gooseneck mics for podium application

[massò]

hi guys,

i'm a live sound guy,..and i find myself working often with podium mics like shure microflex or akg gooseneck. i usually set up preamp gain with other transducer like dynamics finding the 0 dB...but with gooseneck ( electrect condenser ) i reach at least - 12 or -9 dB, and i have not tryed yet ti push the gain over to 0 dB probably scaried about feedback stuff,...do you think i'm in the right way or i should ask for more gain to the preamp and try to reach 0 dB as well with those microphones??

thanks for reporting your experience


Massimo

[JonesH]

Spontaneously I'd not treat podium mics any different gain-wise. I usually leave faders at 0 and adjust gain, though... Different gainstaging.

[bishopthomas]

Short answer: It depends.
Long answer: If you're not getting enough gain and pushing your faders too far then turn it up. Podium speakers are not always the best at mic technique, though, and turning up the gain may not be enough. Don't be afraid to hack away at the EQ if you need to. Try to avoid putting much (if any at all) podium mic in the foldback, and if you have to make sure you ring out the wedge really well.

[hbphotoav]

Most condenser gooseneck podium mics are really lame. I like Beta 87A on either a K&M boom or a sturdy gooseneck (with a foamie if I can get away with it) on a OnStage 320 clip ( On-Stage | MY-320 Shock-Mount | MY320 | B&H Photo Video ). Amazing gain-before-feedback, and it sounds pretty much the same whether the person is 2" or 2 feet back. A Sabine IntelliQ with the FBX feedback filters set for the room also helps dramatically. Six cuts at precise freqs at 1/10th octave beat a channel parametric and/or 1/3 octave solution hands down. With 58s on the panel table, a couple of Shure WL185s on Sennheiser transmitters and a 87A on the podium, the Sabine is good for 6 to 10dB additional gain over channel EQ settings... and it's quick.

Perhaps the best podium mic out there is the Earthworks FM500. Since I own three 87As, and since a new one runs $479, I have not yet added one to my mics case... but it sounds pretty amazing, with great feedback rejection.

If you're stuck with Shure and AT goosenecks, take it slow... set your preamp gain at -50 or so, set your channel fader at "0" and bring the master up until you get the first bad freq... use the channel EQ to tame that one, and the next (likely 80-100Hz and somewhere 400-500Hz). Then use the graphic to get a bit more gain before it rings in the house. All bets are off if it's a cheapo ceiling system and you get stuck under a down-firing can. Also... be sure you have a selection of good foamies to fit several mics. The worst "feature" of the "usual" gooseneck mics is their horrid tendency to boom hugely with every plosive within range. Ts, Ps, Ks and every large exhalation of breath will rock and rumble the room. Mic eaters will kill you. Foamies won't get it all, but they'll help. Just don't forget to collect them when you leave.

You didn't say if you were contract, or a house sound guy. I supply PA, lights and video for my meetings clients, so I own what I need to get the job done. You can be a real hero if you have a couple of good foamies in your kit, and might be able to pay for an Earthworks or a Sabine FBX via rentals if you know the contractor and can work it into your daily pricing.

On the other hand... nobody may care.

HB

[massò]

thanks,

for all your suggestions,..i was happy finding myself with more or less the same problems you wrote down,,...this gave me feedback that i was in the right direction...