During my sparse vacation, I've had wireless mics on the brain coming off of a musical, and gearing up for a straight play that will be using at least 2 mics during it's run - in a addition to several hits on my old posts so - for my last post of 2011 I thought I'd share some additional tips and ideas on wireless microphones - some my own brain children as well as those I've run across lately.
Because I've been using wireless mics for years, I don't always think about giving the basics to a new cast or performer I haven't worked with before. This can seriously bite me (or you) in the butt... No matter how diligent your mic wrangler and engineer may be about checking mics or putting them on an actor, if in the end the person using the mic doesn't understand how something works - it probably won't. (Work, that is.) Make sure your performers understand enough about the equipment they're using (wearing) to not only take care of it, but to use it properly. If a presenter or actor truly understands that a lavaliere facing the wrong way will mean the audience can't hear them, they're much more likely to help you with placement as well as keep an eye on it during a show.
This is true for the handheld variety as well... just because a presenter has done his or her show many times - doesn't mean they know the basics of using a handheld. I've fought volume when a presenter held the mic so the windscreen was almost entirely covered with his fingers and cut out most of the sound... an idea that might work for an auctioneer who then holds the mic right to his face, but not so much for a formal presenter. The more the presenter/actor can help you, the better you are going to sound.
Mic storage. I'm always looking for options for mic storage during a show as well as when my mics are "in stock." Two of my favorite solutions - the first, for smaller shows, a small "brief case" style box that came from a defunct camcorder. It has foam lining, a storage pocket for expendables, spare elements, etc., and is easily tote-able by a single person between the dressing area and theatre for checks. I've also used this case in touring applications. For mic distribution - one of my favorites is a door/wall pocket shoe hanger. The pockets are roomy to allow for headset mics, mic belts, packs, and whatever individual needs each actor/actress has - clearly labeled so crew and actors alike know what's what on sight. We hang outs right outside of the wardrobe maintenance room.
Silica packs. They're in just about everything packaged to ship or store - but especially electronics. Silica absorbs moisture - so save those little packs (away from children or hungry engineers who might mistake them for candy) and keep them with your wireless elements during a show - it will help keep them dry. Also - if you're in a humid climate (like I am) it may pay to use them in regular storage with elements and packs.
Make sure you always remove batteries before storing mics - especially long term storage. If the battery leaks you can loose the entire mic - battery acid and plastic are not friends...
Excess mic cable on a lavaliere? Gently loop the cable and tie it up with a twist or sandwich bag tie, and tuck the slack into a pocket or mic pouch. If you need it "shortened" for multiple performances, a small piece of gaffers tape can keep the loop in place for longer periods.
Make sure, on the other hand, you never bend or stress a wireless mic pack's antenna. That's a good way to impede if not kill transmitting and eventually break the antenna.
The Care and Feeding of Wireless Mics... A Revisit
by Richelle Thompson
Dec 27, 2011
Happy Holidays!
During my sparse vacation, I've had wireless mics on the brain coming off of a musical, and gearing up for a straight play that will be using at least 2 mics during it's run - in a addition to several hits on my old posts so - for my last post of 2011 I thought I'd share some additional tips and ideas on wireless microphones - some my own brain children as well as those I've run across lately.
Because I've been using wireless mics for years, I don't always think about giving the basics to a new cast or performer I haven't worked with before. This can seriously bite me (or you) in the butt... No matter how diligent your mic wrangler and engineer may be about checking mics or putting them on an actor, if in the end the person using the mic doesn't understand how something works - it probably won't. (Work, that is.) Make sure your performers understand enough about the equipment they're using (wearing) to not only take care of it, but to use it properly. If a presenter or actor truly understands that a lavaliere facing the wrong way will mean the audience can't hear them, they're much more likely to help you with placement as well as keep an eye on it during a show.
This is true for the handheld variety as well... just because a presenter has done his or her show many times - doesn't mean they know the basics of using a handheld. I've fought volume when a presenter held the mic so the windscreen was almost entirely covered with his fingers and cut out most of the sound... an idea that might work for an auctioneer who then holds the mic right to his face, but not so much for a formal presenter. The more the presenter/actor can help you, the better you are going to sound.
Mic storage. I'm always looking for options for mic storage during a show as well as when my mics are "in stock." Two of my favorite solutions - the first, for smaller shows, a small "brief case" style box that came from a defunct camcorder. It has foam lining, a storage pocket for expendables, spare elements, etc., and is easily tote-able by a single person between the dressing area and theatre for checks. I've also used this case in touring applications. For mic distribution - one of my favorites is a door/wall pocket shoe hanger. The pockets are roomy to allow for headset mics, mic belts, packs, and whatever individual needs each actor/actress has - clearly labeled so crew and actors alike know what's what on sight. We hang outs right outside of the wardrobe maintenance room.
Silica packs. They're in just about everything packaged to ship or store - but especially electronics. Silica absorbs moisture - so save those little packs (away from children or hungry engineers who might mistake them for candy) and keep them with your wireless elements during a show - it will help keep them dry. Also - if you're in a humid climate (like I am) it may pay to use them in regular storage with elements and packs.
Make sure you always remove batteries before storing mics - especially long term storage. If the battery leaks you can loose the entire mic - battery acid and plastic are not friends...
Excess mic cable on a lavaliere? Gently loop the cable and tie it up with a twist or sandwich bag tie, and tuck the slack into a pocket or mic pouch. If you need it "shortened" for multiple performances, a small piece of gaffers tape can keep the loop in place for longer periods.
Make sure, on the other hand, you never bend or stress a wireless mic pack's antenna. That's a good way to impede if not kill transmitting and eventually break the antenna.
If you're looking for more information about wireless, there are great links and how-to's on several microphone manufacture's web sites. You can also check out my previous installments about wireless -The Care and Feeding of Wireless Mics - Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Mic Pack and Element Placement Chapter 3, Protecting Mics and Chapter 4 - Sweat Protection.
Any wireless microphone stories to share? Good, bad, or horror? Post 'em!
Until next time - in the New Year! Take care, cats and kittens.
Cheers!
R