signal, and the person speaking doesn’t bring it closer to their mouth, and no one tells the person to put the mic closer to their mouth, the person can give an excellent, heart-felt speech that practically no one hears, in a room full of people who are actively trying to listen. It’s such a shame to see this happen. At this point, the DJ has two options: 1. Tell the person speaking to hold the mic close to their mouth (which interrupts the moment and makes them look bad) 2. Let the person speaking continue, hoping they’ll catch on (which can lead entire toasts not being heard).
The Proximity Effect
The proximity effect is an audio principle that happens when a person holds a dynamic mic (the mic most commonly used for speaking/singing during live events) close to their mouth and their voice is represented with bass, giving them that “big radio sound.” The proximity effect takes place when the mic is so close it’s virtually touching the person’s mouth. It’s not necessary, but it’s an added bonus for holding the mic close to your mouth.
2. Don’t Stand In Front Of The Speakers
Standing in front of speakers while talking into the microphone causes feedback. Feedback is caused by the endless loop of sound going into the microphone, out of the speakers, back into the microphone. Obviously, holding a mic in front of speakers is the perfect recipe for feedback.
Now that you know what actually causes feedback, it should also be easier to understand why the first of the tips for using a microphone (hold the mic close to your mouth) is so important. Making the DJ boost the gain on the mic also causes the mic to pick up more sound coming out of the speakers, which increases the likelihood of feedback.
3. Speak With A Consistent Volume
This last tip isn’t as important as the other three, but it becomes much more important if the other two tips are ignored. If someone starts their speech with the voice being real soft, the DJ may boost the mic gain so that the crowd can hear the speech better. If the person later increases the volume of their voice, it may be too loud for the crowd’s ears and may also cause feedback. Even worse, if a person starts off speaking softly, holding the mic far from their mouth, in front of the speakers, and the DJ boosts the gain to get a proper signal, and then the person speaking brings the mic closer to their mouth and shouts unexpectedly, it can hurt your ears and leave guests with a memory that’s unforgettable (in a bad way).
We Offer More Than Just Tips For Using The Microphone
Using a microphone the correct way is important for the success of your wedding or event. But it’s just one of the many things that need to go smoothly for to pull it off. We offer professional DJ, photography, and video production services and we’re here to help. We’re willing to do destination weddings, or travel throughout most of Florida. Check out our blog for other great wedding tips. Feel free to contact us with any questions or for a free consultation.