Since we sell mic stands, I am not really too focused on highlighting web sites that are in direct competition with us. Still, I just came across a product that is too cool to ignoreWhile the notion of spending $800.00 for a mic stand seems completely out of control, it didn’t take long for me to remember at least a dozen times over my career as a sound person for large public events, when I wouldn’t have been willing to spend that kind of money to save an event that was teetering on the brink of disaster.
No matter how much high dollar equipment you have, and regardless of how brilliant a sound tech you might be, just one presenter afflicted with “mic-a-phobia” or “mic-ignoria” can bring the best planned presentation to its knees.
Any seasoned sound person knows that using a mic with a tight cardioid pickup pattern will give you the opportunity to get a lot more gain (volume) out of the sound system before feedback. Because the tighter pickup pattern rejects more of the direct and reflected sound from the speakers, it is possible to make things louder.
Unfortunately, the use of a tightly patterned mic requires that the presenter stay “on axis”, that is with their head and mouth within the pick up pattern of the mic. Once they stray from this area, either by turning to one side or standing too far behind, above or below the mic, they are lost. You stand helplessly at the sound board trying to twist any know you can to get a little more volume, spending all you time on the edge of feedback disaster.
How great it would be to just hit a switch, like that provided with the Chapman system, and bring the mic closer to the presenter. If you do a lot of these sorts of events, things like awards shows and multi-presenter forums, its not hard to imagine how a system like this could pay for itself. Particularly so, since it might well allow you to hang onto an important client (these events tend to be annual in nature) for many years without being sabotaged by a speaker who just doesn’t know how to use a mic.
Can’t afford this Cadillac solution. Then make sure you have an easily adjustable boom stand or a gooseneck on the mic that adjusts quietly. Don’t hesitate to approach all the presenters before their speeches or performances and remind them to adjust the mic before they begin.
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