mic technique

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OBCD

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We all know that how you hold a mic is one thing that affects dramatically the output an so mic technique is very important.

About a week ago I hosted a gig for my homies (we into hip-hop a lot). I had never seen them perform so i went to their place to listen to their sound and I thought it sounded... good. Not great but it was aight.

But during the show, man what a feedback fest!
That's very sad beacause I think they have a lot of talent but they really need to work on the technique so I wanna explain them how mics work and particular things thay need to pay attention while performing and i want it as complete as possible but I won't be explaining sound waves and that shit...

So if you had only a couple of rules regarding mic technique during a gig, what would those "rules" be?
 
OBCD said:
We all know that how you hold a mic is one thing that affects dramatically the output an so mic technique is very important.

About a week ago I hosted a gig for my homies (we into hip-hop a lot). I had never seen them perform so i went to their place to listen to their sound and I thought it sounded... good. Not great but it was aight.

But during the show, man what a feedback fest!
That's very sad beacause I think they have a lot of talent but they really need to work on the technique so I wanna explain them how mics work and particular things thay need to pay attention while performing and i want it as complete as possible but I won't be explaining sound waves and that shit...

So if you had only a couple of rules regarding mic technique during a gig, what would those "rules" be?
Click to expand...
Rule #1... Don't throw the mic on the ground.

Rule #2... Don't point the mic at the monitors or main speakers.
 
There's been a recent trend for rappers to hold the mics up at the tip of the grill and sort of yell this muffled garbage stuff at the mic. I've even seen so-called rap 'pros' on TV do this. I suppose some think it looks cool and others just follow along because that's what everyone else does...
Rule 1: hold the mic in the mic body and NOT at the grill. It prevents the mic from sounding its best and creates a nightmare for the engineer to create decent mix.

Rule 2: to prevent feedback, turn the @#$%$ monitors down.

Rule 3: rehearse so that the whole show doesn't sound like 5 guys shouting ALL of the lyrics ALL of the time. Have parts when certain people come in and out. This "raw" retarded stuff where anything goes is for the birds. Have some class about it.
 
I've seen a lot of rappers as of late that want to hold the mic by the grill with the body of the mic pointing up. As stated, this is two recipes for disaster. By cupping your hand around the grill of the mic (especially when the PA is hot and on the ragged edge anyway) it can feed back and pointing down (where the floor monitors are) is feedback waiting to happen.
 
Thanks, these are simple and easy to apply so they won't be like "huh".

Another thing, they only have 2 mics and there are 4 of them.
As I may be the soundman on their future gigs, do you have any advice to give because they really have different voices. One's is boomy, another very nasal, another high-pitched and they usually pass the mics around a lot.

I'm presently reading on the subject but EVERY advice is welcome.
 
Actually, the whole pass the mic thing may be more of a blessing in disguise. Less headache to deal with. :D (I'm sort of serious) If you need more mics, check out www.musiciansfriend.com or www.8thstreet.com they may have some cheap mics in the $20-$30 range. They won't be great, but they will work. A better choice would be a couple of Shure SM 58s. Each about $80-90 each. You may even find some used ones on eBay for half that price.
 
if you want some cheap vocal mics that will do the job almost as well as an sm58, behringer xm8500s are fantastic. practically a 58 clone, for £20! particularly good if theyre gonna get a beating.
 
mics

I think they might invest a little more if my advices pay off. I really thank you all for the advices....let's see how it goes, they got invited for a student bash today so i'll see how it goes and give you some news...

THANK Y'ALL!!!
 
If you cover the back of the grill with your raphand, you may be creating a omni pickup pattern. Not good on stage.
 
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