Hold The Microphone 3 Inches From Your Face
I’m very involved in our theatre program here at school. Since I was a freshman, I have been on the sound crew and have recently become a crew chief for the second time. Sound, in the aspect of microphones and speakers, is relatively new in the world of theatre; however, sound effects have been an integral part of theatre since the early days. Sound effects evoke emotion, the general mood, and can serve as an underscore for the play. In the Italian form of theatre, Commedia dell’arte (A form of performance that relies on improvisation and pantomimes), sound and music was used to enhance performances. Eventually, sound in theatre productions evolved from sound effects being produced from backstage to the use of MIDI and digital audio technology in the 1980′s and 1990′s. With these new innovations, all of the sound effects and music if there was no orchestra could all be on one thumb drive. The use of sound today still evokes emotions, and can still enhance performances, but now sound can be used to amplify the actor’s voices so more people could hear them and sound can revolutionize the designs of theatres today.
So, just to be clear, when you are holding a hand-held mic:
1) Hold with a firm grip, the mic can technically handle being dropped, but it’s preferable to not drop the object that’s letting you be heard
2) Hold it three inches from your face, the sound people will make sure you will be heard
3) The mic is not a miracle worker, it puts out what is put in (you know, cause it amplifies sound), so please speak with at a reasonable volume when you are speaking into the mic.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Aud-Tech