Hi all,

I am on a committee assigned to purchase a new microphone for general
use during ceremonies at our synagogue. The current mic causes
problems since the speaker must hold it very close and speak very
directly into it. Most people using it rarely speak on stage and
would benefit from a microphone that picks up sound from wider
angles/distances. The person using the mic will be the only
significant source of sound. Durability, user friendliness a plus.

Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks, Adam

(Michelin) writes:

Hi all,

I am on a committee assigned to purchase a new microphone for general
use during ceremonies at our synagogue. The current mic causes
problems since the speaker must hold it very close and speak very
directly into it. Most people using it rarely speak on stage and
would benefit from a microphone that picks up sound from wider
angles/distances. The person using the mic will be the only
significant source of sound. Durability, user friendliness a plus.

Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks, Adam

Posting what your current mic make/model is would be helpful.

Your current mic is a typical cardioid it seems. It has excellent
feedback rejection characteristics, but you do have to get right on
em.

The problem with a less directional microphone is that you may find
them prone to feedback. Where are your PA Speakers in relation to
where the speaker/presider physically stands? If they are behind the
speaker, you may be asking for trouble.

Even so, the best way to address this is to train the speakers to get
on the mic. Nothing will get them over hearing their amplified voice
but that. Otherwise, no matter what mic you get, they'll manage to
hold it far enough away so they don't get freaked out by the sound of
their amplified voice, and sadly, that almost necessarily means that
their voice is no louder than the way the speaker is used to hearing
it (i.e. no one in the audience will hear em).

However, to answer your question, something like the Shure SM48 is a
standard spoken word mic, but it's still cardiod:
http://www.shure.com/microphones/models/sm48.asp

Here's a less directional mic --the Microflex for installation on a
podium:
http://www.shure.com/microphones/models/mxgooseneck.asp

Or, here's the lavalier version of this microflex mic that you would
clip on to the person's clothing
http://www.shure.com/microphones/models/mxlavalier.asp

Or here's something in a standard package that's truly
omnidirectional:
http://www.shure.com/microphones/models/sm63.asp
http://www.shure.com/microphones/models/vp64a.asp

But beware of feedback.

Try the omnidirectional mic like the SM63 above...and if you have
feedback, go back to the one you have now, and either have someone
actively running sound and adjusting the gain for them, or better
still, just train people to get them over the hump of hearing their
own voice.

Best Regards,
--
/"\ ASCII Ribbon Campaign | Todd H
\ / | http://www.toddh.net/
X Promoting good netiquette | http://triplethreatband.com/
/ \ http://www.toddh.net/netiquette/ | "4 lines suffice."

Hi all,

I am on a committee assigned to purchase a new microphone for general
use during ceremonies at our synagogue. The current mic causes
problems since the speaker must hold it very close and speak very
directly into it. Most people using it rarely speak on stage and
would benefit from a microphone that picks up sound from wider
angles/distances. The person using the mic will be the only
significant source of sound. Durability, user friendliness a plus.

Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks, Adam


Shure SM 81 with the extra grille.

Requires phantom power, very durable and trouble free. About $350.
Richard H. Kuschel
"I canna change the law of physics."-----Scotty