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Brent McLeod Inner circle 1792 Posts 
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Agree totaly with BDC above!!
One area I was not as polished as other performers was in using a mike -on a stand, cord, & cordless Now I have 3 I use in each show & the last year this has improved my show by so much just being familiar with using mics etc Good thread!!! |
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Big Daddy Cool Inner circle 1604 Posts
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I do refer everyone to read Maximum Entertainment by Ken Weber. He really goes into extraordinary detail about this subject, and his reason for not using a headset or lav go far beyond the technical - It has to do with the fundamental character of the magician!
Check it out. |
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Magic Mike Japan New user Yokosuka, Japan (U.S. Mailing Address) 98 Posts
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Allow me to add my two cents here. I've used Madonna mikes (wireless headset), lavaliere mikes (clip-on), and wired mikes. Nothing looks and sounds more professional than a good-old Shure 58 mike, hard-wired. It just takes time to get used to when you can and can't use it.
"There's no limit to what one man can accomplish, as long as he's willing to let someone else have the credit." (These words were inscribed on a small brass plaque which sat on President Ronald Reagan's desk in the White House during his second term.)
<BR><BR |
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WizardB Regular user 102 Posts
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There is nothing more useful or important than good old fashioned voice projection...I learned this in a theater class in 6th grade. I only use mikes when the audience is talking during my act (at a fair or something), or the acoustics of the room aren't conducive (gymnasium, arena, etc.).
Brian |
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MagicMikeMartin New user 61 Posts
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I have been researching an audio solution for my performances and I remember a few having a line out which can be used to record your show.
This seems like a great way to capture your audio and music to playback later. |
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JackScratch Inner circle 2151 Posts
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All superb advice, but unless I missed it, one suggestion has been missed. Block and Rehearse your show using a hand-held, corded mic. Even if you have some electronic solution to the mic issue, the best electronics have problems. If and when that happens, I can tell you right now, better to use a house mic than to not perform at all. Using a house mic in a show that has never considered it is only marginally better then not performing at all. It's to easy a solution to a potential problem to not be accounted for. A 1 inch section of wooden dowel about 1.5 feet long, a small eye screw, and about 100 feet of sash cord make the perfect rehearsal set up. Build your fake mic and do your entire performance using it like a mic. First, you will be astounded that anyone can work with the stupid things. In time, you will augment your performance so that neither you, nor your audience, notices the mic. The next time you get to a performance, and nothing is going right, at the very least you will have that option was available.
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Brent McLeod Inner circle 1792 Posts
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Just this week gone - As a stage manager-we had a major convention & had numerous probs with pre checked lapel mics
Sure enough the trustworthy mic on a stand -great sound -no problems!! cheers |
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ferrari New user 53 Posts
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Headset mic is what I use works great
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Bill Palmer Eternal Order Only Jonathan Townsend has more than 24315 Posts
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Quote:
On 2007-04-09 22:28, Moth wrote: I couldn't disagree more on almost all points. 1) Use a cardioid mike. Practice with it like you would any other instrument or prop. Then you will know how to turn your head so you can hit the mike when you want to. Using an omnidirectional mike invites feedback. 2) Don't run the mike as hot as you think you need to. If you speak at half volume, as Amanda suggests, you lose the excitement in your voice. It will make you sound like an FM DJ. If you do run the mike hot, back off from it and aim your head toward it. Some performers will run a series of cardioid mikes along the edge of the stage so there are several hot zones. Then the mikes will pick you up from almost any position. Just turn your head in the general direction of the mike and speak up. 3) Do not set your PA system to overcome your vocal deficiencies. Many performers tend to run their amps with high bass and low treble. This makes them sound boomy and muddy. If you want to err in one direction or the other, cut the bass a bit and increase the treble. Treble will cut through the crowd. 4) Do a pre-show check. Then MAKE SURE THAT NOBODY MESSES WITH THE SETTINGS. I can guarantee you with 90% certainty that in all of the cases where the sound was horrible on the wireless units, that someone fooled with the settings OR they were bad units in the first place. I've been working amplified for a good 45 years. Get a good set of mikes and learn how they work. Don't buy junk. The ones I use are broadcast quality, not second line junk. I'm constantly amazed at the number of people who will invest megabucks in an illusion show and will cheap out on their sound systems. BTW, your sound system is one of your props. Take it with you. Don't use a house unit unless it is your ONLY option. You wouldn't use someone else's Zig-Zag or Impaled, would you?
