The subject of microphones is very broad and more for religious projects, which offer a lot of challenges.
By Juan Tamayo*
Let's accept the reality, generally in the churches the personnel in charge of the audiovisual systems are not professionals, basically they are people who want to carry out community work for their congregation. It is in the ability of the audiovisual professional contractor to take advantage of this resource to execute optimal projects without having as an excuse the ability of the person in charge in the administration of these systems.
With this article I hope to deliver some recommendations that have served to develop personal and professional projects in churches of different faiths.
One of the big problems that I observe in the development of audiovisual projects is that the right microphone is not used for the need raised. And in churches it is a problem that occurs often, more than usual, possibly because the administration of temples depends basically on the contributions made by the community and not on a constant source of income.
Installing specialized microphones is no longer as expensive as it was a few years ago. The big brands of these elements have developed products for all types of market without considerably affecting the necessary quality. Next, I will raise the microphones that have been used for the different applications:
Pulpit: in acoustically difficult spaces that generate feedback easily, it is preferable to use gooseneck microphones. But beware, select the coverage pattern very well. I would recommend a cardioid, hypercardioid (beware of the 180º area) or preferably a microphone with a linear pattern.
The linear pattern helps solve problems because its coverage angle is narrower and the distance factor is greater than a conventional microphone. This means that we can reduce their sensitivity to avoid feedback problems.
If there is a problem with the value of the microphone, we can use a cardioid handheld microphone, with a flexible base. Look for the microphone to be small, so you will avoid having the microphone take away attention from the parent or pastor in their preaching.
Mobile Speakers: The big problem for anyone who sits in front of a sound console is the preacher walking across the stage, through the audience, even to the entrances. It's good to know which is the best microphone for your app. For those who like to have their hands free, a good microphone is the cardioid headband, which will solve the vast majority of inconveniences.
But if you like to have a handheld microphone, a cardioid one is the best choice. Although the hypercardioid has a more closed polar pattern, just at 180º it has a coverage area that can enter a very easy feedback zone.
For this type of preaching, after selecting the right microphone it is convenient that both the contractor technician and the person who controls the console do all the necessary tests to avoid feedback inconveniences, walk with the microphones on, use different levels of voice, even know at what times the microphone makes a feedback, since with practice it is done to the teacher.
Musicians: Before selecting the ideal microphone for each musician, the audiovisual contractor should take a basic course in microphone techniques aimed at members of the band or bands that play in the church. Generally our guild is limited to using "the best", but does not explain to the musician how to do it. In my opinion, I think the microphone is the extension of the instrument. If the musician does not know how it operates, he will not be able to deliver his best performance and in some cases can make that moment of spiritual connection ruined because it simply does not sound good.
In microphones for musicians we can dedicate the entire issue of a magazine, it would be a good topic to play. I will recommend in this article that the audiovisual technician knows very well how the band or musical group of the church is composed, and according to this information elaborate a work plan with the administrators to find the right economic resource and not flood a stage with economic microphones that will bring a lot of configuration problems.
Baptismal Font: in some religious creeds it is very important to begin your faith with a baptism ceremony. I know some churches where they are massively made or even have a whole architectural structure within the enclosure so that the person is submerged. But well, how to apply through a microphone so that it is heard well without having problems of feedback? Basically a sky microphone is located, with linear pattern of capture, so the preacher will not have problems of handling or electrical problems with his microphone, and this will be "invisible" in his application.
As you can see, the subject of microphones is very broad and especially for religious projects, which offer a lot of challenges. The invitation is that each professional prepares very well to face these challenges and everything is based on the relationship and communication with the church and its most important active components, which is the staff that manages the place.
Acoustics, professional treatment
Like microphones, the acoustic theme can take an entire book to describe. And more in our continent, in which we find a great variety of architectural structures not suitable for acoustic work. We have churches of the eighteenth century, nineteenth century that do not have electrical amplification systems, were designed so that the waves spread with rebound effects, which makes it too difficult to make a good design (if the designer is not prepared) or churches that are located in industrial warehouses where the surfaces are rigid.
Anyway, I can list a number of problems, but the one that has worried me the most is the one generated by the musical group. The high levels of sound pressure generated by the monitoring system, added to the unsuitable acoustic spaces, generate an inconvenience to the listener that does not allow him to concentrate on what he really wants to do, to connect with his god.
For these types of problems I have always recommended the monitoring system through hearing aids. There are several types and kinds of solutions, including various costs, I can not recommend which is the best or worst, I will only describe what I would do.
As in any band, there are musicians who steal the show and there are musicians who are in the background, so identify who their musicians are, but do not tell them, what we least want is to hurt feelings. For background musicians, use headband-like headphones with circumaural designs, so you can have the full spectrum of wave and a single mix for them. These can be wired and connected through hearing aid amplifiers.
For those musicians performing the show, usually vocal, you can use wireless in-ear systems. I recommend those that can have two tracks or channels and can perform a custom mix. They can also use it for preachers, because walking around the enclosure they can easily lose the reference. With a system of these they would not lose the reference.
Monitoring systems with hearing aids have applications such as:
- Reduce sound power levels on stage.
- Reduce sound power levels in the PA system that converts into noise.
- Make cleaner mixes on monitors, amazing how it improves the sound.
- Being able to send information to musicians without the nearby audience knowing.
I hope that the article can be used to develop religious projects, in Audio-Technica we are prepared to collaborate with you and you can contact me at the following emails if you want to know more about the subject or about any particular concern, [email protected] or [email protected]
*Juan Tamayo is a Sales Engineer for sound installations in Latin America from the company Audio Technica.
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