Coomber Audio are a Worcestershire based company at the forefront of designing and manufacturing specialist audio solutions to a multitude of markets, including the education sector.
As a specialist in their field, Coomber regularly share their knowledge and expertise to help you ensure you have the right equipment to meet your needs and to ensure you are using it correctly to get the best results possible.
In this blog, Coomber Audio will be sharing their tops tips and advice to help your school when using microphones.
Microphones are a useful piece of equipment for schools and education establishments, especially when being used for productions, assemblies or other events where you will be addressing an audience.
However due to them having a sensitive input, they can be easily affected by audio feedback, which will result in an unpleasant experience for your audience.
Amplification
We always advise that when connecting the device to an amplifier, you ensure the volume is turned down during the plugging in and unplugging, as loud noise can be generated.
Not only this, but it is also important to ensure that wherever possible:
- the microphones are kept as far away from the systems speakers
- keep the microphone behind the front row of speakers and try not to aim the microphone at the speaker,
- turn the volume of the microphone level up slowly if any unwanted noise is heard turn it down slightly, this is likely to be the level of amplification for your room
Excessive amplification of the microphone will cause it to pick up its own sound from the speakers and amplify it again causing audio feedback; its volume control must be turned down to regulate this.
This feedback may also occur is you are using a microphone when walking around the room, so to combat this you must either keep further away from the speakers or adjust the volume down.
Sound Check
It is good practice to do a sound check prior to any live event to establish the ideal and maximum levels, however they may then need to be tweaked during the performance or as the room fills up, as the acoustic properties of the room will change.
Top Tip: Ensure you have someone who is monitoring these levels throughout your performance and who knows how to alter these levels, to achieve the best results.
Speaking with a Microphone
Microphones always work best when they are close to the audio source (your mouth). The further away from the source, the less signal they will have to amplify.
If you move the microphone closer and further away from you during its use, the volume that your audience will hear will vary dramatically.
So, our top tip is to keep speaking in a constant level and keep the microphone in a constant distance from you.
Wireless Microphones
When using wireless microphones, we advise that you test its range before using it.
If it is a critical event, always fit new batteries before the show, ensure the microphone is turned off immediately after you have used it and ensure that the user knows how to use the microphone.