"The Swatter"
Founder of CODBAMMC My Chickasaw name is "Throws Money at Cups." www.cupsandballsmuseum.com |
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MagicalDuda New user Ontario, Canada 73 Posts
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Maximum Entertainment = Excellent book
>>Magical Duda<<
www.magicalduda.com |
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corsufle Loyal user 202 Posts
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On 2009-06-15 14:50, MagicalDuda wrote: I agree about Maximun Entertainment. Also, speaking as an audio engineer, I agree with almost everything Bill Palmer said above. I'd advise keeping it as simple as possible so there will be fewer things to go wrong. Specifically, a mic on a cord is simpler than a wireless mic. A dynamic mic (e.g. SM-58) is simpler than a condensor mic. Learning how to speak loudly and clearly is simpler than trying to use EQ or effects to make up for deficiencies. Avoid audio equipment that requires batteries. Obviously, different people have different preferences and special situations require special considerations. If anyone disagrees, that is OK with me. My last piece of advice is to learn some basic troubleshooting skills so you can quickly find the bad connection or cable or gear and swap it out. Also learn what causes feedback (usually pointing the mic at a speaker or having the gain too high) and don't do that. Sorry if I rambled off topic.
Who is the Fool with the guitar?
Find out at HobbyhorseMusic.com |
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Brent McLeod Inner circle 1792 Posts
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On 2007-05-13 17:17, Big Daddy Cool wrote: Agree totally-Great Advice in this book The most problems Ive seen in many shows is poor head set Mikes quality or interference etc.. and what has always saved the day is a reliable old Shure Mic in a stand as mentioned here, headsets sound is never as good-always muffled to some degree Keep it in a stand when using your hands & take out when talking to the audience etc.. Looks great for what we do All the comedy clubs use a Mic in a stand-why?-Reliability Cheers |
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Jim Sparx Inner circle Far Out, Texas 1144 Posts
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Here is a guy who will teach you to use a stand up microphone correctly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfTZjJRJ0wg&feature=related
Et tu, Spartacus?
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/chispadeelpaso.html |
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Decomposed Eternal Order High Desert 12059 Posts
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On 2005-08-29 06:49, jonthewierdo wrote: I agree. I have been through so many mics and now use a handheld with a neck holder. I find a handheld just cannot be beat. Just have the dee jay turn up the volume.
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Click here for NEW PROMO TRAILER! 90 seconds of pure laughs without a standing ovation! Click here for Magicians Austin Mentalist Performance https://www.facebook.com/AustinMagicians https://www.speakermatch.com/profile/gianicano/ Magicians Company Entertainers in Dallas, TX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8sHW_zVuSc https://about.me/motivationalpublicspeaker |
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jcss New user 97 Posts
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The problem is that the lavalier is easy to engage the sound
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jlevey Inner circle Montreal, Quebec, Canada 2077 Posts
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On Feb 29, 2012, Jim Sparx wrote: Unfortunately, this link no longer works. Can you please post a working link, or a t least post the name of the performer that has taken the time to speak on this important subject so that we might do our own Youtube search and locate his tutorial video on the art of using hand mics effectively? Many thanks. Jonathan
Jonathan
Max & Maxine Entertainment Magicians with a touch of comedy! ___________________________________ www.maxmagician.com www.mindreadershow.com www.monsieurmagic.com |
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M. Tesla Regular user Coral Springs, Florida 154 Posts
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When I did my stage act I used a wireless mike and a mike on a stand for volunteers (the stand had a holder on it for the mike, so the mike could be slipped out and put in the hands of someone if necessary). When I played large venues I used m own sound system; two tower speakers, a mixing board, a wireless mike for me, and a mike on a stand for volunteers...I could handle a 10,000 square foot hall with this equipment. When I performed stand-up, per se, at a grocery stores, promotions, malls, whatever, and other similar types of performances, where I stood in the same spot with a table in front of me, I used a small amplifier, a small sound board, and a smaller wireless mike set up. I have two tower speakers, the mixing board, a better wireless mike, and a stand mike, but I also have a large single speaker amplifier, and a smaller single speaker amplifier, and several wireless mikes of varying degrees of size and quality...I guess the sound equipment I had (and still do) could handle quite a bit...I never found an around-the-neck mike holder that was worth a c*r*a*p...
While the amount of water has remained static, the amount of Tequila and Triple Sec available for making Margaritas has expanded enormously. So you see, we have made progress after all. ~Anonymous
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Brent McLeod Inner circle 1792 Posts
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6 years ago I wrote in this thread and many hundreds of corporate shows later still use a top of the range shure mic on a stand and PA system ,which I do a thorough sound check at every show with my own gear...main reason for me is better quality of sound in the mic and settings as mentioned in many of the great posts above..I havent tried very often a mic in a neck holder that's worked really well..I am very comfortable with a stand and have no problems doing effects in my hands.
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Brent McLeod Inner circle 1792 Posts
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On May 12, 2007, Big Daddy Cool wrote: Agree with above comment, As a Professional corporate entertainer Ive been using a mic on stand for years,uni directional and the sound quality is excellent. Ive been part of and seen too many shows ruined by headset mics and poor quality sound & feedback even with professional techs and they all end up using emergency mic on a stand in the wings etc. I know using sound is personal for each performer but you can rehearse your act using a handheld mic and a stand,Ive never had a problem and know my routines so well the mic is just an invisible accessory, Fielding West is so good with his show and Mic. Cheers |
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Posted: May 13, 2007 04:42 am 