On Apr 4, 1:02 pm, Claudio <audiol...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> Hello there!
> What is the best mike to use to amplify a 40 people gospel choir (3
> sections) indoor/outdoor?
>
> I would like to avoid feedbacks and try to capture as much as I can of
> the voice spectrum.
>
> Thank you for your help!
>
> Cla
Although sound technicians ARE very knowledgeable about sound waves
and mic patterns, they work, for the most part with rock bands,
soloists and vocal jazz singing, and have perfected techniques that
are designed for such groups. Choir sound is different. Choir
singing creates an ambient sound that is the result of and is greater
than the single voices or the sections of which it is made - a synergy
of sound if you will. It is this synergy of sound that needs to be
amplified - not individual voices or sections.
Finding the best way to amplify your choir to reflect their true sound
is a major challenge. After years of consulting with audio
professionals, and doing my own research I have come up with a rather
simple solution:
Use a stereo condenser microphone (one will easily cover a 40 voice
choir). This provides you with a couple of things: 1) a perfect XY
pattern (some professionals argue that XY is not the best, however, it
is still an excellent choice). 2) It is clean visually (one mic and 2
cables side by side) 3) (the most im****tant) the true sound of your
choir is captured.
Placement of the stereo microphone will depend on the venue and how
much resonant/accoustical sound is coming from =93stage=94. The ultimate
position is when the microphone can be behind and above the director=92s
head. However, this may not result in the best sound. You will just
have to experiment and judge the distance from the choir that works
the best. I have used this method in gyms and theatres, venues with
good and bad acoustics, large and small rooms to great success.
For outdoor amplification, in addition to the stereo microphone in the
centre, you may need a couple of mono condenser microphones - one on
the left and one on the right of centre. (This arrangement also works
well for recording your choir.)
In most cases the piano should not have a separate microphone. The
choir microphone will be able to =93hear=94 the piano and will pick it up
with the choir sounds. Using a separate microphone for the piano
will, in my opinion, give the piano its own sound and presence if sent
directly to the speakers. The speakers will generate a piano sound and
a choir sound - usually the piano more present than the choir. If the
piano is electric or needs to be =93amped=94, point the piano monitor/
speaker towards the choir so that the singers can hear it and let the
choir microphone pick it up along with the choir. This method will
keep the presence of the piano in line with the choir.
Here are a couple of stereo microphones that I use and can easily be
rented:
Audio-technica AT825 ($550)
http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/f43693e797dfbe09/index.html
Rode NT4 Stereo Condenser Microphone ($650)
http://www.rodemic.com/microphone.php?product=3DNT4______
Good luck,
Vic
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