Setup and Operation
14
Microphone Best Practices
• Keep handheld microphones 4–6" (102-152 mm) from the mouth (about the width
of a hand). “P-pops” are loud sounds created by the release of breath when
saying letters like “p” or “b”. To avoid P-pops, keep handheld microphones below
the mouth, angled toward the nose at a 45° angle. Do not point the front of the
microphone straight at the mouth.
• Position headset microphones as close to the mouth as comfortable.
• The softer or louder the speaker’s voice, move the microphone closer or farther
away, respectively.
• Never hit or intentionally blow into a microphone as it could quite easily be
damaged.
• The referee bodypack kit includes both head-worn and lapel microphones. In
general it is recommended to use the headset mic for best results. If the lapel mic is
desired, clip it onto a lapel, as close to the center of the chest as possible.
• Head-worn: Best choice for feedback rejection; capable of more gain before
feedback since microphone can be positioned close to the mouth. Placement
on head should be taken into consideration; mic boom should be on same side
of point source sound system for proper cancellation. More susceptible to wind
noise than omnidirectional microphones.
• Omnidirectional Lapel: Susceptible to feedback from sound system; least
affected by wind noise
• Cardioid Lapel: Better feedback rejection versus omnidirectional lapel, but more
wind noise. For maximum wind noise reduction, use both the snap-on windscreen
AND the furry windjammer on the lapel mic as shown in
.
Figure 24:
Proper Ref Mic Setup
